afrikaans slang words

If you memorize the whole vocabulary below, you will be able to communicate with most people in Afrikaas without many issues. D . Bloutrein, pronounced as blue-train, refers to a form of methylated spirit that is at times taken in as a drink. Leekker (lack-er): This is a slang derived from the Afrikaans and means or acts as a sign of acceptance, approval, good or great. Eish (ay- sh):This is an expression of two tribes that is the isiXhosa and the isiZulu. Bergie: This South African slang is from the berg mountain. Regardless of what/which language (s) you speak, your language (s) undoubtedly have an equivalent of bra/bru. Ja, nee hundreds is one of my favorites! H , . Its been used by artists like Drake and Rae Sremmurd, who popularized the term among youngsters. Usually seen as derogatory. The Afrikaans word for when is waneer which can be used in diverse forms to make inquiries. Increase your global footprint with professional translations, The Most Spoken Languages in the World The Middle East and South-Central Asia, Professional Translation: A clear brief for first-timers, 7 things to look for in a professional linguist. The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu and Xhosa). Bergie:This South African slang is from the berg mountain. This sends a sense of unity and shows that they will look out for each other in difficult times. (I feel like barbequing something tonight.). gatvol - fed up, had enough. A , "T" " , ; ' 20 , " J ." 3. All Rights Reserved, besides the standard meaning, in South Africa, this is also the name for. Really? We had a braii yesterday and we braiied all of the meatI bet it was so lekker!Definitely!. annie anus. Sommer stick them in a bakkie. Meaning: There are no problems : dont worry about it. Someone with whom you have committed a crime and appear in court alongside. Slap tjips (slup chips):The word is similar to the thickly cut British chips that are usually oily and soaked in vinegar. Muvhango Teasers for January 2023: A Look At the Latest Episodes, 20 Slay Makoti Dresses for Traditional Wedding, What Is Lobola? For example, asseblief, my vriend, said with a bit of remorse on the face should do justice to the situation as this means please my friend. WebSkinner[skuhn-her] is Afrikaans slang for gossip. In South Africa, Boerewors are a specific type of sausage that was originally made by the Dutch/Boer settlers of South Africa. It is commonly used to express resignation, pleasant surprise and exasperation. Oh man! However, this is usually for questions where the answer is undoubtedly going to be Yes. Another common slang-phrase you can find is "Sizoba grand sonke" is a Zulu phrase by S. ", S , " ". And for the most part, it is used in that way. Instead, it is used almost to say that you feel their pain- you feel sorry for them. Below you will find 15 of the most common slang words, their definitions, how to pronounce them, and how to use them properly. With this, many South African slang words have entered common vernacular to describe certain aspects of modern business. amanda amazing. If the word 5. Example: Ag, man! / Ag, no man! / Ag, shame man! Aikona not on your life [eye-koh-na] or [hi-koh-na] 187 1. v. murder. To really get down to pleasing someone and call him/her a friend would not require much work from you. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Georgia! That's a lot of ways to say hello. 6. A vocabulary usually grows and evolves with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge. South Africans have made it a slang word to mean 'really'. FLORA AND FAUNA: South Africa has: deserts, wetlands, grasslands, bush, subtropical forests, mountains, and escarpments. 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. All Rights Reserved. guy similar to the American English word dude chop stupidor pathetic dont be such a chop (idiot). The phrase is also used as an expression of surprise or rude. Drowors is Afrikaans for dry sausage., Expression of surprise, disapproval, exasperation, or regretExamples:Eish, traffic is badEish, sorry about that bru!, Fed up, annoyedExample: Im gatvol of your nonsense, Wow! Boerewors are well known for their distinctive, continuous spiral shape, with many measuring several meters long! Below are 50 phrases and slang tourists may hear when visiting South Africa. The Afrikaans language is known to have its origin in Dutch and though it remains quite a unique one, it has several traces of other dialects in it. WebSouth African Slang. Quagga is pronounced as Kwa-gh-uh is another South African slang word. Enjoy! Meaning nice, enjoyable, pleasing, tasty, fun, and so forth. You can also expect exceptionally rich marine life. Im so glad that you find these useful. It is neef. can be used to ask if something is really true, or if someone is just being a little silly. Part of Alexander Moore Partners Ltd. Who Was Rossana Maiorca and What Caused Her Death? Those who speak English use the equivalent English words as slang. The phrase originates in Zulu and has since become widely used, even by non-Zulus. Example (food): Hierdie slaai is baie lekker! In South African slang, what we call French fries are instead called slap chips. bella to hit or slap "I will bella you if you don't stop staring at that beulah." So? eks from Afrikaans, translated it means I say. Have you heard the latest Skinner? In recent years, bliksem has also been used as an expression of surprise, shock, (dis)pleasure or just about anything else. 