South Africa Language Guide

Are we braaing boerewors tonight ma bru?

If that question has your eyes glaring with question marks, then you should carry on reading. When I first came to South Africa in 2015 I was a bit surprised that South Africa has 11 official languages.

South Africa Languages are:

• English
• Afrikaans
• Xhosa
• Sesotho
• Zulu
• Tshivenda
• Setswana
• Northern-Sotho
• Swati
• Tswana
• Ndebele
• Sepedi

Afrikaans is a version of Dutch and the Language of the White, Indian and Coloured South Africans. The Afrikaans Language evolved in the 16th Century when the Dutch colonized South Africa. A large percentage of the Afrikaans speaking population speak Afrikaans as their first language and English as their second language.

However there are also about 5 Million South Africans that speak English as their first language.  Many Black South Africans are raised bilingual as well with one of the African Languages as their first language. Never the less, many of my Black South African friends weren´t raised bilingual. Especially when coming from the rural areas families predominantly speak the African Language at home only. Later in school, university or when moving to bigger cities – that´s when they learn English.

If you enjoy traveling local and you would like to get a bit off the beaten track, you should know some basic words in the African Language of the area you are traveling in South Africa. If you are traveling KwaZulu Natal learn a few word Zulu, if you are traveling the Eastern Cape learn a few words Xhosa. I put together a list of words that will make your South African conversations much easier and to get you chatting the truly South African way

P.S – Don’t be shy to mix it up.

HERE YOU WILL FIND RELATED CONTENT FOR YOUR SOUTH AFRICA TRIP:

• Roadtrip in KwaZulu Natal
• My South Africa Road Trip
• Why visit Johannesburg
• Useful Xhosa Phrases – Language Guide
• Beef Stew with Samp & Beans – how to cook a traditional South African dish
• Travel Guide St Lucia 
• Meet Asanda – story of a local from South Africa
• From Johannesburg to Cape Town South Africa Tour
• 8 Days Garden Route Trip

South Africa Language List:

Lekker

expression used for great, tasty

Yebo

means “Yes” in Zulu (Zulu is one of the 11 official languages you are going to find in South Africa)

Shap Shap

means everything is cool, ok

Zamalek

is a synonym for a “Black Label” (South African beer brand)

Sawubona

Hello in Zulu

You might also enjoy reading about my Europe Trips:

Howzit?

stands for: How are you? and is Afrikaans (one of the 11 official languages spoken in South Africa)

Braai

South African expression for BBQ

Boerewors

a sausage originated in South Africa

Molo?

means “Hello how are you?” in Xhosa if you speak to 1 person (Xhosa is one of the 11 official languages in South Africa). Would you like to learn a bit of Xhose? Then check out my post!

You might also enjoy checking out more Language Guides:

Aweh

means “hey”

Robot

South African expression for traffic light

Just now

can mean in 1 hour or 2 days or never

Bra/ Bru

expression used for friend

Do you enjoy traveling in a small group? Then check out these amazing South-Africa Tours

Chommie

expression used for friend

Hayibo!

expression used for “no way” or “I can´t believe that”

Eish

a phrase of exclamation

Is it?

expression used for “oh wow”

Jasis

a phrase of exclamation / the equivalent of “damn”

You might also enjoy reading these Travel Guides:

Dop

alcoholic drink

Hello, hoe gaan dit?

means “How are you?” in Afrikaans (one of the 11 official languages in South Africa)

Entjie

cigarette

Kak

means “bullshit”

Wena

an expression that refers from Xhosa and Zulu used for “You”

Babbelas

expression used for a hangover

You might also enjoy reading about Traveling with Kids:

Voetsek

This expression refers from Afrikaans and stands for f….off. Be careful – this expression can get you in trouble if used towards the wrong people so you better avoid using it!!!

Sisi

You may come across people, which will call you Sisi without even knowing you. Sisi ist the appreviation for sister.

Chow

expression for food

Did you already know some of the South African Slang? Please let me know in the comments!

Check out my video and let my South African family teach you some South African slang:

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