21 South African English Expressions Explained

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1. “Ach man!” (Oh man!)

This versatile filler word can be utilized in various situations, but it’s main purpose is to express frustration or annoyance.

“Ach man, I wish you’d stop making noise!”

2. “Aikona” (No way)

Derived from South African mining pidgin, and rooted in Zulu and Xhosa, this South American English expression is used to convey shock, disbelief, refusal, or disagreement.

“Aikona! You’ll get us killed if you keep driving like that.”

3. “Baba” (Dad)

This expression, believed to originate from Afrikaans or Indian, is an affectionate way of addressing your father.

“Baba, will you join us for dinner tonight?”

4. “Bakkie” (Pickup truck)

Named after the Afrikaans word “bak,” meaning “container,” this term refers to the pickup truck used for work, moving, or simply cruising with friends.

“Baba, can I borrow your bakkie? I’m going out with my friends.”

5. “Babbelas” (Hangover)

Derived from Xhosa, this South African English expression captures the post-drinking blues, describing the negative feeling the day after a night out.

“No way I’m going out tonight. I’ve still got babbelas from last night.”

6. “Boet” (Bro)

An affectionate term of endearment, this word is used to refer both to an actual brother and a close male friend.

“This is my boet, Jamie. We’ve known each other for ages.”

7. “Braai” (Barbecue)

A quintessential South African tradition, a “braai” involves roasting lamb chops, boerewors (traditional sausages), and steak, accompanied by salads, rolls, and melktert (milk tart).

“We’re having a braai tonight, come over!”

8. “Chommie” (Buddie)

Expressing affection towards a close friend, this term derived from the British English word “chum” is a nice way to invite camaraderie.

“Chommie, get over here and let me buy you a drink.”

9. “Check you” (See you)

A friendly farewell exclamation, typically directed at a friend, signaling the end of an enjoyable interaction.

“Check you, chommie. Take care!”

10. “Gogo”

Derived from Zulu, this term is a sign of respect for older women, and it’s used to express affection and admiration.

“I love you, gogo.”

11. “Howzit?”

Howzit is a casual and abbreviated version of “How’s it going?” that effortlessly rolls off the tongue.

“Howzit? Let’s have a beer and catch up!”

12. “Just now” (Soon)

Reflecting the laid-back South African attitude, this term implies a commitment to do a task shortly, with the exact timing left undefined.

“Sure, I’ll do the washing just now.”

13. “Kak!” (Crap!)

A versatile filler word akin to “Crap!” in American English (although a bit more intense!) this is one of the most popular South African English curse words.

“Kak! I’ve spilled coffee on my new shirt!”

14. “Kif” (Cool)

Derived from the Arabic expression “kayf,” meaning “enjoyment” or “well-being,” this South African English expression conveys a sense of coolness, greatness, or awesomeness.

“Looking great, boet. That’s a kif T-shirt you got on!”

15. “Let’s chow” (Let’s eat)

Direct and self-explanatory, this phrase invites the act of eating.

“Let’s chow first, we’ll catch up later.”

16. “Robot” (Traffic light)

A South African English expression for a traffic light, this word refers to the automatic light-changing function, which (apparently!) resembles a robotic machine.

“I’ll see you at the robot in 20 minutes, OK?”

17. “Shap shap/Sharp sharp” (All good)

A versatile and cute phrase with dual pronunciation options, this South African English expression is used to convey agreement, enthusiasm, or just say that everything is in order.

“Shap shap. See you at the shebeen then!”

18. “Shebeen” (Bar)

Originally an illegal tavern during apartheid, the term “shebeen” has evolved to describe any type of bar.

“This is probably the best shebeen in town if you like wine.”

19. “Skinner” (Gossip)

The word “skinners” is Afrikaans slang for gossip. (The individual engaging in gossip is known as “skinnerbek”: a “gossip mouth.”)

“Oh, so you’re seeing your other friends tonight? I hope you don’t skinner about me!”

20. “Tune me” (I dare you)

A provocative challenge used to dare someone, inviting a competitive or daring response.

“Tune me, bro. Let’s see who does it best.”

21. “Windgat” (Show-off)

A derogatory term combining Afrikaans words for “wind” and “hole,” this label is applied to individuals who tend to boast or show off excessively.

“She’s such a windgat. She won’t stop talking about money.”

Beyond South African English Expressions: Learn English with a Cultural Perspective

As we wrap up our exploration of South African English expressions, we hope these linguistic gems have added a splash of color to your understanding of this vibrant dialect.

The unique phrases and expressions we’ve uncovered today not only showcase the cultural diversity of South Africa but also highlight the beauty in the differences that make English truly global.

If you’ve found yourself intrigued by the linguistic features of South African English and want to dive even deeper into its intricacies, consider joining our English courses taught by native South African teachers.

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