A special little lesson in Afrikaans language and culture for our overseas family and friends - See you at a braai in 2010!
Braai
What is a braai? It is the first thing you will be invited to when
you visit South Africa . A braai is a backyard barbecue and it will take
place whatever the weather. So you will have to go even if it's
raining like mad. At a braai you will be introduced to a substance
known as mieliepap.
Ag
This one of the most useful South African words. Pronounced like the
"ach" in the German "achtung", it can be used to start a reply when
you are asked a tricky question, as in: "Ag, I don't know." Or a
sense of resignation:"Ag OK, I'll have some more mieliepap then." It can
stand alone too as a signal of irritation.
Donner
A rude word, it comes from the Afrikaans "donder" (thunder).
Pronounced "dorner", it means "beat up." A team member in your rugby
team can get donnered in a game, or your wife can donner you if you
come back from a braai at three in the morning.
Eina
Widely used by all language groups, this word, derived from the
Afrikaans, means "ouch." Pronounced "aynah". You can say it in
sympathy when you see your friend the day after he got donnered by
his wife.
Hey
Often used at the end of a sentence to emphasize the importance of
what has just been said, as in "You're only going to get donnered if
you come in late again, hey?" It can also stand alone as a question.
Instead of saying "excuse me?" or "pardon me?" when you have not
heard something directed at you, you can always say: "Hey?"
Izit?
This is another great word to use in conversations. Derived from the
two words "is" and "it", it can be used when you have nothing to
contribute if someone tells you something at a braai. For instance,
if
someone would say: "The Russians will succeed in their bid for
capitalism once they adopt a work ethic and respect for private
ownership." It is quite appropriate to respond by saying: "Izit?"
Ja well no fine
This is another conversation fallback. Derived from the four words:
"yes", "well", "no" and fine", it roughly means "OK". If your bank
manager tells you your account is overdrawn, you can, with
confidence, say: "Jawelnofine."
Klap
Pronounced "klup" - an Afrikaans word meaning smack, whack or spank.
If you spend too much time in front of the TV during exam time, you
could end up getting a "klap" from your mother. In America , that is
called child abuse. In South Africa , it is called promoting
education.
But to get "lekker geklap" is to get motherlessly drunk.
Lekker
An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word is used by all language
groups to express approval. If you enjoyed a braai thoroughly, you
can say: "Now that was lekk-errrrrrr!" while drawing out the last
syllable.
Tackies
These are sneakers or running shoes. The word is also used to
describe automobile or truck tyres. "Fat tackies" are really wide tyres, as
in: "You've got lekker fat tackies on your Vôlla, hey?"
Dop
This word has two basic meanings, one good and one bad. First the
good: A dop is a drink, a cocktail, a sundowner, a noggin. When
invited for a dop, be careful! It could be one sedate drink or a
blast, depending on the company. Now the bad: To dop is to fail. If
you "dopped" standard two (Grade 4) more than once, you probably
won't be reading this.
Saamie
This is a sandwich. For generations, school- children have traded
"saamies" during lunch breaks. In South Africa you don't send your
kid to school with liver-polony saamies. They are impossible to trade.
Bakkie
This word is pronounced "bucky" and can refer to a small truck or
pick-up. If a young man takes his "girl" (date) in a bakkie it could
be considered as a not so "lekker" form of transport because the
seats can't recline.
Howzit
This is a universal South African greeting, and you will hear this
word throughout the country. It is often accompanied with the word
"Yes!" as in: "Yes, howzit?". In which case you answer "No, fine."
Now now
In much of the outside world, this is a comforting phrase: "Now now,
it's really not so bad." But in South Africa , this phrase is used
in the following manner: "Just wait, I'll be there now now." It means
"a little after now".
Tune grief
To be tuned grief is to be aggravated, harassed. For example, if you
argue with somebody about a rugby game at a braai and the person had
too much dop (is a little "geklap"), he might easily get aggravated
and say.: "You're tuning me grief, hey!". To continue the argument
after this could be unwise and result in major tuning of grief..
Boet
This is an Afrikaans word meaning "brother" which is shared by all
language groups. Pronounced "boot" but shorter, as in "foot", it can
be applied to a brother or any person of the male sex. For instance
a father can call his son "boet" and friends can apply the term to
each other too. Sometimes the diminutive "boetie" is used. But don't use
it on someone you hardly know - it will be thought patronizing and
could lead to you getting a "lekker klap".
Pasop
From the Afrikaans phrase meaning "Watch Out!", this warning is used
and heeded by all language groups. As in: "The boss hasn't had his
coffee yet - so you better pasop boet" Sometimes just the word
"pasop!" is enough without further explanation. Everyone knows it
sets out a line in the sand not to be crossed.
Skop, Skiet en donner
Literally "kick, shoot and thunder", this phrase is used by many
South African speakers to describe action movies. A Clint Eastwood movie
is always a good choice if you're in the mood for of a lekker skop,
skiet en donner flick.
Vrot
Pronounced - "frot". A expressive word which means "rotten" or
"putrid" in Afrikaans, it is used by all language groups to describe
anything they really dislike. Most commonly intended to describe
fruit or vegetables whose shelf lives have long expired, but a pair of old
tackies (sneakers) worn a few years too long can be termed "vrot" by
some unfortunate folk which find themselves in the same vicinity as
the wearer. Also a rugby player who misses important kicks or
tackles can be said to have played a vrot game - opposite to a "lekker" game
(but not to his face). A movie was once reviewed with this headline:
"Slick Flick, Vrot Plot."
Rock up
To rock up is to just, sort of arrive (called "gate crash" in other
parts of the world). You don't make an appointment or tell anyone
you are coming - you just rock up. Friends can do that but you have to
be selective about it. For example, you can't just rock up for a job
interview.
Scale
To scale something is to steal it. A person who is "scaly" has a
doubtful character, is possibly a scumbag, and should rather be left
off the invitation list to your next braai.
Ja-nee
"Yes No" in English. Politics in South Africa has always been
associated with family arguments and in some cases even with
physical fights. It is believed that this _expression originated with a family member who didn't want to get a klap or get donnerred, so he just
every now and then muttered "ja-nee". Use it when you are required
to respond, but would rather not choose to agree or disagree.
"In my weird politically incorrect hypothetically incoherent contradicting obscured world definitively maybe"
