20 Prosperous Ways Of Talking About Money In South Africa

Whether you believe money makes the world go round or not, it can’t be denied that it plays a constant role in the daily lives of the vast majority of people on Earth.

This typically leads to a great many slang terms arising to describe money and all its innumerable different forms, and this is just as true in South Africa as it is anywhere.

There are countless slang terms to describe money of all different kinds in South Africa, so let’s look into some of them.

South African Slang For Money

Bar

“Bar” is a term used in Durban to describe a large sum of money, specifically one million Rand.

It is not commonly used outside of the Durban area, and even there, it’s often used in more casual or regional contexts.

If you hear someone talking about “a bar”, they’re most likely referring to a million bucks, but you won’t hear it in every corner of South Africa.

The term is mostly used in informal settings, and it tends to come up when discussing large sums of money, often in business or financial conversations, but also in casual chatter when discussing wealth or big purchases.

Bob

“Bob” is a common slang term for money in South Africa, often used to describe small denominations, particularly the two and five shilling coins.

The term is borrowed from British slang and has stuck around as a part of South African colloquial speech.

When someone talks about “2 bob” or “5 bob,” they’re usually referring to a twenty-cent or fifty-cent coin, but “bob” can also be used more generally to mean money.

The term is often used in everyday conversation, especially when discussing small amounts of money or making light of currency.

It’s a playful and informal way of referring to cash in South Africa.

Boice

“Boice” is a slang term used in South Africa to refer to a two-rand (R2) coin. While it’s more widely understood across the country, it’s particularly common in township slang.

The term doesn’t refer to money in general but is used specifically for this coin denomination.

The term has gained some popularity over time but is still more common in certain regions and among specific communities.

It’s used informally when talking about small amounts of money, often in casual conversations about having or needing just a little bit of cash.

Bucks

“Bucks” is a popular slang term used in South Africa to refer to money in a general sense.

This term is commonly used across English-speaking countries, including the U.S., Australia, and South Africa.

It’s used informally to refer to any amount of money, whether small or large, and is recognized and understood by most people in the country.

The term is casual and flexible, making it a go-to word for describing money in everyday conversations.

It’s frequently used when talking about spending, earning, or budgeting money.

Chocko

“Chocko” is a piece of township slang that specifically refers to an R20 note, a commonly used denomination in South Africa.

It’s widely understood within townships and among people familiar with this slang, though it may not be as well known outside these areas.

As with many local slang terms, it is primarily used in more informal or casual settings and can be quite specific to certain communities.

Despite being more restricted in use, it is still recognized by many in South Africa.

Clip/Clipa

“Clip” (or “clipa”) is a term used to refer to one hundred rand in South Africa.

It is a piece of township slang that has been used for many years, and though it’s mostly associated with older generations, it is still used today by people of all ages.

The term has its origins in the townships, which are historically racially segregated and underdeveloped urban areas in South Africa.

While the exact origin of the term is unclear, it is still a well-recognized slang word for R100, often used in casual conversations.

Crown/Kroon

“Crown” or “kroon” is a term used in South Africa to refer to money.

While it can refer to any amount of money, it is especially associated with Afrikaans-speaking South Africans.

The term “crown” comes from its historical use in currency units in other countries, including English currency.

It is also worth noting that “crown” can have a completely different meaning in other contexts, such as referring to a person’s virginity, so it’s important to be cautious when using this slang.

The use of “kroon” is still fairly common, though it may not be as widespread in younger generations as some other money slang terms.

Grand

“Grand” is a common slang term used to refer to 1,000 units of any currency, and in South Africa, it specifically refers to R1000.

It is a term that originates from the United Kingdom and spread to South Africa in the 20th century.

“Grand” is widely used across South Africa by people of all ages and backgrounds, making it one of the most recognizable and universal slang terms for money.

Its usage is so common that it is often used without much thought, just like in other English-speaking countries.

Whether you’re talking about rent, shopping, or a car deal, a “grand” is often the go-to term for R1000.

Jacket

“Jacket” is a slang term used in South Africa to refer to an R50 note. It is considered part of township slang, and while it is not as universally known as terms like “pinkies,” it is still widely understood in certain communities.

The exact origins of the term are unclear, but it has been used for some time in South African slang.

Though not as commonly used in mainstream South African slang, those familiar with township culture will understand the term.

It’s mostly used to describe R50 notes, and is often used in casual conversations about money.

Machangura

“Machangura” is a slang term in South Africa, often used to refer to cash or physical money.

While it can be used to describe money in general, it’s more commonly associated with cash in hand.

The term is widely understood in areas where township slang is prevalent, although it’s not used across the entire country.