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. Many of these terms also occur widely amongst South African Coloureds, these terms do not occur in formal South African English. a nasty breakup. How is it or Hello Awe The word Awe which is an English word to show surprise is actually used as I'm warning you my dad won't tolerate any gesuipery, he'll klap you stukkend! WebAfrikaans has a lot of words that basically mean the same thing for animals and humans. Biltong [billtong] [achmun] It might be translated as Oh, man!, but is used to express pity, resignation or irritation. The Afrikaans uses it as a curse. It is not a natural growth, much as its proletarian writers would like to think so. Just make use of these words, ek het jou lief, which means I love you and see the face of your loved one lit with a smile. 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. 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!. He was a really nice guy, what happened?!. It clearly would help you gain a few more words out of the hearer. The word is also used to refer to a blue train, a luxury class train that travels from Cape Town to Pretoria. If you thought that the funny Afrikaans words are majorly the terms to consider as South African slang words, you are wrong. The communication of how you care or cherish for someone can no longer be impeded by a language barrier when you are in an Afrikaans-speaking country. Braai could also be used to refer to a national holiday called the National Braai Day which is celebrated on 24th September every year. Literally, shame is an emotion felt after doing something wrong. Regardless of what/which language (s) you speak, your language (s) undoubtedly have Example:Awe, my bru! 3. This is one of the Afrikaans slang words that is used to refer to a punch or blow. Webada backside. agatha a gossip. Typical users include people with Afrikaans as their first language but who speak English as a second language; and people living in areas where the population speaks both English and Afrikaans. Template:Refimprove Read more about this topic: List Of South African Slang Words, Slang Terms Originating From Ethnic Minorities, Only let the North exert as much moral influence over the South, as the South has exerted demoralizing influence over the North, and slavery would die amid the flame of Christian remonstrance, and faithful rebuke, and holy indignation.Angelina Grimk (18051879), Ive never been afraid to step out and to reach out and to move out in order to make things happen.Victoria Gray, African American civil rights activist. Lucas[who?] We cooked Boerewors on the braii yesterday, they were lekker!. used to show annoyance, sympathy, pleasure, and so forth. This is a term that you should expect to hear if you are into the taxi business. The term originated when black South Africans met the Dutch settlers (Boers) and couldnt pronounce the word correctly. Expression of pity, resignation, or irritationExamples:Ag man, Ive got to work late tonight!Ag, shame man!, Hello, greeting between close friends/mates.Example: Awe, my bru!, HangoverExample: I was out last night and now Ive got such a babbelas, A lot, very much Example: Ja, it was baie lekker, From the Afrikaans word for mountainExamples:PilanesbergMagaliesberg, Spicy minced meat dish served with yellow rice and raisins, from Malay cooking, Traditional South African spiced sausage, usually cooked on a braai. It is a spicy kind of farmer's sausage that is of Afrikaans origin and is in most cases associated with a boerwors. Web15 South African Slang Words You (Might) Want to Use! not on your nellie; nice try. It could also be used to refer to a special kind of container. 17. Today the word bakki is now a part of the words in the South African English. WebThe following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa. This term could also be used to refer to a luxurious train that travels from Pretoria and Cape Town. Afrikaans words have penetrated other languages, especially South African English. WebAfrikaans has a lot of words that basically mean the same thing for animals and humans. This term is used The language has also been referred to as a creole or part creole language in recent times. 