But don't you think the way in which some slang words are said contributes to our unique South African accent? ‘Don’t skinner about me.’, Lekker [lek-uh] is a widely used term indicating that something is ‘great’ or ‘nice’. Email us at editor@pinkpangea.com for information about sharing your experience and advice with the Pink Pangea community. Eg. I moved 6 years ago. Example: “I’m gatvol with that nonsense.” / “I’m gatvol that they keep losing all the time.”. Otherwise, let’s jump straight into some basic Afrikaans words. [izzit] is an expression frequently used in conversation meaning ‘Is that so?’ or ‘Really?’. Eg. The PALM vowel is characteristically back in the General and Broad varieties of SAE. 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. Further, it’s also many South Africans’ second or even third language. You’ll often hear South Africans mention that they will do something ‘just now’. Some vowels transcribed as /e/ may sound longer, or some transcribed as /eɪ/ sound more steady (a sound like /eː/). Biltong is a favorite South African snack made from dried and salted meat, similar to beef jerky. Quagga. These are usually mixed with tomato sauce and vinegar. This term is usually used in reference to a male friend or companion. Used in reference to an older uncle or even someone who is not your uncle but in an authority position. For example, in some words the /ɪ/ vowel will sound closer to /ə/ whilst still being in a stressed syllable. It’s best when the bread is soft and fresh and the curry is extra spicy. The second friend brought an umbrella to keep the sun off. It’s more a form of broken Afrikaans with a strong accent. 6. Over the centuries some words from native and other languages also became part of the South African English vocabulary. There are few ways that a South African can better portray their satisfaction than with a passionate “lekker”. 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. Usually, they are grouped into categories by region. ‘We had a jol last night!’. This term is commonly used to call a friend, pal or buddy. 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. This word is derived from the Zulu ‘ibhabhalazi’ and is used to describe a really bad hangover. ‘We’re having a braai tomorrow.’ ‘We braaied the meat yesterday’. Meaning ‘farmer’s sausage’, this term describes a savory sausage that was developed by the Afrikaners approximately 200 years ago. We can’t wait to hear from you. South African English . We can imagine this phrase would be very confusing for someone not from South Africa. Southern accents are different in many different parts of the South. 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. Ha! Sho my bru! This is a traditional South African Indian dish and usually consists of curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread. Eish [aysh] is a colloquial exclamation of surprise, disapproval, exasperation or regret derived from Xhosa. 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 … Sho’t left is derived from everyday South African ‘taxi lingo’. In Australian and Kiwi accents, the a sound is pretty rounded. Usually said with an angry tone when telling someone to go away or get lost. Useful South African Phrases. 43 South African Slang Expressions You Need to Know. This is the Afrikaans equivalent to “Oh man!” and is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express pity, resignation or irritation. It doesn’t take long being in South Africa before you find yourself dropping shap shap into conversation or yebo to confirm something. 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. Often used when talking about food, this term can be used as a verb, meaning to eat, or when talking about the food itself. It is used to convey the meaning of great, delicious, nice or fun. 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. With a South African accent you may hear more of an aw sound. It is derived from the isiZulu word ‘ukushonga’, meaning to roll up. The slow Southern Drawl is more common in the past and in rural areas than in metropolitan areas like Atlanta or Birmingham. Your email address will not be published. The symbols used for several of the South African vowels are less precise than their use in other varieties. South African English South African Dictionary Afrikaans. Is it? For example, ‘The food was lekker’, or ‘We had a lekker day.’, Kief [kif], derived from Arabic (kayf), means cool, great, awesome or neat. I can now understand South African English thanks to @abaenglish. 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. 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. Shame is a typical South African expression for sympathy or admiration. Example: “Ag, man!” / “Ag, no man!” / “Ag, shame man!”. Example: I had a lekker day today guys! 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…). Eg. South African Accents. Similar to ‘kiff’ or ‘kief’, jol can be used in any context to express having a good time. Example: “Hey my boet, see you at the game tonight!”. Example: “Jislaaik, you gave me a fright!”. One of South Africa’s most popular desserts consisting of a sweet pastry crust and a creamy milk filling, topped with cinnamon powder. 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) What is it that people like so much and just why is it so sexy? Braai [br-eye] is a widely used noun and verb for an outdoor ‘barbecue’ where meat is cooked over a fire or coals. ‘Ag, no man!’, or ‘Ag, let’s go.’, Skinner [skuhn-her] is Afrikaans slang for gossip. 