South Africa is a culturally and ethnically diverse country with twelve official languages and a population known for its multilingualism. Mixing languages in everyday conversations, social media interactions, and musical compositions is a common practice. The list provided below outlines frequently used terms and phrases used in South Africa. This compilation also includes borrowed slang from neighboring countries such as Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, and Namibia. Additionally, it may encompass linguistic elements from Eastern African nations like Mozambique and Zimbabwe based on the United Nations geoscheme for Africa.

Curse words and slurs

South Africa is a country formed from centuries of immigrants, settlers, and colonisers. It has a long history of using racial slurs or derogatory phrases when speaking of the other. Some such words have more recently been reclaimed as a mark of pride and defiance (for example, coloured). "Voetsek", or simply "tsek", is a fun way of telling someone to "fuck off". This is also used to scare unwanted animals away. "Jou Ma se kont" or "Jou Ma se poes" is a derogatory phrase that literally translates to "Your Mom's cunt" or "Your Mom's pussy". The term originates from the Western Cape region where it is most closely associated with the slang used by the Coloured community. This is often seen as more aggressive than the aforementioned phrase "voetsek". Although still seen as offensive, over time it has become a less aggressive adjective used as an exclamation. Such as "it is poes cold" when describing a surprisingly cold temperature.

Gestures

Pointing your thumb through your fist at someone is a very rude gesture, conveying a meaning similar to "fuck you," depending on the context.

Colloquial phrases

** Slang phrases ** • By fire by force - a phrase used to tell one that they are going to do something regardless of the conditions. (e.g: “You are going to the doctor by fire by force”) • Dala what you must - A phrase used to signify that one must do what they think is right or what is most appropriate in a given situation (e.g: “That’s a bad situation, you just have to dala what you must”) • ID photo - the washing of your face and teeth only, instead of your whole body (e.g: “I’m late so I am going to do an ID photo.”) • Is not make sure - To say that something is not good, not convincing, an overreach or delusional at the worst. (e.g: “This new chips flavour is not make sure”) • Like things - Used to call someone nosey. (e.g: “That ou like things.”) • Same Whatsapp Group - Used when two or more things are alike (e.g: “Those two stick with each other because they are in the same Whatsapp group”)

Time

Normally, in other English-speaking countries, when you say you're doing something "now", you would assume it means that you will do said thing right away. In South Africa, the phrases "now now", "just now", and "right now" all have differing connotations: "Now now" often means minutes later; "just now" means hours later; and "right now" actually means now. For example, the following line using South African slang: "'I am going to see a movie just now. I will drive there now now. I am at the movies right now.'" ...actually has the following meaning in standard usage: "'I am going to see a movie in an hour or so. I will (start to) drive there in a few minutes. I am at the movies now.'"

Slang words from English

South Africa uses British English spelling and punctuation, although some American spellings are common.

Slang words from Afrikaans (Afrikanerisms)

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Words from Khoi languages

Words from Xhosa, Tswana, Zulu and other Nguni/Sotho languages

The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu Sotho and Tswana and Xhosa). They typically occur in use in the South Africa townships, but some have become increasingly popular among white youth. Unless otherwise noted these words do not occur in formal South African English.

Slang originating from other countries

The following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa.

Slang originating from ethnic minorities

South African Coloured slang

The majority of Coloureds in South Africa speak Afrikaans. Those who speak English use the equivalent English words as slang.

South African Indian slang

South African Jewish slang

Example

''Jinne man, just put on your tekkies and your costume, don't be dof! We're going to walk to the beach and then go for a swim, if you want to come with you better hurry up, chyna. Ag nee, I stepped on a shongololo, I just bought new tekkies the other day! You know what, lets just forget about the beach and have a braai instead, all we need is some meat, mieliepap, some cooldrinks, maybe a brinjal and some other veggies. And if someone can bring some biscuits for a banofi pie, that would be great. Hey bru, it's a lekker day for a jol today, ek sê! I'm warning you my dad won't tolerate any gesuipery, he'll klap you stukkend! Is it? Ja, he's kwaai! He was tuning me just now from his bakkie my bokkie is a soutie and a rooinek. Eish! Well at least he's duidelik.''