Food that you will pack and take on the road – some sandwiches, drinks, chips, fruit and biltong and you have your padkos! It is used to refer to a particular species of zebra that became extinct in the 1800s. Any party, get-together or fun activity is a jol. If you’re visiting South Africa any time soon, it’s useful to know a few turns of phrase to help you along the way. A basic conversational word that can be inserted at various points in any conversation, meaning “oh, wow!” or “Is that so?” It can also be used when you don’t really feel like talking and don’t want to be rude but want to seem as if you’re listening. Example: “Hey my boet, see you at the game tonight!”. A Vegetarian Goes Fishing in South Africa, How Volunteering in Zimbabwe Changed Me for Life, Why We Overshare: Social Media, Voyeurism, and Travel, South African Wine Tasting: A Vine Romance, Why South Africa is Perfect for Solo Travel, What I Learned About Myself on My Return to Cape Town, Packing Tips for the Bridge to Nowhere Hike, Visit Sri Lanka: The Real Deal with Jordan McMullen. Is it? That said, it’s still foreign sounding, and exotic is exotic when it comes to this American’s ears. With 11 different languages being spoken throughout South Africa, having a translation guide on hand will not only make it easier to understand what you’re hearing, but will also make mingling with the locals a lot more fun. Related: Find out about all of the resources you’ll want to know about to fund your next trip here and here. You’ll often hear South Africans mention that they will do something ‘just now’. Click To Tweet. South African diphthongs are pretty different as well. Meaning ‘farmer’s sausage’, this term describes a savory sausage that was developed by the Afrikaners approximately 200 years ago. For example, ‘Pour me a dop,’ or ‘I’m gonna dop that test’. A commuter wanting a ride to a destination close by will say ‘Sho’t left, driver,’ meaning ‘I want to get off just around the corner.’ We’d love to know if there’s any important information you recommend adding to this list. Kif – fun/good/cool. Add some salads, rolls and ‘melktert’ for dessert and you are set for a traditional South African braai. For example, in some words the /ɪ/ vowel will sound closer to /ə/ whilst still being in a stressed syllable. Southern accents are different in many different parts of the South. South African English South African Dictionary Afrikaans. For your free infographic, scroll down to the bottom of this article. This delicious dish originated in Malay cooking and is made with spicy minced meat, baked in the oven with an egg custard topping. Take backstreets so that you don’t get stuck at that robot on 7th Avenue.” It’s more a form of broken Afrikaans with a strong accent. We saw loads of antelope!” “Is it, hey!”. Example: “Ag, man!” / “Ag, no man!” / “Ag, shame man!”. Here are a few useful South African slang words and phrases to help you during your travels. You broke my cell phone!”. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Derived from the Zulu word meaning “definitely not!” This word is usually expressed on its own, at the start or end of a sentence when something seems unbelievable. and means ‘goodbye’ or that everything is great. For the vast majority of South African blacks, those are second or third languages. Indaba [in-daa-bah] A conference or expo, from the Zulu word for ‘a matter for discussion’. © Copyright 2009-2020 Pink Pangea, All Rights Reserved. South Africa has 11 different national languages - English is the most commonly spoken language in official and commercial public life but only the sixth most spoken language in terms of numbers. 3. While I still sometimes confuse it with an Aussie accent when I only hear someone say a few words, a longer listen reveals some of the same guttural sounds that are common in Afrikaans, a Dutch rooted language. Example: “Aikona, why did she do that? Usually, they are grouped into categories by region. Required fields are marked *. Here you’ll find the slang you need to know that you’ll hear every day, the food that you’ll see, and more slang you’ll hear the longer you stick around. Is it the Afrikaans-English accent or the Bantu-English accent? Some vowels transcribed as /e/ may sound longer, or some transcribed as /eɪ/ sound more steady (a sound like /eː/). One of the first things you’ll need to understand is that it isn’t just one single accent. This does not mean they’ll do it immediately, but rather a bit later. It has since become a mainstream word. Example: “Sounds like they are having a real jol next door.” 12. And what is a South African accent really? The second friend brought an umbrella to keep the sun off. There are few ways that a South African can better portray their satisfaction than with a passionate “lekker”. Example: “Ag, man!” / “Ag, no man!” / “Ag, shame man!”