Browse African Slang

A Jamaican expletive that trended as a meme caption on African Twitter (used similar to *Sco pa tu manaa* to caption ima...

Serial gossip-gatherer

Serial gossip-gatherer

Slang for “going out partying/clubbing.”

Slang for *illegal dealings or underground crime.*

Boss / respected person.

Bro/Brother. 'Bru' (from Afrikaans broer) means friend or dude. 'Bra' is also used.

Barbecue / social cookout.

A playful term for money pooled together for a barbecue (braai). Friends might say "bring braai-bucks" meaning contribut...

Acting tough / reckless.

Unapologetic rebel

A casual party term meaning guests should bring their own meat (and sometimes drinks) to braai (barbecue). It's the Sout...

"Gees" is Afrikaans for spirit or energy. "Bring gees" means bring the energy/enthusiasm, often used when encouraging a ...

Someone broke; no money.

To brag/show off.

Sound for cold OR gun/engine hype.

Slang meaning “to go crazy” or “to get wild.”

Common slang for Rand, the South African currency, or money in general. "Bucks" is used much like in American English to...

Buff / muscular.

To puff out (chest) / posture.

Rural area / sticks.

Driving or trekking through rough, wild terrain (the "bush" or bundu) for adventure, often off-road. "Bundu" is slang fo...

A famous South African street food: a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry.

Girlfriend / bae (colloquial).

The informal rural network of gossip/communication (news spreading by word of mouth).

Means “look” or “listen.” Used to draw attention before saying something.

Long, sleek wig style",Need a 40-inch buss down for the weekend.

Really good (usually food)

Extra / doing too much.

A phrase meaning something will be done no matter what obstacles arise. It implies determination at all costs – "come he...

Fantastic; used to praise something done well.

Meat cooked over an open flame at a braai.