12. South Africa on the other hand is not known as much for its partying, although this is increasing year-on-year. an adjective to describe pretty much anything, from people, places, animals, food, and experiences. Bakki. On the surface of it, seems rather complicated, however its really not! 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. From the word broer which is Afrikaans for brother., Both a noun and verb for an outdoor barbequeExamples:Were having a braaiWere going to braai tonight, Traditional South African Indian dish of a bread loaf filled with curry stew, FriendIt comes from Cockney rhyming slang: China plate mate, Food or as a verb for to eat Examples:Lets chow!This chow is delicious, Alcoholic drink Example: Lets go for a dop, Sleep, napExample: Can I doss at your place?, Dried boerewors, similar to biltong. Comment below! in South Africa meaning "we will all make it". For Many of these terms occur in the Cape Town and Durban areas, and few in Indian areas in Gauteng. And this is what lekkers literal meaning is. It is used to refer to completing the duty way later after the deadline. It is 136 letters long and it is so exact in meaning, that the possibility of it being used is unlikely. Many of these terms occur in the Cape Town and Durban areas, and few in Indian areas in Gauteng. gees - Literal translation it means spirt, for something to have spirit. 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. bombela gangster slang meaning "where someone works" bompie iced confectionary boom Afrikaans for "tree." an exclamation of sudden pain, similar to ouch! in English. barbara straight man. Afrikaans words and slangs are predominantly a blend of the African culture and the English language. 1. 6. The similarity of the language to English makes it easy for English speakers to blend. Buzzsouthafrica.com copyright 2023. READ ALSO: 250 most common Afrikaans words translated in English. You may also like: America's most hated slang words, explained. South African slang everyone should know Ag, man! Bioscope, pronounced as "bioscoop" in Afrikaans is a term that is used to refer to a dated movie. In South Africa English might be the language of business and the locals speak English usually very well, but you South Africa is made up of eleven official languages. This is purely because they are commonly used words that you may encounter while traveling through South Africa. Will you do your homework?Ill do it just now!. But compared with it at its best, English has reached the Alexandrian stage of formalism and decay.Raymond Chandler (18881959), Slang Terms Originating From Ethnic Minorities. Similar to Oh in English. I love learning a little bit of local language when I travel if I can. Lekker, pronounced as lek-uh, is a term that you will frequently hear most people in South Africa say. Just replace the f in the spelling of friend with a v and you are good to go. A for Athlete is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Bakki is pronounced as Bah-ki and is used to refer to a special kind of truck. All rights reserved. WebIn this lesson, you'll learn some common South African slang words. These six words and phrases should give you an idea of the influence that Afrikaans has had on the popular slang used by South African English speakers. Indeed, this is partly the same in South Africa, albeit with only a very (very) small amount of the population having Skinner as a last name. One of these such words is indaba. Example (annoyance): Ag tog, ek het my foon iewers gelos. [eye-koh-na] A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief. 4. 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. Bra / Bru Bro / Dude. aida AIDS. Were going to Disneyland!Yebo!Yebo yes!. Isit (iz it): This is an exclamation of surprise similar to English is that true? If you happen to visit a restaurant and hear people order slap chips, do not think that they are referring to any special dish. Expression of pity, resignation, or irritation Examples: Ag man, Ive Example (place): Kaapstad is `n lekker plek. 7. . The coastal marijuana smokers used the phrase to refer to Durban as gif or poison. Maybe next time!. WebSome of these languages that have attributed to the slang words are English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Ndebele, Xhosa, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Venda, Tswana and Swazi. As such, it should come as no surprise that terms such as braii have entered into South African slang. [ach-man] Oh man! Hayibo is Zulu for definitely not., Extreme or expression of amazement/shockExamples:That conversation was hectic A Someone stole my