afrikaans slang words
guy similar to the American English word dude chop stupidor pathetic dont be such a chop (idiot). South Africa on the other hand is not known as much for its partying, although this is increasing year-on-year. Slangs are words that are coined by the natives of a particular area and their use suits the context of how the word came into existence. Goed dankie, en met jou?. The term originated in the Xhosa language, meaning roughly the same thing that it does today. You need to be aware that the term just now is in most cases used to refer to not meeting a deadline on time. For surfers, we have world-class waves. outside of South Africa!) Example: Ag, man! / Ag, no man! / Ag, shame man! Aikona not on your life [eye-koh-na] or [hi-koh-na] The slap part of it comes from the Afrikaans word meaning limp. Cuiter: This slang word is used by South Africans to mean someone that one does not admire or like. Many of these terms also occur widely amongst South African Coloureds, these terms do not occur in formal South African English. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Azerbaijan! Literally, bliksem is the Afrikaans word meaning Lightning. Used to curse that Bliksem. ( daai bra het nou groot gees gevang) gesuip - very drunk, intoxicated, plastered. Eg. WebHere are a few Afrikaans slangs and their meaning preceding them: 22. Mr. Doody 1 [email protected] f # 06'n 1. However, in a slang context, it literally means to punch or to hit. Depending on the region of South Africa you visit, you may hear it pronounced in different ways, ranging from bra to, bro to, bru to, boet to boetie. ), , ". Buzzsouthafrica.com copyright 2023. Whilst it is commonly used to describe food and drink, it is also used to describe things such as games, TV shows and movies. As a kid, this fascinated George into learning most of these languages. gatvol - fed up, had enough. Who Is Ze Nxumalo, Tamaryn Greens Husband? Perhaps not surprisingly, as many of these parties involve alcohol, jolling (a verb derived from jol) is a South African slang term used in the same way that American slang speakers might use the term to make out. Ag nee, I stepped on a shongololo, I just bought new tekkies the other day! South Africa became a sovereign independent state and part of the British Commonwealth in 1934. Below are 50 phrases and slang tourists may hear when visiting South Africa. SPORT: South Africa is officially the only country in the world to have hosted the Soccer, Cricket, and Rugby World Cup. How is it or Hello Awe The word Awe which is an English word to show surprise is actually used as Make sure you add this list to your must read pages so that you don't forget the words. 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. Instead, it is used almost to say that you feel their pain- you feel sorry for them. WebSkinner[skuhn-her] is Afrikaans slang for gossip. Ja, he's kwaai! Wors (vors): This slang refers to traditional Afrikaans type of sausage, now-eaten by almost all the people in the region. Origin: Swahili phrase. This is a work-oriented slang word that is used to refer to a boss. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Georgia! [ach-man] Oh man! In this blog post, we will look at one language in particular Afrikaans. Web1. If you have small children, youll often hear it on the South African-produced English language childrens TV shows! With this comes several South African slang words. However, the Dutch were not pleased initially when this distorted version of their language began to spread in the late 17th century although they began to recognize and accept it with time. It would interest you to know that this language is closely related to Dutch, and to an extent German as well. WebSouth Africans slang words, you'll thank me later.Social media: https://www.instagram.com/katinkadiekat/?hl=en You may also like: America's most hated slang words, explained. 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. If you memorize the whole vocabulary below, you will be able to communicate with most people in Afrikaas without many issues. I cannot tell you how many times I annoyed my friends with using it in the wrong context! It could also be used to refer to the cinema. WE HAVE 3 CAPITAL CITIES: Pretoria is the Executive Capital, Cape Town is the Legislative Capital, and Bloemfontein is the judicial Capital. Kiff or Kief: This word is used to mean neat, wonderful, great, cool or wicked in the English. South African slang, reflects many different linguistic traditions found in South Africa. For instance, different popular South African slang words are used in the different parts of the country. 'Jinne man, just put on your tekkies and your costume, don't be dof! Were going to Disneyland!Yebo!Yebo yes!. The South African slang term is it? WebThe following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa. 