South Africa is a culturally and ethnically diverse country with twelve official languages and a population known for its multilingualism. Mixing languages in everyday conversations, social media interactions, and musical compositions is a common practice.
The list provided below outlines frequently used terms and phrases used in South Africa. This compilation also includes borrowed slang from neighboring countries such as Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, and Namibia. Additionally, it may encompass linguistic elements from Eastern African nations like Mozambique and Zimbabwe based on the United Nations geoscheme for Africa.
Curse words and slurs South Africa is a country formed from centuries of immigrants, settlers, and colonisers. It has a long history of using racial slurs or derogatory phrases when speaking of the other. Some such words have more recently been reclaimed as a mark of pride and defiance (for example, coloured).
"Voetsek", or simply "tsek", is a fun way of telling someone to "fuck off". This is also used to scare unwanted animals away.
"Jou Ma se kont" or "Jou Ma se poes" is a derogatory phrase that literally translates to "Your Mom's cunt" or "Your Mom's pussy". The term originates from the Western Cape region where it is most closely associated with the slang used by the Coloured community. This is often seen as more aggressive than the aforementioned phrase "voetsek". Although still seen as offensive, over time it has become a less aggressive adjective used as an exclamation. Such as "it is poes cold" when describing a surprisingly cold temperature.
Gestures Pointing your thumb through your fist at someone is a very rude gesture, conveying a meaning similar to "fuck you," depending on the context.The most commonly used nonverbal gestures in South Africa, AfrikaansPod101.com Blog, 16 August 2019
The bras d'honneur is also seen as highly offensive, which is another way of conveying "fuck you", or "up yours!".
Colloquial phrases Slang phrases
• By fire by force – a phrase used to tell one that they are going to do something regardless of the conditions. (e.g. “You are going to the doctor by fire by force”)
• Dala what you must - A phrase used to signify that one must do what they think is right or what is most appropriate in a given situation (e.g. “That's a bad situation, you just have to dala what you must”)
• ID photo - the washing of your face and teeth only, instead of your whole body (e.g. “I'm late so I am going to do an ID photo.”)
• Is not make sure – To say that something is not good, not convincing, an overreach or delusional at the worst. (e.g. “This new chips flavour is not make sure”)
• Like things - Used to call someone nosey. (e.g. “That ou like things.”)
• Same WhatsApp Group - Used when two or more things are alike (e.g. “Those two stick with each other because they are in the same WhatsApp group”)
Time Normally, in other English-speaking countries, when you say you're doing something "now", you would assume it means that you will do said thing right away. In South Africa, the phrases "now now", "just now", and "right now" all have differing connotations: "Now now" often means minutes later; "just now" means hours later; and "right now" actually means now.
For example, the following line using South African slang:
...actually has the following meaning in standard usage:
Slang words from English South Africa uses British English spelling and punctuation, although some American spellings are common.
canyon crab – derogatory term for Afrikaner clutchplate – derogatory term for Afrikaner cozzie – a swimsuit, short for swimming costume Dutchman – derogatory term for Afrikaner rockspider – derogatory term for Afrikaner. zamalek – Black Label Lager, locally brewed under licence; derived from the Egyptian football team of the same name because of the team colours. A very popular local beer because of its high alcohol content.
Slang words from Afrikaans (Afrikanerisms) A aya – brother and rasta abba – to carry someone (normally a child) on one's back africtionary – Website for African Slang dictionary. ag man – oh man; ag as the Afrikaans equivalent to "oh" (pronounced \ach\ like German ACHtung), "man" pronounced as in "mun" in "munches". ag shame – both an expression of pity and sorrow, depending on context: Ag shame, daardie baba is te oulik! (Aw, that baby is so cute!); Ag shame, die arme hond is dood. (Ah shame, the poor dog died.) antie – an older female authority figure. Derived from the English "aunt", with the original meaning still intact. anties – breasts/boobs or plural of the word "aunt" aweh/awe (pronounced \AAAH-WHE\) – said in excitement, as in: 'Aweh; my boss said I can go home early today.', 'or 'Ok, cool'.' Same as the English pop culture slang 'yas'. The word has many meanings or uses: "hello", "goodbye", "yes", "cool". Also associated with prison use. (Greeting) "Aweh, my bru." (Hello my friend). Similar: howzit, yooit, hoesit, yo.
