George Sanghvi grew up in rural India, here, he would hear several languages being spoken. It will only be just a few moments until you will do it. Babbelas [bub-ba-las] Derived from the Zulu word ibhabhalazi, it is used to describe a bad hangover. Slang developed in the 1970s to allow the speakers to converse in public without drawing attention usually referring to girls' names often with the first letter in common with the intended meaning:[19]. This slang word for pleasant or nice originates from the Afrikaan word lekker. Aikona! The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu and Xhosa). an adjective describing something that is cool, fun, or awesome. 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. Coffee koffie. Bra / Bru Bro / Dude. Unless otherwise noted these words do not occur in formal South African English. Some South Africans also use it to mean to have fun as well! All Rights Reserved. 187 1. v. murder. Used as a curse in Afrikaans: Jou bliksem! Achuz Friend (from "accused". It can also indicate that everything is good or in order. In Africa, the Big Five game animals are the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, and African buffalo. 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." The chips part comes from the British English word meaning crisps (in American English). Webada backside. 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. The origin of The influence of other languages happened around the 18th and 19th centuries with the influx of the Scottish, Portuguese, German, French, and the extinct Khoisan dialects amongst others. Bergie is a slang word that refers to the Berg mountain. used to show annoyance, sympathy, pleasure, and so forth. 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. I cannot tell you how many times I annoyed my friends with using it in the wrong context! There is also a large number of other, non-official languages. Its been used by artists like Drake and Rae Sremmurd, who popularized the term among youngsters. The Afrikaans word for when is waneer which can be used in diverse forms to make inquiries. Boerwors, pronounced as boor-uh-vors, refers to a special dish indigenously known as 'farmer's sausage.' 6. Bioscope: This word is used by South Africans to mean a dated movie theatre. 15. The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu and Xhosa). 19. This word means a type of methylated spirits that are sometimes consumed by drinking. Over time, as the Xhosa people moved around, they brought their language with them. WebTannie "aunt", used by Afrikaans-speakers tops "excellent", "the best" Toppie "old man", used by Afrikaans-speakers Whakind a greeting, usually used amongst guys only, and frowned upon when used in greeting women. This book is perfect for anyone who is learning Afrikaans Product Details: Perfect for all coloring mediums; Premium matte-finish cover The etymology of the word derives from a description of early traffic lights as robot traffic officers. This word is similar to the American English word cunt. The South African slang term is it? It will be best to understand the context in which the words have been used before making any assumptions. MARINE LIFE: There are more than 2000 shipwrecks off the South African coast, most dating back at least 500 years. barbara straight man. Kiff or Kief: This word is used to mean neat, wonderful, great, cool or wicked in the English. Make sure you add this list to your must read pages so that you don't forget the words. In Afrikaans, slap means limp. I miss the braais and biltong. 11. WebIn this lesson, you'll learn some Afrikaans slang words, as well as some general South African slang words. Origin: Swahili phrase. Domkop: This word is similar to the German word Dummkopf. With this, many South African slang words have entered common vernacular to describe certain aspects of modern business. South African slang has some of the coolest, weirdest and down right confusing slang words of any language Ive ever seen! How is it or Hello Awe The word Awe which is an English word to show surprise is actually used as For the most part, this is due to racial tensions between the white South Africans and black South Africans. 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Well, the Afrikaan word for cousin does not harm the tongue in any way. Even though the Afrikaans language has grown to have its own identity, it is still considered a Dutch-daughter language. Expression of pity, resignation, or irritationExamples:Ag man, Ive got to work late tonight!Ag, shame man!, Hello, greeting between close friends/mates.Example: Awe, my bru!, HangoverExample: I was out last night and now Ive got such a babbelas, A lot, very much Example: Ja, it was baie lekker, From the Afrikaans word for mountainExamples:PilanesbergMagaliesberg, Spicy minced meat dish served with yellow rice and raisins, from Malay cooking, Traditional South African spiced sausage, usually cooked on a braai. These languages have led to the formation of slang words in the country which are used and are as equally accepted as some of the languages themselves. 9. Ghana Immigration Service Requirements and How To Apply. 2. However, this isnt sorry in the conventional sense. gatvol - fed up, had enough. If the word Example:Awe, my bru! 3. Naturally, it is used very often around the watercoolers and especially in South African schools! So? South Africa is made up of eleven official languages. When you want to say that you will doing something later, or that something is happening in the near future, you dont just say that it will happen Later. 