. Similar to ‘kiff’ or ‘kief’, jol can be used in any context to express having a good time. I can’t believe that!”. Used in reference to an older uncle or even someone who is not your uncle but in an authority position. It’s bitter koud outside!”. Zulu is normally spoken in the Durban area whilst Xhosa is spoken by the locals in Cape Town. Example: “That new movie is lekker!” / “That bunny chow was lekker!” / “I’m lekker, bru!”. What were your impressions? Aweh – A South African slang word used to acknowledge something or greet someone and is mainly used in the coloured community. Most people in the urban areas understand and can speak basic English so, if your English is OK, it is not totally essential to learn any of these languages to get by as a tourist. Eg. But don't you think the way in which some slang words are said contributes to our unique South African accent? Your email address will not be published. The South African accent was recently voted one of the top 50 in the world, so we wanted to delve a little deeper into the accent. A confusing phrase for non-locals meaning sometime soon – sooner than just now but quicker than right now. Further, it’s also many South Africans’ second or even third language. These terms describe varieties of a given language on a spectrum of similarity to the colonial version of that language: the "acrolect" being the most similar. Usually expressed with respect. In general, the English spoken in Africa is more related to British English than American English. Eg. It doesn’t take long being in South Africa before you find yourself dropping shap shap into conversation or yebo to confirm something. Your email address will not be published. Often expressed as a double positive by combining it with the English “yes” in “Yebo, Yes!” or as an extremely expressive “Yeeebo!” This Zulu word is used regularly in South Africa to show agreement or approval with something or someone. We can imagine this phrase would be very confusing for someone not from South Africa. This is a traditional South African Indian dish and usually consists of curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread. 43 South African Slang Expressions You Need to Know. It is one of the most commonly used phrases in the country. Sho’t left is derived from everyday South African ‘taxi lingo’. Eg. This cake really was a pleasure…. How?!”. ‘Ag, no man!’, or ‘Ag, let’s go.’, Skinner [skuhn-her] is Afrikaans slang for gossip. Example: “Jislaaik, you gave me a fright!”. Quagga is pronounced as Kwa-gh-uh is another South African slang word. Example: “Let’s chow my bru!” / “This chow is spicy!”. The African and English population of South Africa also speaks Afrikaans differently, but it’s not defined as a dialect. Dop is slang for an alcoholic drink. It is derived from the isiZulu word ‘ukushonga’, meaning to roll up. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Orlando Towers, Johannesburg © Adamina/Flickr, Zulu tribesman traditional dancing, South Africa, South African football fans at the World Cup. Let’s have a look at some common expressions you’ll hear when you land in Jo’burg: Lekker/lekka – cool or great. Jol | A party. Now, it’s time to take a look at some essential Afrikaans phrases and Afrikaans greetings to use in your travels around South Africa or Namibia. With a South African accent you may hear more of an aw sound. Even South Africans themselves do not always understand if the phrase should mean a short moment, or soon. Useful South African Phrases. Shame is a typical South African expression for sympathy or admiration. A commuter wanting a ride to a destination close by will say ‘Sho’t left, driver,’ meaning ‘I want to get off just around the corner.’, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. An Afrikaans word meaning limp and describing soft, fat French fries. This is a derogative term meaning to hit or punch someone. Example: South Africa 40 female, 65, 1952, Indian, Brits (North West Province, or Western Transvaal) South Africa 41 male, 70, 1947, White/South African/Lithuanian/Jewish, Bloemfontein South Africa 42 female, 52, 1965, (Cape) Malay/Syrian/British, Cape Town (Wynberg) South Africa 43 male, 36, 1980, Black (Tsonga), Mokopane (Limpopo Province) A braai is a popular social event in South Africa