Easy And Comprehensive Guide To South African English

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Although South Africa has 11 official languages, English is widely spoken throughout the country. As a foreigner, you will therefore have no problem communicating with others if you speak English. However, South African English can be a little confusing to others.

I have found that it’s easy for South Africans to understand foreigners. However, the reverse is not true.

I attribute this to tv and movies. For example, we know from watching tv that the closet means cupboard and trash means rubbish. However, an American may not know what we mean when we say “lorrie” – referring to a truck. This is why this list of American vs South African English can be very helpful.

Below is an easy and comprehensive guide to help you figure out what South Africans are actually trying to say.

The list has been broken into several helpful categories for easier search. They include food, clothes, travel and driving, buildings, school, and other.

American vs South African English

Tomato sauce	–	Ketchup
Prawns	–	Shrimp
Biltong	–	Jerky
Biscuit	–	Cookie
Wors or Boerewors	–	Sausage
Braai	–	BBQ / Cookout
Chips or slap chips (pronounced slup-chips)	–	French Fries
Cooldrinks or Colddrinks	–	Soda / pop / soft drinks
Pap (pronounced pup) or porridge	–	Grits
Pie (Savory pastry with meat or vegetables, e.g. pepper steak pie, spinach & feta pie)	–	Pie (Sweet pastry pie with fruit, e.g. apple pie, cherry pie)
Dessert or pudding	–	Dessert
Rusk	–	Large, dried cookie similar to Italian biscotti
Jelly	–	Jello
Mielies (pronounced me-lease)	–	Corn on the cob
Jam	–	Preserves
Spanspek	–	Cantaloupe
Naartjie	–	Tangerine
Brown bread	–	Wholewheat bread
Wholewheat bread	–	Health bread	This can be confusing for Americans. If you buy a wholewheat bread in South Africa, you will get a dense, hearty health bread.
Scone	–	Biscuit
Sweets	–	Candy
Take-Away	–	Take-Out
Tart	–	Pie
Tin	–	Can
Trolley (shopping)	–	Cart (shopping)
Aubergine	–	Eggplant
Bill	–	Check	For checking out in a restaurant.
Entrée	–	Appetizer
Serviette	–	Napkin
Sweets	–	Candy
Spring onions	–	Green onions
Chocolate	–	Candy bar
Beetroot	–	Beet
Cutlery	–	Silverware
Flan	–	Fruit pie
Maize	–	Corn
Mince	–	Ground beef
Candyfloss	–	Cotton candy
Tin	–	Can
Gammon	–	Ham

South African English		American English
Costume or cozzie	–	Swimsuit
Zip	–	Zipper
Dungarees	–	Overalls
Waistcoat	–	Vest
(Dressing) gown	–	Bathrobe
Tracksuit top	–	Hoodie
Jersey or pullover	–	Sweater
Nappie	–	Diaper
Takkies	–	Sneakers

South African English	–	American English
Bakkie (pronounce buck-key)	–	Truck (small)
Bonnet	–	Hood
Boot	–	Trunk
Garage	–	Auto repair shop
Gravel road	–	Unpaved road
Hoot(ing)	–	Honk(ing)
Lorrie	–	Truck (large)
Mudguard	–	Fender
Pavement	–	Sidewalk
Petrol	–	Gas
Petrol Station	–	Gas Station
Quadbike	–	Four Wheeler ATV
Robot	–	Traffic light
Tar road	–	Paved road
Taxi	–	Cab
Towbar	–	Hitch
Car park	–	Parking lot	For cars
Motorbike	–	Motorcycle
Number plate	–	License plate
Pavement	–	Sidewalk
Petrol		Gas

Here’s a comprehensive guide of what to know and expect when driving in South Africa.