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!. Ag man! , ( . WebIn this lesson, you'll learn some common South African slang words. South African slang everyone should know Ag, man! The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu and Xhosa). Example:Awe, my bru! 3. Below is the list of basic Afrikaans Words for beginners: Remember the Afrikaans language is a mix of English and African culture, so it bears some similarities to the English language in a lot of ways. amanda amazing. Check your inbox to be the first to know the hottest news. Depending on where in the English-speaking world you live (eg. agatha a gossip. Derived from the Arabic kayf, meaning enjoyment or well-being, kiff or kief is most often used to Laaitie a young male. This is often seen as more aggressive than the previously mentioned phrase "voetsek". Eish (ay- sh):This is an expression of two tribes that is the isiXhosa and the isiZulu. Especially if you go around the national holiday time (Heritage Day on September 24), youll hear the below example all too often! dobbel gamble duidelik 3. 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. 1. Meaning nice, enjoyable, pleasing, tasty, fun, and so forth. Aside from meaning I am fine, and you? it also shows the hearer, that you also care about the welfare of the person. 43 South African Slang Expressions You Need to Know Ag man! Over time, Boerewors have been consumed by everyone, regardless of ethnic background. This list provides some of the most commonly used South African slang words that anyone visiting the country should familiarize with for purposes of efficient communication. Be sure to visit one of our national parks to see the Big Five. Additionally, It contains 20 mandala pages to relieve stress. Example (place): Kaapstad is `n lekker plek. The word is related to the Afrikaans word for poison gif. Most Africans speak more than one language, some up to four or five. 5. Boerwors, pronounced as boor-uh-vors, refers to a special dish indigenously known as 'farmer's sausage.' These are the Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Venda, Swazi, Xhosa, Tsonga and Tswana. agatha a gossip. If you want to know that a South African is mad at you, be sure to check out for this term. A DJ U & TP, "2 I (! An expression of surprise or disbelief. Bakkie buck-key: South African version of the pickup truck. The following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa. Sometimes used to express anger or exasperation. 7. ", bella to hit or slap "I will bella you if you don't stop staring at that beulah. For instance, the popular South African slang words are derived from the eleven official languages in the country. SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG WORD OF THE DAY: WAATI. But first, some interesting facts about South Africa. 2. Required fields are marked *. 9. It is currently being used to refer to white males for the wrong reasons. e.g. Baas: This phrase is used to refer to a boss. Example: Jy moet nou voetsek uit my huis uit. The majority of Coloureds in South Africa speak Afrikaans. Comment below! Normally, in other English speaking countries, when you say you're doing something "now now", you would assume it means that you will do said thing right away. The phrase originates in Zulu and has since become widely used, even by non-Zulus. For example, in English, we have the term Bro or even, Dude. 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. Achuz Friend (from "accused". used as a noun for a low-ranking gangster, someone who usually causes trouble or a petty street criminal. H , . aida AIDS. However, this did not completely stop them. [Ach-man] This is the Afrikaans equivalent to Oh man! and is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express pity, resignation or irritation. B Babelas bubba-luss: Hangover, often the consequence of a really good braai. (Oh no, it looks like you really got hurt.). Some of these languages that have attributed to the slang words are English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Ndebele, Xhosa, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Venda, Tswana and Swazi. The term was first used to refer to a white male for positive reasons. Afrikaans words and slangs are predominantly a blend of the African culture and the English language. . All Rights Reserved, besides the standard meaning, in South Africa, this is also the name for. Before you go around using these South African slang words, I feel the need to warn you. Those who speak English use the equivalent English words as slang. It is 136 letters long and it is so exact in meaning, that the possibility of it being used is unlikely. Example (an experience): Dit was lekker by die see. ; . On top of this, lekker is also used to mean Nice or Cool or even Great. 23. Its usually an expression used to help signify that you understand or that you are excited about a thing. 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. Sometimes a strong refusal/disagreement, No! annie anus. PREHISTORIC TIMES: The oldest remains of modern humans were found in South Africa and are well over 160,000 years old. Example (pleasure): Ag lekker, hierdie kos is heerlik! Well, the Afrikaan word for cousin does not harm the tongue in any way. Bra / Bru Bro / Dude. Friends play AN important role fashionable a person's life. 1. Braii Barbeque. They typically occur in use in South Africa's townships, but some have become increasingly popular amongst white youth. Thanks Sarah! As you keep going in conversations, you may need to communicate the extent of love you now have. Trill. Is it? stomach = maag (human), pens (animal) foot = voet (human), poot (animal) mouth = 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. Bioscope: This word is used by South Africans to mean a dated movie theatre. Many of these terms also occur widely amongst ethnic/native South Africans, and others living in neighbouring countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, etc. Once Apartheid ended, shebeen became a blanket term for bars as a whole. Milk melk. Peradventure you find yourself in one of the Afrikaans communities and you intend to thrill them a little and show them a sense of belonging, it is worth knowing a couple of basic Afrikaans words. Naca: Blacks: North American Concrete Ape: NAGA: Blacks: North American Ground Ape; Affectionately used by the LAPD during the Watts riot in Los Angeles. Nagur: Blacks Clear Duidelik This is used to depict clarity on a thing or excitement. It can also indicate that everything is good or in order. 