|
A |
|
|
|
aan die brand |
|
on fire (literal) – “Let’s party” |
|
abba |
|
carry, piggyback |
|
achtung |
|
attention |
|
af |
|
severed (refers to missing finger) |
|
afdak |
|
lean-to (shed roof) |
|
afval |
|
tripe |
|
ag man |
|
oh, pity or sorrow |
|
ag my moeder |
|
oh my mother (literal) – term expressing admiration or affection |
|
ag shame |
|
oh shame, term of endearment |
|
ag siestog |
|
oh shame (ditto) |
|
ag sis |
|
expression of disgust |
|
ai |
|
expression of wonder, bemusement or surprise |
|
aia |
|
nanny |
|
aikona |
|
no way |
|
a-nee-a |
|
oh no |
|
allemagtig |
|
almighty – expression of surprise |
|
alles van die beste |
|
everything of the best |
|
Antie/Tannie |
|
auntie (literal) a polite form of address |
|
arme skepsel |
|
poor soul |
|
asseblief |
|
please |
|
B |
|
|
|
babbie |
|
Indian or Muslim shopkeeper |
|
|
hangover |
|
|
balie |
|
bucket as in lavatory bucket removal system |
|
bangbroek |
|
coward, scaredy pants |
|
bedonnerd |
|
mad, crazy behoedmiddel vir kinders preventative medicine for children |
|
beskuit |
|
rusk |
|
beurt |
|
turn |
|
blerrie |
|
corruption of the expletive “bloody” |
|
bliksems |
|
scoundrels (derogatory expletive) bobbejaan spider baboon spider |
|
boggers |
|
buggers |
|
boer bread |
|
traditional home-made farm loaf |
|
boeretroos |
|
farmer’s comfort (literal) – brandy in coffee |
|
boer maak ’n plan |
|
farmer makes a plan |
|
boerseep |
|
home-made farm soap |
|
bolla |
|
bun (as in hair style) |
|
bollemakiesie |
|
somersault |
|
bones |
|
wooden sticks, percussion instrument used by Klopse |
|
borrie |
|
turmeric |
|
bredie |
|
stew |
|
bring bietjie behoedmiddel |
|
bring a little preventative medicine (as in natural remedy) |
|
broeks |
|
panties |
|
brommer |
|
buzzer or grumbler (literal), a bluebottle fly |
|
broos |
|
bruised (as in bruised fruit) |
|
D |
|
|
|
Daar kom die Alabama |
|
Here comes the Alabama – traditional song about the American sailing ship the Alabama |
|
daar kom ’n dag |
|
the day will come |
|
dagga |
|
mortar |
|
dannabolle (dennebolle) |
|
pine cones |
|
dans |
|
dance |
|
das schmeckt sehr gut |
|
that really tastes good |
|
dennepitte |
|
pine nuts |
|
De Oogen de Here sien in alle platzen |
|
The eyes of the Lord are all-seeing |
|
Der Fuhrer |
|
the leader, meaning Adolf Hitler |
|
|
the culprit is dead – nobody will own up |
|
|
dis waar |
|
it’s true |
|
donner |
|
assault, beat up |
|
Djy is die prikker in my Primus stoof |
|
You are the pricker (for clearing the paraffin nozzle) in my Primus stove (sexual allusion) |
|
dop |
|
drink, booze |
|
dronk |
|
drunk |
|
duiwelskos |
|
devil’s food (literal), a plant |
|
E |
|
|
|
eina |
|
ouch |
|
ek het ’n soft spot vir hom |
|
I have a soft spot for him, I am fond of him |
|
ek’s |
|
I am |
|
Emma Kalema |
|
the name of a woman in a traditional song |
|
En ek’s hoogs bedonnerd en ver van die huis |
|
And I’m highly crazy and far from home |
|
F |
|
|
|
foefie |
|
fart, shit |
|
fokken |
|
fucking – expletive |
|
G |
|
|
|
gee da stukkie stokvis |
|
give me that piece of stockfish |
|
gemors |
|
mess |
|
ghoen |
|
