Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
South Africa, the Rainbow Nation, is a glorious melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions. That rich diversity spills over into everyday speech, producing a collection of sayings so vivid, warm, and wonderfully weird that even locals struggle to explain them to visitors without laughing. Whether you’re planning a trip to Mzansi or simply want to sound like you belong at a braai, this guide to 10 funny South African sayings will have you speaking like a local in no time.
Key takeaways
- South African slang draws from at least 11 official languages, producing unique hybrid expressions
- 'Lekker', 'eish', and 'howzit' are understood across all provinces and age groups
- Several South African words have entered international English dictionaries
- Knowing local slang helps you connect instantly with South Africans at social gatherings
- King Price is proudly and unapologetically South African, just like every word on this list
1. ‘Ag man!’, Oh man!
- Ag man
- An Afrikaans exclamation used to express pity, resignation, mild irritation, or sympathy. Pronounced ‘akh mun’, it is one of the most versatile phrases in South African English and can shift meaning entirely based on tone.
‘Ag man!’ is the Swiss Army knife of South African expressions. Missed the bus? Ag man. Your boet forgot to bring the charcoal to the braai? Ag man. Your friend is having a terrible Monday? Ag, man, shame. Rooted in Afrikaans, this two-syllable phrase conveys everything from gentle sympathy to exasperated resignation, all without raising your voice.
2. ‘Babbelas’, Hangover
- Babbelas
- A South African slang word for a hangover, derived from the Zulu word ‘ibhabhalazi’. Used across language groups to describe the unpleasant after-effects of a night out.
Borrowed from the Zulu word ‘ibhabhalazi’, a babbelas is that head-splitting, stomach-turning feeling after one too many dumpies at a braai. The word has crossed every cultural and linguistic line in South Africa and is now used freely by Zulu, Afrikaans, and English speakers alike. If you wake up feeling like a pothole swallowed you, you’ve got yourself a proper babbelas.
3. ‘Boet’, Brother
- Boet
- An Afrikaans term of endearment for a male friend or companion, equivalent to ‘bro’ or ‘mate’ in other English dialects. Often used in casual, friendly conversation regardless of actual family relationship.
‘Boet’ is what you call your mate, your buddy, your ride-or-die. It comes from the Afrikaans word for brother but has long since outgrown family boundaries. Whether you’re cheering someone on at a rugby match or passing the boerewors rolls, ‘boet’ is the word that binds South African men together across race, language, and province.
4. ‘Braai’, Barbecue (but so much more)
- Braai
- The South African word for barbecue, derived from the Afrikaans ‘braaivleis’ (grilled meat). A braai is both a cooking method and a deeply embedded social ritual involving fire, meat, conversation, and community.
Calling a braai a barbecue is like calling the Drakensberg a hill. Technically accurate, wildly inadequate. A braai is a full cultural event: fire built from wood (never gas, boet), boerewors sizzling on the grid, cold drinks in hand, and hours of conversation that solve every problem from load-shedding to the Springboks’ scrum. South Africa even has a National Braai Day on 24 September, which tells you everything you need to know.
5. ‘Eish!’, Exclamation of surprise or disbelief
- Eish
- A South African exclamation derived from Khoi, used to express surprise, shock, disbelief, or empathy. Tone and context determine whether it signals delight, horror, or resigned acceptance.
One syllable. Infinite applications. ‘Eish’ is the sound South Africans make when the load-shedding schedule changes again, when the Boks score a last-minute try, or when someone reveals the price of petrol. It is at once a gasp, a groan, and a philosophical shrug. Originating from Khoi, it has been adopted across all 11 official language communities and is arguably the most expressive single sound in the country.
6. ‘Gatvol’, Completely fed up
- Gatvol
- An Afrikaans slang expression meaning utterly fed up, exhausted by a situation, or at the end of one’s patience. Literally translated it is coarse, but in everyday South African English it is used freely across all contexts.
