{"id":5956,"date":"2015-07-21T11:03:50","date_gmt":"2015-07-21T10:03:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buzzsouthafrica.com\/?p=5956"},"modified":"2019-10-05T23:00:09","modified_gmt":"2019-10-05T22:00:09","slug":"15-south-african-slang-phrases-it-would-be-in-your-best-interest-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buzzsouthafrica.com\/15-south-african-slang-phrases-it-would-be-in-your-best-interest-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"15 South African Slang Phrases Really Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are travelling to South Africa, or you are just interested in knowing a little more about the land of Mandela, it is important to acquaint yourself with some of the commonest slang terms and phrases the people of that great nation use in everyday conversations.<\/p>\n

As such, this article highlights some 15 slang phrases you should know in South Africa, so you do not get embarrassed by misinterpreting a word or statement a South African habitually utters. Without a doubt, what we have here would help you intermingle easily with the people. Read on to discover what these slang phrases are.<\/p>\n

See Also: Top 10 Most Popular And Must-Read South African Books<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Shame<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shame\u2019 is an appealing and widely used term in South Africa. South Africans use the term in almost all social situations. For instance, just shout \u201cAg shame\u201d when in doubt and your feeling or reaction will be appreciated in a big way. Just look at the conversations below to see how the term shame is variously used in many settings:<\/p>\n

A: \u201cMy boyfriend bought me a new puppy.\u201d<\/p>\n

B: \u201cShame.\u201d<\/p>\n

A: \u201cShe was injured in the accident and rushed to a hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n

B: \u201cShame.\u201d<\/p>\n

A: \u201cMy brother won the Music Award yesterday!\u201d<\/p>\n

B: \u201cShame.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Ag\/Oh man<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A filler word pronounced as \u201cAch\u201d, Ag is commonly used by South Africans in place of \u201cShame\u201d, simply to mean “Oh man”. The moment a South African feels like he or she has overused Shame\u2019 and it is becoming boring to keep repeating, they throw in a filler which is mostly Ag, to change things a little. South Africans are known for their love for filler words. For instance, you may say, \u201cAg, we went out partying senseless last Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read Also: 50+ Great Birthday Wishes For Your Favorite Cousin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Izit? Or Sho?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

South African say, \u201cIzit?\u201d Or \u201cSho?\u201d to mean \u201cIs that so? This slang is best used if you absolutely lack a clue about what someone is speaking about, but you are wary of looking stupid (dofkop, as they call it)<\/p>\n

Example: A: \u201cI have been to the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America.\u201d<\/p>\n

B: \u201cIzit?\u201d\/ \u201cSho?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ja, Nee<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Meaning ‘yes, no\u2019, these two words are often said successively when one is expressing confirmation as well as agreement. For instance, one would say, \u201cJa, nee I will come for dinner thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jawelnofine<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jawelnonofine is another common phrase with the people of South Africa, used for expressing resignation. It means ‘yes-well-no-fine.\u2019 This example captures how the term is used:<\/p>\n

A: \u201cCollege fee will be up by nearly 25% next year?\u201d<\/p>\n

B: \u201cJawelnofine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Just now<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Funnily in South Africa, the phrase ‘just now’ is used differently from its conventional English usage. Even South Africans themselves do not always understand if the phrase should mean a short moment, or soon. As such, if a South African says to you \u201cI\u2019ll give it\u00a0to you just now.\u201d Or \u201cI will come just now,\u201d they do not mean anytime soon, they mean in an unknown amount of time.<\/p>\n

Related: 140 Uplifting Get Well Wishes That Can Make Anyone Feel Better<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Just sommer<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In South Africa, people would say \u201cJust sommer\u201d to mean ‘just because\u2019, when they have no clear reason to offer for the things they\u2019ve done. For instance, ask a South African why they are doing a certain thing, such as laughing, and the likely answer you will get is \u201cJust sommer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Loskop<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Here\u2019s another common word with South Africans, Loskop, meaning loose-head. It is just a humorous excuse used to explain away some odd or forgetful behaviour. For example, one would say, \u201cI am such a Loskop tonight. I forgot my pen in the car”.<\/p>\n

Lekker<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Meaning ‘good’, Lekker is a term used by South Africans when they are expressing satisfaction. For example, \u201cThat is a lekker presentation,\u201d is what one would say if happy with the presentation.<\/p>\n

Babelaas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Babelaas is another common term used by South Africans to mean hangover. For instance, after a night of partying you would hear many making calls and beginning with \u201cBabelaas\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Jol<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Any event that is fun-filled, such as a party or family get-together, is called jol\u2019 in South Africa. For example, you can say, \u201cWhat\u2019s the music over there? Are they having a jol?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jislaaik, Jussie, Jo, Haibo, and Haw<\/strong><\/h3>\n

They are terms used to express big surprise or some confusion. For instance: \u201cJislaaik, bru, that was a big following!\u201d or \u201cHaibo, you turned 30.\u201d<\/p>\n

Klap<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As a term that refers to giving someone a smack, Klap is Afrikaan. This term can, however, get more serious. A ‘snotklap’ is snot-smack, used to paint the picture of someone who was hardly smacked that mucus sprays from their noses. Also, there\u2019s ‘geklap’, which means getting overly drunk so somebody may as well have smacked your face.<\/p>\n

See Also: 200 Best Anniversary Quotes Ever<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Muti<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Muti means medication. \u201cShe will do her muti just now,\u201d means she will do her medication for an unknown time.<\/p>\n

Robot<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In South Africa, Robot is a name that refers to traffic lights. This is thought to be so because there are actual robots on the nation\u2019s roads that control traffic flow.<\/p>\n

These sentences would further help you understand the usage of some of the 15 slang phrases you should know in South Africa:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Juslaaik bru, you do not look very lekker?<\/li>\n
  • Ag ja I got a little geklap the other day in a friend\u2019s jol.<\/li>\n
  • Shame man, you do not think some muti for that babelaas is good?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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