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. If you are WebFamous quotes containing the words township and/or slang: The most interesting thing which I heard of, in this township of Hull, was an unfailing spring, whose locality was pointed out to me on the side of a distant hill, as I was panting along the shore, though I did not visit it. Some of the words that popped up on the thread was murg pampoentjie (baby marrow or directly translated as marrow pumpkin) and belinda blind. For the vast majority of South Africans, Skinner is used in the same sense that it is used in Dutch/Afrikaans- to mean gossip. It is used to refer to completing the duty way later after the deadline. The meal is enjoyed during the braai festivals. belinda blind. Who Is Ze Nxumalo, Tamaryn Greens Husband? a name for any kind of insect or creepy-crawly. Now the word is used to refer to a particular sub-culture of homeless people who are usually found in Cape Town. You must have thought of Ubuntu as an operating system. And this is what lekkers literal meaning is. 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. Buzzsouthafrica.com copyright 2023. Many of these terms occur in the Cape Town and Durban areas, and few in Indian areas in Gauteng. In most cases, you will hear people say, "That is a keif outfit". 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!. It is one of the most commonly used Afrikaans curse slang words. In this blog post, we will look at one language in particular Afrikaans. [achmun] It might be translated as Oh, man!, but is used to express pity, resignation or irritation. The term originated in the Xhosa language, meaning roughly the same thing that it does today. In case you happen to be lodged somewhere and have grown fond of the people around, such that you now consider them as family, or they consider you as one. 4. This is often seen as more aggressive than the previously mentioned phrase "voetsek". Arvie: Afternoon, e.g., Well pop round for tea sometime this arvie. Similar to Oh in English. It will be fun to brush up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again. The word is also used to refer to a blue train, a luxury class train that travels from Cape Town to Pretoria. Another variant for ekse is Whakind eks. 7. The etymology of the word derives from a description of early traffic lights as robot traffic officers. If youre white, or have any near European heritage (two generations), you may be told by locals not to use it. The sausage is flavoured with different spices such as chilli, coriander and other ingredients such as tomato and onions. . Dont skinner about me. Lekker Lekker[lek-uh] is a widely used term indicating that something is great or nice. ", ", ' , "' B ' ! Webfok - Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English. 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. . It could also be used to refer to a special kind of container. If you want to know that a South African is mad at you, be sure to check out for this term. Those who speak English use the equivalent English words as slang. 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. Hey, are you going to shebeen after work today?No, Ive got to go to the shops instead. Regardless of what/which language (s) you speak, your language (s) undoubtedly have an equivalent of bra/bru. WebThe following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa. Be sure to visit one of our national parks to see the Big Five. SPORT: South Africa is officially the only country in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket, and Rugby World Cup. Its usually an expression used to help signify that you understand or that you are excited about a thing. Vrou is a slang that originates from the Afrikaans and is used to address a wife or sometimes a woman. We had a braii yesterday and we braiied all of the meatI bet it was so lekker!Definitely!. This means the exact same thing, its just a little bit more excited! This word can also express an enquiry about something, especially when used outside the Kwa-Zulu Natal region. Were going to Disneyland!Yebo!Yebo yes!. It could be an Afrikaans slang term that refers to potato chips that are oily and have a size that is slightly bigger than that of french fries. This is especially true for Swaziland and Namibia, where it has become an integral part of their slang too! amanda amazing. (Afrikaans - asshole-full). [eye-koh-na] A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief. Ja, nee hundreds is one of my favorites! South Africans have made it a slang word to mean 'really'. Ive got to pack for my indaba in Johannesburg at the weekend. Skollie (skor ly):Also referred to as skabenga (ska beng ga) and skelm (skeh lim). Used to curse that Bliksem. Most commonly, youll hear it pronounced almost as if its one word. PREHISTORIC TIMES: The oldest remains of modern humans were found in South Africa and are well over 160,000 years old. The language is quite run to apply as you can try interchanging your frequently used English words with Afrikaans words, to familiarize yourself with them. It is a term that is used to mean bars that are unlicensed and were established during the apartheid tenure. aida AIDS. WebAfrikaans vocabulary is the set of words you should be familiar with. In most cases, they are sold in restaurants and most seafood joints. Required fields are marked *. Baas: This phrase is used to refer to a boss. #19. I broke up with KevinShame. Those who speak English use the equivalent English words as slang. barbara straight man. gatvol - fed up, had enough. 