Difference between revisions of "South African Slang"

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(Added Slang for Internationals)
 
m (added definition for kak. :))
 
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[[File:Now Now.jpg|thumb|655x655px|[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/Boet''' - 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 forgot my tent poles!”


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


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 **
'''Kak'''- Not Lekker (see '''''Lekker'''''). Unless it's really lekker, then it's kak lekker. :) Can also mean "shit".


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!
'''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", [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.”
 
'''Stompie''' - A cigarette butt.... please keep these [[Leave no trace|off the desert floor!]]
 
'''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]:-)

Latest revision as of 07:09, 14 March 2024

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."

Kak- Not Lekker (see Lekker). Unless it's really lekker, then it's kak lekker. :) Can also mean "shit".

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.”

Stompie - A cigarette butt.... please keep these off the desert floor!

Yebo - Means "Yes" in Zulu.


- Words via the Afrikaburn Rangers and Khaya:-)