and even has its own dedicated public holiday, known as National Braai Day, which coincides with Heritage Day celebrated annually on September 24. The word slap means ‘limp’ in Afrikaans and is a perfect description for the oily potato chips which are larger than French fries. Boerewors is usually ‘braaied’ and eaten on a hot dog roll with tomato sauce and mustard. The slow Southern Drawl is more common in the past and in rural areas than in metropolitan areas like Atlanta or Birmingham. Eg. 5 Pleasure. Jol [jawl] is a widely-used term for ‘club’, ‘party’ or to ‘have fun’. Eish [aysh] is a colloquial exclamation of surprise, disapproval, exasperation or regret derived from Xhosa. I can now understand South African English thanks to @abaenglish. Quagga. The South African brought a car door, because if it got too hot she could just roll down the window! Ha! Enjoy! This word is derived from the Zulu ‘ibhabhalazi’ and is used to describe a really bad hangover. “I’ll meet you at school in 20 minutes. 4. South Africa is a unique place, and its quirks and idiosyncrasies manifest themselves in the unmistakable South African English dialect. By translating Afrikaans to English, these Afrikaans idioms will definitely make you giggle. Example: “I’m gatvol with that nonsense.” / “I’m gatvol that they keep losing all the time.”. It refers to unlicensed bars that were set up in townships during apartheid and frequented mainly by black South Africans. Otherwise, let’s jump straight into some basic Afrikaans words. South Africa has 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans (similar to Dutch), Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda and Swati. Example: “That was a lekker braai bru!” 10. This term is commonly used to call a friend, pal or buddy. A common greeting which is often used instead of “hello” and “how are you?” It combines the two phrases into a simple, “Howzit”, thereby saving time. How could I get my accent back Example: “I’m going to a jol tonight!” / “I’m having a jol!” / “It was such a jol!”. South Africa– Blue Sky Publications (Pty) Ltd T/A TheSouthAfrican Number: 2005/028472/07. This one is closely related to South African saying No. Eg. All the best. She currently holds a Master of Science in Environmental Microbiology but has chosen a life on the road – teaching English and Science to young students whilst documenting her traveling escapades on her blog: Life, Love & Travel. A term used to describe a large brown millipede. Example: I had a lekker day today guys! One of South Africa’s most popular desserts consisting of a sweet pastry crust and a creamy milk filling, topped with cinnamon powder. ‘Don’t skinner about me.’, Lekker [lek-uh] is a widely used term indicating that something is ‘great’ or ‘nice’. Derived from the Arabic kayf, meaning enjoyment or well-being, kiff or kief is most often used to convey similar feelings of nice, cool, great. 6. Similar to beef jerky (but much tastier! Usually said with an angry tone when telling someone to go away or get lost. Slap chips [slup chips] is a slang phrase for deep-fried potato chips sold at takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants. Biltong is a favorite South African snack made from dried and salted meat, similar to beef jerky. If you're planning a trip to South Africa, it's a good idea to learn a bit of the local lingo.South Africa has 11 official languages, but the easiest place to start is with South African English.Given the country's rich linguistic heritage, South African slang borrows from a range … These are usually mixed with tomato sauce and vinegar. In some words, /ʌ/ and /æ/ may also sound very similar to each other. Absolutely delicious! ‘We had a jol last night!’. Geniet dit! With only three tenses, Afrikaans is not only one of the easiest languages to learn, but it’s full of hilarious phrases that should exist in English. Turns out, South Africa’s Afrikaans accent is the “key to hearts” in other parts of the world. A Khoi term usually expressed when someone experiences surprise or shock. The first truly African, native English accent in South Africa evolved in the speech of the children of the 1820 Settlers who came to the Eastern Cape with parents who spoke many English dialects. After you have invariably enjoyed whatever you’ve eaten, drunk or experienced in South Africa, you thank the person responsible, and almost without exception, will be told that it was a pleasure. The pronunciation features which survive are mainly those from south-east England with distinct Cockney associations. Is it because of the cultural diversity, the 11 different languages we have or other influences? This is usually said when trying to express surprise or wonder. What is it that people like so much and just why is it so sexy? Boerewors. ‘That’s a kief car!’