{"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\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 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 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 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 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 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>\nShame<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ag\/Oh man<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Izit? Or Sho?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ja, Nee<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Jawelnofine<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Just now<\/strong><\/h3>\n