How to Speak in South African Slang

When visiting South Africa, one is often confused by the fact that the person you are speaking to is speaking english, yet you don't seem to be able to understand what he is saying because of the strange words he is using.

What you need is a guide to South African slang. So here is a quick whip through of some common slang, provided for you by a local who grew up in the surf and city culture of Durban, South Africa.

Howzit. This is a greeting, short for How is it? It's used like the greeting Hi.

Braai. A Barbecue. Virtually anything edible goes on a braai, including beef, chicken, fish, potatoes, sandwiches, mushrooms, shark (really), crocodiles (not whole, and not often, but it happens!) and of course Boerewors.

Biltong. Dried (raw) salted and spiced meat, like beef jerky. Made from various meats including beef, game, ostridge and even fish. Extremely tasty and popular.

Bunny Chow. A half loaf of bread, with the inside bread taken out and filled with either vegetable or beef curry, and then the removed bread stuck back on top. It sounds primitive, but in fact is very tasty, especially after a long days fishing.

Isit. The 2 words 'is it' said as one, and meaning the same as 'really' or 'is that so.'

Kief. Really nice. Like 'That's a kief shirt dude.'

Eish. Exclaimation of surprise or dismay, or even sympathy.

Bro or Bru. As in 'Howzit Bru' a greeting to a friend, short for brother in a loose sense.

Check. Look at. 'Check that Keif chick' = Look at that lovely woman.

Scaly. Not nice at all 'Check that scaly ouk' = look at that disreputable guy.

ouk or ou. A guy or man. Normally youngish. An old man is called 'an ou ballie.'

ekse. As in "Cool ekse" = Nice hey?

Gif and Durban Gif. Marijuana or dagga as it's known here. Literally 'Poison.' Can also mean Nice or potent, as in 'I had a gif date my Bru!'

Bliksem. Exclaimation of surprise or pain. Lit. 'Lightning.' Some Afrikaans speaking people take offence at this word, for reasons unknown.

Jislaaik. An expression of amazement, like Gosh or Wow.

My China. My friend.

Clutchplate. Traffic policeman. NEVER say this to a traffic policeman.

My stukkie. My girlfriend. A term not particularly liked by the ladies. Means literally 'My piece.'

Brak. Scruffy stray dog of indeterminate parentage.

Flatdog. Crocodile. Sometimes also referred to as speedbumps, from their habit of crossing national roads. However, these speedbumps tend to dislodge and remove both axles of your vehicle.

Vrot. Pronounced Frot. Rotten. Of bad quality.

Tune. Say. As in "Don't tune me grief" = don't say irritating things to me.

chuck. Go. 'I'm chucking to town my china.'

Pozzie. House or home. "Meet you at my possie"

Jawl. Party or night out.

So there you have a brief list to get you going. String a couple of those together and you should get by! If you say it wrong the locals will let you off because of your strange accent, large camera and funny clothes!