HOME
CHOOSE A CATEGORY
Divs Are Dumb - Opinions in Website Design

Learn How to Speed up Vista. Proven Techniques!

Common Expressions and Vocabulary heard in South Africa
Stop Wasting Your Time And Start Learning Now. Proven Tips And Tricks Make Learning Any Language A Natural Part Of Your Day. No Added Study Time, No Extra Effort.
Thanks to all who have contributed!
-- If there are any wrong definitions please tell us! CLICK HERE
We are seeking INTERESTING phrases and terminology that are used in South Africa. If you would like to submit a few to us please CLICK HERE.
Zulu
  1. Sawubona - Hello (I see you)
  2. Ngiyabonga(yabonga) - Thank You
  3. Unjani - How are you
  4. Kunjani - How is it or how is it going.
  5. Ninjani - How are you (plural)
  6. Kubiza malini - How much is it
  7. Kumnandi - its delicious (food), it sounds good (music)
  8. i viki - a week
  9. i langa - a day or the sun
  10. unyaka - a year
  11. Yebo - Yes
  12. Cha - No
Afrikaans
Afrika Photos!
  1. Bokkie - Nickname for a young girl
  2. SLAP Chips - French fries(soggy and sagging)
  3. Tekkies - Sport Shoes
  4. Bakkie - Pickup Truck
  5. Braai - Barbecue
  6. Eina - Ouch
  7. Lekker - delicious, yummy, as in food taste(literally) - used to describe anything wonderful
  8. Ach, sis man! - Oh my gosh! Usually when the person you're conversing with has said something distasteful.
  9. Toots - drinks
  10. Combie - VW minibus (doesn't apply to the minibus taxis)
  11. Vaaley - Capetonian reference for person from Gauteng who goes to the Western Cape, usually for Christmas holidays.
  12. Wors (Pronounced "Vors") - Sausage
  13. Voetsek - Go Away
  14. Waai (Pronounced "Vie")- Go!
  15. Ag Sies Tog - Poor thing
  16. Naught ekse - no way
  17. Jussie - jeepers!!! (pronounced as Sussie in Afrikaans)
  18. Here are some more Afrikaans sayings:
  19. Smaak - to like something
  20. Skeem - reckon (pronounced "skim")
  21. Bru - person (British equivalent is "mate")
  22. Howzit - hello
  23. Nooit! - no way! (pronounced "noyt")
  24. Tune him Grief - give someone a hard time
  25. Zola Budd - minibus taxi
  26. Oke - person (pronounced "oak")
  27. Totsiens - good-bye (pronounced "taught-seens" with short vowel sounds)
  28. Koppie - hill (pronounced "kawpee" with short vowel sound on the "aw")
  29. Moenie worry - don't worry (pronounced "mooney worry")
South African English
South African English <---> American English
  1. Tippex - whiteout
  2. Jersey - sweater
  3. Tracksuit top - Sweatshirt
  4. Sport top - jersey
  5. tracksuit - sweatsuit
  6. plaits - braids
  7. hairband - hairtie
  8. petrol station - gas station
  9. term - quarter
  10. Ja/yes - yeah
  11. scone - biscuit
  12. biscuit - cookie
  13. cookie - cupcake
  14. pancake - crepe
  15. crumpet/flapjack - pancakes
  16. Ultramel - jello custard
  17. jelly - jello
  18. pudding - dessert
  19. bushpig - warthog
  20. gerkin - pickle
  21. howzit - hello, how's things?
  22. Hiding - Spanking (as a disciplinary action)
  23. Trolley - Shopping Cart
  24. Chap(noun) - Describing someone of the male gender
  25. Vetted - To get expert appraisal
  26. Okes / Okies - Blokes/Guys
  27. Paraffin - Kerosene
  28. Take up your seats - Sit Down
  29. Pleasure - You're Welcome
  30. Cheers - Goodbye
  31. When Something Has "Gone Missing" - Lost Something
  32. To "Fall Pregnant" - Get Pregnant
  33. Swimming Costume - Bathing Suit(swimsuit)
  34. Windscreen - Windshield
  35. Tyre - Tire
  36. Robot - Stop Light or Traffic Light
  37. Stop Street - Stop Sign
  38. Cubbie Hole - Glove Compartment
  39. Gear Shaft - Gear Stick
  40. Bonnet - Hood
  41. Boot - Trunk
  42. Hooter - Horn
  43. Loo - Bathroom
  44. Nappy - Diaper
  45. Pram - Stroller
  46. Dummy - Pacifier (a thing infants sucks on/or bites on when "cutting teeth")
Xhosa
  1. Sana lwam - My babe
  2. Thando lwam - My love
  3. Molo (singular) & Molweni (plural) - Hello
  4. Unjani (singular) & ninjani (plural) - How are you?
  5. Ndiyaphila/ndiphilile - I'm fine (sometimes after the word include: akukho nto - there is no problem)
  6. Enkosi/ndiyabulela - Thank you
  7. Usale kakuhle (singular) & nisale kakuhle (plural) - Goodbye
  8. Ewe - Yes
  9. Hayi - No
  10. Ndiyakuthanda - I love you
  11. Ndiyakukhumbula - I miss you
  12. Ubenosuku olumnandi - Have a good day
  13. Mini emnandi kuwe - Happy Birthday
  14. Mhlobo wam - My friend
  15. Ugqirha - Doctor
  16. Igqirha - Witchdoctor/Traditional healer
Northern Sotho
  1. Dumelang - Hello (to a group)
  2. Thobela - Hello (to one)
  3. Le Kae? - How are you? (group, respectful)
  4. Re gona - I'm/We're fine
  5. O kae? - How are you? (one)
  6. Re a legoga - Thank you
  7. Ke a o rata - I love you
  8. Ke tla o bona - I will see you
  9. go sasa - tomorrow
  10. maabane - yesterday
  11. lehono - today
  12. beke - week
  13. kgwedi - month
  14. ngwaga - year
  15. beke/kgwedi/ngwaga e tlang - next week/month/year
© AfricaPictures.com All Rights Reserved. All Pictures Copyrighted. Sacramento Area Photography
ecommerce shopping cart | Speed Up Vista
NEW! | PEOPLE | WILDLIFE | SCENERY | GAME PARKS | WALLPAPER | EXPRESSIONS | EXPERIENCES | ABOUT | CONTACT | SEARCH