When you find yourself in South Africa, don’t be perplexed if someone mentions a “shebeen” and you start picturing a mysterious creature. Indeed, South Africa boasts a fascinating array of unique English terms that might leave you scratching your head if you’re not in the linguistic loop. Fear not! At Listen & Learn, we encourage learners to immerse themselves in authentic language and cultural nuances, gaining insights that go beyond textbooks.
This list of "Afrikanerisms" comprises slang words and phrases influenced by Afrikaans and other African languages. 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.
Here are some common South African English terms and their meanings:
- “Ach man!” (Oh man!)
- “Aikona” (No way)
- “Baba” (Dad)
- “Bakkie” (Pickup truck)
- “Babbelas” (Hangover)
- “Boet” (Bro)
- “Braai” (Barbecue)
- “Chommie” (Buddie)
- “Check you” (See you)
- “Gogo”
- “Howzit?”
- “Just now” (Soon)
- “Kak!” (Crap!)
- “Kif” (Cool)
- “Let’s chow” (Let’s eat)
- “Robot” (Traffic light)
- “Shap shap/Sharp sharp” (All good)
- “Shebeen” (Bar)
- “Skinner” (Gossip)
- “Tune me” (I dare you)
Here are some examples of how these terms are used in sentences:
- “Aikona! No way I’m going out tonight."
- “Baba, can I borrow your bakkie?"
- “This is my boet, Jamie. Looking great, boet."
- “Check you, chommie."
- “Howzit?"
- “Kak! Oh, so you’re seeing your other friends tonight?"
- “Shap shap."
- “Tune me, bro."
- “She’s such a windgat."
Swearing in Afrikaans: A Guide to Colorful Language
Afrikaans is a language known for its rich and expressive vocabulary, including a variety of colorful swear words. Swearing in Afrikaans can be both playful and offensive, depending on the context and tone in which it is used.
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Common Swear Words in Afrikaans:
- "Fok" (pronounced like "fork"): This is one of the most commonly used swear words in Afrikaans and can be translated to "fuck" in English. It is often used as an expletive or to express frustration or anger.
- "Poepol" (pronounced like "poo-pole"): This word is often used to describe someone who is foolish or stupid. It can be considered a mild insult but is not as strong as some other swear words.
- "Doos" (pronounced like "dose"): This word is similar to the English word "cunt" and is considered quite offensive. It should be used with caution, as it can be highly insulting.
When to Use Swear Words in Afrikaans:
In South African culture, swearing is generally more accepted than in many other cultures, but it still depends on the context and audience. Swearing among friends or family members may be more acceptable than using swear words in a professional setting or around strangers.
It's important to consider the impact of your words before using swear words in any language. While swearing can add emphasis or humor to a conversation, it can also offend or alienate others if used carelessly.
Alternatives to Swearing:
If you want to express yourself emphatically without resorting to swear words, there are plenty of alternatives available in Afrikaans. For example, you could use colorful idioms or expressions that convey your emotions without offending anyone.
Overall, swearing in Afrikaans can be a fun way to express yourself creatively and authentically within the cultural context of South Africa.
Afrikaans in History of Swear Words
More Slang Terms
Here's a list of additional slang words and phrases used in South Africa:
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- antie - an older female authority figure. [Word used most often by Indians.]
- aweh/awe (pronounced \AAAH-WHERE\) - said in excitement, as in: Aweh; my boss said I can go home early today. The word has many meanings or uses: "hello", "goodbye", "yes". Also associated with prison use. (Greeting) "Aweh my bru" (Hello my friend).
- befok - really good, exciting, cool; as in "The rock-show was befok." [Do not confuse with gefok.] Can also mean "crazy" in a very strong sense, as in "Are you befok?" - derogatory(err:definitely not a polite enquiry). Ek het daai ou befok - meaning I cheated that guy in a transaction.
- bek - derogatory term for mouth (Afrikaans: an animal's mouth); hou jou bek - "shut up" (literally" "hold your [animal's] mouth").
- bergie - from berg, mountain, originally referring to vagrants who sheltered in the forests of Table Mountain; now a mainstream word for a particular subculture of vagrants, especially in Cape Town.
- bliksem - strike, hit, punch; also used as an expression of surprise/emphasis (rude; many consider the word a profanity). It derives from the Dutch word for "lightning", and often occurs in conjunction with donner.
- bioscope, bio - cinema, movie theatre, originally a international English word that became defunct elsewhere, it has survived longer in South Africa as a result of the influence of the Afrikaans cognate bioskoop.
