Browse African Slang

Moputso o potlakisitsoeng / Chelete pele ho nako (Early salary / Money before time)

Mohlankana / Molekane oa ngoanana (Brother-in-law / Sister's boyfriend)

Tšohile / Tšabile (Scared / Afraid)

Motho ea khale / Moholohali (Old person / Elder)

Ho sebetsa / Ho bereka (To work / To labor)

Nama e halikiloeng / Fried meat (Fried meat)

Sefahleho / Face (Face)

Matla / Power (Strength / Power)

Kahlolo / Kotlo (Judgment / Sentence)

Ho phela haholo / To phela a lot

Lesela la setso / Seaparo sa Basotho (Traditional fabric / Basotho clothing)

Lisebelisoa / Equipment

Lehlokohloko / Criminal (Criminal / Thug)

Moshemane / Ngoan'eso (Boy / Young brother)

Ho otla / Ho betha (To hit / To beat)

Ho sheba butle / To sheba butle

A common Sesotho exclamation (like 'wow!'). Also Ao! for surprise or 'oh no!'.

Shaoara / Ho hlapa (Shower / To wash)

Chelete ea nyatsi / Mistress money (Side chick money)

Nyaa monna / Disgusting man

Slang for the young domestic girl used by 'Daddy', from a famous song. Similar to floor engineer.

Lekhooa / Motho ea hlotsang (Loose woman / Promiscuous person)

Skeleme se senyane / Lekelenyana (Small crook / Little thief)

Letlalo le kganyang / Glowing skin

Hlooho le dombolo / Head and dumplings

Motho e monyenyane / Nobody (Small person)

Bohareng ba formal le casual / Between formal and casual

Papali ea TV / Drama (TV show / Soap opera)

Soso / Moro (Sauce / Gravy)

Motho ea bohlale / Clever person (Smart person / Clever one)

Ho palama / Ho tsamaea (To ride / To travel)

Selemo / Nako ea meroho (Spring / Vegetable time)

Boemo ba koloi / Car position

Boemo ba khatello / Stress amount (Stress level)

Seteraeke / Ho emisa mosebetsi (Strike / Work stoppage)

Lehlabula / Nako e chesang (Summer / Hot time)

Lijo tsa mantsiboea / Aandete (Evening food / Supper)

Mofani / Morekisi (Provider / Seller)

Batšehetsi / Fans

Ho phela feela / Just living

Ho fiela / Ho hloekisa (To sweep / To clean)

Nako ea ho sing / Time to sing

Nako ea ho study / Time to study