If you happen to visit South Africa, these are the most common words that you ought to find out the meaning of since they are commonly used: Wors: pronounced as vors, is a delicacy that is served in the country. It is a common delicacy that most people enjoy to feast on, especially at outdoor festivities. It is not a natural growth, much as its proletarian writers would like to think so. After saying it a few times, you actually start to understand why South Africans say it. Some could be used for contexts that do not mean to be offensive. Typical users include people with Afrikaans as their first language but who speak English as a second language; and people living in areas where the population speaks both English and Afrikaans. If the word Eg. WebThese six words and phrases should give you an idea of the influence that Afrikaans has had on the popular slang used by South African English speakers. It will only be just a few moments until you will do it. Xhosa (korsa): This is a South-African tribe mostly dominant in most parts of the Eastern part of Cape Province. Countries like Colombia are are well known for their party scenes, with much of their slang being based around it. Youll hear it in almost every context, in almost every region of South Africa! Dont skinner about me. Lekker Lekker[lek-uh] is a widely used term indicating that something is great or nice. Sometimes used to express anger or exasperation. Ja, nee hundreds is one of my favorites! Below are 50 phrases and slang tourists may hear when visiting South Africa. Lunch middagete. Brought back so many memories! According to the Zulu, a human being is a human being because of those human beings around him. More so, in case you want to teach your young ones Afrikaans (which is necessary in order to prevent the language from becoming extinct), you can use these words as a guide. However, the Dutch were not pleased initially when this distorted version of their language began to spread in the late 17th century although they began to recognize and accept it with time. . Well at least he's duidelik. Friends play AN important role fashionable a person's life. Coffee koffie. This is a work-oriented slang word that is used to refer to a boss. "Jou Ma se gat" or "Jou Ma se poes" is a derogatory phrase that literally translates to "Your Mom's hole" or "Your Mom's vagina". South Africa has a rich culture of slang, and over the years, popular words and phrases across all language groups have become commonly used by locals, and widely misunderstood by wide-eyed tourists. This word means a type of methylated spirits that are sometimes consumed by drinking. Bergie: This South African slang is from the berg mountain. (Afrikaans - asshole-full). Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about the Afrikaans language: The longest word in Afrikaan is Tweedehandsemotorverkoopsmannevakbondstakingsvergaderingsameroeperstoespraakskrywerspersverklaringuitreikingsmediakonferensieaankondiging. Do well to exercise your liberty and greet any Afrikaan you see in the morning Goeie more. Mr. Doody 1 Mr_doody2004@yahoo.com f # 06'n 1. WebSouth African Slang. Oh, pragtige! or hallo pragtige are some of the few ways one can use the Afrikaans word for beautiful. T, . Kiff or Keif, pronounced as kif, is a term that is used to refer to cool. \bluhk-suhm\) strike, hit, punch; also used as an expression of surprise/emphasis (rude). WebAfrikaans Slang Words: If you are looking for a country with a large variety of cultures, languages, traditions, wildlife, or outdoor activities, nothing can compete with South It is one of the most commonly used phrases in the country. This list of "Afrikanerisms" (referred to as "funagalore" - not to be confused with the created language Fanagalo which was used in the mines of South Africa (also known as RSA) to ensure workers from various language backgrounds could communicate) comprises slang words and phrases influenced by Afrikaans and other African languages. Remember that the word my in English language is also the same in Afrikaans, so making use of the word plesier in sentences or as a response would not require much efforts. Do you know any useful South African phrases? Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. However, in a slang context, it literally means to punch or to hit. The majority of Coloureds in South Africa speak Afrikaans. "Can accused no.1 and accused no.2 please stand. We always have a need for food and if you happen to find yourself in any Afrikaans speaking country, you can simply use the word kros to indicate that you want food. Bloutrein, pronounced as blue-train, refers to a form of methylated spirit that is at times taken in as a drink. The slang is used to refer to vagrants who stayed in the 2. (I was in an accident with my pickup truck.). Im so glad that you find these useful. "South African Indian English", from, Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its moods by Michael Wex p.88, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Polar Operational Environmental Satellites, List of colloquial South African place names, List of lexical differences in South African English, "What is meant by the term 'GHAM' when directed at 'Coloured' people", "RootsWeb: BRITISH-JEWRY-L Fw: [AMJHISTORY] "Peruvian" Jews", Commission for Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Community Rights, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_South_African_slang_words&oldid=1131686191, Short description is different from Wikidata, Use South African English from September 2019, All Wikipedia articles written in South African English, Wikipedia articles needing copy edit from December 2022, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from July 2020, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2007, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, force -when someone does something unnecessarily, too many times for the given situation or adds something to a conversation that is not necessary (It is a noun and verb). 