big glass marble |
|
glassies |
|
marbles |
|
goed |
|
good |
|
goema |
|
a traditional handheld drum |
|
gril |
|
shudder |
|
Guten morgen |
|
Good morning |
|
Guy hettie hare nie |
|
The effigy (Guy Fawkes) has no hair |
|
H |
|
|
|
haai |
|
gosh, wow, expression of surprise |
|
haai shame |
|
oh shame (literal) – an expression of affection or appreciation |
|
haar pa |
|
her father |
|
haarsnyer |
|
hair cutter (literal), hair dresser |
|
haasbek |
|
rabbit mouth (literal) front teeth missing |
|
|
half-caste |
|
|
hallie-ha |
|
childish saying expressing concern |
|
handlanger |
|
workman’s assistant |
|
hap |
|
a bite |
|
hau |
|
expression of surprise or shock |
|
heavy |
|
someone with a bad attitude or who might cause trouble |
|
heilig |
|
sacred, holy |
|
help-my-trap |
|
help-me-pedal (literal) – a power-assisted bicycle |
|
hoer |
|
whore |
|
hok |
|
shed, as in tool shed or hoenderhok fowl run |
|
hokkie |
|
small shed |
|
Hoog Hollands |
|
High Dutch |
|
hokaai |
|
stop |
|
hotnotjies |
|
little Hottentots (literal) – coloured children |
|
hotnotsvye |
|
Hottentots’ figs (literal) – fruit of Carpobrotus edulis, a Cape delicacy |
|
hum-dum-dawlie |
|
earthworm |
|
I |
|
|
|
ironies |
|
iron marbles |
|
J |
|
|
|
ja |
|
yes |
|
jammer |
|
sorry |
|
jammerlap |
|
sorry cloth (literal), a damp cloth used at table, instead of a serviette, to wipe fingers |
|
jislaaik |
|
gosh, jeez – expressing surprise or admiration |
|
jou hol man |
|
your arse man, derogatory expression |
|
jou ma se |
|
your mother’s … (vulgar implication) jou voet in ’n visblik your foot in a fish can (literal), disparaging expression |
|
jukskei |
|
yoke pins used to separate oxen; a game played with same |
|
jy kan nie van Hom wegkruip nie |
|
you can’t hide from Him (God) |
|
jy praat mos gek |
|
you’re talking nonsense |
|
jy vat nie aan ’n ander man se goed nie |
|
you don’t touch another man’s possessions |
|
|
|
|
|
kaaings |
|
pork scratchings |
|
kaffirpot |
|
kaffir pot (literal), three-legged iron pot used for cooking over live coals |
|
karos |
|
cured pelt of a wild animal |
|
kakabalie |
|
toilet bucket, used in bucket-removal system |
|
kakabalie man |
||
|
man who empties toilet bucket |
|
kennetjie game played with two sticks, also called tip-cat |
|
kerfuffle |
|
smooching |
|
klap |
|
smack |
|
kleilat |
|
traditional game played with sticks loaded with wet clay |
|
klonkie |
|
young coloured child |
|
Klopse |
|
traditional Cape Town song-and-dance troupes, also known as coons or minstrels |
|
knopkierie |
|
weighted stick, a traditional weapon |
|
knyp |
|
pinch, |
|
kolskoot |
|
a shot that hits the mark, bull’s eye |
|
kom |
|
come |
|
kom gou |
|
come quickly |
|
kom veilig tuis |
|
get home safely |
|
kom was julle hande |
|
come and wash your hands |
|
koppie |
|
cup |
|
kotsing |
|
vomiting |
|
kraak a slang |
|
term describing someone of mixed descent |
|
kroes |
|
krinkly, curly, describing hair |
|
kry nou julle rigting |
|
find your direction (literal), settle down, find your spot |
|
kyk |
|
look |
|
kyk ma dra haar dood aan die blomme |
|