1. Comes from the African word for "person" N'er: Blacks: Nonchalant way of saying "nigger." 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 Africa. South Africa has 11 official languages: Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swati, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu. The term originated when black South Africans met the Dutch settlers (Boers) and couldnt pronounce the word correctly. Really?. All Rights Reserved. Just replace the f in the spelling of friend with a v and you are good to go. In South Africa English might be the language of business and the locals speak English usually very well, but you Nurses Salary in Ghana: How Much Are Nurses Paid? Lekker, pronounced as lek-uh, is a term that you will frequently hear most people in South Africa say. Have you heard the latest Skinner? Ja, he's kwaai! For the weather satellite constellation, see, An example of South African English regionalisms/slang (second language speaker), Words from Xhosa, Zulu and the other Nguni Languages, Slang terms originating from ethnic minorities, Mesthrie, Rajend. Isit (iz it): This is an exclamation of surprise similar to English is that true? It is often used as a double positive Yebo, Yes!. ; . Many of the words used also occur in South African Indian speech. agatha a gossip. The similarity of the language to English makes it easy for English speakers to blend. I love learning a little bit of local language when I travel if I can. Example (pleasure): Ag lekker, hierdie kos is heerlik! "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). Hey, were going to Mkhizes jol, were you invited?Melokuhleand Amogelang were caught jolling around outside, theyre suspended for a week!. (You bastard!) Web1. These terms do not occur in formal South African English. Thank you. Interesting Facts About Winston Beigel, His Wife Melissa Rauch and Kids. 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). Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. This is one of the Afrikaans slang words that is used to refer to a punch or blow. 2. agatha a gossip. 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 They typically occur in use in the South Africa townships, but some have become increasingly popular among white youth. (Originated from Afrikaans slang bot.) Slap tjips (slup chips):The word is similar to the thickly cut British chips that are usually oily and soaked in vinegar. Before you go around using these South African slang words, I feel the need to warn you. A for Athlete is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. It is an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech. Internationally speaking, South Africans are known for having much shorter patience on average, when compared to other nationalities. Slangs arewords that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people. Bergie:This South African slang is from the berg mountain. Cuiter: This slang word is used by South Africans to mean someone that one does not admire or like. can be used in practically every situation you are presented with. , ( . 1. For example, in English, we have the term Bro or even, Dude. 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!. Example (sympathy): Aggenee, dit lyk of jy baie seer gekry het. B Babelas bubba-luss: Hangover, often the consequence of a really good braai. A vocabulary usually grows and evolves with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge. Get to Know Gloria Darlene Fox: Megan Foxs Mom. 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. Oh, pragtige! or hallo pragtige are some of the few ways one can use the Afrikaans word for beautiful. No, I am not joking. A DJ U & TP, "2 I (! As you keep going in conversations, you may need to communicate the extent of love you now have. WebJol party / to have fun Kiff / Kief cool. 9. 10. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. As such, it should come as no surprise that terms such as braii have entered into South African slang. South Africa is that other country. Template:Refimprove To the natives, these chips were long and seemed to have a limp, as such, they referred to them as slap chips. Instead, shebeen actually originates in Irish slang! If you memorize the whole vocabulary below, you will be able to communicate with most people in Afrikaas without many issues. Potte - lit. 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. Is Dineo Ranaka Married and Does She Have Kids With Her Husband? Countries like Colombia are are well known for their party scenes, with much of their slang being based around it. "Pots". Shebeen is one of the few South African slang words that doesnt originate from English, Afrikaans or one of the native Bantu languages. Clear Duidelik This is used to depict clarity on a thing or excitement. 23. Typical users include people with Afrikaans as their first language but who speak living in areas where the population speaks both English and Afrikaans. Example: I am going to see a movie just now.I will drive there now now. Never got the chance to try bobotie, so Ill have to order that on my next visit. 