South Africa, the Rainbow Nation, is a melting pot of cultures and languages, each contributing to a rich tapestry of expressions that’ll tickle your funny bone and warm your heart. Let’s take a fun and casual stroll through some typical South African sayings and their meanings.
‘Ag man!’: Oh man!
This Afrikaans expression is the go-to phrase for pity, resignation, or irritation. It’s versatile and can be used in various situations, whether you’ve just missed your bus or you’re sympathising with a friend’s bad day.
‘Babbelas’: Hangover
Derived from the Zulu ‘ibhabhalazi’, this word describes that all-too-familiar feeling after a night out with friends. When you wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a bus, you’ve got yourself a babbelas.
‘Boet’: Brother
A term of endearment for a male friend or companion. It’s the equivalent of calling someone ‘bro’ and is often used in a friendly, casual manner.
‘Braai’: Barbecue
If there’s 1 thing South Africans know how to do, it’s how to throw a braai. This isn’t just your average barbecue. A braai is an event where memories are made, and boerewors (spicy South African sausage) is king.
‘Eish!’: Exclamation of surprise
A Khoi term that perfectly captures the feeling of surprise or shock. It’s the sound you make when you find out your team has won the match or when you see the price of fuel.
‘Gatvol’: Fed up
When you’re so over it that you can’t take any more, you’re gatvol. It’s the phrase you use when you’re tired of the same old nonsense happening over and over again.
‘Howzit’: How’s it going
A common greeting that’s much more efficient than saying ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ separately. It’s the perfect way to greet someone while saving time for more important things, like a lekker ice cold Zamalek or cup of Rooibos tea.
‘Lekker’: Great, delicious, nice, or fun
An Afrikaans word that’s become a staple in South African English. It’s used to describe anything from a tasty meal to a fun day out. Just remember to roll the ‘r’ when you say it. In essence, it’s pronounced ‘lekkkerrrrrr’.
‘Robot’: Traffic light
Don’t be alarmed if someone tells you to turn left at the robot; they’re not talking about a sci-fi movie. In South Africa, a robot is what you might call a traffic light. Yes, it’s weird and we know it.
‘Voetsek!’: Get lost!
When you need to tell someone (or something, like a pesky baboon) to scram, voetsek is your word. It’s the equivalent of saying ‘shoo’ or ‘get out of here’ with a bit more oomph.
South African sayings are as diverse and colourful as the country itself. They reflect the humour, resilience, and warmth of its people. So next time you find yourself in South Africa, sprinkle some of these phrases into your conversation and watch the smiles you’ll receive in return.
King Price Insurance is #UnapologeticallySouthAfrican and just as local as the boets, the braais and the boerewors. Looking for a car insurance quote? Give King Price Insurance a call or WhatsApp on 0860 50 50 50 for a commitment-free quote. Lekker.
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