Browse African Slang

Hangover (from Zulu ibhabhalazi).

A bad hangover (originating from Zulu *ibhabhalazi*).

A **hangover** (from Zulu *ibhabhalazi*).

Originally means a respected gangster, now used to praise someone as a boss or cool tough person.

"Oh my people" – exclamation of surprise/emotion.

A pickup truck. Afrikaans word used by everyone to mean a small truck with an open back.

Slang for “dad” (used mostly in urban youth language, especially by teens when referring to their father – like saying “...

Living in wealth and extravagance (like a baller).

To mess up / cause trouble.

"They've entered" / they pulled up lit (arrival hype).

"Guys!/Men!" shocked emphasis (Sesotho/Setswana).

Sound effect meaning slap/hit; also "exactly".

"Where are they from?"

Short for “baby” as term of endearment.

A vulgar-slash-endearing Afrikaans term meaning either 'excellent, amazing' or 'crazy or very angry'

Spill it before it leaks

Odd but harmless trait

Odd but harmless trait

A phrase in Zulu/Sotho meaning "week in and week out" (literally "week and week"). It implies something happens consiste...

Hustle hard / be fast.

A humoristic term for a young guy who dates much older women (a 'toy boy'). Taken from the cartoon 'Ben 10' about a boy

A homeless person, particularly one in Cape Town (from *berg*, mountain, referring to those living on the slopes of Tabl...

Yes, okay, for sure

Boobs (playful).

To fail or mess up (youth slang, as in “it *buys* you nothing”).

To bump/hit lightly (cars/people).

A stupid or clueless person.

Burp loudly.

Lion (metaphor for strong person).

Used sarcastically or respectfully to address a guy acting important.

Report / snitch.

Act angry / sulk.

Dried, cured meat snack similar to beef jerky but with unique South African spices

Slang (youth) for “home” (some say it comes from *been at* – as in where you stay).

Organic/natural

Complain / whine.

A modern term describing the financial support that black professionals give to family from their income. Black tax is n...

To have fun or go wild (also a youth telecom campaign name, now slang).

The young woman who is on the receiving end in a *blesser* relationship.

(SA slang) A wealthy older person (usually a man) who 'blesses' a younger partner with money and gifts in exchange for c...

Hit / beat up; also exclamation.

Excellent or impressive. (Origin: Tsotsitaal English)

Light-skinned girls or women (literally “bling” like something bright/shiny). (Origin: Tsotsitaal English)

Move fast / do quickly.

To hang out or stay/chill somewhere. (Origin: Tsotsitaal, Afrikaans “blom”)

Slang for “club” (a night club or party spot).

Fancy suburban vibe / "rich area energy".

An old Afrikaans proverb meaning "A farmer makes a plan." Widely quoted in English too, it extols South African resource...

A traditional South African sausage. While not slang, it's so iconic that tourists often search for it

Another term for brother or buddy (from Afrikaans boetie) often used affectionately among men.