As a South African publishing house, we delight in expressing our lekker local culture... although sometimes it can be difficult for others to understand just what we're saying.
South African slang everyone should know
- Ag, man! [ach—mun]
It might be translated as “Oh, man!”, but is used to express pity, resignation or irritation. - Aikona! [eye-koh-na]
A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief. - Babbelas [bub-ba-las]
Derived from the Zulu word ‘ibhabhalazi’, it is used to describe a bad hangover. - Biltong [bill—tong]
Our equivalent to beef jerky... but it is so much better! - Bobotie [buh-boor-tea]
A Malay-type baked dish that is made with spicy-sweet minced meat and raisins with an egg custard topping. - Bliksem [bluhk–sim]
A derogative term, meaning to hit someone, but often used as an expression of surprise too. - Boet [no other way to say it but for "boet"]
This term is usually used in reference to a male friend by another—technically meaning "brother". - Boerewors [boor-uh-vors]
Literally meaning ‘farmer’s sausage’, this is a savory sausage that is often braaied (or barbecued) and then eaten as a variation of a hot dog. - Bra / Bru [brah and brew]
Used to call a friend, pal or buddy. - Braai [brr-rye]
If you're not South African, you probably call it a barbecue. But a braai is much more than a barbecue. It's a whole cultural experience, usually happening during a sports game, or just as an excuse to hang out. - Eina! [ay-na]
An expression for when someone experiences pain. - Eish! [ay-sh]
A Khoi-San expression for when someone experiences surprise. - Fundi [foon-di]
Used to describe someone who is an expert, or a teacher. - Gatvol [ghut-foll]
Literally meaning ‘filled to the brim’, this is used to describe someone who is very angry or tired. "He's gatvol!" could mean "He's had enough!". - Hayibo! [hi-boh]
This Zulu word is usually expressed for something unbelievable. - Ja, Nee [ya—nee—ah]
Technically it means "Yes, no". The phrase is used to express agreement or confirmation with someone or something. - Jislaaik [yis-like]
This is said when trying to express shock. - Jol [jorl]
To have a good time. To party. To have fun. To dance. To enjoy each other's company. - Laat-lammetjie [lot–lumm–ah–kie]
The name given to a child born long after their siblings. See Liefie. - Laaitie [light-e]
Describes someone young. - Laduma! [laa-doo-maa]
Screamed out when a soccer team scores a goal. All. The. Time. - Lekker [lack-err]
An Afrikaans word that really could mean anything, but always has a good connotation. Generally, it means "nice" or "good". - Padkos [putt–koss]
Travel food. - Sarmie [saam-ie]
A shortening of the word "sandwich". - Shongololo [sh-ong-o-loh-loh]
This is what we call large black-brown millipedes. - Ubuntu [oo-boon-too]
It literally means “I am because we are”. It is an ancient African word that describes a common philosophical feeling of humanity and family. There is no single word to translate it as. - Yebo [yeah-boh]
It means "yes", but it is used as an extremely expressive form of the affirmative. It's often used as a double positive, saying "Yebo yes!".
Let us know in the comments below if we've missed any vital South African slang or phrases!
Comments
Thanks for the reminders of words I haven’t used after 40 years living in the USA. Here’s one I use mentally often – bezoets! Oh toppies talking to my nephew about his parents and the most enigmatic word voetsak!
So lus for a lekker Mutton Bunny.
Did not see Bunnychow on your list.
Indians from India have never heard of it, lol
Hoe se?
Ja well no fine
Pull in and catch a park my broer
I have been seeing the word “Utunu” what does this word mean?
kiep, isnt this slang for sleep
Do you know the expression: hannah-hannah/hanna-hanna, meaning, working at a slow pace. also used in a sentence like: Wat se gehanna-hanna is dit met jou. Why are you dragging your feet?
There are some words from the army maybe some of my mukkas remember…like mukka, or die bossies.
Also, TSA! When you throw dice!
