Browse African Slang

God Almighty expression.

Means "some guy" or "a random dude." "Oke" (from Afrikaans "ou") is slang for a guy/bloke. When you say "some oke," you'...

Used to indicate doing something “just because” or “for no real reason.”

A kebab/skewer of meat (Cape Malay origin term).

Soldier / tough person.

Street / road / the come-up.

An insulting term (Afrikaans for 'salt penis') historically for Englishmen in South Africa. Not polite at all

A derogatory term for an English-speaking South African, “salt penis” (one foot in SA, one in England, privates in the o...

Local pride reference (success from township).

Work or a job. (Origin: Tsotsitaal, Afrikaans “span”)

Work / job (Afrikaans).

Informal tuck shop/store.

Lose control / go wild (performance).

It's a game (treat like competition).

Move quickly / speed away.

Reveal gossip.

Spit; also express strongly.

Overindulged / entitled.

Cotton candy (Afrikaans for “ghost’s breath”).

Grupo de amigos (Friend group)

Crooked, off-center or skew.

Effortless style.

Gun (street); also intense pressure.

Full aggressive focus.

Confident mover / achiever.

A porch or verandah.

Group savings club.

Streets (stylized).

Only / exclusively.

Afrikaans for 'broken,' but used as an intensifier meaning 'a lot' or 'very much'

Literally “a piece,” used to refer to a pretty girl or one’s girlfriend (casual, a bit objectifying).

Someone who stuns/shocks.

Go away / leave.

An evening drink (often alcoholic) taken around sunset.

Suspicious

Weak / poor quality.

Reference to smoking herb (colloquial).

Candy; also small bribes (joking).

Finished / no resources left.

A vest or undershirt (because it resembles a pig skin? Origin unclear, but commonly used).

Swipe action

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Heavy leather whip.

Gossip.

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