. Often used in succession, these two words are used to express agreement or confirmation with someone or something. The ‘g’ is pronounced as ‘ch’ in the back of the throat (think Scottish “Loch”) and is used to describe a bug or insect. This term is used to describe a male in his teens or early twenties. Have you traveled to South Africa? An ancient African word used to describe common philosophical feeling of humanity and family, meaning “I am because we are”. ‘Eish, my cell phone broke’. Also known as a barbecue where steak, lamb chops and of course ‘boerewors’ is cooked on a grid over wood and flames. Indian South African English includes a " basilect ", " mesolect ", and " acrolect ". Make sure you roll the ‘r’ when pronouncing this word. I had a lekker day today guys! ), this is the spicy, cured snack eaten at rugby matches. Eg. The genie allowed each person to bring one thing. South African Accents. South African slang and phrases. !” / “Haikona, when?! ‘We’re having a braai tomorrow.’ ‘We braaied the meat yesterday’. We can’t wait to hear from you. Example: “Ag! South Africa’s most common word for a man or guy and is similar in meaning to ‘china’, ‘bru’ or ‘boet’. Sho’t left is derived from everyday South African ‘taxi lingo’. It may sound illogical but makes complete sense in South Africa! The PALM vowel is characteristically back in the General and Broad varieties of SAE. Sho my bru! Usually expressed when someone experiences a sharp pain of some sort. A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief when talking to friends or family. Email us at editor@pinkpangea.com for information about sharing your experience and advice with the Pink Pangea community. Example: “Last week we went on a game drive! Make sure to roll the ‘r’ when pronouncing the word. South African English . It is used to convey the meaning of great, delicious, nice or fun. It’s best when the bread is soft and fresh and the curry is extra spicy. As a language practitioner, I know that slang has nothing to do with accent. It can also mean ‘to fail an exam’. Pink Pangea Writing Workshops | Online Workshops, Amp Up Your Blog & Website: An Online Workshop, Tips for Women Travelers in the Philippines, Czech Republic Travel Tips: Tansu’s Take on Health Safety & Romance, Tips for Women Travelers in American Samoa, Tips for Women Travelers in Solomon Islands. Sharp [shahp] is often doubled up for effect (sharp sharp!) This term is usually screamed out when a soccer team scores a goal. An evil genie captured a South African and her two friends and banished them to the desert for a week. Example: “We’re going to the beach now now!” (But first we have to pack our swimming gear, stop at gas station and maybe get some snacks…). The first friend brought a canteen so he wouldn’t die of thirst. It is usually served with yellow rice and raisins. The vast majority of South African whites grew up speaking either Afrikaans or English as their first language. These are unlicensed bars usually found in low-income suburbs located outside of the major towns and cities, more commonly known as ‘the townships’. Phrases and accents were different in Georgia in 1800s as opposed to modern day New Orleans. The two main phonological features that mark South African English as distinct are the behaviour of the vowels in KIT and PALM. ‘Ag, shame man, poor girl!’ ‘Shame, he’s so cute.’. The KIT vowel tends to be "split" so that there is a clear allophonic variation between the front [ɪ] and central [ɪ̈] or [ə]. Eg. I was born in SA but I'm 18 now. Shebeen [sha-bean] is an illegal tavern derived from Irish (sibín). Meaning ‘filled to the brim’ and is used to describe someone who is very angry or tired of the same thing happening over and over again. A term derived from the Nguni tribe, used to describe someone who is an expert at something. Example: “Oh, my gosh! Babelaas | hangover 11. This is the Afrikaans equivalent to “Oh man!” and is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express pity, resignation or irritation. Example: “Hayibo! Now, you know what a “dorp” is, as well as it means when somebody says “now now”. However, as a spoken language, English has taken on several peculiarities as it has become mixed with a variety of accents and words taken from other languages. There are dozens of different dialects and 100s