Phrase – Just now. A period of time. See you just now – see you soon – Could mean 5 minutes, could mean 30 minutes
🍑GA: What does Um Um mean when said by someone from Africa?
‘Jislaaik’…. expressing surprise.
Jislaaik, what was that!
What about ‘ek se’ … Hey, ek se, what are you doing?
There’s also a bunch of “baby” words that I’ve found are different in the us like
nappy – diaper
pram – stroller
dummy – pacifier
We also say shame or “ugh shame” “awe shame” for just about anything. Bad and good really
What about Yoh, tjoh? 😉 And eish. Luv these
and my favourite "Umkhulu ". Zulu for grandfather. I hope to be called this one day when I am an Umkhulu.
In Durban a laaitie is only for referring to a young boy (your son for example). Not for girls.
The phrase “lacquer dolph” not sure of the spelling…does that mean stupid?
@Todd, correction on my comment ‘laat lammetjie’
@Todd, yes lammetjie can be used by the non-English and Afrikaans speakers in SA. The non-Nguni and non-Sesotho speakers use our words and the non-English and non-Afrikaans South Africans use the English / Afrikaans words
Songololo Fundi Indaba is from the Nguni who encampass the Zulu Xhosa Swati and Ndebele.
Songololo has been mispronounced to Shongololo. To roll is ‘songa’.
A koki pen is a marker that you would use on a whiteboard.
In South Africa people mostly refer to older people formally in comparison to other countries. In Afrikaans we call everyone in the older generation “oom” and “tannie”, literally meaning aunt and uncle. We would always say ma’am and sir when speaking to teachers (juffrou en meneer in Afrikaans). We would also repeat constantly to the person’s title each time we speak, but even in the same conversationas a sign of respect.
E. g. Good morning ma’am… How are ma’am doing?… I’m doing well thank you ma’am. Bye ma’am.
Same with parents, grand parents, etc.
@Manolita Doise tell your friend “die braai was lekker, my maat” (pronounced dee braay vus lehkuh, may maahrt)
Meaning the barbecue was great, my friend.
Baba respectfully a male older than you
mdala respectfully a male elder
mlungu respectfully a white person
uMuntu the people
First born is your eldest child. Last born, your youngest
Zamalek Carling black label beer
Mfana young boy
Shot means thanks
Chow means food or goodbye
Ah-ah-ah indicates disbelief
Nca (ntcaaa) good or excellent
Izit? used to question like really?
@ Lissy Regarding your koeksuster question, Limpopo is a province in SA
Using the word ousie has a bad stigma and hurtful if used incorrectly
@ Mark Johnson Mx choooo could be similar to mxm which is sucking a small amount of air in the corner of your mouth over your teeth indicating irritation or indifference. Chooo a sound indicating something bad could happen or get worse.
What about ‘true as nyanis’ I think this comes from Zulu/xhosa word – tamale which means true but don’t know for sure
Talking about Robots (traffic lights), they used to have a sign – “wag vir groen”.
And some common words/expressions I recall:
- Mdala is an old man or elder
- Asseblief man (said with feeling) is please, I really want this to happen.
- Aikona is misbelief
- Maningi hunahuna is big trouble
- just now is sometime in the future, now now is straight away
- moenie worry nie – don’t worry
- mushi sterek (Rhodie slang?) very nice – sterek coming from the Afrikaans, sterk,
meaning strong.
Is the term laat lammetjie used among non English and Afrikaans speakers? Like would a Xhosa speaker typically know the term and use it if appropriate?
Yes, Southern African slang is a real melting pot of languages from far and near.
We would talk of an Indaba meaning a meeting to discuss a problem (from siNdebele/siZulu), while Maningi Indaba in Chilapalapa (or Funigalo) meant Big Trouble. Another slang word with an identical meaning was Hunnahunna, but can anyone please tell me from which language this comes? Please excuse the misspelling. Thanks
Thanks Koos for your “Ja well, no fine” – that’s a classic Southernafricanism!
