Howzit my bru? Talk like a South African
Some South African colloquialisms – essential language knowledge for any visitor to this neck of the woods.
Ag man! | Oh man! | Jolling | Having fun | |
Aikona! | No way! | Just now | Sometime (soon) | |
Bakkie | Light pick up truck | Lekker | Great | |
Biltong | Dried meat (jerky) | Miggie | Small flying bug | |
Boerewors | Spicy sausage | Mozzie | Mosquito | |
Bokkie | Sweethear / a doe | Muti | Medicine | |
Braai | Barbecue | My bru | My brother (friend) | |
Cheery | Girlfriend | My China | My mate | |
Cozzie | Swimsuit | Now now | very soon | |
Diff | Stupid | Sarmie | Sandwich | |
Dorp | Small town | Takkies | Sneakers | |
Fundi | An expert | Trek | Journey | |
Howzit? | How are you? | Tsotsi | Thief / hooligan | |
Izzit? | Really? | Yebo | Yes |
In case you’re wondering, South Africans do say “talk like” instead of “speak like”
Lynda