Know Your South African Slang Before Visiting Cape Town

If you want to sound a little more like a local while visiting Cape Town, you'll need to know some South African slang. Though an authentic accent will be hard to master, a few words will go a long way. Locals like to see people making an effort at the local lingo so try some new African slang words and phrases and make an even better impression.

Ag - has a lot of meanings. Though it's not technically a South African slang word, it is an expression. Alone it can be a sign of frustration or pleasure. It can also start a the beginning of the answer to a difficult question.

Aikona - Never, not on your life

Aita - Hello, common greeting...very common South African slang term! "Aita, how are you?"

Babbelas - Hangover in South African Slang. "He drank a lot last night and now he has a bad babbelas."

Bakgat - when something is done correctly

Biltong - Beef jerky

Blups - mistake. "I made a blups."

Bokkie - Pretty, young lady. "Look at that Bokkie; she's hot!"

Braai - a backyard BBQ. These are very common so matter what the weather. This is a very common South African slang word. Everyone knows what it means.

Bro – Used like "dude" in America

Bru - Isn't a brew of Beer. It means a male friend.

Catch a Tan - to get a tan, "I am going to lie on the beach and catch a tan."

Choomie - my friend, my buddie. "How are you, Choomie?"

Dankie - Thank you...this sometimes sound cute in South African slang "Dankie for the beer!"

Eina - Means "ouch" in Afrikaans, pronounced "aynah." You can say it also as sympathy when someone else does something that hurts.

Graze - Eat "Let's go graze someone's Braai."

Hap - Taste, bite. Used in South African slang as, "Have a hap of this sandwich."

Hey - Doesn't mean hello and it isn't for horses. It usually is at the end of a sentence as emphasis. It can also mean Excuse me? Or Pardon? Try saying, "Hey?"

Howzit - How's it going? What's up?

Isit - Used in the place of 'really.' It's a South African slang term combining 'is' and 'it.'

Jawelnofine - derived from yes, well, no and fine, this word means "how about that." If cashier says that your card doesn't work, you can say, "Jawelnofine."

Jislaaik - is an expression in South African Slang for astonishment used like "wow."

Just now - If someone says that they'll do something "just now," they don't mean immediately. It just means that they will do it at some point.

Kus - tired, wiped out. "I am totally kus."

Larney - fancy, designer

Lekker - nice, a sign of approval. If something is really nice, you can draw out the last syllable, saying, "Lekkerrrr!" It can also mean, yummy or tasty.

Monkey's Wedding - Rain shower when the sun is shinning

Now now - used to emphasize something being done right away. "I will get that to you now now." "I will get that to you right away."

Pasop - "watch out" for example: He is has a really bad babbelas; so pasop and don't talk too much.

Robot - traffic light

Rock Up - to arrive unexpected; You can't just "rock up" at a 5 star restaurant...you must have a reservation.

Scale - to steal. "He scaled that watch from a tourist down at the market." A "scaly" person is a scumbag.

Slap Chips - French Fries

Yebo - Yes in Zulu