Virginia, I believe Larney should be Laany, from the Afrikaans word for Avenue, Laan, meaning an upper class area.
Tot siens
Ja well, no fine… don’t know what this means
The Vaalies have hit Durbs, and ‘dis lekker by die see’
Just now….. a indefinite period
A Rhodesian one, maybe Sarth Effriken, ‘strike me the ages ou bee’ means ’what’s the time old pal’
Ek se.. I say
Don’t tune me grief meaning, don’t give me lip!
What’s the correct saying. Moenie (twice five or twice figh) met my nie. Meaning don’t argue with me.
I am trying to identify a word used by my late father. It sounded something like
“Mxhoxho” or “zhozho”. It was used to refer to “ the big guy” or the “big chief”.
Please help find the word. It could be a Zulu word.
what about Soutie – short for soutp..l
for “Ubuntu”, good single word approximations might include “neighbourliness”, “communion or community”, “cameraderie”.
What about the English words for things like
“Robot” – Traffic Light
“Circle” – Roundabout
“Trunk” – Boot
“Slap Chips” – Deep Fried Potato Chips
“Dop” – Failing A Test
"
A few here:
Larney: fancy, nice. As in “I’m not dressed for that larney restaurant.”
Gatvol: fed up, had enough. “I’ve had a gatvol of your nonsense.” I won’t give you the literal translation, it’s too filthy.
Pardon me if my spelling is off. I’m actually American :)
@Tyler and @Medupe It is actually “China” – it comes from cockney rhyming slang: China plate – mate.
Gatvol [ghut-foll]
This one probably comes from the Australian “Gut full” meaning exactly the same
Growing up in the Karoo we had “Wag ‘n bietjie” trees on the farm.
As a child I was asked to call the housemaid Aia Lina. That was in the Western Cape. And it is about 60 years ago. What does “Aia” mean?
@Manolita Doise – You could actually use both “jol” or “lekker”. In the true sense, “lekker” is more correct as it is used to essentially mean “very nice” or “great”, but “jol” usually refers to having a good experience or time with someone than being used to describe something nice/good.
I’d like to tell a friend from Limpopo that his braaivleis was great fun, do I use jol or lekker? This in a written message.
MF in Geneva
Ke sha’p = I’m good or OK
Sho’t left = taxi lingo for when you want to get out around the corner.
Cool / cold drink = soda
Bakkie = Pickup truck
Yoh!/Tjoh = reaction to surprise or shock
‘Phone me’ = call me or give me a ring
“must” = often used in place of ‘should’
Jozi = Johannesburg
Mzansi – South Africa
Robot meaning Traffic Light
Oh no! you forgot nee how which means you don’t say or a informal curse you might ponder on.
@tracy, “ousie” is actually a Tswana word for “aunty”.
You can see how somebody would misunderstand and think it means “maid” because of South Africa’s incredibly racially and economically divided society – with many Tswana people having to work as maids and the people they work for calling them “ousie” out of respect.
Then of course there are:
Takkies – loafers/trainers
Naarjie – satsuma mandarin
Slops – flip flops
Granadilla – passion fruit
Bringel – egg plant (also used in India)
Pooitjie [kos] – stew cooked on a three footed iron pot
Sap – fruit juice
Pap en wors- maize polenta like dish with sausage
I’m sure there is more but cannot think of any.
Was thinking that the other one that is really useful is “ungaas” from the isiZulu /angazi/ meaning “I don’t know”..
Pitch /pitch up…. not very know for foreigners if you ask did someone pitch…they think of sport!
@Maggie What a fantastic idea! We don’t have anything like this at the moment, but we will get our team to work on a separate blog for this. Do you have any specific words you’re looking for context on?
@deby A cokie pen is actually a “Koki pen” and they are a type of colour marker pens with brush ink paint (usually non-toxic in nature and often used by kids).
Hi, would it be possible to put some of these words within sentences to see how they would fit? Or perhaps you can refer me to where I can hear colloquial.
Many thanks
Maggie