Though “machangura” is not likely to be heard from everyone, it remains a significant part of the vernacular in certain regions.

It’s one of those terms that may seem out of place if used by someone not familiar with township culture.

Meter

“Meter” is a slang term used in South Africa to refer to one million Rand.

Like many other regional slang terms for large amounts of money, it’s not commonly used in everyday conversation but is widely understood in specific areas, particularly those where township slang is more prevalent.

The term “meter” comes from the way South Africans often abbreviate or shorten terms for large sums of money, and it’s typically used in more informal settings.

It’s a term that, while widely understood in South Africa, may not be as familiar to people outside of these communities.

Monica

“Monica” is a term used in South Africa’s Gayle language, which was developed in the 1970s as a way for the gay community to communicate in public without attracting attention, especially given the laws against homosexuality at the time.

Within this argot, “monica” was used to refer to money.

The origin of the term is fairly simple—it is a play on the word “money,” designed to be easily understood by those who were familiar with the argot but unintelligible to outsiders.

Today, the term is a part of South Africa’s rich slang landscape, though it is not widely used by everyone.

Moola

“Moola” is a common term used across South Africa to refer to money in any form, whether it’s a small amount or a large sum.

It is widely used by people of all ages, particularly in Afrikaans-speaking areas, and can be heard frequently in casual conversations.

The term is similar to the English slang “moolah” and has been around for quite some time.

While “moola” is used in various contexts, it is especially popular in informal speech.

It’s often used when talking about needing money or referring to a certain amount of money in a light-hearted way.

The origin of “moola” is somewhat unclear but is likely derived from the term “moolah,” which dates back to the 1920s in American English, and might have connections to the Islamic title “mullah.”

Pano

“Pano” is a term frequently used to refer to money in certain parts of South Africa, particularly within the Indian community.

While it’s widely understood across the country, it tends to be more common in specific regions.

“Pano” can also be used as a euphemism for money in some contexts, but it’s generally understood as slang in the communities where it is used.

The origin of the term comes from the Tamil word for money, which has been adopted by South African Indians.

It is used casually in everyday conversations, often in phrases like “Pano is running short” to refer to a lack of funds or money in general.

Pinkies

“Pinkies” is a common slang term used in South Africa to describe R50 notes.

The term is widely understood across the country and is used more universally than other, more regional terms for different denominations.

It’s a simple, straightforward term that is easy for most South Africans to recognize, and its name comes from the distinct pink color of the R50 notes.

The term “pinkies” is often used in casual conversations when referring to these notes, whether in small transactions or larger exchanges.

It’s one of the most common terms for money in South Africa and can be heard frequently in day-to-day talk.

Smeka

“Smeka” is a term that was once commonly used in South Africa to refer to money.

Though it’s not as widely understood or used today, it still carries some recognition, particularly in older generations.

The term has roots in the work context, where it was used when a worker demanded more money, such as when asking for a raise.

While “smeka” is not as common in modern South African slang, it remains a part of the country’s linguistic history and is still recognized by those familiar with older colloquial terms.

Stena

“Stena” is a slang term used in South Africa to refer to R1000, but not a specific denomination.

It comes from township slang, where it metaphorically relates to the size and weight of a brick, symbolizing a large wad of money.

The term emphasizes the amount rather than a specific note or coin, as there is no actual R1000 note in South Africa.

This term is a common piece of township slang and widely understood by those familiar with the region, even if it’s not as universally used as some other terms for money.

The metaphor of a brick adds a sense of significance to the amount of money it describes.

Tiger

“Tiger” is a slang term used in South Africa to refer to the R10 note.

While it’s not as widely used as some other slang terms, it is still understood by most people when it comes up in conversation.

The origin of the term is unclear, but it remains a specific and somewhat regional piece of township slang.

This term is more common in certain areas, particularly among those who are familiar with township slang, but it may sound unfamiliar to people from outside those communities.

Yard

“Yard” is a term used primarily in banking slang to refer to one billion Rand.

It’s not a term that is commonly heard in everyday conversations, as it is mostly used by those working in finance or banking contexts.

The term is rarely used by the general public and is mainly employed when discussing very large sums of money, typically in relation to the wealth of individuals or businesses in high-stakes financial discussions.

Zaka

“Zaka” is a term used in certain parts of South Africa as a general slang term for money.

It doesn’t specify any particular denomination or type of money, so it can refer to both physical cash and money in the bank.

It can be used for small or large amounts, depending on the context.

The term is mostly used in township areas and is widely understood there, though it may not be as familiar to people outside of these communities.

As you can see, then, there are slang terms for just about any kind of money you might want to describe.

From the broadest terms used to describe money in general to the most specific terms describing certain notes or denominations, South African slang has something for all of them.