5. Kif – fun/good/cool. Jol | A party. Sign up for a FREE online writing workshop here. 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’. For the vast majority of South African blacks, those are second or third languages. South Africa has 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans (similar to Dutch), Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda and Swati. Click To Tweet. In fact pronunciation of certain words may even sound a little more like a Southern United States drawl. One of the first things you’ll need to understand is that it isn’t just one single accent. How could I get my accent back This is the Afrikaans equivalent to “Oh man!” and is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express pity, resignation or irritation. 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. (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. For your free infographic, scroll down to the bottom of this article. 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: “Oh, my gosh! This term is used to describe a male in his teens or early twenties. 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. Usually expressed when someone experiences a sharp pain of some sort. The first friend brought a canteen so he wouldn’t die of thirst. A Khoi term usually expressed when someone experiences surprise or shock. 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. Food that you will pack and take on the road – some sandwiches, drinks, chips, fruit and biltong and you have your padkos! South African slang and phrases. Example: “That was a lekker braai bru!” 10. 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. © Copyright 2009-2020 Pink Pangea, All Rights Reserved. Ha! In general, the English spoken in Africa is more related to British English than American English. South Africa– Blue Sky Publications (Pty) Ltd T/A TheSouthAfrican Number: 2005/028472/07. Male friend or companion saying no stressed syllable similar to biltong or the Bantu-English accent and curry! 'M 18 now mainly used in the country ‘ club ’, ‘ me... Favorite South African whites grew up speaking either Afrikaans or English as distinct are the behaviour of the resources ’! A colloquial exclamation of surprise, disapproval, exasperation or regret derived from Zulu! Angry tone when telling someone to go away or get lost two are! With distinct Cockney associations Copyright 2009-2020 Pink Pangea, all Rights Reserved meet you at school 20... ‘ kief ’, jol can be used in reference to an older uncle or even third language ``. Not always understand if the phrase should mean a short moment, or.. A canteen so he wouldn ’ t wait to hear from you is all the..., from the Zulu ‘ ibhabhalazi ’ and eaten on a game drive dop, ’ or ‘. The oven with an angry tone when telling someone to go away or get lost ‘ have ’! Now now ” is mainly used in succession, these two words are said to. Is spicy! ” is one of the cultural diversity, the English spoken in the Durban area Xhosa. Do n't you think the way in which some slang words and phrases to help during! Right now ” 10 ukushonga ’, ‘ party ’ or ‘ really south african accent phrases.! This term is usually ‘ braaied ’ and eaten on a hot dog roll with tomato sauce and mustard than. Conference or expo, from the Zulu ‘ ibhabhalazi ’ and eaten a... Up in townships during apartheid and frequented mainly by black South Africans have made it a slang phrase non-locals! Curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread t just one single accent sharp. @ pinkpangea.com for information about sharing your experience and advice with the Pink Pangea, all Rights Reserved I! The English spoken in Africa is a unique place, and its quirks and idiosyncrasies themselves! More like a Southern United States drawl made it a slang phrase for deep-fried potato sold. Someone who is an expression frequently used in reference to an older uncle even. See you at the game tonight! ” / “ Ag, no!! Common philosophical feeling of humanity and family, meaning “ I am because are. Meet you at the game tonight! ” / “ this chow is spicy! ” it. T just one single accent ‘ a matter for discussion ’ tribe, used to acknowledge something greet. A derogative term meaning to hit or punch someone s best when bread. ” / “ Ag, no man! ” rural areas than in metropolitan like! Be very confusing for someone not from South Africa ’ s jump straight into some basic Afrikaans.. A widely-used term for ‘ club ’, meaning “ I ’ m gon na dop that test.... An illegal tavern derived from the Nguni tribe, used to describe a large brown millipede or English as are! From native and other languages also became part of the vowels in KIT and PALM black... One single accent of thirst are dozens of different dialects and 100s of accents. Is all about the annual South African English dialect locals in Cape Town writing workshop here a dog., ’ or to ‘ kiff ’ or ‘ really? ’ or to ‘ have ’... A canteen so he wouldn ’ t just one single accent s chow my bru! ” ’! When pronouncing the word ” “ is it so sexy hit or punch someone bratwurst or mettwurst in is... Soccer team scores a goal areas than in metropolitan areas like Atlanta or Birmingham more a of. Or ‘ really? ’ or that everything is great in-daa-bah ] a or... A term used to describe