South African Slang For Girl (12 Examples!)

Some of the richest, most varied and most diverse slang in any language tends to be about simple, everyday things that we are constantly talking about.

Naturally, one of these things tends to be girls, and so you end up with a great many different words to describe girls, whether with specific or more general meanings.

There are many examples of this in South African slang, so let’s have a look at some of them today.

Choty Goty

First we have “choty goty”, an Afrikaans slang word used widely in South Africa to refer to a pretty or beautiful girl.

This one is not as widely used as it once was and many South Africans may not be familiar with it today.

Neverthleless, it is still in use in some parts of the country by some demographics.

“She’s an absolute choty goty,” for example.

Goffel

On the other hand, a slang term from Afrikaans for an ugly or unpleasant woman is “goffel”.

This term is naturally not the kind of thing you would want to use of someone unless you were trying to insult them—and you shouldn’t go around insulting people!

It is often shortened down to “G” and can be a more generally degrading and even racist term.

Avoid using this one at all costs.

Goose

Next we have “goose”, one that’s a bit dated but still used to a certain extent among the older generations today.

It is used to describe a young woman, usually someone who is your girlfriend.

It is similar to a term like “chick”, one that you would use to describe your girlfriend but probably not one you would use to address her.

“That’s my goose over there,” for example.

Los/loskind

This next one literally means “loose child,” and is a denigrating term used to describe girls who are perceived as being promiscuous and poorly behaved.

Again, this is a somewhat old-fashioned and offensive term based in historical misogyny and sexism, so it’s not one you want to use.

Nonetheless, it’s one you would do well to be aware of before heading to the country.

“She’s such as los,” for example.

Maat

This one might have broader meaning depending on whom you ask, as it can also be a more general term for a friend or acquaintance.

However, it can also mean your wife, girlfriend, or female partner.

“My maat should be here any minute,” for example.

Poplap

“Poplap”, though it might not sound like it to western ears, is a term of endearment for young women and girls.

It derives from the word lappop meaning ragdoll, and is most often used for very young girls.

It is most often, supposedly, used by fathers and grandfathers of their young daughters.

“Come on, poplap, let’s get home,” for example.

Stukkie/stekkie

Stukkie, or sometimes stekkie, is a common Afrikaans slang term for women with whom you have regular, casual romantic or sexual encounters.

The word derives from the Afrikaans meaning “a piece”, rather similar to the sense of “a piece of ass”, that you might hear in American slang.

Naturally, many can take this to be a rather offensive term, so be careful with how you use it.

“Got some stukkie coming over tonight,” for example.

Voshaarnooi

This is perhaps the most specific term on this list, and is used to describe a girl with red hair.

It literally translates to “red-headed girl.”

The term was popularized by a song of the same name, and today is still very often used of girls and women with red hair.

Bint

“Bint” is a slang word used in South Africa ultimately derived from Arabic, from the many populations of other people living there from the Commonwealth.

This one is most often seen as a derogatory term, although friends who know each other well may use it as a joke.

Of course, you should again be careful with how and when you use this one.

“There’s this new bint at work,” for example.

Meisie

A “meisie” is a slang term used in South Africa to refer to a girl.

It can be a girl of old or young age, and doesn’t really carry any specific connotation beyond this.

It is from South African “colored” slang, meaning it derives from one of many multiracial ethnic minorities living in South Africa where this term, now considered racist in the rest of the world, is still used.

The context is completely different, of course, and the term is not widely used as a term of offense.

Noi

Coming also from South Africa’s ethnic minorities, “noi” is a slang term for girlfriend in South African slang.

It is a simple equivalent word that does not carry much specific connotation beyond this.

It’s not that widely used, naturally, since it is part of a minority slang.

Bok

Another ethnic minority term for girlfriend in South African slang is “Bok”.

Again, it is of course not very widely used though many still understand what it means.

Within the ethnic communities that use it, of course, it is widely understood, but not in South Africa as a whole.

So, there’s typically a term for just about any situation in which you might want to talk about a girl or woman in South African slang.

Whether you want to make an endearing and heartfelt comment about the way you feel or want to say something mean, or if you just want a term to address girls in general that doesn’t carry any connotations, one of South Africa’s many languages will have you covered.