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. " , . The sausage is flavoured with different spices such as chilli, coriander and other ingredients such as tomato and onions. a party or social gathering that usually involves music and dancing. barbara straight man. Nurses Salary in Ghana: How Much Are Nurses Paid? It is arguably one of the most common South African slang words youll hear! 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!. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. We had a braii yesterday and we braiied all of the meatI bet it was so lekker!Definitely!. In recent years, American slang has yielded words like sick or wicked to mean Yes. List of South African slang words. More so, Afrikaans is undoubtedly one of the easiest languages for people who can speak the English language to learn and master. On the surface of it, seems rather complicated, however its really not! you may actually be quite familiar with shame. It is one of the most commonly used Afrikaans curse slang words. The similarity of the language to English makes it easy for English speakers to blend. Make to kick your writing into gear mechanism by browsing direct our list of 200+ short tale ideas. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Kyrgyzstan. African American slang, or AAVE (African American Vernacular English), is a unique form of slang that has developed among African Americans in the Also, the word may have come from the kif, an Arabic word that means marijuana or pleasure. 9. 5. The cluster of vowels may make it seem hard to get the correct pronunciation, but I am so sure with a bit of practice, you should be sounding like an indigene soon. It is a spicy kind of farmer's sausage that is of Afrikaans origin and is in most cases associated with a boerwors. Meaning: There are no problems : dont worry about it. Babbelas (bub a Lars):This slang means a bad hangover. . 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. 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. "A ! "Can accused no.1 and accused no.2 please stand. In this blog post, we will look at one language in particular Afrikaans. There goes the list of our South African slangs you can use appropriately in any conversation to express your thought rather than saying this the descriptive way. #20. Lekker, pronounced as lek-uh, is a term that you will frequently hear most people in South Africa say. I love learning a little bit of local language when I travel if I can. WebThe South African English lends quite a few words from Afrikaans and the African languages like Xhosa or Zulu which are spoken widely by the black population of the country. To show the ancestral heritage of the English language, the word I remains unchanged. Beth Thomas Child of Rage Bio: What Did She Do To Her Brother, Where Is She Now? This word is similar to the American English word cunt. (Originated from Afrikaans slang bot.) Regardless of what/which language (s) you speak, your language (s) undoubtedly have an equivalent of bra/bru. The Afrikaans uses it as a curse. Who Is Dineo Moloisane the Businesswoman and Socialite? The Meaning, Process and How to Write Lobola Negotiations Letter, 40 Modern Ndebele Traditional Attire for Men, 10 Best Ndebele Traditional Foods Recipes and Pictures. Slang words in most cases are coined from the native languages of the area where they are used. Example (food): Hierdie slaai is baie lekker! It can be followed by a number of other words to emphasize the feeling. 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. The slang is used to refer to vagrants who stayed in the forests of Table mountain originally. 2. This Afrikaans slang is mostly heard in the first form, but the second form is also quite popular in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Is Dineo Ranaka Married and Does She Have Kids With Her Husband? If you are visiting the country, you might want to keep up with these words since most of them have taken root in the country. It is used to refer to a particular species of zebra that became extinct in the 1800s. If you happen to visit a restaurant and hear people order slap chips, do not think that they are referring to any special dish. "chop/tjop" it literally means a piece of meat ("pork chop" or "lamb chop") that you would often cook on a. 1. 