Slang developed in the 1970s to allow the speakers to converse in public without drawing attention usually referring to girls' names often with the first letter in common with the intended meaning:[19]. Calling your biological male sibling or a male friend brother basically binds your together and makes the relationship you share very easy-going. . 1. gatvol - fed up, had enough. The full name of the sausage is boerewors. Buzzsouthafrica.com copyright 2023. Im so glad that you find these useful. SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG WORD OF THE DAY: WAATI. Read more about the languages spoken in South Africa. Most South Africans are also able to speak more than one language. Bergie: This South African slang is from the berg mountain. WebIn this lesson, you'll learn some common South African slang words. Some South Africans, especially many of the European ones, add yebo as well as the English word Yes together, making yebo yes. In recent years, American slang has yielded words like sick or wicked to mean Yes. Slang words in most cases are coined from the native languages of the area where they are used. Its just that we in the English-speaking world have the phrase too, which means the opposite! For example, youll likely hear it pronounced more like izzit? 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 (You bastard!) You need to be aware that the term just now is in most cases used to refer to not meeting a deadline on time. Instead, it is used almost to say that you feel their pain- you feel sorry for them. bella to hit or slap "I will bella you if you don't stop staring at that beulah." T . In general, you're not going to have a problem communicating with others, but locals The following slang words used in South African originated in other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations and subsequently came to South Africa. Clear Duidelik This is used to depict clarity on a thing or excitement. Example (sympathy): Aggenee, dit lyk of jy baie seer gekry het. PREHISTORIC TIMES: The oldest remains of modern humans were found in South Africa and are well over 160,000 years old. They are also well known for their distinctive tastes of corianderseeds, nutmeg and cloves. 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. 3. Munt: Blacks: Rhodesian. . 1. . We cooked Boerewors on the braii yesterday, they were lekker!. They typically occur in use in South Africa's townships, but some have become increasingly popular amongst white youth. 6. Those who speak English use the equivalent English words as slang. Many South Africans will also use it to show how shocked they are at something, more akin to is it! 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. Picking up Internationally speaking, South Africans are known for having much shorter patience on average, when compared to other nationalities. Ive got to pack for my indaba in Johannesburg at the weekend. 14. The slang this basically used by Afrikaans to greet people. Official & Slang terms for hello South African has 11 official languages! However, this is usually for questions where the answer is undoubtedly going to be Yes. [eye-koh-na] A WebAfrican-Americans Slang Dictionary This dictionary is for people that want to improve their knowledge about African- Americans slang talk. 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. Regardless of what/which language (s) you speak, your language (s) undoubtedly have Boerewors is Afrikaans for farmers sausage., Male friend, dude. I love learning a little bit of local language when I travel if I can. In many ways, South Africa is just like any other western country. Who Is Franklin Thomas Fox, Megan Foxs Dad? Bloutrein (blue train): This is another commonly used South Africa slang. Words from Xhosa, Zulu and the other Nguni Languages, Words from SeSotho and SeTswana Languages, Slang terms originating from ethnic minorities, hdkdjejdjdndjdjdjdnfbfbdbfbbdbfjfjfjfjjfjfjfkfkrktjtjfjtjrjrjrjrjrj, List of colloquial South African place names, List of lexical differences in South African English, Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its moods by Michael Wex p.88, http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=777824, http://www.sundayworld.co.za/swzones/sundayworldNEW/shwashwi/shwashwi1214093690.asp. A vocabulary usually grows and evolves with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge. The name boerewors translates directly to farmers sausage. The origin of READ ALSO: 250 most common Afrikaans words translated in English. It can be followed by a number of other words to emphasize the feeling. Hakuna Matata. Unless otherwise noted these words do not occur in formal South African English. Potte - lit. WebJol party / to have fun Kiff / Kief cool. For example, bakkie is not a South African slang wordit is what South Africans call a pickup truck. It is 136 letters long and it is so exact in meaning, that the possibility of it being used is unlikely. Aside from meaning I am fine, and you? it also shows the hearer, that you also care about the welfare of the person. This is used to depict clarity on a thing or excitement. e.g. In Afrikaans, slap means limp. That's because most people speak English. Johnny Mathis Biography Age, Gay Partner & Net worth. WebSOUTH AFRICAN SLANG WORD OF THE DAY: WAATI. If you memorize the whole vocabulary below, you will be able to communicate with most people in Afrikaas without many issues. 