South African slang word of the day: iSpaan
Don’t we all just love to learn new slang? Here’s a South African slang word to help you connect and unite with different cultures.
As a South African, whether you’re street or not, you’ve probably heard the word ispaan a few times but left unsure of what it really means.
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SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG WORD OF THE DAY: SPAAN
The word ispaan most popular in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town townships, simply refers to work or a job.
The origin of the word, as with most Mzansi slang words, is in the streets, where words can be created by anyone with the artistic creativity and a habit of loud, endless talking.
So how do you use it in an English sentence?
Here’s an example: “This guy has made his girlfriend pregnant, he is now desperate to find ispaan.”
Last week’s Mzansi slang words:
Wednesday 7 December – Isgela
Thursday 8 December – iTransi
Friday 9 December – iDladla
Saturday 10 December – iSgubhu
Monday 12 December – iPhara.
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