Browse African Slang

Don't worry

“There.” Used to direct or point something out.

“That thing.” A vague way to refer to something you don’t want to name.

Do / make / handle.

Include me / do it with me.

An expression originating from Zulu ("dala" meaning "do") which means "do what you need to do" or "do whatever you think...

Thanks / appreciation.

A slangy way to say "Thanks, dude." "Dankie" is Afrikaans for "thank you," and "san" is township slang for "dude" or "fr...

Extra "thanks" / acknowledgement cool.

A man dating a very young girl (refers to “Danone” yogurt with young target market).

Decor / styling.

Delusional stan

Soft understated vibe

They're vibing right now.

An Afrikaans idiom meaning "the dolls are going to dance" – implying that chaos or trouble will erupt soon. Used in Engl...

Person sulking or looking grumpy.

"Nice things / good life."

Skinny jeans (tight pants).

A casual Setswana/Sotho slang greeting meaning "What's happening?" or "How are things?" It's like asking "What's up?" am...

Play / perform / mess around.

Destroy / crush (competition).

Ancestor spirit / spiritual vibe.

Silent flex (from "dumb" reversed slang).

Stupid, dim-witted. Afrikaans origin (literally 'deaf'), used to call someone slow on the uptake

Often used in SA media to stress truly rich individuals (in US dollars, not just local currency). As inflation hit Zimba...

A grim phrase from Zimbabwe's hyperinflation days, referring to how the US dollar's value could "violate" people's savin...

Lazy / not responsive.

A phrase meaning "don't be stupid" or "don't be slow." "Dof" is Afrikaans for dull or not bright. It's often said in a t...

A colloquial plea meaning "don't give me attitude" or "don't speak to me disrespectfully." Tune in SA slang means "to te...

A uniquely South African polite rejection. If you offer someone something they decline, they might say this

A ditch or eroded gully.

A colloquial way to describe a big thunderstorm. "Donner" means thunder (and also to beat up) in Afrikaans, so "donner w...

Slang for “food” (as simple as reversing *food* maybe, used humorously).

A vulgar Afrikaans insult (literally 'box'). Very offensive, equivalent to calling someone a c***

Alcoholic drink, or a verb meaning to fail. 'Having a dop' means having a drink.

Historically, a practice on wine farms of paying workers in wine (now illegal)

Money for transport.

Give energy / hype.

Everything is okay or fine (all good).

A cigarette (smoke).

Stylish outfit or accessories

Lavish lifestyle spending.

Soft hugging homie vibe.

Comfort / console.

Leave quickly / vanish.

Cannabis or marijuana.

Literal meaning 'thick'; colloquially used for someone or something overweight or substantial.

Dried version of boerewors, similar to jerky.

A hug or cuddle.