There are some wonderful phrases that we have coined in South Africa.
Here are a few favourites:
Sharp (pronounced shop)
This means, Its fine or that’s enough. You can use this phrase when the petrol attendant is checking if you need anything else. (Normally accompanied by a thumbs up? It can be a question or a statement
Ja (pronounced yaaaa)
This means yes. It comes from the dutch immigrants and is used by 50% of the population.
Or you could say Yebo (sometimes yebo-yes said together very fast)
This is yes in Zulu and is the other way you can say yes.
Shame
This can be used to mean anything from oh dear, to cute, he tried, to thanks for taking so much trouble. Do not be offended if someone tells you shame. It actually means they care and they appreciate your efforts.
Howzit?
This is a combination of hello and how are you all in one. Usually found in the province of Kwazulu natal amongst dudes.
Gogo not to be confused with Gogo
But they look the same? One is pronounced like you have phlegm at the back of your throat like ghhhhhhoghhhhho and this means insect or spider of any kind or it is an endearing term like bug and the other is a normal G sound as in to go but gogo means grandmother and is a term of respect amongst Africans for a woman that is a senior citizen. It is quite hip to be called a gogo.
Tekkies (pronounced tack + keys)
These are shoes that are like sports shoes or laceup running or tennis shoes. There is even a shop called Tekkietown.
Eish
This is not a good thing. It means we have a problem or we had a problem and now it’s beyond repair or you have a problem and there is nothing we can do about it.
Braai
This is a favourite South African pass time. It involves cooking our delicious homegrown meat on fire using briquettes or wood and chewing the fat (talking a lot about nothing really). Typical meats you would braai are boerewors (South African Farmers sausage), steak, chops (like lamb or pork chops) and sosaties (chicken or beef cubes on a stick). This should be accompanied by pap (finely ground maize meal) and sous (sauce) usually a delicious tomato-based relish, or mielies which is corn.