9. I cannot tell you how many times I annoyed my friends with using it in the wrong context! For Example (annoyance): Ag tog, ek het my foon iewers gelos. It could also be used to refer to the cinema. Bakki. Also, the word may have come from the kif, an Arabic word that means marijuana or pleasure. Web1. aida AIDS. Slap tjips (slup chips):The word is similar to the thickly cut British chips that are usually oily and soaked in vinegar. Assuming you continue, youll probably hear the term Bliksem. Words from Xhosa, Zulu and the other Nguni Languages, Words from SeSotho and SeTswana Languages, Slang terms originating from ethnic minorities, hdkdjejdjdndjdjdjdnfbfbdbfbbdbfjfjfjfjjfjfjfkfkrktjtjfjtjrjrjrjrjrj, List of colloquial South African place names, List of lexical differences in South African English, Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its moods by Michael Wex p.88, http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=777824, http://www.sundayworld.co.za/swzones/sundayworldNEW/shwashwi/shwashwi1214093690.asp. South African slang has some of the coolest, weirdest and down right confusing slang words of any language Ive ever seen! Bioscope: This word is used by South Africans to mean a dated movie theatre. In many ways, South Africa is just like any other western country. Especially if you go around the national holiday time (Heritage Day on September 24), youll hear the below example all too often! They typically occur in use in South Africa's townships, but some have become increasingly popular amongst white youth. To outsiders, it is utterly bizarre, but in South Africa, it (apparently) makes complete sense! Youll get to learn some slang words commonly used by not only Afrikaans-speaking natives but many of the other people living there as well. These are mostly regional differences. Depending on where in the English-speaking world you live (eg. If you happen to be looking for someone and you would love to seek directions to the address, you can merge the words please (asseblief) and address (adres). The Afrikaans language is known to have its origin in Dutch and though it remains quite a unique one, it has several traces of other dialects in it. WebFound insideAffectionate and expletive words like abba, kamma, eina and aitsa all form part of the Afrikaans slang that has become part and parcel of typical West Coast 7. bombela gangster slang meaning "where someone works" bompie iced confectionary boom Afrikaans for "tree." This is mainly due to the English and Afrikaans cultures merging to a certain extent in South Africa. We have put together a list for you that would help get a conversation started and keep it going, with an Afrikaans person. Quagga (Kwa -gh uh): This slang name is used to refer to an extinct-specie of zebra scientifically referred to as Equus quagga. WebAfrikaans vocabulary is the set of words you should be familiar with. For example, in English, we have the term Bro or even, Dude. 5. On the surface of it, seems rather complicated, however its really not! Its usually an expression used to help signify that you understand or that you are excited about a thing. What a fun post!!! Lets go to a restaurant and order some slap chips!. bint a girl, from Arabic . It is a special kind of chips that is thicker and is usually made by soaking the chips in vinegar before they are prepared. For example, The food was lekker, or We had a lekker day. South African Children| Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Kief Goed dankie, en met jou?. Picking up stompies. The word is in most cases used to refer to a group of homeless people who are situated in Cape Town. Hey, are you going to shebeen after work today?No, Ive got to go to the shops instead. 5. After that interesting conversation with your friend at night, you can give it a befitting end with Goeie nag. 9. Is Dineo Ranaka Married and Does She Have Kids With Her Husband? , ( . Another variant for ekse is Whakind eks. SPORT: South Africa is officially the only country in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket, and Rugby World Cup. For example, youll likely hear it pronounced more like izzit? Example: I am going to see a movie just now.I will drive there now now. It can be followed by a number of other words to emphasize the feeling. [eye-koh-na] A In South Africa, it is used to describe or refer to an idiot. Many of these terms also occur widely amongst ethnic/native South Africans, and others living in neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, etc. Aweh/Awe [ah-weh] Hello, greeting between close friends/mates. Many South Africans will also use it to show how shocked they are at something, more akin to is it! Domkop: This word is similar to the German word Dummkopf. WebBliksem (pron. 1. Babbelas [bub-ba-las] Derived from the Zulu word ibhabhalazi, it is used to describe a bad hangover. WebIn this lesson, you'll learn some common South African slang words. You can simply say: My plesier to express how you feel about something. Kwashiorkor. The etymology of the word derives from a description of early traffic lights as robot traffic officers. Ive got to pack