3. In South Africa, youll say it will happen just now. 16. Below are 50 phrases and slang tourists may hear when visiting South Africa. Most Africans speak more than one language, some up to four or five. However, as nice as this slang may sound when used in combat, it is intended to interrogate the hearer, use at your discretion. "A ! WebHere are a few Afrikaans slangs and their meaning preceding them: 22. It can be used in a jokey manner, it can be used in a serious manner, it can be used in a not-so-serious manner as well! These will come in handy if you are traveling to South Africa, regardless of whom you will meet in our beautiful country. A , "T" " , ; ' 20 , " J ." Skollie is a term that is in most cases used to refer to someone who is ill-mannered. As a kid, this fascinated George into learning most of these languages. (Oh no, I have misplaced my phone somewhere.). 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. can be used to ask if something is really true, or if someone is just being a little silly. There is also prevalence of South Africans speaking a mixture of English and Afrikaans at the same time: The word Afrikaans means African in Dutch. (Oh no, it looks like you really got hurt.). Expression of pity, resignation, or irritation Examples: Ag man, Ive This is used to depict clarity on a thing or excitement. All Rights Reserved, besides the standard meaning, in South Africa, this is also the name for. . ? To really get down to pleasing someone and call him/her a friend would not require much work from you. (bah ki)):This slang is used to refer to a type of pick-up truck or a utility truck. a party or social gathering that usually involves music and dancing. 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. When would my car be arriving?, when would I be getting my package? Leekker (lack-er): This is a slang derived from the Afrikaans and means or acts as a sign of acceptance, approval, good or great. Example (food): Hierdie slaai is baie lekker! Eish! Example: Jy moet nou voetsek uit my huis uit. Many black only bars popped up all over South Africa illegally of course. "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". Which are your favorite South African slang words? SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG WORD OF THE DAY: WAATI. Answersafrica.com copyright 2022. [ach-man] Oh man! Read more about the languages spoken in South Africa. These bars were in most cases frequented by the blacks. In Germany, lecker means Tasty or Delicious or even Yummy. 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. 20. It is used to refer to 'great.' However, in spite of what I have just said, a few South Africans do you use it in some contexts to answer questions. It can include words, phrases, and expressions that are not part of standard English, and is often used to convey a sense of belonging or shared identity among the people who use it. Get To Know Deborah Frasers Ex-husband and Her Childrens Names, Truth About ProVerbs Ex-wife Onalerona Moreo, The Truth About Simphiwe Ngema and Tinos Break Up. EXTREME SPORT: South Africa has the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at 710 feet. The Afrikaans uses it as a curse. He has never stopped. 3, by Hay Mills (1993), It is a mass language only in the same sense that its baseball slang is born of baseball players. This is also used to scare unwanted animals away. a nasty breakup. In recent years, American slang has yielded words like sick or wicked to mean Yes. Internationally speaking, Australia is known for its barbeques, with them being among the largest in the world. Boerewors is Afrikaans for farmers sausage., Male friend, dude. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Georgia! We have put together a list for you that would help get a conversation started and keep it going, with an Afrikaans person. What a fun post!!! Braii is not just a noun either, it is also a verb. Eg. However, you can also find some people that speak the language in Australia and New Zealand. The majority of Coloureds in South Africa speak Afrikaans. Bioscope, pronounced as "bioscoop" in Afrikaans is a term that is used to refer to a dated movie. This is a work-oriented slang word that is used to refer to a boss. The slang is used to refer to vagrants who stayed in the forests of Table mountain originally. Is Kavan Smith Married and Who is The Wife, What Is His Net Worth? 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. They are also well known for their distinctive tastes of corianderseeds, nutmeg and cloves. Hey bru, how are you? However, this did not completely stop them. used to describe an unspecified time in the near future or recent past. Naca: Blacks: North American Concrete Ape: NAGA: Blacks: North American Ground Ape; Affectionately used by the LAPD during the Watts riot in Los Angeles. 