When ‘frustrated’ doesn’t quite cut it and ‘annoyed’ is far too polite, South Africans reach for ‘gatvol’. It’s the word you use when the potholes have been there for three years, the Wi-Fi drops during load-shedding stage 6, and your neighbour’s dog has eaten your garden hose for the fifth time. It is direct, it is honest, and it is deeply, unmistakably South African.
7. ‘Howzit’, How’s it going?
- Howzit
- A South African greeting combining ‘how’ and ‘is it’, used in place of ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ simultaneously. It requires no literal answer and functions purely as a warm, casual acknowledgement.
‘Howzit’ is South Africa’s greatest contribution to conversational efficiency. Two syllables replace an entire greeting exchange. You say it walking past a colleague, answering the phone, or bumping into someone at the robot (more on that shortly). The correct response, for the record, is either ‘sharp sharp’ or another ‘howzit’, not an actual account of how things are going.
8. ‘Lekker’, Great, delicious, nice, or fun
- Lekker
- An Afrikaans adjective meaning nice, great, delicious, or enjoyable. In South African English it functions as a universal positive descriptor applicable to food, weather, experiences, people, and almost anything else. Pronounced with a rolled ‘r’: ‘lekkkerrrr’.
If South Africa had an official adjective, it would be ‘lekker’. This Afrikaans word for ‘nice’ has been adopted so thoroughly into South African English that it appears in the Oxford English Dictionary. A lekker braai. A lekker vibe. Lekker weather. Lekker, lekker, lekker. Roll the ‘r’ generously when you say it. Flat pronunciation is a dead giveaway that you’re not from around here.
9. ‘Robot’, Traffic light
- Robot
- The South African term for a traffic light. The word dates to the early 20th century when traffic lights were described as ‘automatic robot policemen’ in press coverage. The ‘robot policeman’ was eventually shortened to ‘robot’ and the name stuck.
New visitors to South Africa hear ‘turn left at the robot’ and immediately look for a mechanical humanoid directing traffic. There isn’t one. A robot is simply a traffic light, and the term has been in use since the early 1900s when traffic signals were described in newspapers as ‘automatic robot policemen’. South Africans kept the interesting bit and dropped the rest. Honestly, fair enough.
10. ‘Voetsek!’, Get lost!
- Voetsek
- A South African exclamation derived from Afrikaans, used to tell a person, animal, or situation to go away. Stronger in tone than ‘shoo’ but not considered highly offensive in everyday South African speech. Commonly directed at persistent baboons, pigeons, and load-shedding schedules.
‘Voetsek’ is the word South Africans reach for when ‘please go away’ is not nearly emphatic enough. It is used on cheeky baboons at Boulders Beach, on pigeons eyeing your gatsby, and occasionally on malfunctioning appliances. It carries a punch without being truly offensive in local context, which makes it one of the most satisfying words in the South African vocabulary.
South African slang compared: quick reference guide
| South African saying | English equivalent | Language origin | Usage context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ag man | Oh man / Oh dear | Afrikaans | Sympathy, resignation, mild irritation |
| Babbelas | Hangover | Zulu (ibhabhalazi) | Morning after a big night |
| Boet | Bro / Mate | Afrikaans | Friendly address between men |
| Braai | Barbecue | Afrikaans (braaivleis) | Social cooking event, cultural ritual |
| Eish | Wow / Oh no | Khoi | Surprise, shock, empathy |
| Gatvol | Fed up / Done | Afrikaans | Expressing total exasperation |
| Howzit | Hey / How are you | South African English | Universal greeting, no reply needed |
| Lekker | Nice / Great / Delicious | Afrikaans | Universal positive descriptor |
| Robot | Traffic light | South African English | Giving directions |
| Voetsek | Get lost / Shoo | Afrikaans | Dismissing people, animals, or bad vibes |
Why South African slang is so wonderfully unique
South Africa has 11 official languages, and everyday speech reflects all of them. Words from Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Tswana, Afrikaans, and Khoi flow freely into conversations conducted primarily in English, producing a hybrid dialect that linguists call South African English (SAE). The result is a living language that borrows shamelessly, blends generously, and evolves constantly.
