We have 11 official languages and 1 unofficial ... South Africanese !
Here are some definitions to words/phrases that you may need to understand what we are saying most of the time :
What is a braai ?
It's the first thing you will be invited to
if you visit SA. A braai is a backyard barbeque and it will take place in whatever
the weather. So you will have to go even if it's raining
like mad or freezing cold.
Ag :
This is one of the most useful South African words. Pronounced like the "ach" in the German "achtung",
It can be used to start a reply when you are asked a tricky question, as in :
"Ag, I don't know." Or a sense of resignation :"Ag, I'll have some more coffee then."
It can stand alone too as a signal of irritation or of pleasure.
Blooming :
Pronounced "blimming", it's roughly the equivalent to "helluva", as in :
"The pap I had at the braai made me blooming sick." For emphasis
it can be replaced by "bladdy" which in turn is a corruption of the
Australian "bloody". "Bladdy" is used more often.
Doll :
A term of affection between males and females, it is used mostly
in the Northern suburbs in Johannesburg. A corrupted form of "darling"
it will be heard thus :"Your turn to take out the rubbish, Doll." "But I took it out last time, Doll."
"Well take the bladdy thing out again, Doll."
Donner :
A rude word, it comes from the Afrikaans "donder" (thunder). Pronounced
"dorner", it means "beat up". Your rugby team can get donnered in a game,
or your boss can donner you if you do a lousy job.
Eina :
Widely used by all language groups, this word is derived from the Afrikaans
meaning "ouch". Pronounce "aynah", you can shout it out in sympathy when someone
burns his finger on a hot potato at a braai.
Hey :
Often used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the importance of what
has just been said, it can also stand alone as a question. Instead of
saying "excuse me ?" or "pardon ?" when you have not heard something directed
at you, you can simply say "Hey ?"
Isit ? :
This is a great word in conversations. Derived from the two words "is" and "it",
it can be used when you have nothing to contribute if someone tells you at a braai :
"The Russians will succeed in their bid for capitalism once they adopt a work ethic and respect for
private ownership." It is appropriate to respond by saying :"Isit ?"
Jislaaik :
Pronounced "yis-like", it is an expression of astonishment. For instance if someone tells you
there are a billion people in China, a suitable comment is :"Jislaaik, that's alot of people, hey."
Just now :
Universally used, it means "eventually" and sometimes "never". If someone says they will do it
"Just now" it could be in 10 minutes or tomorrow. Or maybe he won't do it at all.
Lekker :
An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word is used by all Language groups to express
approval. If you see someone of the opposite sex who is good-looking, you can exclaim :"Lekkerrr !"
while drawing out the last syllable. But that use is now thought politically incorrect in some areas.
Shame :
This word can mean the opposite of it's meaning in other parts of the world.
If someone shows you a baby, you can say :"Ag, shame." This does not mean the baby is ugly -- it
means the baby is cute. If the baby is ugly, it is more accurate to say :"Shame, hey."
If the baby is truly hideous, it is appropriate to say :"Jislaaik." This may cause the baby's parent's
to donner you.
Tackies :
These are sneakers or running shoes. The word is also used to decribe automobile or truck tyres.
"Fat tackies" are big tyres as in :"Where did you get those lekker fat tackies on your Volksie (VW), hey ?"
Dop :
A "dop" is a drink, a cocktail, a sundowner, a noggin. If you are invited for a dop, be careful.
It could be one or two sedate drinks or a blast, depending on the company you've fallen in with.