South African Slang You Need To Know / Traveling To South Africa
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These ‘South Africanisms’ are derived from a number of local languages and cultures in South Africa. If you’re visiting South Africa any time soon, it would be useful to know some of the local slang. There are many more than the ones I go through here but these are just my favourite, and some of the ones I use most, the really kiff ones!
1.Gatvol, Literally means ‘filled to the top’, this is used to describe someone who is angry. Could describe many South Africans at this point in time.
2. Gwaai = a cigarette
3. Dop = booze, alcohol
4. Bru = buddy, friend
5. Bliksem, to hit someone, but often used as an expression of surprise too.
6. Eina, an expression for when someone experiences pain.
7. KIFF, means wicked, cool, neat, great, wonderful. That's kiff Bru is a very common South African phrase.
8. Babbelas = bad hangover
9. Hayibo! This Zulu word is usually expressed for something unbelievable.
10. Jislaaik, This is said when trying to express shock.
11. Jol, to have a good time. To party. To have fun. To dance. To enjoy each other's company.
12. Lekker, An Afrikaans word that really could mean anything, but generally, it means "nice" or "good".
13. Padkos, Travel food, something I pack in my hand luggage when travelling
14. Sharp is often doubled up for effect (sharp sharp) and means everything is great. ONE OF MY FAVORITES and one I use often.
15. Eish is an exclamation of surprise, disapproval or exasperation Eg ‘Eish, the price of gwaai's on the black market is kak!
16.Wemame, used to describe something out of the ordinary or sad.
17. Chommie = friend
18. Fundi = an expert at doing something
19. Isit = a conversational term used to acknowledge someone
20. Now Now - any minute, not too far off but not right away
21. Just Now = anytime in the future