Slang and Expressions from South Africa

South African English is a braai of languages. With Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa and nine other official languages stirring the pot, the slang here is absolutely lekker. From "just now" meaning anything between five minutes and never, to "robot" meaning traffic light, this is English with its own rules.

Kief

A South African gem that came in from Arabic through Afrikaans, kief means cool, great, or seriously good. You drop it when something properly impresses you, from a clean wave to a mate's new bakkie. It carries the same easy warmth as lekker, just with a little more of a thrill stitched into it.

"That skate park they built down the road is properly kief, we stayed till dark and nobody wanted to go home."

Eina

The short, sharp noise you make when something hurts, borrowed from Afrikaans and now rolled into everyday South African English. Works for a stubbed toe, a nasty sunburn, a rude bill at the till, or any time life lands a little slap. It can also double up as a sympathy word when someone else gets a knock. Quick, punchy, weirdly cute for a pain word.

"Ag eina man, I stepped on a Lego in bare feet on the way to the braai and now my whole foot is buzzing like a kettle"

Just now

One of the great South African time traps for foreigners. It does not mean right now, and it does not mean a minute ago. It means sometime soon, maybe in ten minutes, maybe in two hours, maybe never, depends on the mood. Its faster cousin now now is more urgent, and plain now is the vaguest of all. If a local says they will call you just now, grab a snack.

"The plumber said he would be here just now, so obviously I have made coffee, started a series, and resigned myself to fixing the tap myself"

Chommie

Your mate, your bestie, the person you always call when things go sideways. Comes from Afrikaans tjommie and has settled into South African English like it always belonged there. Used for close friends more than random acquaintances, so when someone calls you their chommie it means you are properly in the inner circle. Warm, casual, a little more affectionate than just saying friend.

"My chommie pitched up at my flat with pap and wors after my breakup, now we are watching rugby in our pyjamas like absolute heroes"

Kiff

Means cool, awesome, really good. Surfer slang that spread from the Cape Town coast into everyday South African English. Came from Afrikaans "kief" and before that possibly from Arabic "kef" meaning pleasure or intoxication. Now it just means anything positive. A braai can be kiff, a wave can be kiff, a person can be kiff. One of those words that carries instant good vibes wherever it lands.

"Check this spot bru, the sunset from here is absolutely kiff, grab the cooler box and let's stay till it gets dark hey."

Voices of the people

Theory is all well and good... but what we Magikitos really love is hearing the people of South Africa in their natural flow. If you know a typical expression from there, send us a voice note on WhatsApp using it with a real example. We will add it to the voices of your area!