Difference between revisions of "South African Slang"

From Quaggapedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(added words and links)
(more edits, spelling etc)
Line 2: Line 2:
'''Braai''' - A barbeque but also a social gathering around a fire. Don't expect to eat before 11pm.
'''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.  
'''Bru/Boet''' - 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.”  
'''Eish''' - a slang word used to indicate surprise, sudden disapproval, exasperation or regret.  For example, “Eish, I forgot my tent poles!”  


'''Eina!''' - Meaning "Ouch!" Used when expressing immediate pain or sympathizing with someone else who is experiencing pain or got hurt in some way.   
'''Eina!''' - Meaning "Ouch!" Used when expressing immediate pain or sympathizing with someone else who is experiencing pain or got hurt in some way.   
Line 14: Line 14:
'''Howzit''' - (9 out of 10 times the person is from Joburg) It means "Hello and how are you?"  
'''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?”
'''Izit''' - An expression frequently used in conversation and shortened version of "Is it?" which is equivalent to “Really?”


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


'''Mal''' - crazy or mad in Afrikaans. BTW "the people are going mal at the party" is not a negative sentence
'''Mal''' - Crazy or mad in Afrikaans. Example: "The people were going mal at that jol last night!"  


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


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


'''"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!
'''"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.”
'''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.  
'''Yebo''' -  Means "Yes" in Zulu.  

Revision as of 13:10, 15 February 2023

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

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

Eish - a slang word used to indicate surprise, sudden disapproval, exasperation or regret.  For example, “Eish, I forgot my tent poles!”

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 shortened version of "Is it?" which is equivalent to “Really?”

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 also means ‘tasty’ in Afrikaans

Mal - Crazy or mad in Afrikaans. Example: "The people were going mal at that jol last night!"

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

Nca - Meaning everything is cool or things are good.  For example, “The food was nca, my friend.”

"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:-)