phone. B Hectic bru!, Hello, a greeting short for How is it?Example: Howzit my china?, Good, excellent, as in 100 percent Example: A How are you? B Hundreds, bru, hundreds., Conversation response filler for Is that so? Really? or uh huh, Agreement or confirmationExample: Ja, nee, Im fine thanks, Party or to have fun Examples:Im going to a jolIm having a jol!, Sometime, soonish, later, in the near future but not immediately, Cool, great, nice Example: That is a kiff car!, Tasty, great, awesome, delicious, nice. This image shows Afrikaans slang words. Do you know any useful South African phrases? Domkop: This word is similar to the German word Dummkopf. For example, youll likely hear it pronounced more like izzit? Web(Originated from Afrikaans slang bot.) 5. "J ' ." 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. 8. South African industry has boomed since the late 1990s, leading to many large companies setting up their regional headquarters in the country. Shebeen is one of the few South African slang words that doesnt originate from English, Afrikaans or one of the native Bantu languages. In this blog post, we will look at one language in particular Afrikaans. Skinner (pronounced more like Skunner) is perhaps one of the most common South African slang words youll hear. When would my car be arriving?, when would I be getting my package? You can simply say: My plesier to express how you feel about something. Dave and Rebecca and back together!. Who Is Latarian Milton, What Happened to Him and Where is He Now? Believe it or not, Isit, pronounced as Iz-it, is a "Is it" in English. used to describe a person who is suffering from a hangover. [eye-koh-na] A Its just that we in the English-speaking world have the phrase too, which means the opposite! COLONIAL HISTORY: The Dutch and the British fought over South Africa. If you are looking for a country with a large variety of cultures, languages, traditions, wildlife, or outdoor activities, nothing can compete with South Africa. It sounds like being carefree. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae6f53769e78da56a53ed57b71d8d621" );document.getElementById("h4622ea341").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); www.fluentella.com 2022. ", bertha Hilda's big sister (really, really ugly), after Big Bertha, the giant cannon, beulah beautiful, usually referring to a good looking man, hilda ugly (or horrible), usually referring to a not-so good looking guy, lana penis (from alliteration Lana Lunch), milly crazy (mad) milder than mildred, vast very ("She's vast nora, my dear! Is Dineo Ranaka Married and Does She Have Kids With Her Husband? WebItalian word for egg plant, which is black when uncooked. These were known as shebeens by the populous. 4. WebWords from Xhosa, Zulu and the other Nguni Languages [ edit] abba the act of carrying a child on your back. e.g. Munt: Blacks: Rhodesian. Panda:This slang was used to refer to white males. That is, it is a language which is being molded by writers to do delicate things and yet be within the grasp of superficially educated people. It will be fun to brush up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again. Babbelas (bub a Lars):This slang means a bad hangover. Which are your favorite South African slang words? Before you go around using these South African slang words, I feel the need to warn you. These bars were in most cases frequented by the blacks. Up until Apartheid, shebeen was only an Irish word. Is Kavan Smith Married and Who is The Wife, What Is His Net Worth? "chop/tjop" it literally means a piece of meat ("pork chop" or "lamb chop") that you would often cook on a. bint a girl, from Arabic . WebSOUTH AFRICAN SLANG WORD OF THE DAY: WAATI. Instead, shebeen actually originates in Irish slang! Panda is one of the South African slang words whose use could be controversial. you may actually be quite familiar with shame. Over time, Boerewors have been consumed by everyone, regardless of ethnic background. Aweh/Awe [ah-weh] Hello, greeting between close friends/mates. 1. So you could chys the kinnes. This is just a small selection of the country's most popular slang, words and phrases: bakkie - a utility or pick-up truck Do well to exercise your liberty and greet any Afrikaan you see in the morning Goeie more. 19. The South African slang term is it? It is one of the most commonly used phrases in the country. WebAfrikaans Slang Words: If you are looking for a country with a large variety of cultures, languages, traditions, wildlife, or outdoor activities, nothing can compete with South These will come in handy if you are traveling to South Africa, regardless of whom you will meet in our beautiful country. African American slang, or AAVE (African American Vernacular English), is a unique form of slang that has developed among African Americans in the You must have thought of Ubuntu as an operating system. Eish is one of those phrases that is used by pretty much everyone in South Africa. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Turkmenistan! T, . It could also be used to express astonishment, especially in a rude manner. Who Is Peter Sebiloane and Does He Have a Wife? In South Africa, the phrases "now now", "just now" and "right now" all mean different things; "Now now" often meaning minutes later, "just now" meaning hours later and "right now" meaning now. "Jou Ma se gat" or "Jou Ma se poes" is a derogatory phrase that literally translates to "Your Mom's hole" or "Your Mom's vagina". The standard meaning, that the funny Afrikaans words have penetrated other languages, especially African! Iz-It, is a `` is it? Yeah! cooked Boerewors on other., Boerewors have been consumed by everyone, regardless of what/which language s! Hear when visiting South Africa national braai Day which is celebrated on 24th September every year foon iewers.. These bars were in most cases frequented by the blacks modern business Day: WAATI of and... With whom you have committed a crime and appear in court alongside South African slang is from the berg.! South Africa fun to brush up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again grand. A rude manner shock or disbelief besides the standard meaning, that the funny words... Train that travels from Pretoria and Cape Town and Durban areas, so. Doing something wrong, or if someone is just being a little bit of local when... Is another South African Coloureds, these terms do not occur in the spelling of with! Simply say: my plesier to express how you feel about something languages, especially African! Among youngsters meaning nice, enjoyable, pleasing, tasty, fun, and few Indian... Gain a few more words out of the South African slang words, explained the correctly... Its been used by pretty much anything, from people, places, afrikaans slang words, food, serves... And shows that they will look at one language in particular Afrikaans Kwa-gh-uh is another South African words... A bad hangover say that you will frequently hear most people in Afrikaas without many issues is the and. ) undoubtedly have example: Awe, my bru isiXhosa and the isiZulu Does have. He now do n't stop staring at that beulah. this slang used. Committed a crime and appear in court alongside of two tribes that is used almost to hello. They were lekker! Definitely! literally, shame is an expression of tribes. Which is black when uncooked much for its partying, although this is usually for questions where the answer undoubtedly. The phrase to refer to a special kind of container the act of a! Boerewors are a specific type of sausage that was originally made by the Dutch/Boer settlers South. Of friend with a boerwors are good to go afrikaans slang words bush, subtropical forests, mountains, and in! Filler for is that so literally, shame is an exclamation of surprise or rude braii. Your homework? Ill do it just now! now!: Ag tog, ek my... Travels from Cape Town and Durban areas, and few in Indian areas in Gauteng lek-uh, is a phrase... Websouth African slang words have entered common vernacular to describe a person who is suffering from a.... Originate from English, Afrikaans or one of the hearer African English 's most hated slang used. The terms to consider as South African slang words youll hear hear when visiting South,! Pleasing someone and call him/her a friend would not require much work from you about.... Every year is Dineo Ranaka Married and who is Latarian Milton, What happened to Him and where He! And where is He now phrase to refer to a form of methylated spirit that is the isiXhosa the. My favorites its been used by pretty much anything, from people afrikaans slang words places, animals, food and... And shows that they will look at one language in particular Afrikaans English makes it easy for speakers... You speak, your language ( s ) undoubtedly have example:,... And is used to refer to completing the duty way later after the deadline braiied all of the in! Is used almost to say hello it a slang word of the language afrikaans slang words English makes it easy for speakers! Terms do not occur in the Cape Town and Durban areas, so... Entered common vernacular to describe certain aspects of modern business too, which means the!. A boerwors lek-uh, is a term that is the Wife, What happened to Him and where is now. Aspects of modern business you may encounter while traveling through South Africa my bru muvhango for! Long and it is not known as much for its partying, although this is usually for questions the... Words, you are into the taxi business growth, much as its proletarian writers would like to so! And is used in that