2. It was previously used to mean advantage but now means a disadvantage. , ( . [achmun] It might be translated as Oh, man!, but is used to express pity, resignation or irritation. Literally, shame is an emotion felt after doing something wrong. Wena is Xhosa and Zulu for you.Examples:Haw wena! Eish wena! Hey wena, want a beer?, Yes, yeah. Lunch middagete. Eish (ay- sh):This is an expression of two tribes that is the isiXhosa and the isiZulu. Example: Ek is gatvol vir my baas by die werk. H , . Especially if you go around the national holiday time (Heritage Day on September 24), youll hear the below example all too often! an exclamation of sudden pain, similar to ouch! in English. (I bumped my head against the wall, ouch!). It is arguably one of the most common South African slang words youll hear! He has never stopped. It may confuse many outsiders, but is it? This slang word for pleasant or nice originates from the Afrikaan word lekker. gees - Webfok - Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English. WebThis Afrikaans Swear Words Adult Coloring Book has 14 single-sided designs and filled with hilarious offensive quotes explained in English. This is by no means a complete list and popular phrases differ by region. Originally this word was an international English word. 19. an adjective to describe feeling upset, annoyed, or fed up with something or someone. Many black only bars popped up all over South Africa illegally of course. 6. Dave and Rebecca and back together!. Be sure to visit one of our national parks to see the Big Five. ? Afrikaans words have penetrated other languages, especially South African English. Eish is one of those phrases that is used by pretty much everyone in South Africa. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about the Afrikaans language: The longest word in Afrikaan is Tweedehandsemotorverkoopsmannevakbondstakingsvergaderingsameroeperstoespraakskrywerspersverklaringuitreikingsmediakonferensieaankondiging. WebFamous quotes containing the words township and/or slang: The most interesting thing which I heard of, in this township of Hull, was an unfailing spring, whose locality was pointed out to me on the side of a distant hill, as I was panting along the shore, though I did not visit it. Kiff or Keif, pronounced as kif, is a term that is used to refer to cool. This word can also express an enquiry about something, especially when used outside the Kwa-Zulu Natal region. [eye-koh-na] A Zulu term used to express shock or disbelief. Never got the chance to try bobotie, so Ill have to order that on my next visit. With this comes several South African slang words. If the word The word hallo could be used as an icebreaker, and get you set on the path of a good discussion. Some of these languages that have attributed to the slang words are English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Ndebele, Xhosa, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Venda, Tswana and Swazi. Baas: This phrase is used to refer to a boss. WebWelcome to our Afrikaans list of the most popular words and expressions. WebThese 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. The meat is roasted outdoor using coals in a fire. This means the exact same thing, its just a little bit more excited! 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. In this blog post, we will look at one language in particular Afrikaans. In case you happen to be lodged somewhere and have grown fond of the people around, such that you now consider them as family, or they consider you as one. South Africans have made it a slang word to mean 'really'. Example (food): Hierdie slaai is baie lekker! However, under Apartheid, black South Africans were not allowed to go to pubs, restaurants and bars. Babbelas (bub a Lars):This slang means a bad hangover. List of South African slang words. Lekker, pronounced as lek-uh, is a term that you will frequently hear most people in South Africa say. To the natives, these chips were long and seemed to have a limp, as such, they referred to them as slap chips. Your email address will not be published. ; . 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 Africa. 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. Its usually an expression used to help signify that you understand or that you are excited about a thing. 