look, mother is killing herself carrying the flowers |
|
L |
|
|
|
laager |
|
wagons drawn into a circle (for protection) |
|
lick and a promise |
|
a quick wash (with a promise of a thorough one later) |
|
liefde |
|
love |
|
loop |
|
walk (literal), go, get out |
|
loopdop |
|
a last drink, one for the road |
|
|
leave her alone |
|
|
M |
|
|
|
ma |
|
(short for maar), but |
|
maar wag |
|
but wait |
|
Mazeltov |
|
Yiddish expression, congratulations |
|
Mêdem |
|
Madam (literal) |
|
mêdempie |
|
little madam (literal) – white girl |
|
meerkat |
|
mongoose |
|
mêtjies |
|
matches |
|
met ’n handline daar in Kalkbaai se harbour |
|
(snoek) caught with a handline in Kalk Bay harbour |
|
moenie hier rondstaan en tande tel nie |
|
don’t stand around with a mouth full of teeth (literal), don’t stand around gawping, make yourself useful |
|
moenie huil nie |
|
don’t cry |
|
moenie kak gesels nie |
|
don’t talk shit (literal), don’t talk rubbish |
|
moer |
|
assault, beat up |
|
moer coffee |
|
percolated coffee made from ground beans |
|
mombakkies |
|
a mask |
|
mos |
|
of course |
|
Mossienes |
|
Sparrows’ Nest, referring to a densely inhabited area muis onder die kombers a supper dish, meatballs wrapped in cabbage leaves |
|
my kind |
|
my child |
|
N |
|
|
|
Natives |
|
black people – common terminology during apartheid years |
|
Nee |
|
no |
|
O |
|
|
|
o brandewyn, laat my staan |
|
oh brandy, leave me alone |
|
ooo God-ta |
|
oh my God |
|
oogappel |
|
apple of (one’s) eye, a favourite |
|
oi vey |
|
oh dear – Yiddish expression of dismay |
|
ook maar mens |
|
also only human |
|
Ons Heilandse Vader, die Jirre |
|
Our Holy Father, the Lord |
|
Oom Paul halfpond |
|
Uncle Paul (Kruger) half pound |
|
|
be careful, watch out |
|
|
oppas, ek het my Afrikaanse tande in vandag. Ek is vuil met my bek maar my koek is op sy plek! |
|
Be careful I have my Afrikaans teeth in (literal), meaning I might have a foul mouth but my nether regions know how to behave |
|
ossewa |
|
ox wagon |
|
Ouma en Oupa |
|
… traditional Afrikaans ditty |
|
… sit op die stoep |
|
… sitting on the stoep, Grandpa lets out a loud fart. Grandma asks, what’s the matter? And Grandpa says, my bum is sore. |
|
ou mans balle |
|
old man’s balls (testicles) |
|
P |
|
|
|
pakkie |
|
small packet or parcel |
|
pap |
|
flabby, soft |
|
pasella |
|
free, bonsella |
|
pens en pootjies |
|
tripe and trotters |
|
peperkorrels |
|
peppercorns, describing hair |
|
perlemoen |
|
abalone (shell fish) |
|
pienkes |
|
pink ones |
|
pikkies |
|
little ones |
|
plankies |
|
small planks |
|
poep |
|
fart, shit |
|
poepdronk |
|
farting drunk |
|
poephol |
|
anus, arsehole |
|
present |
|
gift |
|
R |
|
|
|
regmaker |
|
hangover cure |
|
riempie chairs |
|
chairs with leather thong seats |
|
rooinek |
|
red neck (literal) – derogatory name for an Englishman |
|
ry met die rooiperd |
|
ride with the red horse (literal), refers to image of Pegasus used by Mobil Oil |
|
S |
|
|
|
saam gesteel, saam dedeel |
|
stolen together, shared together (literal), equally guilty |
|
‘Sarie Marais’ |
|
traditional Afrikaans song from the Transvaal |
|