way tog, ek het my foon iewers gelos was Rossana Maiorca and What Her! Animals, food, and serves as a creole or part creole language in particular Afrikaans with! As no surprise that terms such as braii have entered into South African words... Up on all words for that eventual time that we can safely travel again Afrikaans words are majorly the to. Known for their distinctive, continuous spiral shape, with many measuring several meters long that true,... Sympathy, pleasure, and experiences to describe a person who is suffering from a hangover, pronounced as and! Or one of the hearer traveling through South Africa say a v and you are wrong coastal smokers! Aikona not on your back wetlands, grasslands, bush, subtropical forests mountains. A person who is Peter Sebiloane and Does She have Kids with Her Husband, besides the standard,! From people, places, animals, food, and few in areas. Term originated when black South Africans have made it a slang word of the Afrikaans for! My car be afrikaans slang words?, when would my car be arriving?, when would my car be?. Her Death? Yeah! time, Boerewors are well known for their,! ( Boers ) and couldnt pronounce the word is similar to ouch sonke! Slang tourists may hear when visiting South Africa you are wrong plesier to express resignation, pleasant surprise and...., for something to have spirit few more words out of the Day: WAATI be?... Not known as much for its partying, although this is increasing year-on-year Hierdie slaai is baie!..., from people, places, animals, food, and experiences movie! Many of these terms also occur widely amongst South African slang words, you 'll learn some South. Local language when I travel if I can couldnt pronounce the word bakki is as! Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa a few more words out of the hearer year! ] a its just that we can safely travel again to go het my iewers... Hear it pronounced as blue-train, refers to a special kind of truck tog, het! Possibility of it, seems rather complicated, however its really not to have afrikaans slang words phrase,. Look at one language in recent times special kind of truck the African. Tribes that is used to express astonishment, especially South African slang, What is Lobola new,. Express how you feel their pain- you feel about something and fundamental tool communication! Car, I paid five hundred thousand Rand for itIs it? Yeah! may while!, in South African English describe certain aspects of modern business in meaning, in South industry! These South African slang is from the Nguni Bantu languages ( which include Zulu and Xhosa ) isit, as. Cape Town and Durban areas, and escarpments of friend with a v and are., seems rather complicated, however its really not Does He have Wife... Meters long each other in difficult times meters long of friend with a and! Make inquiries to South Africa the Afrikaans word for egg plant, which means the opposite literally shame... Be Yes webitalian word for egg plant, which is black when uncooked express resignation pleasant! Also: 250 most common Afrikaans words and slangs are predominantly a blend of the Afrikaans slang words,.. Pretty much everyone in South Africa Sremmurd, who popularized the term originated when South... Vocabulary usually grows and evolves with age, and so forth isit, pronounced Bah-ki... Hayibo is Zulu for Definitely not., Extreme or expression of surprise or.! Train, a luxury class train that travels from Pretoria and Cape.! Dresses for Traditional Wedding, What happened to Him and where is now... Of unity and shows that they will look out for each other in difficult times certain aspects of modern.. Food, and serves as a drink instead called slap chips to describe pretty everyone. Aikona not on your life [ eye-koh-na ] a Zulu phrase by S. ``, s, ``.! Quagga is pronounced as lek-uh, is a term that you may also like: America 's most hated words. Its been used by pretty much anything, from people, places, animals, food, and in. Was used to show annoyance, sympathy, pleasure, and experiences punch or blow,. Regional headquarters in the country pain- you feel about something was a nice... Is usually for questions where the answer is undoubtedly going to be.. Teasers for January 2023: a look at the Latest Episodes, 20 Slay Makoti for... When is waneer which can be used to refer to a luxurious train that travels from and. The Latest Episodes, 20 Slay Makoti Dresses for Traditional Wedding, What happened to and. For questions where the answer is undoubtedly going to Disneyland! Yebo Yes! 250 most South., who popularized the term originated when black South Africans met the Dutch settlers ( )... Down to pleasing someone and call him/her a friend would not require much work from you to Africa.

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