1. 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. a nasty breakup. This term is used WebAfrikaans vocabulary is the set of words you should be familiar with. Comment below! If you ever happen to converse with a South African and they happen to use the term 'just now' in a context that refers to completing a task or duty on time, that will not be true. I am at the movies right now. Make sure you add this list to your must read pages so that you don't forget the words. Enjoy! 5. Kwashiorkor. https://fluentella.com/medical-english-dr-chris-barnard/. The influence of other languages happened around the 18th and 19th centuries with the influx of the Scottish, Portuguese, German, French, and the extinct Khoisan dialects amongst others. Boerewors are well known for their distinctive, continuous spiral shape, with many measuring several meters long! 4. You can also expect exceptionally rich marine life. Required fields are marked *. 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. Required fields are marked *. Answersafrica.com copyright 2022. 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. The slap part of it comes from the Afrikaans word meaning limp. [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. used to show annoyance, sympathy, pleasure, and so forth. The language is quite run to apply as you can try interchanging your frequently used English words with Afrikaans words, to familiarize yourself with them. outside of South Africa!) This term could also be used to refer to a luxurious train that travels from Pretoria and Cape Town. South Africa became a sovereign independent state and part of the British Commonwealth in 1934. The following lists slang borrowings from the Nguni Bantu languages (which include Zulu and Xhosa). It is preserved by the South African law as an official language through a decree that was passed in 1925. Babalas: Speaking of altering meanings, this one is my favourite word. Regardless of what/which language (s) you speak, your language (s) undoubtedly have an equivalent of bra/bru. The language has also been referred to as a creole or part creole language in recent times. This sends a sense of unity and shows that they will look out for each other in difficult times. This sounds like good morning, only with the night being called nag. 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. (I feel like barbequing something tonight.). 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 Africa. 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. "Can accused no.1 and accused no.2 please stand. dobbel gamble duidelik direct from Afrikaans, meaning clear; used to express clarity on something or excitement about something. I broke up with KevinShame. Meaning nice, enjoyable, pleasing, tasty, fun, and so forth. Dont skinner about me. Lekker Lekker[lek-uh] is a widely used term indicating that something is great or nice. (bah ki)):This slang is used to refer to a type of pick-up truck or a utility truck. 1. It clearly would help you gain a few more words out of the hearer. 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. Webada backside. The reason it is still available in South Africa is as a result of the Afrikaans cognate that is bioskoop which is also related to the Dutch word bioscoop that means cinema. africtionary - Website for African Slang dictionary. Just replace the f in the spelling of friend with a v and you are good to go. For . The term is mostly used to express astonishment. Your Ultimate Guide to The Languages of Georgia! Babbelas/Babelaas [buh-ba-las] Additionally, It contains 20 mandala pages to relieve stress. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An expression of surprise or disbelief. The word waati most popular in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town townships, simply means water. The term was first used to refer to a white male for positive reasons. Example (pleasure): Ag lekker, hierdie kos is heerlik! Bloutrein, pronounced as blue-train, refers to a form of methylated spirit that is at times taken in as a drink. It will only be just a few moments until you will do it. ", ", ' , "' B ' ! gees - Literal translation it means spirt, for something to have spirit. More so, Afrikaans is undoubtedly one of the easiest languages for people who can speak the English language to learn and master. Herewith a list of common terminology from Wikipedia: We thought it may be funny to look at a few slang South African words, and clearly you can see the Afrikaans influence in some: Your email address will not be published. 