- bloutrein - literally "blue train", referring to methylated spirits, sometimes used for drinking (filtered through a loaf of white bread).
- boer - literally "farmer" in Afrikaans.
- bompie - A fat girl that is easy to get into bed.
- bossies, or bosbefok - crazy, whacko, mad. Also a term to describe one who has shell shock.
- broekie - panties or ladies underwear. From Afrikaans: broek, meaning "trousers".
- bru - A term of affection see also "bra" and "boet", shortened from Afrikaans broer, meaning "brother".
- chrisco - a party/disco where Christian music mainly features.
- cuiter - a word used to describe somebody if one has a strong dislike for that person. It has a similar meaning to the word cunt in the English language e.g.
- domkop - idiot (lit.
- donner - to beat up. Used together with "bliksem". Derived from "donder" (thunder, related to Thor).
- doos - idiot (more likely an "asshole"; can also mean "female genitalia") (profanity)(rude). For example: "John is the biggest doos to walk the planet!" From the Afrikaans word for box as used in common everyday language.
- dop - alcohol, to drink alcohol, to fail.
- eina! - ouch!
- entjie - Cigarette. For example, "Awe ou.
- floue - an unfunny (weak) joke (used by Gauteng Indians, from the Afrikaans word for weak), can also refer to weak coffee or tea or weak alkoholic drink. A person that is weak.
- fok - Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English.
- gatvol - fed up, had enough.
- gees - Literal translation it means spirt, for something to have spirit.
- gesuip - very drunk, intoxicated, plastered.
- goffel - Ugly girl/woman. For example,"What a G!".
- gomgat - bumpkin, redneck.
- hoesit, hoezit, howzit - derived from "How is it going?
- jags - Meaning "horny".
- ja-nee - Literal translation : Yes No. Example : Dis warm vandag. (It's hot today) : Ja-Nee.
- jislaaik! - expression of surprise, can be positive or negative.
- kak - Literal translation : Shit. Crap, rubbish, nonsense (profanity), of very wide usage.
- katkop - half a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with chips (i.e.
- kêrels - police (Original Afrikaans meaning: guys). "The kêrels are coming, watch out!" (Dated).
- kiff, kif, kief - (adjective) poisonous, wicked, cool, neat, great, wonderful. The word derives from the Afrikaans word for poison: gif. Coastal pot-smokers used the term to describe Durban Poison: "Gifs" [locally-grown marijuana].
- klankie - unpleasant smell. Also said as just "Klank".
- klap - to smack. (From Afrikaans). "He got klapped in the bar".
- koffie-moffie - a camp male waiter or air steward.
- kwaai - cool, excellent (Afrikaans: "angry".
- lag - to laugh.
- laaitie, lighty - a younger person, esp.
- laanie, larny - (n) boss, used in a deferent tone.
- las - 1. an act that is undesirable to commit. 2. To tell someone or suggest to stop doing an act. (origin. something that is slowing you or an object down e.g. 'n Las in die pad.
- lekker - nice, good, great (lit.
- ma se poes - "your mother's vagina", used so often it has virtually become traditional. Equivalent to doos.
- moer - to assault (from Afrikaans 'moor' - to murder) (rude, often considered profanity as is Poes or doos). Also an animal's womb, used in the phrase Gaan vlieg in jou moer! as in screw off!
- moerse - big, massive, impressive. "I had a moerse piece of meat at the braai".
- moffie - male homosexual (derogatory).
- mompie - retard.
- morne - boring, sterile, unexciting.
- mos - Afrikaans, implies that what has been said is well known or self-evident (a formal part of grammar, the closest English equivalent would be "duh!"). "Ek drink mos tee." ("I drink tea, duh!").
- naartjie (Afrikaans)- tangerine, mandarin, satsuma - any pealable orange-coloured citrus fruit with neat segments; used as a mainstream word in South African English, and a dietary staple. Often thrown at T.V.
- naai - slang for sex (In Afrikaans, naai actually means to sew).
The following table summarizes some of the terms discussed above:
| Term | Meaning | Language Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Fok | Fuck | Afrikaans |
| Doos | Cunt/Asshole | Afrikaans |
| Laanie | Boss/Smart Guy | Afrikaans |
| Howzit | How is it going? | South African English |
This exploration provides a glimpse into the vibrant and diverse linguistic landscape of South Africa, offering insights into both its unique English expressions and the colorful world of Afrikaans swearing.
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