B babbelbek – someone who talks a lot babelaas / babbelas – hangover (from Zulu word "ibhabhalazi") bakgat – cool; expression of appreciation for something very well accomplished bakore – lit "bowl ears", refers specifically to people who have protruding ears, like a bowl's handles. bakkie – a utility truck or pick-up truck, now a mainstream word in South African English. Can also refer to a small plastic container/bowl. ballas – lit. "balls". Refers to the testicle. ballie – close male friend. Sometimes used to refer to an older man. Can also be used to describe an old man as irritable or crabby. ouballie – father. "My 'ouballie' always used to tell us this story." balsak – lit. "ball-sack". Refers specifically to the scrotum. bangbroek – lit. "scaredy-pants" befok (pejorative) – 'really good, exciting, cool', as in "The rock-show was befok." (Do not confuse with gefok.) Also means 'extremely angry', as in "He was so befok, he could scream." Also means "extremely crazy", as in "Are you befok?". befoetered/bedonnered/bemoerd – lit. "extremely angry" similar to "diedonnerend", etc. Usually used to refer to a person who is often in a very bad mood. bergie – from Afrikaans berg, which translates to "mountain", originally referring to vagrants who sheltered in the forests of Table Mountain; now a mainstream word for a particular subculture of vagrants, or homeless persons, especially in Cape Town. beter bang Jan, as dooie Jan – lit. "better to be a scared Jan rather than a dead Jan". English equivalent is "better to be safe than sorry". bietjie-baie – lit. "a little bit too much". "bietjie" (a little bit – "be-key") and "baie" (a lot – "bye-ya") bielie – a butch, yet friendly and often brave man with a lot of stamina. Someone who will lovingly do something tough no matter if the odds are stacked against him. Derived from the folk song "Jan, Jan, Jan, die bielie van die bosveld". Which describes a man (Jan) who is willing to do any form of hard labour with a smile on his face. blerrie/bladdy hell – damn/damnit. Originally from the British English phrase "bloody hell". bliksem – strike, hit, punch; also used often as an expression of surprise/emphasis. It derives from the Dutch word for "lightning", and often occurs in conjunction with donner. "Bliksem! Daai weerlig was hard!". (Damn! That lightning-strike was loud!) Used as a curse in Afrikaans: "Jou bliksem!" (You bastard!) bliksemse – lit. "damn thing" Used in conjunction with "donnerse". bloutrein – literally "blue train", referring to methylated spirits, sometimes used for drinking (filtered through a loaf of white bread). Also refers to the Blue Train, a luxury train that travels from Johannesburg to Cape Town via the Trans Karoo rail-line aka "Transkaroo". boef – lit. "law-breaker". Refers to any person who has broken a law and got away with it. Derived from the Afrikaans word of the same spelling for "to cuff" (i.e. to arrest, or get arrested). The plural "boewe", refers both to multiple persons in arrest and the handcuffs themselves. Considered outdated as "bliksem" and "skelm" are more commonly used. boer – literally "farmer" in Afrikaans. (pronounced boo-(r)). Also the verb "to farm". boer maak 'n plan – "farmer makes a plan" is an expression used to refer to a creative solution, often low-cost and rather innovative. boere – police, even when the police themselves are non-white people boererate – a number of local home remedies that are super effective and cheap. May also be applied to DIY projects. boerewors – a very popular mixed-meat spiced sausage in South Africa. In Afrikaans, literally "farmer's sausage", used as a mainstream word in South African English. boerewors roll/boerie roll – the South African equivalent of the hot dog, using the boerewors with an onion relish in a hot dog bun boggerol/bugger-all – Anglicism with identical meaning (absolutely nothing), usually succeeding the words "sweet blou/blue" to emphasize the "nothingness" of the topic. boland – refers to the geographic region north of Cape Town. See Boland. bollie – lit "to poop". Of unknown origin, it is the Afrikaans equivalent of "poop". Due to the fact that it's the most child-friendly description of defecation. bokkie – (diminutive of bok, literally meaning "little buck" or "doe") a popular term of endearment, comparable to "sweetheart", "honey", etc. Another meaning for the word bokkie (or bokbaardjie) is for a style of beard which is short (often pointy) and stylish and often surrounds just the mouth and chin in a circle (Goatee). Based on the Afrikaans word bok (lit. "buck", as well as goat). boom – marijuana (literally tree) bosberaad – strategy meeting held in a rural setting bossies, or bosbefok – crazy, whacko, mad. Also a term for one who has shell shock. Refers to the time of the South African Border War where soldiers spent time in the bush ("bos/bosse") and would return home suffering battle flash-backs (Post-traumatic stress disorder). boud or boude – butt or buttocks braai – a barbecue, to barbecue (from braaivleis – grilled meat), used as a mainstream word in South African English. Specifically to grill meat on an open fire. As a noun, it is also the literal area/object used for the grilling of the meat (in that case, the barbecue grill and stand) as well as the social gathering around it. braaivleis – see braai, braai meat braaibroodjies – toasted sandwiches that are grilled over an open flame on a braai. Usually served as a side-dish to braaivleis. brak – mongrel dog, can also refer to brackish water branna – short for "brandewyn" (lit. "brandy") broekie – panties or ladies underwear. From Afrikaans: broek, meaning "trousers/briefs". Common usage: "Don't get your broekies in a knot" which means "Calm down". broekie lace – ornate ironwork found on Victorian buildings (lit. 'pantie lace'), the tie that you find on board shorts bro/bra/bru/boet/boetie – a close male friend and a term of affection used by one male to another. All words are variations of the word "broer" in Afrikaans meaning "brother". Boetie (Pronounced 'Boet – tea') specifically means little brother in Afrikaans because of the "ie" diminutive suffix. You could say, "Hey bro, howzit" or "Thanks a million bro for lending me your car". When you refer to another male as bro is it because you consider that person to be such a good friend he is like a brother, a family member. Bro can also be used for strangers but only also if you wish to show a welcoming and friendly attitude towards them or when you want to deescalate tension in a friendly way as in "Chill out bro". However you would certainly not walk around calling every man you see, bro, because in South Africa the term is not used as loosely as it is in the US for example.