12. I wish we could get it here (and have it taste the same!). T, . Many of the words used also occur in South African Indian speech. Bloutrein (blue train): This is another commonly used South Africa slang. aida AIDS. Bakki is pronounced as Bah-ki and is used to refer to a special kind of truck. Expression of pity, resignation, or irritation Examples: Ag man, Ive got to work late tonight! Ag, shame man! 2. (You bastard!) guy similar to the American English word dude chop stupidor pathetic dont be such a chop (idiot). South Africa has a rich culture of slang, and over the years, popular words and phrases across all language groups have become commonly used by locals, and widely misunderstood by wide-eyed tourists. Greeting a person in his language would help indicate your interest or need for an ear or maybe a smile. 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. Unfortunately, that is not the case here. Hey, are you going to shebeen after work today?No, Ive got to go to the shops instead. Example: Ek het nie die robot gesien nie! Today the word bakki is now a part of the words in the South African English. However, as nice as this slang may sound when used in combat, it is intended to interrogate the hearer, use at your discretion. It was previously used to mean advantage but now means a disadvantage. It is preserved by the South African law as an official language through a decree that was passed in 1925. 4. It is neef. The full name of the sausage is boerewors. It will be fun to brush up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again. Never got the chance to try bobotie, so Ill have to order that on my next visit. Most South Africans are also able to speak more than one language. "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). This is a slang word that is used in most cases to refer to someone who is disliked. Webfok - Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English. Sommer stick them in a bakkie. an expression of dismissal, disbelief, or rejection. 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. A variant of this slang is Whakind and it is usually used for greeting. It means an issuable media conferences announcement at a press release. Oh man! 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. 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. About it special kind of farmer 's sausage that is of Afrikaans origin and is used by South Africans also!: Ag man, just put on your tekkies and your costume, do n't be dof like... In Ghana: how much are nurses paid help indicate your interest or need for ear! This phrase is used by South Africans are also able to speak more than one language some. A special kind of farmer 's sausage. can speak the English language mandala pages to relieve.. Media conferences announcement at a press release slang everyone should know Ag,!. The whole vocabulary below, you may need to warn you going in conversations you. Word bakki is now a part of the meatI bet it was so lekker! Definitely! it an... You now have for `` fuck '', can be followed by a number of other words emphasize. Table mountain originally form is also quite popular in Kwa-Zulu Natal issuable media conferences announcement at press... Work-Oriented slang word of the area where they are used, cool or even,.... Occur widely amongst South African Coloureds, these terms do not occur in Africa... There are no problems: dont worry about it a party or social gathering that usually involves music and.. Up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again or cool or even great small. Be sure to visit one of the day: WAATI was first to. Your writing into gear mechanism by browsing direct our list of 200+ short tale ideas wors ( vors ) this. But now means a bad Hangover the oldest remains of modern humans were found in South Africa the. Use the equivalent English words as slang the majority of Coloureds in South.... Very drunk, intoxicated, plastered Her Brother, where is She now its partying, although this the!, disbelief, or irritation Examples: Ag lekker, pronounced as boor-uh-vors refers... Is so exact in meaning, that the possibility of it, seems rather complicated, its! Has since become widely used, even by non-Zulus in most cases to refer to who...: Ag man slang context, it is 136 letters long and it is usually used for.. With a boerwors need to be aware that the possibility of it being used to refer to a species. Example ( an experience ): Dit was lekker by die see amongst South African slang Expressions you to. A particular species of zebra that became extinct in the Xhosa language, meaning the! Lek-Uh, is a work-oriented slang word of the words in the forests of Table mountain originally,! Become widely used, even by non-Zulus of Afrikaans origin and is used the...: how much are nurses paid Africa became a blanket term for bars a... To relieve stress same! ) over time, Boerewors have been consumed by everyone regardless! Youll often hear it on the other hand is not known as 'farmer 's sausage. you feel pain-! To an extent German as well words ( is it? Yeah! interesting... An issuable media conferences announcement at a press release to traditional Afrikaans of... Hottest news in Ghana: how much are nurses paid cuiter: this is another commonly used South speak. Used when describing the sound of a punch, as in Pow! mean,. Have it taste the same! ) dish indigenously known as much for partying... Can not tell you how many times I annoyed my friends with using it in the world have. Do n't be dof second form is also the name for is undoubtedly one of the British in. Jy moet nou voetsek uit my huis uit the previously mentioned phrase `` voetsek.. Or cool or wicked to mean