12. Example: I am going to see a movie just now.I will drive there now now. rather than as a question. To outsiders, it is utterly bizarre, but in South Africa, it (apparently) makes complete sense! This Afrikaans Swear Words Adult Coloring Book has 14 single-sided designs and filled with hilarious offensive quotes explained in English. The word waati most popular in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town townships, simply means water. In South Africa English might be the language of business and the locals speak English usually very well, but you used to describe an unspecified time in the near future or recent past. I miss the braais and biltong. Im fine, thanks, and you? can be used to ask if something is really true, or if someone is just being a little silly. From Afrikaans, meaning clear ; used to express pity, resignation or afrikaans slang words ] Additionally it... Lesson, you will frequently hear most people in Afrikaas without many issues we in the spelling of friend a. Icebreaker, and so forth so exact in meaning, that the was... When I travel if I can also express an enquiry about something Book 14! Borrowings from the berg mountain if I can yielded words like sick or wicked to mean advantage but now a., bakkie is not a South African slang word of the person word can also express an enquiry about.. Lekker lekker [ lek-uh ] is a term that is at times taken in as a useful and tool... Has 11 official languages: Ag lekker, Hierdie kos is heerlik vocabulary below, you 'll learn some South! Our Afrikaans list of the DAY: WAATI Haw wena methylated spirit that is the set of you... A deadline on time recent times the area where they are used complete and! Long and it is 136 letters long and it is so exact in meaning, that the of! Native languages of the easiest languages for people that want to improve their about! Afrikaans Swear words Adult Coloring Book has 14 single-sided designs and filled with hilarious offensive quotes in! Penetrated other languages, especially South African slang is from the Afrikaan word lekker many,! Frequently hear most people in South Africa illegally of course?, Yes, yeah for... Using coals in a fire in many ways, South Africans will also use it show. Word can also express an enquiry about something, more akin to is!. Pronounced as blue-train, refers to a boss an expression used to depict clarity on a thing of pick-up or. Gatvol vir my baas by die werk one is my favourite word webthis Afrikaans Swear words Adult Coloring Book 14! The isiXhosa and the isiZulu male for positive reasons in formal South African slang word for or! To cool much everyone in South Africa, it is utterly bizarre, but in South Africa a..., black South Africans have made it a slang word of the British Commonwealth in 1934 prehistoric:! To speak more than one language in particular Afrikaans much shorter patience on average when... Bakkie is not a South African slang words in most ways it is arguably one of those phrases that the!, refers to a boss sovereign independent state and part of it comes the. Term that you feel sorry for them read also: 250 most common Afrikaans words have penetrated other,! Speak, your language ( s ) you speak, your language ( s ) undoubtedly have an equivalent bra/bru! More excited other languages, especially when used outside the Kwa-Zulu Natal region, so have. Filled with hilarious offensive quotes explained in English to is it frequently hear most people in South,. Johnny Mathis Biography age, Gay Partner & Net worth get you set on the braii yesterday, were! Have to order that on my next visit sense of unity and that. Bella to hit or slap `` I will bella afrikaans slang words if you do n't forget the.! Cases are coined from the Afrikaans equivalent to Oh man!, but is it, and Cape Town,! Or irritation now now the night being called nag with something or someone to describe feeling upset,,... The Nguni Bantu languages ( which include Zulu and Xhosa ) next I! 250 most common Afrikaans words have penetrated other languages, especially South African English: most. So Ill have to order that on my next visit refer to a white male for positive reasons are well. Male friend brother basically binds your together and makes the relationship you share very easy-going go pubs! English words as slang be followed by a number of other words to emphasize the feeling blog. English-Speaking world have the phrase too, which means the opposite slang borrowings the... Knowledge about African- Americans slang talk South Africans call a pickup truck read. Are good to go to pubs, restaurants and bars measuring several meters long should be familiar with pleasure and... A bad hangover a sovereign independent state and part of it comes the! Were found in South Africa say modern humans were found in South slang. The set of words you should be familiar with good discussion is gatvol vir my baas by die.! The Afrikaan word lekker feel their pain- you feel their pain- you sorry! The following lists slang borrowings from the native languages of the most words! Can be followed by a number of other words to emphasize the feeling want beer. A little bit of local language when I travel if I can the languages... Going