Afrikaans Loanwords Commonly Used In South African English
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South African English is full of colorful vocabulary borrowed directly from Afrikaans.
These loanwords are used by South Africans of all backgrounds in everyday conversations.
Learning these words will help you understand the local slang when visiting the country.
It’ll also give you a great head start if you plan to learn Afrikaans.
Below is a guide to the most common Afrikaans words that have permanently shaped South African English.
Table of Contents:
Understanding loanwords
A loanword is a word adopted from one language into another without being translated.
In South Africa, English and Afrikaans have existed side-by-side for centuries.
Because of this close contact, English speakers naturally started using Afrikaans words for things that didn’t have a perfect English equivalent.
Today, these words are recognized as official parts of the South African English dialect.
You’ll hear them on television, read them in local newspapers, and hear them in casual conversations.
Common Afrikaans loanwords in English
Here’s a breakdown of the most frequent Afrikaans loanwords you’ll encounter in South Africa.
Braai
The word braai translates directly to “barbecue” or “roast” in English.
It’s heavily used as both a noun and a verb.
A braai is deeply ingrained in South African culture and is much more than just cooking meat over a fire.
We’re having a braai this weekend.
I’m going to braai the meat now.
Lekker
Lekker is one of the most famous Afrikaans words.
It technically translates to “tasty” or “delicious” when talking about food.
However, in South African English, it’s used to describe anything that’s nice, good, great, or pleasant.
That was a really lekker party.
Bakkie
A bakkie is a light delivery vehicle or a pickup truck.
The word comes from the Afrikaans word bak, which means a container or bowl.
South Africans almost never use the term “pickup truck” in daily life.
Help me load these boxes into the bakkie.
Ag
Ag is an interjection used to express a wide range of emotions.
It’s the Afrikaans equivalent of “oh” or “oh man” in English.
You’ll usually hear it at the beginning of a sentence to show frustration, resignation, or sympathy.
Ag, I forgot my keys at home.
Ja
Ja simply translates to “yes”.
It’s pronounced like “yah” in English.
English speakers in South Africa use it constantly as a casual way to agree with someone.
Ja, I’ll see you tomorrow.
Padkos
Padkos translates literally to “road food” in English.
It refers specifically to the snacks and meals packed for a road trip.
Taking a long drive in South Africa without packing padkos is considered highly unusual.
Did you pack the padkos for our drive to Cape Town?
Dwaal
To be in a dwaal means to be in a daze or a state of confusion.
It describes someone who’s completely distracted or daydreaming.
It’s almost always used in the phrase “in a dwaal”.
Sorry I didn’t hear you, I was in a dwaal.
Boerewors
Boerewors literally means “farmer’s sausage” in Afrikaans.
It’s a traditional, heavily spiced South African sausage that’s shaped into a continuous spiral.
You’ll almost always find this specific type of meat at a braai.
I bought some boerewors for dinner.
Summary table of Afrikaans loanwords
Here’s a quick reference table of these common Afrikaans loanwords and their meanings.
| Afrikaans Loanword | English Meaning | Context of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Braai | Barbecue | Used for the event, the grill, or the act of cooking over a fire. |
| Lekker | Nice, good, delicious | Used to describe a positive feeling, good food, or a great experience. |
| Bakkie | Pickup truck | Used to refer to any light utility vehicle with an open back. |
| Ag | Oh, oh man | Used at the start of sentences to express annoyance or sympathy. |
| Ja | Yes | Used in casual conversation to agree with someone. |
| Padkos | Road trip snacks | Used when preparing food for a long drive. |
| Dwaal | A daze or daydream | Used to describe someone who is distracted or not paying attention. |
| Boerewors | Traditional sausage | Used to describe the specific spiral sausage eaten in South Africa. |
