Difference between revisions of "South African Slang"

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(Added Slang for Internationals)
 
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[[File:Now Now.jpg|thumb|624x624px|[https://www.goodthingsguy.com/fun/now-now-just-now/ South African Time explained]]]
'''Braai''' - A barbeque but also a social gathering around a fire. Don't expect to eat before 11pm.


South African Slang Dictionary
'''Bru''' - Brother/friend. Similar to 'bro' but cooler.


Moerse - means really big or numerous in Afrikaas
'''Eish''' - a slang word used to indicate surprise, sudden disapproval, exasperation or regret.  For example, “Eish, I was just in an accident.”


Gees - Afrikaans word for “spirit” often used to describe a great vibe in Afrikaans
'''Eina!''' - Meaning "Ouch!" Used when expressing immediate pain or sympathizing with someone else who is experiencing pain or got hurt in some way. 


Howzit - (9 out of 10 the person is from Joburg) it means hello and how are you
'''Gees''' - Afrikaans word for “spirit” but is often used to describe a great vibe in Afrikaans.


Bru - brother/friend, similar to 'bro' but cooler
'''Hectic''' - Meaning crazy, used when expressing amazement.  For example, “That R355 is pretty hectic bru…”


Yebo - yes in Zulu
'''Howzit''' - (9 out of 10 times the person is from Joburg) It means "Hello and how are you?"


Mal - crazy or mad in Afrikaans. BTW "the people are going mal at the party" is not a negative sentence
'''Izit''' - An expression frequently used in conversation and equivalent to, “Is that so?”


Lekker - nice, good, great and means ‘tasty’ in Afrikaans
'''Jol''' - meaning to go partying, clubbing or to just have fun in general. For example, “We had a jol last night at Afrikaburn."


** very important **
'''Lekker''' - Nice, good, great and means ‘tasty’ in Afrikaans


The phrases "now", "now now", "just now" and "right now" all mean different things in terms of immediacy and differs from person to person laugh you may need a follow up question to determine the timeframe. Good luck with this one!
'''Mal''' - crazy or mad in Afrikaans. BTW "the people are going mal at the party" is not a negative sentence
 
'''Moerse''' - Means "really big" or numerous in Afrikaas.
 
'''Nca''' - meaning everything is cool or things are good.  For example, “the food was nca my friend.” “How are you? I am nca.”
 
'''"Now"''' - The phrases "now", [https://www.goodthingsguy.com/fun/now-now-just-now/ "now now"], "just now" and "right now" all mean different things in terms of immediacy and differs from person to person. You may need a follow up question to determine the timeframe. Good luck with this one!
 
'''Shebeen''' - A tavern or bar in South Africa especially in the townships. For example, “let’s go visit the Shebeen in the township this weekend.”
 
'''Yebo''' -  Means "Yes" in Zulu.
 
 
- Words via the [https://newsletter.afrikaburn.com/w/wX2ljS9Zc8929c1BLj0VF3jw?fbclid=IwAR0XNUABjMVmpUW4M9QoI9EnOigWXemdZa-mZ4ycl5Qzo24u1f9bMcyLjR8 Afrikaburn Rangers] and [https://www.khayavolunteer.com/news/305-18-slang-words-for-your-volunteer-trip-to-south-africa#:~:text=3.,complete%20sense%20in%20South%20Africa. Khaya]:-)

Revision as of 12:37, 15 February 2023

Braai - A barbeque but also a social gathering around a fire. Don't expect to eat before 11pm.

Bru - Brother/friend. Similar to 'bro' but cooler.

Eish - a slang word used to indicate surprise, sudden disapproval, exasperation or regret.  For example, “Eish, I was just in an accident.”

Eina! - Meaning "Ouch!" Used when expressing immediate pain or sympathizing with someone else who is experiencing pain or got hurt in some way.

Gees - Afrikaans word for “spirit” but is often used to describe a great vibe in Afrikaans.

Hectic - Meaning crazy, used when expressing amazement.  For example, “That R355 is pretty hectic bru…”

Howzit - (9 out of 10 times the person is from Joburg) It means "Hello and how are you?"

Izit - An expression frequently used in conversation and equivalent to, “Is that so?”

Jol - meaning to go partying, clubbing or to just have fun in general. For example, “We had a jol last night at Afrikaburn."

Lekker - Nice, good, great and means ‘tasty’ in Afrikaans

Mal - crazy or mad in Afrikaans. BTW "the people are going mal at the party" is not a negative sentence

Moerse - Means "really big" or numerous in Afrikaas.

Nca - meaning everything is cool or things are good.  For example, “the food was nca my friend.” “How are you? I am nca.”

"Now" - The phrases "now", "now now", "just now" and "right now" all mean different things in terms of immediacy and differs from person to person. You may need a follow up question to determine the timeframe. Good luck with this one!

Shebeen - A tavern or bar in South Africa especially in the townships. For example, “let’s go visit the Shebeen in the township this weekend.”

Yebo - Means "Yes" in Zulu.


- Words via the Afrikaburn Rangers and Khaya:-)