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Slang from Africa

abi

Isnt it?; right? (used to confirm or seek agreement).

ajebutter

A rich kid; someone from a privileged background.

area boy

A street thug; a mischievous or troublesome young man.

boet

Brother; mate; friend (from Afrikaans "broer").

bra

Brother; mate; friend (informal male address).

🔥 96 upvotes

bru

Brother; mate; friend (shorter, more informal than "bra").

🔥 67 upvotes

china

Friend; mate (from the greeting "my china plate" - rhyming slang for "mate").

chommie

Friend; pal.

🔥 98 upvotes

chop

To eat (informal). Also, to embezzle money.

🔥 69 upvotes

dik ding

Big deal; something important (Afrikaans slang, often sarcastic).

dope

Cool; excellent (borrowed from international slang, but popular).

eish

An exclamation of surprise, frustration, or resignation.

🔥 81 upvotes

famz

To try and be familiar with someone, especially a celebrity, often for personal gain; to cling.

fundi

An expert; a knowledgeable person (from isiZulu/isiXhosa).

gatvol

Fed up; had enough (literally "ass full," vulgar, from Afrikaans).

gbege

A serious problem or issue; chaos.

gomma

A simpleton; a foolish person (from Afrikaans "gom").

🔥 82 upvotes

guy

Friend; mate (informal address for a male).

🔥 67 upvotes

howzit

How is it? How are you? (common informal greeting).

idolo

An idol; someone revered or admired.

🔥 76 upvotes

jagaban

A powerful or influential person; a big shot.

🔥 67 upvotes

jara

An extra portion; a bonus (often given by vendors).

jol

A party; a good time; to have fun.

kak

Shit; rubbish; very bad (vulgar, from Afrikaans).

kif

Cool; awesome (often youth slang).

🔥 75 upvotes

kolo

To go mad; to lose ones mind.

lekker

Nice; good; enjoyable; delicious (from Afrikaans).

🔥 72 upvotes

mos

Surely; obviously (particle used for emphasis or assumption, from Afrikaans).

🔥 62 upvotes

na wa o

An expression of surprise, disbelief, or exasperation.

🔥 85 upvotes

oke

Guy; bloke (informal male address).

🔥 92 upvotes

omo

Child (often used as an exclamation like "Oh my!" or "Wow!").

sabi

To know; to understand.

saffa

A South African person (informal).

shame

Used to express sympathy, pity, or endearment (not negative like in English).

🔥 96 upvotes

shege

Trouble; suffering; extreme hardship (often used as an exclamation).

🔥 67 upvotes

sizwe

Nation; people (from isiZulu/isiXhosa, sometimes used for a collective).

skelm

A scoundrel; a rogue; sneaky (from Afrikaans).

tush

Elegant; refined; well-dressed.

vuvuzela

A loud plastic horn, popularized at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

🔥 72 upvotes

wahala

Trouble; problem.

🔥 65 upvotes

yawa

Trouble; a serious problem or mess (similar to wahala).

yebo

Yes (from isiZulu/isiXhosa, commonly used across SA).

🔥 83 upvotes

yimu

An expression of disdain, mockery, or dismissal (often a sound).

🔥 51 upvotes