South Africa Slang Dictionary

South African slang is a rich, multilingual mix that borrows freely from the country's eleven official languages - isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sesotho and more - plus street languages like tsotsitaal and Sepitori. It's the language of the townships, the taxi rank, kwaito and amapiano, and everyday Mzansi life from Joburg to Cape Town to Durban. Words like eish, howzit, lekker, sharp sharp and yebo are woven into how South Africans speak every day. Explore the community-built dictionary of South African slang below - and add the words you know.

A term used to refer to the South African Tactical Response Team.

Those cops that wear berets and moer people.
Example

He was moered by amaberete, that's why he is behaving now.

Danny • 04 May 2021
Also known as SOS - Is a South African rapper who the current king of South African rap. He released his diss track called Ninyile that was dissing the whole SA Hip Hop industry and all these cats have been awfully quiet ever since.
Example

Big Xhosa dissed the whole industry except Big Zulu.

Danny • 02 May 2021
A Sotho term that means a white person.
Example

Ke tshwere stocko sa lekgowa.

Skhokho • 01 May 2021
A slang term that means a white person.
Example

That guy is always chilling with a ngamla.

Skhokho • 01 May 2021
A term that is used to refer to a very old car.
Example

Push iskorokoro.

Skhokho • 01 May 2021
The 750ml or 660ml beer or cider (quart).

Can also be called Ngud (without the last u)
Example

Yabona ng'zomosha kakhulu

Ng'zoshay'iNgud

Skhokho • 01 May 2021
A very offensive word that is used to refer to a foreigner.

Same as kwerekwere.
Example

Stop calling our brothers and sisters amagweja!

Bafo • 01 May 2021

Res

Res is a shortened name for a University or college residence.
Example

I have applied for res because I am tired of staying at home.

Bafo • 01 May 2021
Roomza / Rumza is your roommate. It is mostly used to refer to res roommate or hostel roommate.
Example

My roomza likes stealing my groceries.

Bafo • 01 May 2021
In South Africa, a bakkie refers to a pick-up truck.
Example

I need to get myself a bakkie for when I go to the villages.

Skhokho • 01 May 2021
The person who is making sure that the braai meat is properly done and everything goes well during a braai.
Example

The braai master for today's braai was Thabo hence the meat is not nice.

Skhokho • 30 April 2021
Regardless of all facts presented before me, I reiterate that my misinformed, obscure perspective is still valid whether you like it or not.
Example

Oksalayo Kaizer Chiefs is still the best team in the country.

Varsity Dude • 30 April 2021

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