Several South African words have crossed into international English. ‘Braai’ appears in Merriam-Webster. ‘Lekker’ is in the Oxford English Dictionary. ‘Babbelas’ is widely understood across southern Africa. This linguistic export is a quiet form of cultural diplomacy, one braai at a time.
Language is the most direct expression of a culture's soul. South African slang is remarkable precisely because it refuses to stay within any single cultural boundary. It belongs to everyone who lives here.
How to use South African slang without embarrassing yourself
How to use South African slang correctly
A quick guide to dropping local phrases naturally without sounding like you googled them five minutes ago.
Start with the universals
Begin with 'howzit', 'lekker', and 'eish'. These three words are understood everywhere and forgiven even when mispronounced.
Listen before you speak
South African slang shifts in meaning based on tone and context. Spend time listening to how locals use a word before deploying it yourself.
Roll your r's in 'lekker'
Flat pronunciation of 'lekker' is the clearest sign of a visitor. Practice the rolled Afrikaans 'r' sound: 'lekkkerrrr'.
Never fake 'voetsek'
'Voetsek' lands differently depending on who says it and to whom. Until you have years of South African experience, reserve it for baboons and malfunctioning appliances.
Attend a braai
There is no better classroom for South African slang than a real braai. Accept every invitation. Bring something for the fire. Listen, laugh, and learn.
Frequently asked questions
The largest single contributor is Afrikaans, which has gifted South African English words like 'lekker', 'braai', 'boet', 'gatvol', 'ag man', and 'voetsek'. Zulu and Khoi also contribute significantly, with words like 'babbelas' (Zulu) and 'eish' (Khoi) now used nationally across all language communities.
Yes. 'Howzit' is one of the most universally understood greetings in the country. You will hear it in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and everywhere in between, across age groups, language backgrounds, and social settings. It requires no literal answer and functions purely as a warm acknowledgement.
The term dates to the early 20th century when traffic signals were described in South African newspapers as 'automatic robot policemen'. Over time, the phrase was shortened to 'robot' and the name became standard. It is one of the most frequently surprising discoveries for international visitors and one of South Africa's most charming linguistic quirks.
Several South African words have been formally recognised internationally. 'Braai' appears in Merriam-Webster. 'Lekker' is listed in the Oxford English Dictionary. 'Ubuntu', a Nguni Bantu concept meaning communal humanity, is widely used in global business and philosophy contexts. South Africa's linguistic influence extends well beyond its borders.
'Sharp sharp' (sometimes written 'sjarp sjarp') is a versatile affirmative meaning 'great', 'agreed', 'goodbye', or 'understood'. It can serve as a greeting response, a farewell, or a confirmation, depending on context. If someone says 'howzit' and you say 'sharp sharp', you have just completed a perfectly valid South African conversation.
Generally, no. South Africans respond warmly to visitors who make a genuine effort to engage with local culture and language. Starting with safe universals like 'howzit', 'lekker', and 'eish' is a reliable way to earn instant goodwill. The key is sincerity: locals can tell the difference between appreciation and mockery, and they appreciate the former enormously.
'Ubuntu' is a Nguni Bantu philosophical concept meaning 'I am because we are', expressing the interconnectedness of humanity. While not slang in the conventional sense, it is deeply embedded in South African cultural identity and is referenced in the country's Constitution. It captures something essential about the spirit behind all South African sayings: community, warmth, and shared humanity.
Update history (1)
- Full rewrite with expanded glossary terms, comparison table, how-to guide, and FAQ section. Added slang origin context and international dictionary references.
King Price: lekker local, just like the language
King Price Insurance is unapologetically South African, just like the boets, the braais, the babbelas, and every lekker saying on this list. We understand the kingdom we operate in because we live here too. If you’re looking for car insurance that decreases in price every month as your car loses value (eish, why doesn’t everyone do that?), give the king a call or WhatsApp on 0860 50 50 50 for a commitment-free quote. Or get an instant online quote at kingprice.co.za. Sharp sharp.