South African English		American English
Bungalow or rondavel	–	Round cabin-type accommodation
Chalet	–	Cabin
Lift	–	Elevator
Toilet / Loo	–	Restroom
Stoep	–	Porch
Hose pipe	–	Garden hose
Lift	–	Elevator or giving someone a ride
Ground floor	–	First floor
First floor	–	Usually the second floor
Second floor	–	Usually the third floor
Cupboard	–	Closet
Dustbin or bin	–	Trashcan
Flat	–	Apartment
Geyser	–	Water heater
Lodge	–	An exclusive vacation type of accommodation.
Rubbish	–	Garbage, Trash
Tap	–	Faucet, spicket
Toilets	–	Restroom
Toilet paper	–	Bathroom tissue
Globe	–	Light bulb

South African English		American English
University	–	College or university
Technikon	–	Technical college, polytechnic or technical university
Subject	–	Course
Student (at university only)	–	Student (at university or high school)
Scholar	–	Student at high school
Programme	–	Itinerary
Matric	–	High school certificate or a senior at high school
Marks or Points	–	Grades
Marking	–	Grading
Lecturing (at university)	–	Teaching (at university or school)
Lecturer (Academic staff)	–	Faculty or Professor
Hostel	–	Dorm / Dormitory
Hand in a paper	–	Turn in a paper
Diploma (national)	–	3 year associate degree
Course	–	Program
College	–	Community college
Bursary	–	Scholarship
Average %	–	GPA (Grade Percentage Average)
Assignment	–	Paper
Rucksack		Backpack
Break / Break time	–	Recess
Full stop	–	Period
Rubber	–	Eraser
Primary School	–	Elementary School
Exam	–	Test
Kokies (pronounced co-keys)	–	Markers

South African English		American English
Come and fetch me	–	Can you pick me up?
How is it? or What is going on?	–	What’s up?
It is a pleasure, or my pleasure	–	You’re welcome
Just joking	–	Just kidding
Just now	–	In a minute / very soon.
Are you finished?	–	Are you done?
I am finished	–	I am done. I am set.
Let’s make a plan	–	Lets figure out how we can do this.
Now-now	–	A moment ago, or in a moment.	Eg. They’ll be here now-now. Meaning, they’ll be here very soon.
Make a turn	–	Come around	Eg. I’ll make a turn at your house later. Meaning, I will come over later.
Ja	–	Yes
Jungle gym	–	Playground
Holiday	–	Vacation
Torch	–	Flashlight
Howzit?	–	How are you?
Is it?	–	Is that so?/ Really?

As a foreigner, you may also come across a lot of South African Slang.

South African English		American English
Autumn	–	Fall
Bush	–	The forest or the woods”
Lip ice	–	Chap stick or Lip balm
Post a letter	–	Mail a letter
Postal code	–	Zip code
Queue (stand in a queue)	–	Line (stand in line)
District	–	County
Municipality	–	City Council
Province	–	State
CBD (Central Business District)	–	The city	The CBD does not include the suburbs.
Tissues	–	Kleenex
Anti clockwise	–	Counter clockwise
Film	–	Movie
The cinema	–	The movies
Handbag	–	Purse / pocket protector
Mad	–	Crazy / Insane
advertisement	–	commercial
Surname	–	Last name
Game ranch (farm)	–	Ranch used for farming and hunting wild animals, typically antelope
Lucerne	–	Alfalfa
Plot or smallholding	–	Small farm of a few acres
To let	–	To rent
Medical scheme	–	Medical program	“Scheme” is widely used to describe programs.

A note from the author

I often share this personal story about what can happen when people don’t understand what is being said. You may find it funny, or actually… horrific.

One thing that is common in South Africa are street vendors. They will often walk around cars at the robots (traffic lights) as they sell their wares.

I was traveling with a German friend and we happened to stop at a robot where someone was selling naartjies (tangerines). As is expected, the street vendor walked through the cars yelling “Naartjies, Naartjies!”

I was minding my own business, waiting for the robot to turn green, when my German friend suddenly looked over to me in horror. He could hardly speak – the fear in his face was palpable.

I didn’t know what was going on. In my view, nothing had happened.

When he was able to speak, he said that he assumed the street vendor was calling him out as a “nazi.” I had to quickly explain that this was not what he meant – he is only selling “naartjies.” From this story, I think you can deduce that, depending on your pronunciation, “naartjie” could sound like “nazi.”

Having met so many foreigners and being married to an American, I have so many stories to share about this topic – most of them funny!