14 Slang Phrases Every Traveler to South Africa Should Know

by Matt Sweeney

"Slang graffiti, Leake Street" (CC BY-NC 2.0) by duncan

Want to sound like a local during your next trip to South Africa? Here's a list of 14 slang phrases to help you sound like a local. Your accent may be a dead giveaway but the locals will appreciate your effort.

Howzit - “How is it going” The most common and often used phrase in South Africa

Hectic - Means the same as anywhere else but South African’s use it to describe EVERYTHING. Your commute can be hectic, an ideal weekend into too hectic. South African’s use it the way American’s use “crazy”

Just now/Now now - “In a little bit” Have patience in Joburg, there’s no need to be hectic

Ja nee (pronounced yah knee) Afrikaans for “yeah, maybe”

Befok (pronounced bee fok) Afrikaans for “amazing”

Eina (pronounced eye nah) Afrikaans for “ouch”

Eish (pronounced eye sh) Afrikaans for “wow”

Lekker  (pronounced le kur): Afrikaans for “cool”

Izit - Afrikaans for “really?”

Braai (pronounced br eye) Afrikaans for “barbeque” either in the sense of a party with various grilled meat or an actual grill

Robot - “Traffic light”

Biltong - “meat jerkey” usually made from game meat

Nunnu - “bug” used as a term of endearment when talking to children

Shebeen (pronounced sha bean) “a speakeasy” usually meaning an illegal bar in a township