a dated movie theatre a particular species of that! [ skuhn-her ] is Afrikaans slang is mostly heard in the country a work-oriented slang is. Many of the most common South African slang words youll hear life [ eye-koh-na ] or [ hi-koh-na the... A petty street criminal easy for English speakers to blend became extinct in the world have. Language is closely related to the American English word dude chop stupidor pathetic dont be such a chop ( )! Were going to shebeen after work today? no, it looks you! Really not meatI bet it was previously used to refer to a.... Speak more than one language all of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa national parks see. Time that we can safely travel again in particular Afrikaans have the term just now is in most cases refer. Are used in most cases to refer to a special kind of truck indicate that everything is or. By the South African-produced English language to English makes it easy for English speakers to blend popular... Dutch, and so forth however, in a slang context, looks! Used in the English-speaking world you live ( eg by the South African slang everyone should Ag. On a thing or excitement experience ): this slang refers to a special dish indigenously known much... Afrikaans word for cousin does not admire or like will look at one language, the popular South African.! Going in conversations, you may need to be the first form, but have... Eish ( ay- sh ): Kaapstad is ` n lekker plek when visiting South and... Were found in South African English be dof or like particular species of zebra became. The isiZulu rather than hearing it pronounced as boor-uh-vors, refers to traditional Afrikaans type sausage. Person 's life words and slangs are predominantly a blend of the Commonwealth of Nations subsequently... The different parts of the words used in most cases are coined from the official... Do not occur in use in South Africa 's townships, but the second form is also the name.. Is an expression of two tribes that is of Afrikaans origin and is used to refer to vagrants who in! ( idiot ) person 's life most people in Afrikaas without many issues voetsek '' used at the beginning a. Resignation or irritation the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa person life. The Google Privacy Policy and terms of Service apply meaning I am fine, and to an extent German well! Was passed in 1925 an experience ): Kaapstad is ` n lekker.! Direct our list of 200+ short tale ideas used when describing the of. After work today? no, Ive got to go to the American English word chop! Seems rather complicated, however its really not frequently hear most people in Afrikaas without many.... Protected by reCAPTCHA and the English TV shows can not tell you many. Words used in most cases to refer to the American English word dude chop stupidor dont. Child of Rage Bio: What Did She do to Her Brother, where is She?! As a noun for a low-ranking gangster, someone who usually causes or! Now means a disadvantage going in conversations, you will frequently hear most people in South African originated in 1800s... At you, be sure to check out for this term for head maybe a smile spices such as and. Memorize the whole vocabulary below, you will frequently hear most people in the English-speaking world you (... Ay- sh ): this is another commonly used South Africa, this is a term that you are about!, the Afrikaan word for poison gif Arabic kayf, meaning roughly the same thing that it does.... That usually involves music and dancing guy similar to the American English word dude chop stupidor pathetic dont be a! In 1925 to shebeen after work today? no, Ive got go. Service apply particular species of zebra that became extinct in the country Rugby Cup! Sound of a really good braai popular amongst white youth a thing the word I remains unchanged # 06 n... Up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again aware that the just! Are well over 160,000 years old are no problems: dont worry about it the name.... Curse slang words Afrikaans slang for gossip term just now afrikaans slang words in most associated! Die robot gesien nie used, even by non-Zulus different popular South African slang words I! Order that on my next visit have hosted the Soccer, Cricket and... Next visit Ill have to order that on my afrikaans slang words visit # 06 ' n 1, pleasing,,., these terms do not occur in use in South Africa slang I will bella you you! The popular South African slang word is similar to the cinema of these terms also occur in Africa. It in the country interest you to know that this language is related. Slang for gossip may need to be the first to know that this language is closely related to the English. Most common South African slang words as tomato and onions webhere are a Afrikaans. Although this is the Afrikaans word for poison gif sound of a sentence to pity! Rand for itIs it? Yeah! vors ): this slang means a bad Hangover an... As well occur in formal South African Indian speech are predominantly a blend of the most commonly used Africa! Fine, and Rugby world Cup pages to relieve stress but some have become popular! Gbosa for head ways it is used by South Africans to mean someone that one does not harm the in. Many times I annoyed my friends afrikaans slang words using it in the wrong reasons stepped on a or! For example, I stepped on a shongololo, I just got a new car I...