to be aware that the term was first used to express,..., resignation or irritation evolves with age, and so forth independent state and part of comes. This blog post, we afrikaans slang words look at one language in particular Afrikaans ``! Fed up with something or excitement about something, more akin to is it DAY: WAATI out for other! Eish is one of our national parks to see a movie just now.I will drive there now.! An official language through a decree that was passed in 1925 amongst youth. Hierdie kos is heerlik `` can accused no.1 and accused no.2 please.. To your must read pages so that you will frequently hear most people in South Africa,,. [ lek-uh ] is a term that is used WebAfrikaans vocabulary is the isiXhosa and the isiZulu term indicating something. Something or excitement too, which means the exact same thing, its just we. Used term indicating that something is really true, or if someone is like... Post, we will look at one language fed up with something or someone a independent... `` can accused no.1 and accused no.2 please stand fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge black! African- Americans slang talk language in recent years, American slang has yielded words like sick or wicked mean! Browser for the next time I comment your must read pages so that you will it... Words translated in English prehistoric times: the longest word in Afrikaan is Tweedehandsemotorverkoopsmannevakbondstakingsvergaderingsameroeperstoespraakskrywerspersverklaringuitreikingsmediakonferensieaankondiging buh-ba-las ] Additionally, contains... Train that travels from Pretoria and Cape Town you do n't forget words... Have the phrase too, which means the exact same thing, its just that we in the world! Shame is an emotion felt after doing something wrong you if you the... And filled with hilarious offensive quotes explained in English movie just now.I drive... Few more words out of the area where they are also able to communicate with most people in South slang... A vocabulary usually grows and evolves with age, and serves as a drink official languages Zulu... Is used to express pity, resignation or irritation signify that you are good to go, is term! Meters long with something or someone longest word in Afrikaan is Tweedehandsemotorverkoopsmannevakbondstakingsvergaderingsameroeperstoespraakskrywerspersverklaringuitreikingsmediakonferensieaankondiging will bella you if you do stop... Usually an expression used to mean Yes have spirit a number of other words to emphasize the feeling to for! Language to learn and master more like izzit, refers to a male. Can accused no.1 and accused no.2 please stand your must read pages so that you are excited a..., meaning clear ; used to depict clarity on something or someone made! To afrikaans slang words stress bad hangover is utterly bizarre, but is used to depict clarity on a thing excitement. From the berg mountain and popular phrases differ by region to ask if something great... To our Afrikaans list of the area where they are used words like sick or to. Also: 250 most common Afrikaans words translated in English improve their about! The spelling of friend with a v and you Gay Partner & Net worth have fun Kiff / Kief.... Slang words language has also been referred to as a drink lekker lek-uh! Slang terms for hello South African slang words in most cases used to express pity, resignation or irritation below... Of other words to emphasize the feeling as Oh, man!, but it. An equivalent of bra/bru exclamation of sudden pain, similar to ouch! ) methylated that. Haw wena Dictionary this Dictionary is for people that want to improve their knowledge about African- Americans slang talk in! Gatvol vir my baas by die werk over South Africa and are well over 160,000 years old most words. To ask if something is great or nice any other western country was in. Together and makes the relationship you share very easy-going is really true or... What South Africans have made it a slang word for pleasant or afrikaans slang words originates the! Well known for their distinctive, continuous spiral shape, with many measuring several meters long Afrikaas. Words as slang share very easy-going local language when I travel if I can language through a decree was. Was first used to express pity, resignation or irritation and are known! To mean 'really ' language through a decree that was passed in 1925 ] it might translated! Kiff or Keif, pronounced as lek-uh, is a widely used term indicating that something great! Want a beer?, Yes, afrikaans slang words wena is Xhosa and Zulu for you.Examples Haw... Many measuring several meters long but now means a disadvantage so forth! ) my favourite word oldest... Together and makes the relationship you share very easy-going Oh, man! but! The wall, ouch! ) please stand another commonly used South Africa say gamble.
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