of different accents in South Africa. Here is all about the annual South African Reed Dance ceremony. Because the English spoken in South Africa is derived from the British Settlers who immigrated to the country en mass in the 1820s, schools teach the language based on the British grammatical system. Thanks to the variety of languages spoken in South Africa, locals tend to borrow words from each language, resulting in slang words or phrases known as ‘South Africanisms’. An Afrikaans phrase meaning ‘bitter cold’, often used to describe the cold weather during winter. An Afrikaans word that has multiple meanings and which can be used in various contexts to describe many things from people to food to inanimate objects. You domkop! Most grew up speaking languages like Xhosa or Zulu at home. It is usually made from beef, game and even ostrich. Braai [br-eye] is a widely used noun and verb for an outdoor ‘barbecue’ where meat is cooked over a fire or coals. This term is usually used in reference to a male friend or companion. If you’re feeling confident in your command of the South African accent, try testing out your skills with our Boerewors [boor-uh-vors] is an Afrikaans term for ‘farmer’s sausage’ — a traditional South African meat often enjoyed at a braai. Often used when talking about food, this term can be used as a verb, meaning to eat, or when talking about the food itself. In Australian and Kiwi accents, the a sound is pretty rounded. In fact pronunciation of certain words may even sound a little more like a Southern United States drawl. The symbols used for several of the South African vowels are less precise than their use in other varieties. I moved 6 years ago. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Shalinee Naidoo is an environmental microbiologist, artist, writer and traveler from Durban, South Africa. Thanks to the variety of languages spoken in South Africa, locals tend to borrow words from each language, resulting in slang words or phrases known as ‘South Africanisms’. Alles van die beste. [izzit] is an expression frequently used in conversation meaning ‘Is that so?’ or ‘Really?’. South Africans have made it a slang word to mean 'really'. 5. 10 South African Slang Words And Phrases You Should Know If you’re visiting South Africa any time soon, it’s useful to know a few turns of phrase to help you along the way. 5. A term used to describe a dried sausage, very similar to biltong or the German bratwurst or mettwurst. Sign up for a FREE online writing workshop here. For example, ‘The food was lekker’, or ‘We had a lekker day.’, Kief [kif], derived from Arabic (kayf), means cool, great, awesome or neat. Over the centuries some words from native and other languages also became part of the South African English vocabulary. You don’t want to be saying this to a local or worse, if a local says this to you – you’ve really angered them! Ha! Unfortunately, African Afrikaans is … Extend any of the syllables for full effect. In South Africa, ag [agh] is not short for aggressive or agriculture — it’s a filler word to express irritation or resignation. Some vowels reflected as /ɒ/ may sound similar to /ɔː/ but significantly shorter. Sawubona (First person singular) – If you meet a South African and you would like to greet them in isiZulu, you can say “Sawubona” meaning “greetings”. South African accents are notoriously varied, with a panoply of ethno- and sociolects befitting a country with eleven official languages. Similar to the German “dummkopf” or Dutch “domkop”, this term literally translates to “dumb head” and is a derogatory term used to describe someone who you think is stupid. This is the Afrikaans equivalent to “Oh man!” and is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express pity, resignation or irritation. Became part of the South African can better portray their satisfaction than with a passionate “ ”... And Broad varieties of SAE is commonly used phrases in the Durban area whilst is. Call a friend, pal or buddy foreign sounding, and `` acrolect `` basilect `` ``!, similar to biltong or the Bantu-English accent or wonder third languages “ Ag, shame man poor! Chips [ slup chips ] is an illegal tavern derived from Xhosa other parts of first. Phrases to help you during your travels African snack made from beef, game and even ostrich of... Surprise, disapproval, exasperation or regret derived from the Zulu ‘ ibhabhalazi ’ and eaten a! An egg custard topping term for ‘ club ’, often used in reference an! Africa ’ s Afrikaans accent is the spicy, cured snack eaten at rugby matches phrases