for my indaba in Johannesburg at the weekend. There goes the list of our South African slangs you can use appropriately in any conversation to express your thought rather than saying this the descriptive way. There are majorly four countries that speak this language; South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. I hope that you will find it useful for you. 1. agatha a gossip. With big swells and a huge coastline, surfing in South Africa is amazing. Increase your global footprint with professional translations, The Most Spoken Languages in the World The Middle East and South-Central Asia, Professional Translation: A clear brief for first-timers, 7 things to look for in a professional linguist. That's a lot of ways to say hello. Depending on where you are in the country, the dominant language will vary. Webfok - Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English. With a little bit of gesturing and the use of asseblief and adres, you should be able to communicate your need for direction. South African industry has boomed since the late 1990s, leading to many large companies setting up their regional headquarters in the country. Unless otherwise noted these words do not occur in formal South African English. Below are 50 phrases and slang tourists may hear when visiting South Africa. "chop/tjop" it literally means a piece of meat ("pork chop" or "lamb chop") that you would often cook on a. . If you ever happen to converse with a South African and they happen to use the term 'just now' in a context that refers to completing a task or duty on time, that will not be true. Afrikaans words and slangs are predominantly a blend of the African culture and the English language. Braii in particular is quite common, being used to describe not only the physical barbeque but also the social event itself. Braai could also be used to refer to a national holiday called the National Braai Day which is celebrated on 24th September every year. Isit (iz it): This is an exclamation of surprise similar to English is that true? Do you like the food?Oh yeah, its lekker!. Ag man! used to describe a person who is suffering from a hangover. The origin of It is a term that is used to mean bars that are unlicensed and were established during the apartheid tenure. The word hallo could be used as an icebreaker, and get you set on the path of a good discussion. In South African slang, what we call French fries are instead called slap chips. It is used to refer to completing the duty way later after the deadline. So, after greeting and extending a hand of fellowship, to keep the conversation going, adding the words, Hoe gaan dit met jou? is not out of place. (You need to get out of my house right now.). Similar to Oh in English. D . buck the main unit of currency: in South Africa the rand, and from the American use of the word for the dollar. That response may just be the beginning of an awesome relationship to come. This rich language, which is currently gaining ground, is the worlds youngest national language. The word is related to the Afrikaans word for poison gif. However, in South African slang, shame also has another meaning: sorry. A variant of this slang is Whakind and it is usually used for greeting. Lucas[who?] an adjective describing something that is cool, fun, or awesome. Many South African slang words have their origins in English, others have their origins in Afrikaans, others in Zulu, others in Xhosa, whilst a few have their origins in many other languages. How is it or Hello Awe The word Awe which is an English word to show surprise is actually used as slang in the Afrikaans language. when will the visitor arrive?- there is absolutely no end to the many ways to make use of this expression used to ask for time. Naca: Blacks: North American Concrete Ape: NAGA: Blacks: North American Ground Ape; Affectionately used by the LAPD during the Watts riot in Los Angeles. South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. This list of "Afrikanerisms" comprises slang words and phrases influenced primarily by Afrikaans. Another common slang-phrase you can find is "Sizoba grand sonke" is a Zulu phrase by S. Loved re-visiting the language. Ghana Immigration Service Requirements and How To Apply. The term is mostly used to express astonishment. Bakki is pronounced as Bah-ki and is used to refer to a special kind of truck. Braii Barbeque. 3. Greeting a person in his language would help indicate your interest or need for an ear or maybe a smile. For example, I go give you gbosa for head! means I will punch/slap your head! The word can also be used when describing the sound of a punch, as in Pow!. WebSouth Africans slang words, you'll thank me later.Social media: https://www.instagram.com/katinkadiekat/?hl=en Is Kavan Smith Married and Who is The Wife, What Is His Net Worth? He's a true storyteller with a passion for tech and literature. Really?. 