Difference between revisions of "South African Slang"
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'''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 | '''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. | ||
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'''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 | '''Izit''' - An expression frequently used in conversation and shortened version of "Is it?" which is equivalent to “Really?” | ||
'''Jol''' - | '''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''' - | '''Mal''' - Crazy or mad in Afrikaans. Example: "The people were going mal at that jol last night!" | ||
'''Moerse''' - Means "really big" or numerous in | '''Moerse''' - Means "really big" or numerous in Afrikaans. | ||
'''Nca''' - | '''Nca''' - (n!aah) 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, | '''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''' - | '''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]:-) | - 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 13:34, 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 - (n!aah) 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:-)