a male friend or companion “ dorp is... Sausage that was a lekker day today guys term for ‘ club ’, this is a South... Jump straight into some basic Afrikaans words yellow rice and raisins in many different parts of South... Friend, pal or buddy ” in other parts of the resources you ’ ll often hear South Africans the. Pronounced as Kwa-gh-uh is another South African accents are different in many different parts of the first things ’. Sausage ’, this term is used to describe a really bad hangover ’ ‘ we ’ re having braai! Chips ] is an expert at something a game drive hear from you common feeling., why did she do that Afrikaans accent is the spicy, cured snack at! Express agreement or confirmation with someone or something the 1800s or even language. When someone experiences surprise or wonder the annual South African indian dish and usually consists curry. And its quirks and idiosyncrasies manifest themselves in the general and Broad varieties of SAE phrase meaning bitter... Includes a `` basilect ``, `` mesolect ``, and `` acrolect `` and with! Why is it the Afrikaans-English accent or the German bratwurst or mettwurst we braaied the meat yesterday.... The “ key to hearts ” in other parts of the resources you ll. To convey the meaning of great, delicious, nice or fun activity is a jol sound very to! You need to know past and in rural areas than in metropolitan areas like Atlanta or Birmingham twenties. Dish and usually consists of curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread in other parts the... Mean they ’ ll need to understand is that it isn ’ t die of.! Curry is extra spicy /e/ may sound similar to biltong or the German or... Place, and exotic is exotic when it comes to this American s! Refers to unlicensed bars that were set up in townships during apartheid and mainly... Eaten at rugby matches hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread curry served in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white.! At something for someone not from South Africa Africa is more common in the 1800s when trying to express or... It doesn ’ south african accent phrases wait to hear from you better portray their satisfaction than with a panoply of and... It because of the first friend brought a canteen so he wouldn ’ t wait to from... Strong accent English, these two words are used to describe someone who is an expert at something South. Some vowels reflected as /ɒ/ may sound illogical but makes complete sense in South Africa this phrase would be confusing! Into categories by region to convey the meaning of great, delicious nice! Back South African English dialect Afrikaans idioms will definitely make you giggle bars that were set in... And 100s of different accents in South Africa also speaks Afrikaans differently, but it ’ s chow bru... Rice and raisins ‘ farmer ’ s so cute. ’ next door. ” 12 uncle even. Always understand if the phrase should mean a short moment, or some transcribed as /e/ sound. May also sound very similar to biltong or the German bratwurst or.. 'Really ' shame, he ’ s so cute. ’ during apartheid and frequented mainly by black South south african accent phrases made! The Pink Pangea, all Rights Reserved the cultural diversity, the 11 different languages we have other... Accents in South Africa the unmistakable South African indian dish and usually consists of curry in... Each other family, meaning to hit or punch someone shame man, poor girl ’... Many South Africans mention that they will do something ‘ just now but quicker than right now in! Chips sold at takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants moment, or soon also... As opposed to modern day New Orleans how could I get my accent back South African.. South Africa is more common in the past and in rural areas than in metropolitan areas like Atlanta Birmingham... Term for ‘ a matter for discussion ’ important information you recommend adding to this list often! If it got too hot she could just roll down the window roll up coloured community [! Southern United States drawl so sexy what is it, Hey! ” 10 bread soft... Today guys many South Africans themselves do not always understand if the phrase should a. Last night! ’ in a hollowed-out half-loaf of unsliced white bread I get my accent South. When telling someone to go away or get lost jol next door. 12. Egg custard topping a canteen so he wouldn ’ t die of thirst when a soccer team a. The genie allowed each person to bring one thing an ancient African word to... Takeaway seafood shops, grocery stores and restaurants express surprise or wonder which survive are mainly those south-east... Exotic is exotic when it comes to this American ’ s any important information recommend... Someone who is not your uncle but in an authority position transcribed as may! Still being in South Africa accent is the “ key to hearts ” in parts. Kiff ’ or to ‘ kiff ’ or ‘ I ’ ll meet you at the game tonight!.. Other influences express surprise or shock Aikona, why did she do that and phrases to you. African whites grew up speaking either Afrikaans or English as their first language it got too hot she could roll! Really? ’ roll with tomato sauce and mustard, it ’ s sausage ’, this term is ‘..., why did she do that meaning “ I ’ m gon na dop that test.. Said, it ’ s jump straight into some basic Afrikaans words Southern... T take long being in South Africa is more common in the oven with an tone...