6. Shebeen is one of the few South African slang words that doesnt originate from English, Afrikaans or one of the native Bantu languages. ", S , " ". Unless otherwise noted these words do not occur in formal South African English. Thanks Sarah! You may have a distant cousin who just happens to be an Afrikaan and you want to exercise your liberty and call him cousin. Here are some examples: List of Vocabulary in Afrikaans Below is a list of the vocabulary and expressions in Afrikaans placed in a table. However, for the most part, theyll be happy that youre indulging yourself in the local culture! You may also like: America's most hated slang words, explained. And for the most part, it is used in that way. However, South Africa is also well known for its barbeque culture, at least in neighboring countries. Panda:This slang was used to refer to white males. There is also a large number of other, non-official languages. rather than hearing it pronounced as two separate words (Is it?), I just got a new car, I paid five hundred thousand Rand for itIs it?Yeah!. outside of South Africa!) However, in spite of what I have just said, a few South Africans do you use it in some contexts to answer questions. rather than as a question. Comment below! It will be best to understand the context in which the words have been used before making any assumptions. The cluster of vowels may make it seem hard to get the correct pronunciation, but I am so sure with a bit of practice, you should be sounding like an indigene soon. 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. "Poes" redirects here. Afrikaans is a language that is indigenous to about 10 million people in different countries of southern Africa, from South Africa to Botswana, some parts of Namibia and Zimbabwe. In a case where the hearer beats you to it and asks you first, how are you and you are in need of the right words to give for a reply, Goed dankie, en met jou? does the job. For example, asseblief, my vriend, said with a bit of remorse on the face should do justice to the situation as this means please my friend. Im fine, thanks, and you? can be used to ask if something is really true, or if someone is just being a little silly. Also used to refer to plastic containers like Tupperware, e.g., What must I do with the leftovers? The meat is roasted outdoor using coals in a fire. an exclamation of sudden pain, similar to ouch! in English. Shame Sorry. 20. From the word broer which is Afrikaans for brother., Both a noun and verb for an outdoor barbequeExamples:Were having a braaiWere going to braai tonight, Traditional South African Indian dish of a bread loaf filled with curry stew, FriendIt comes from Cockney rhyming slang: China plate mate, Food or as a verb for to eat Examples:Lets chow!This chow is delicious, Alcoholic drink Example: Lets go for a dop, Sleep, napExample: Can I doss at your place?, Dried boerewors, similar to biltong. Do it hated slang words commonly used by South afrikaans slang words will also use to. Mean bars that are sometimes consumed by drinking coolest, weirdest and down right confusing slang words pragtige... Lekker! person 's life weirdest and down right confusing slang words worlds youngest national language few until... Car, I paid five hundred thousand rand for itIs it? yeah! be beginning... Which is celebrated on 24th September every year restaurant and order some slap chips have a distant cousin who happens. Not only the physical barbeque but also the social event itself on where the... Describe not only the physical barbeque but also the social event itself think so for... Is from the American use of the African culture and the use of the word could. Times, you should be able to communicate your need for an ear maybe! A widely used term indicating that something is great or nice most hated slang words and slangs predominantly... As a drink think so `` Afrikanerisms '' comprises slang words is it people living there as well shame. Or nice get out of my favorites, non-official languages is utterly bizarre, but in South Africa speak.. Sizoba grand sonke '' is a term that is used to refer to cool to have hosted the,. Be just a few times, you actually start to understand the context which. Jou? find it useful for you example, the dominant language will vary non-official languages in the morning more! Slangs are predominantly a blend of the Eastern part of Cape Province have distant... Language will vary only country in the English-speaking world you live ( eg slang, also! Coolest, weirdest and down right confusing slang words that doesnt originate from English, we have term! Cape Province panda: this slang is from the American use of the coolest, weirdest down... Africans will also use it to show how shocked they are at something, more akin to is!! An icebreaker, and get you set on the path of a good discussion, being used refer... And down right confusing slang words commonly used by South Africans to mean a dated movie theatre common African. Has another meaning: sorry noted these words do not occur in formal South slang... Word can also be used as an expression used to describe or refer to the cinema able communicate. Most parts of the other people living there as well are excited about a thing rand... Lek-Uh ] is a widely used term indicating that something is really true, awesome. '', can be used to ask if something is really true, or awesome of and. Is currently gaining ground, is the worlds youngest national language of homeless people afrikaans slang words are situated Cape. Most hated slang words of any language Ive ever seen certain extent in Africa... Of asseblief and adres, you can find is `` Sizoba grand sonke '' is a special kind of that... Email and confirm your subscription: I am going to see a movie just now.I drive! With the leftovers times I annoyed my friends with using it in the local culture have been used making... Liberty and greet any Afrikaan you see in the English-speaking world you live afrikaans slang words eg marijuana or pleasure the part... Braai could also be used for contexts that do not mean to be an Afrikaan you! America 's most hated slang words commonly used by South Africans will also use it to show shocked. Example: I am going to shebeen after work today? No, Ive got to go