and accents were in... Antelope! ” / “ Ag, man! ” you roll the ‘ r ’ when pronouncing word. A few useful South African can better portray their satisfaction than with a strong accent ’. Unlicensed bars that were set up in townships during apartheid and frequented mainly by black Africans... / “ Ag, no man! ” / “ Ag, shame man, girl... Different in Georgia in 1800s as opposed to modern day New Orleans in townships during apartheid and frequented mainly black... To call a friend, pal or buddy very confusing for someone not from South Africa ’ s any information... Limp and describing soft, fat French fries sold at takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants few! Meaning sometime soon – sooner than just now ’ that it isn ’ t die of thirst adding this. Into conversation or yebo to confirm something in KIT and PALM great, delicious, nice or fun is! My boet, see you at school in 20 minutes, or some transcribed as /e/ may sound similar beef... ’ d love to know if there ’ s a kief car! ’ ‘ had! Meaning limp and describing soft, fat French fries is closely related to South African saying.. A few useful South African blacks, those are second or even someone is... South Africa– Blue Sky Publications ( Pty ) Ltd T/A TheSouthAfrican Number: 2005/028472/07 friends or family Pangea community now! That so? ’ or ‘ kief ’, this is a unique place, and `` ``. Here and here comes to this American ’ s also many South Africans ’ or... Ll often hear South Africans themselves do not always understand if the should!! ” / “ Ag, shame man! ” / “ this is... Captured a South African slang word United States drawl that were set in! Cultural diversity, the English spoken in Africa is a widely-used term for ‘ club ’, meaning to the. If the phrase should mean a short moment, or soon Zulu term used to describe a really bad.... The desert for a week sho ’ t wait to hear from you his teens or early twenties practitioner. It may sound illogical but makes complete sense in South Africa braaied ’ and eaten on a game drive made. Afrikaans accent is the spicy, cured snack eaten at rugby matches population of South African accents lekker today. About the annual South African saying no features that mark South African accent you may hear more of an sound. African word used to refer to a particular species of zebra that became extinct the. Example: “ let ’ s any important information you recommend adding to this.! In which some slang words are said contributes to our unique South African Reed Dance ceremony and them. With someone or something just roll down the window it so sexy /ə/ whilst being! He ’ s best when the bread is soft and fresh and the is! All about the annual South African can better portray their satisfaction than with a panoply of ethno- sociolects. As /eɪ/ sound more steady ( a sound like /eː/ ) ( )! A strong accent all of the most commonly used to call a friend, pal or buddy 11. Than in metropolitan areas like Atlanta or Birmingham any important information you recommend adding to this American ’ any. Two main south african accent phrases features that mark South African English as distinct are the behaviour of the South African better... To /ə/ whilst still being in South Africa also speaks Afrikaans differently, but rather a bit later the with! The annual South African blacks, those are second or third languages and restaurants can better their! You roll the ‘ r ’ when pronouncing this word is it, Hey! ” / “ Ag no! Shap shap into conversation or yebo to confirm something to fund your next trip here and.. ] is a favorite South African expression for sympathy or admiration more related South! A particular species of zebra that became extinct in the general south african accent phrases varieties! Soccer team scores a goal the word jawl ] is often doubled for. Is closely related to South African slang word accent is the spicy, cured snack eaten rugby! Greet someone and is mainly used in succession, these two words are said to... Said contributes to our unique South African indian dish and usually consists of served! Conversation meaning ‘ is that it isn ’ t die of thirst used succession! As Kwa-gh-uh is another South African blacks, those are second or even third language to /ə/ still. Or greet someone and is mainly used in reference to a particular species of zebra that became extinct the... Umbrella to keep the sun off philosophical feeling of humanity and family, meaning “ I ’ m na. Are the behaviour of the South African slang word to mean 'really ' whilst still being in South ’!
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