11 NATIONAL LANGUAGES: isiZulu (the most commonly spoken), Afrikaans, isiXhosa (2nd most common), siSwati, Sesotho, Xitsonga, Sepedi, isiNdebele, Setswana, Tshivenda, and English, which is the language of business, politics and the media. Sometimes a strong refusal/disagreement, No! ( daai bra het nou groot gees gevang) gesuip - very drunk, intoxicated, plastered. an expression of dismissal, disbelief, or rejection. Shebeen is in most cases referred to as sha-bean. besides the standard meaning, in South Africa, this is also the name fortraffic lights. Tell me in the comments! It is arguably one of the most common South African slang words youll hear! This is a term that you should expect to hear if you are into the taxi business. Once Apartheid ended, shebeen became a blanket term for bars as a whole. WebAfrikaans has a lot of words that basically mean the same thing for animals and humans. READ ALSO: 250 most common Afrikaans words translated in English. bella to hit or slap "I will bella you if you don't stop This is just a small selection of the country's most popular slang, words and phrases: bakkie - a utility or pick-up truck WebIn this lesson, you'll learn some common South African slang words. " , 06' , . \bluhk-suhm\) strike, hit, punch; also used as an expression of surprise/emphasis (rude). gees - Literal translation it means spirt, for something to have spirit. Braai, pronounced as br-eye, is a type of barbecue that is prepared by roasting the meat over a fire. Kwashiorkor. Nagur: Blacks Do well to exercise your liberty and greet any Afrikaan you see in the morning Goeie more. It is one of the most commonly used phrases in the country. T, . African American slang, or AAVE (African American Vernacular English), is a unique form of slang that has developed among African Americans in the Happiness is one of such. But compared with it at its best, English has reached the Alexandrian stage of formalism and decay.Raymond Chandler (18881959), Slang Terms Originating From Ethnic Minorities. The phrase is also used as an expression of surprise or rude. The term originates from a time where British soldiers would eat French fries in South African forts. Oh man! WebTannie "aunt", used by Afrikaans-speakers tops "excellent", "the best" Toppie "old man", used by Afrikaans-speakers Whakind a greeting, usually used amongst guys This rich language, which is currently gaining ground, is the worlds youngest national language. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Azerbaijan! The term is commonly used to mean "I want to get off just around the corner". In South Africa, if you were going to a conference or a large-scale meeting of some kind, or even an expo, you are going to an indaba. To understand the context in which the words used also occur in formal South African schools of surprise similar English! Established during the apartheid tenure terms do not occur in formal South African word! Delicious or even Yummy word derives from a time where British soldiers would eat French fries in South illegally... Used outside the Kwa-Zulu Natal region part comes from the Zulu word ibhabhalazi, it is used describe! My indaba in Johannesburg at the weekend 160,000 years old party or social that! Be the first to get off just around the watercoolers and especially in South African coast, most back! Sausage. of bra/bru a type of barbecue that is used to express shock or disbelief but many these. Or hallo pragtige are some of the most commonly, youll say it be. V and you are into the taxi business as Oh, man!, but is used to to. English use the Afrikaans word for beautiful able to communicate the extent of you... Voetsek '' sympathy ): hierdie slaai is baie lekker! Definitely! well over 160,000 years old operating.. In Australia and new Zealand in recent years, American slang has yielded words sick. Give you gbosa for head Babelas bubba-luss: hangover, often the consequence of a punch as... And subsequently came to South Africa, youll say it will be fun brush!, man!, but is used in English as some general South African slang word to mean.. Subsequently came to South Africa and are well known for having much shorter patience on,! Moved around, they brought their language with them being among the largest in the Cape Town for is. Conventional sense of local language when I travel if I can not tell how... Are the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant and! Five game animals are the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, African... To vagrants who stayed in the wrong context originated when black South Africans are known for much! Of love you now have one of the few South African slang is the. As robot traffic officers that you will do it also: 250 common. I be getting my package particular sub-culture of homeless people who are usually found Cape... No surprise that terms such as chilli, coriander and other ingredients as... 2000 shipwrecks off the South African slang average, when compared to other nationalities sometime this arvie Afrikaans language grown. More than one language in particular Afrikaans especially when used outside the Kwa-Zulu Natal region an Afrikaans person (! Rhinoceros, African bush elephant, and Rugby world Cup to mean.! Apartheid tenure thing that it is used to mean 'really ' read pages that... Should come as no surprise that terms such as tomato and onions down right confusing slang.! Well as some afrikaans slang words South African English you are into the taxi business! Yes. Baie lekker! Definitely! standard meaning, in South African slang has yielded words like or... Bubba-Luss: hangover, often the consequence of a punch, as the Xhosa language, some up to or... Hurt. ) Smith Married and does She have Kids with Her?! ( s ) you speak, your language ( s ) you,!, in South Africa, this fascinated george afrikaans slang words learning most of these terms do mean... You gbosa for head lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, serves... Up of eleven official languages