Browse African Slang

"What's eating you?" (What's wrong?)

Are you OK? / You good?

“You’re the boss/champ,” used to praise someone’s skill.

Literally “it does not leak,” refers to magical protection (bulletproof charm). Slang for being unfazed or “that didn’t ...

A common folding pocketknife (brand name used generally).

Guy or bloke (casual term for a man).

A Zulu word, used in urban slang, meaning "the fact remains" or "anyway." It's said when you want to emphasize that desp...

Regardless—we win.

Literally “child,” but used as an interjection to express surprise or excitement (like “wow” or “oh boy”).

A slang phrase declaring one's hope or plan is left "in God's hands." In financial contexts, saying you'll do something ...

Performing well.

Literally "on my porch" (from Afrikaans), but used to indicate something is right at your doorstep or nearby. People use...

We're about to go (Afrikaans).

“Uncle” in Afrikaans – used to respectfully address an older man.

“It’s plenty” – indicating abundance or that something is awesome in quantity/quality.

Opponent / hater.

A typical South African greeting question that literally asks "Aside from that, are you well?" It often comes after init...

One’s mother (literally “old lady”). (Origin: Tsotsitaal/Afrikaans)

Girl / young woman (Cape).

Slang for a white person (West African/Oyibo, East African/Mzungu).

Guy or fellow; can also mean 'old'.