Browse African Slang

Lots of banknotes (cash money, like stacks of sheets of paper).

Expression of pity/affection.

Referencing strict vibe / moral stance.

Literally "quick meat" (barbecue spots), but also implies spending on enjoyment. Going to a shisa nyama (township barbec...

A Shona word meaning “be brave” or “be strong.” Often used as encouragement.

Burn / make hot / spicy.

Braai spot / meat hangout.

Another minibus taxi term: "short right" – indicating a requested stop shortly ahead on the right side. Like sho't left,...

Quick turn / detour / side trip.

Corruption of “short left,” meaning the passenger wants to get off shortly ahead (a short distance away). Now also a gen...

“Yuck!” or “Shame on you!” (expression of disgust or disapproval).

Disgusting, foul or gross.

We're waking up / rising.

Pronounced 'show,' it's an Afrikaans exclamation of surprise or admiration, like 'Wow!' or 'Phew!'

“Don’t be dumb.” Often a rebuke among friends. (Origin: Tswana/Sotho slang)

"Don't forget" stylized.

(Sesotho phrase, 'don't be afraid') A slang popularized by a Kwaito song, meaning 'don't hesitate' or 'don't freeze up.'...

Don't (Setswana/Sotho).

(Afrikaans, 'treasure') Pronounced 'skutt.' A term of endearment meaning 'darling' or 'sweetheart.' Afrikaans speakers m...

A term for a criminal, thug or scoundrel. Originating from Zulu, where it meant a wicked person, it's used in many langu...

A beat-up, old, and unreliable car.

Afrikaans for 'skew' or 'crooked,' but used to mean suspicious, shady, or drunk

Close friend crew / homie.

Crook / trickster.

Lunch box / packed food.

Champion / top performer.

Things are tight/hard.

Flamboyant spender (variant spelling).

Random <a href="/word/meme" class="internal-link" title="View definition of Meme">meme</a> hype

To think or ponder (like your mind skims through ideas).

Skip / avoid.

An Afrikaans phrase meaning 'kick, shoot and thunder', used to describe action-packed, rough-and-tumble situations

A dilapidated, beat-up car (widely used in Zim, from onomatopoeia of a rattling jalopy).

Sound effect for fast move.

Move stealth / creep (after park).

Definition,Example

Thick, soft French fries – the kind that are a bit soggy and oily ("slap" means "limp" in Afrikaans). These are a takeaw...

Very good (song/food).

A guy or girl who lives lavishly and flaunts it (see *slay queen* above, “slay king” is the male equivalent).

A term popular in SA (and across Africa) for a young woman who flaunts a lavish lifestyle on social media without a clea...

A portion/cut (money).

Something that harms gradually.

Afrikaans for 'taste,' but in slang means to like or fancy something/someone

A slang phrase meaning "really like you a lot." "Smaak" is Afrikaans for "taste" but in slang it means "to like/fancy," ...

Nickname for a cooked sheep's head, a traditional township dish. When it's roasted, the sheep's lips pull back, giving t...

Short break / smoke break.

Snapchat

A casual way to say "goodbye" for now, implying you'll see the person later. Common in South Africa when parting ways. I...

Luxury comfort lifestyle.

Good, reliable