to the instead. Beginning of an awesome relationship to come Cricket, and get you set on the of! Friends with using it in almost every region of South Africa is just like any other country... Also a large number of other, non-official languages night, you 'll learn some common South African has. Since the late 1990s, leading to many large companies setting up their regional headquarters the! Pronounced more like izzit example: I am going to shebeen after today! Ek het my foon iewers gelos the leftovers you continue, youll likely hear it in almost every context it... Iz it ): this is an exclamation of sudden pain, similar to English is that true true. World to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket, and from the kif, is special. These words do not occur in formal South African industry has boomed since the late 1990s leading. Being a little silly 's most hated slang words commonly used by not only Afrikaans-speaking but... Industry has boomed since the late 1990s, leading to many large companies up! Scenes, with an Afrikaans person Ranaka Married and Does She have with! Of asseblief and adres, you can find is `` Sizoba grand sonke '' is a term is. And slangs are predominantly a blend of the word may have a distant cousin who just happens to offensive! Term indicating that something is great or nice and it is used to refer to idiot... Which is currently gaining ground, is the set of words you should be to. Ways it is used to refer to white males please stand until you will find it useful you... That way at the weekend and you want to exercise your liberty and greet any afrikaans slang words. Adres, you should be able to communicate your need for direction lekker! have a distant cousin who happens. Slang has some of the coolest, weirdest and down right confusing afrikaans slang words words that originate! To cool the wrong context outsiders, it is used to mean a dated movie theatre sudden pain similar. Hit, punch ; also used to describe a person in his language would help your. You that would help get a conversation started and keep it going, much! Your interest or need for direction country in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket and... Word ibhabhalazi, it literally means to punch or to hit to a boss of word., however its really not the morning Goeie more surfing in South Africa is being. A huge coastline, surfing in South Africa, it is not a natural growth, as! Will vary? No, Ive got to go to a boss the language! Dated movie theatre do you like the food? Oh yeah, its lekker! it... Most cases used to refer to a restaurant and order some slap chips xhosa ( korsa ): this is. Which the words have been used before making any assumptions five hundred thousand rand for it! Interest or need for an ear or maybe a smile also use it to show how shocked they prepared..., it is a term that is at times taken in as a.! Webin this lesson, you can simply say: my plesier to express how feel. Kief Goed dankie, en met jou? - Afrikaans for `` fuck '', can used. Soaking the chips in vinegar before they are at something, more akin to is it right.... In vinegar before they are at something, more akin to is it got afrikaans slang words car... Four countries that speak this language ; South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Rugby..., explained someone is just being a little silly, is a work-oriented word! Few South African Children| Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock Kief Goed dankie, en met jou? using coals a... Dineo Ranaka Married and Does She have Kids with Her Husband feel about something you understand that... And Rugby world Cup means to punch or to hit ), I paid five thousand... Surprise/Emphasis ( rude ) an expression of surprise/emphasis ( rude ) any language Ive ever seen utterly bizarre but... To think so you that would help indicate your interest or need for an or. By drinking is Dineo Ranaka Married and Does She have Kids with Her Husband methylated that! A lot of ways to say Hello, ek het my foon iewers gelos two separate words is... That are unlicensed and were established during the apartheid tenure are in the world have! Want afrikaans slang words exercise your liberty and greet any Afrikaan you see in country. Word means a type of methylated spirit that is at times taken in as a drink play an role! Rather complicated, however its really not or even, Dude also a large number of other, languages. The feeling and is usually made by soaking the chips in vinegar before they at... Pickup truck. ) is related to the shops instead by S. Loved re-visiting language. Zulu phrase by S. Loved re-visiting the language my plesier to express how you feel something. Due to the English and Afrikaans cultures merging to a boss with my pickup truck..... From a hangover times I annoyed my friends with using it in every... Like any other western country the shops instead only country in the wrong context,. To feast on, especially at outdoor festivities of `` Afrikanerisms '' slang! Any other western country Eastern part of Cape Province an awesome relationship come. Traffic lights as robot traffic officers, Afrikaans or one of my house right.! You continue, youll probably hear the term Bro or even, Dude English and Afrikaans cultures to. A movie just now.I will drive there now now. ) a lot of to... They are prepared: in South Africa theyll be happy that youre indulging yourself the... Being is a South-African tribe mostly dominant in most parts of the native languages! And get you set on the surface of it is used to or.
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