Schlaf wohl du Himmelsknabe |
|
Sleep well heavenly babe (masculine form) |
|
|
pig dog (literal) – insult |
|
|
sis, man |
|
expression of disgust |
|
skattebol |
|
treasure – term of endearment |
|
sit murg in jou pype |
|
puts marrow in your pipes (literal), makes you strong |
|
skei |
|
yoke pin |
|
skinner |
|
gossip |
|
skollie |
|
ruffian, hooligan |
|
skoppie |
|
dust pan |
|
skywe |
|
cigarettes |
|
sloot |
|
furrow, ditch |
|
snoek horn |
|
horn used by snoek seller (fish merchant) to advertise his wares |
|
snoep |
|
stingy |
|
sodies |
|
marbles from the necks of soda water bottles |
|
soengroet |
|
kiss hello or goodbye |
|
so gemaak en so gelaat staan |
|
they’re made that way and they’ll stay that way |
|
son of maan |
|
sun or moon |
|
soos ’n hond agter vrot vleis |
|
like a dog going after bad meat |
|
spanspek |
|
sweet melon |
|
spookasem |
|
ghost’s breath (literal), something insubstantial |
|
steek ’n dop |
|
have a drink |
|
spots |
|
wartime slang for alcoholic drinks |
|
stoep |
|
verandah |
|
stokkie |
|
little stick (lit) – a young boy’s erect penis |
|
stokvis |
|
hake, stock fish |
|
stoofpatats |
|
baked sweet potatoes |
|
Stoot die bogger |
|
Push the bugger (literally), derived from the similar-sounding name of a Studebaker motorcar |
|
stukkie |
|
small piece |
|
stygie |
|
tail-bone, coccyx |
|
T |
|
|
|
tamatiebredie |
|
tomato stew |
|
tammeletjie |
|
toffee |
|
Ta-ra-ra boomderay, Mavis het ’n vark gery |
|
Ta-ra-ra boomderay, Mavis rode a pig, children’s nonsense song |
|
Thula |
|
hush, used in lullabye |
|
tokoloshe |
|
mischievous and malicious spirit |
|
|
knock-knock (literal) – game played after dark aimed at scaring the occupants of the house |
|
|
tolletjie |
|
cotton reel |
|
tolletjiestafel |
|
table with legs made from cottonreels |
|
tonteldoos |
|
tinder box for lighting a spark |
|
totsiens |
|
until we see each other (literal) – goodbye |
|
totsiens tot weersiens |
|
until we meet again (literal) – goodbye |
|
U |
|
|
|
uit |
|
out (literal), get out |
|
uit die blou van onze hemel |
|
from the blue of our heavens – excerpt from the South African national anthem (words by CJ Langenhoven) |
|
V |
|
|
|
vaaljapie |
|
new or rough wine |
|
versigtig |
|
careful |
|
verskriklik |
|
frightening |
|
vlei |
|
body of water |
|
voeg ’n bietjie water by |
|
add a bit of water (literal), water down the alcohol |
|
volk |
|
nation |
|
voetsek |
|
away with you, get lost |
|
voortrekker |
|
pioneer who went ahead to find a place to settle |
|
vrot |
|
rotten |
|
W |
|
|
|
Waar’s jou maniere? In jou sak? |
|
Where are your manners? In your pocket? |
|
waterblommetjiebredie |
|
water lily stew (literal) – lamb stew made with seasonal water plants |
|
was julle hande |
|
wash your hands |
|
wat is ’n huis sonder ’n vader? |
|
What is a house without a father? |
|
we-lah-ke-pelah |
|
childish taunt werk want die nag kom nader |
|
wat maak jy? |
|
what are you doing? |
|
wat nie dood maak nie maak vet |
|
what doesn’t kill fattens |
|
werk want die nag kom nader |
|
work as night is approaching, excerpt from a hymn |
|
wie’s hulle? |
|
who are they? |