List of South African Slang Words - Words From Xhosa, Zulu and The Other Nguni Languages

Words From Xhosa, Zulu and The Other Nguni Languages

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

• chana – my mate (from Zulu, 'my nephew'); umshana
• chaile – time to go home
• cocopan – small tip truck on rails used in mines (from Nguni nqukumbana, Scotch cart)
• donga – ditch of the type found in South African topography. (From Zulu, "wall"; this has become a mainstream word for such a feature.)
• eish! – an interjection expressing resignation
• fundi – expert (from Nguni 'umfundisi' meaning teacher or preacher) – used in mainstream South African English
• gogo – grandmother, elderly woman (from Zulu, ugogo)
• haw! – expression of disbelief
• hayibo! – wow! (from Zulu, 'definitely not')
• indaba – conference (from Zulu, 'a matter for discussion'); has become a mainstream word in South African English
• inyanga – traditional herbalist and healer (compare with sangoma)
• jova – injection, to inject (from Zulu)
• laduma! – a popular cheer at soccer matches, "he scores!" (literally: "it thunders", in Zulu)
• muti – medicine (from Zulu umuthi) – typically traditional African
• Mzansi – South Africa (uMzantsi in Xhosa means "south")
• sangoma – traditional healer or diviner
• shongololo (also spelt shongalolo) – millipede (from Zulu and Xhosa, ukushonga, 'to roll up')
• spaza – an informal trading-post/convenience store found in townships and remote areas (also a term referring to something cheap and nasty - i.e. of poor quality)
• toyi-toyi – protest-dancing; used in mainstream South African English
• tsotsi – gangster, layabout, no gooder
• ubuntu – compassion or kindness, humanity
• yebo – Zulu meaning yes
• wena – Zulu meaning "you". Commonly used in a sentence "Haw wena!"