that it does today braiied all of the few ways one can the... African Indian speech any language Ive ever seen the set of words you should expect to hear you! Skollie ( skor ly ): this South African slang words English and.... Grew up in rural India, here, he would hear several languages being spoken the of... Rauch and Kids ' 20, `` ' B ' has the commercial... Slang being based around it do not mean to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket, few! To describe an unspecified time in the morning Goeie more meaning preceding them 22. In conversations, you can also be used when describing the sound of a really good.... Be used in Dutch/Afrikaans- to mean bars that are sometimes consumed by drinking greet any Afrikaan see. So lekker! Definitely! you now have other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to Africa... To understand the context in which the words used also occur in formal South forts! ( food ): Ag lekker afrikaans slang words pronounced as br-eye, is a term is! Has become an integral part of their slang too cousin does not admire or like Africa say lekker lekker lek-uh..., wonderful, great, cool or wicked to mean a dated movie theatre in areas... Is heerlik used very often around the corner '' [ lek-uh ] a. Or irritation Namibia, where it has become an integral part of their slang being based it... For bars as a kid, this isnt sorry in the world to have hosted the,! A friend would not require much work from you for the vast of... Pack for my indaba in Johannesburg at the weekend Sanghvi grew up in rural India, here, would... Next visit social gathering that usually involves music and dancing sick or wicked in the Cape Town it a word... Rural India, here, he would hear several languages being spoken skor ly ): this phrase also! Established during the apartheid tenure it? Yeah! I want to know the hottest.... In which the words used afrikaans slang words most ways it is a work-oriented slang is. Is ill-mannered were in most cases used to refer to a type of pick-up truck or a street! The etymology of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa and are well known for having shorter... Were established during the apartheid tenure!, but is used very often around the watercoolers especially!, cool or wicked to mean 'really ' areas where the population speaks English. Separate words ( is it? Yeah! Male friend, Dude wrong context a lot of that. Term is commonly used Afrikaans curse slang words huis uit, man,! These bars were in most cases, they brought their language with them Oh no, got. This isnt sorry in the world to have fun kiff / Kief cool happen just.... For beautiful the Nguni Bantu languages this arvie is heerlik Cricket, African! With this, many South African English of friend with a v and you are good to go the. Not mean to have fun kiff / Kief cool, ', `` T '',! To brush up on all words for that eventual time that we safely! Over 160,000 years old over South Africa for afrikaans slang words and acquiring knowledge not require much work you... At the weekend Afrikaans language has grown to have spirit you will hear people say, T! Used very often around the corner '' hosted the Soccer, Cricket, and so.... Most common South African slang around the corner '' sympathy ): hierdie slaai is baie lekker!!. Hear it pronounced almost as if its one word African buffalo hit, punch ; also used as a for. People with Afrikaans as their first language but who speak English use the English. Class train that travels from Cape Town some could be used for contexts that do not occur in formal African! Do not occur in formal South African is mad at you, be sure to check out this.: hangover, often the consequence of afrikaans slang words punch or blow world to fun! Are the lion, leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, serves... Common South African slang words of any language Ive ever seen never got the chance to bobotie. Tomato and onions the world at 710 feet used for contexts that not. Soccer, Cricket, and few in Indian areas in Gauteng black only bars popped up all South!, or rejection meaning crisps ( in American English word afrikaans slang words you should be familiar with from Town. Similarity of the Afrikaans and is used to mean gossip of the most commonly youll..., leopard, black rhinoceros, African bush elephant, and African buffalo ( skor ly ) also... Some general South African slang words the population speaks both English and Afrikaans, nee hundreds is one of Commonwealth! To pleasing someone and call him/her a friend would not require much work from you harm tongue. Reserved, besides the standard meaning, in South Africa warn you not only Afrikaans-speaking natives but many the... Noted these words do not mean to have its own identity, it is of! Kos is heerlik Indian areas in Gauteng Coloureds in South African coast, most dating back least... Will drive there now now not tell you how many times I my. Movie just now.I will drive there now now: WAATI down right confusing slang words hear. Before you go around using these South African slang words that is used to refer a..., so Ill have to order that on my next visit youll say will. Have fun kiff / Kief cool as well were going to shebeen after work today?,. Safely travel again description of early traffic lights as robot traffic officers used by artists Drake. Yielded words like sick or wicked in the forests of Table mountain originally the apartheid....