25 South African slang words you need to know/ Expressions sud-africaines à connaître

You are visiting South Africa or you've met a Saffa lately?! Read on.
 I came up with a list of slang words that I've heard during my stay in Cape Town.
You have to know that South Africa has 11 official languages. Although everyone speaks (British) English, don't be surprised if some words don't sound English to you. It actually makes sense as they also use words coming from their other official languages. 

Vous préparez un voyage en Afrique du sud, ou vous venez d'arriver? Il est temps d'apprendre l'argot sud-africain.
 Il faut savoir qu'il y a 11 langues officielles dans le pays. Même si tout le monde parle anglais (britannique), chaque ethnie a sa langue. Le vocabulaire que je vous propose ici est utilisé dans les conversations en anglais. C' est un mélange de toutes les langues parlées dans la nation arc-en-ciel.
The other side of Bo-kaap
  • Now now= It is supposed to mean later, but don't expect a Saffa to show up anytime soon if he says "I'm coming now now"/Ca veut dire "plus tard", mais n'attendez pas un sudaf qui vous dit " I'm coming now now". Il ne viendra jamais.
  • Sit down or takeaway= for here or to go/sur place ou à emporter
  • Varsity= school; college/ la fac
  • Braai= barbecue/Un barbecue
Related/à lire aussi: best things to do in Cape Town/Que faire Au Cap
  • Yebo=yes/oui
  • Oumf= Power/du pouvoir
  • Howzit= Can mean "hi" or "How’s it going?"/ "Salut" ou" comment ça va"
  • Now=Shortly/Dans un court instant
    Paragliding over Cape Town
  • A dop= a drink/un verre
  • Hey= used at the end of sentences a lot; Ex: “It's windy hey!”/ils le disent tout le temps!
  • Ja= Afrikaans for “yes”/oui
  • Neeh= No/non
  • Kif= cool
  • Dodgy= sketchy/dangereux
  • Takkies= tennis shoes/une paire de tennis
    The rooftop of my friend during sunset... Yes, she knew how to live!
  • Bru/bra= bro/mon gars sûr
  • Just now= later/plus tard
  • Cheers= goodbye/au revoir
  • Lekker=cool, tasty/C'est cool ou c'est bon
  • Jol=a party, or having fun/une fête ou s'amuser
  • Izit= "Really?" Exemple: “I skydived last week-end.” “Izit?” /"sérieux", "ah ouais?"
Related/ à lire:Being adventurous in SA/Ma montée d'adrenaline en Afrique du sud
  • Bakkie= a pick-up truck/une voiture pick up
  • Dankie= thank you/merci
  • Robot= traffic light/feu de signalisation
  • Shame= to say that something sucks or is cool. Exemples: "I've canceled my roadtrip to Namibia " "Shame" or "I'm flying to Australia" "Shaaaaame"/Même utilisation que "purée" ou "punaise" en français

Alors, connaissiez-vous certaines de ces expressions?
So, are you ready now to make new South African friends ?


About the Author

Eunice loves living abroad and drinking mojitos. If you don't see her eating mangoes, she's probably looking for an exotic place to swim. She would love to talk about your next trip on Instagram, Facebook or Google+

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