Language

While the most commonly spoken language in Cape Town is Afrikaans, English is most commonly understood.

But, as English is only one of South Africa’s 11 official languages, a strong vernacular has developed, and English-speaking visitors might have a hard time recognising some of the words. We’re a friendly bunch in Cape Town, so if you’re totally confused, just ask and we’ll have you speaking South African “now now”! Here are some local phrases to get you started:

ENGLISH	AFRIKAANS	isiXHOSA
Cape Town Good morning Goodbye Thank you Yes No How much? Expensive Hot Cold Friend Good/OK Excuse me How are you?	Kaapstad Goeie môre Totsiens Dankie Ja Nee Hoeveel? Duur Warm Koud Vriend Lekker Skuus Hoe gaan dit?	eKapa Molo/Molweni (pl.) Hambe kahle Enkosi Ewe Hayi Yimalini le? iDhulu Shushu Banda Umhlobo Kulungile Uxolo Uphilile?

SOUTH AFRICAN SLANG

Capetonians have an amusing array of colloquial terms. Become one of us and throw in some South African slang.

Braai	What you would know as a barbecue, and probably one of the first things you will be invited to do on arriving in Cape Town. We even celebrate national Braai Day on 24 September every year!
Cooldrink or colddrink	This is the common term for a soda. Ask for a soda in South Africa and you will receive a club soda.
Eish	(‘Aysh’) Zulu expression of surprise, bewilderment or shock.
Howzit	A traditional South African greeting that translates roughly as “How are you?” or “How are things?”
Just now	If a South African tells you they will do something “just now” they mean they will do it in the near future but not immediately and possibly not ever.
Jawelnofine	Pronounced ‘yar well no fine’) Made up of four words “yes”, “well”, “no” and “fine”, this saying can express surprise and a sense that things aren’t really fine but there’s not much you can do about it. For example, having been caught speeding, your reaction on seeing the size of your traffic fine might be: “Jawellnofine.”
Lekker	(Pronounced ‘lekk-irr’ with a rolling ‘r’) Afrikaans word meaning nice. Also cool, good, great. Probably the most famous of South African words, so make sure you learn this one.
Pavement	South Africans walk on pavements and drive cars on the road. The pavement is the sidewalk.
Robot	South Africans tend to refer to traffic lights as robots. Sci-fi fans are out of luck – R2D2 and C3PO are not hanging about on every street corner.
Rooibos	Pronounced ‘roy-borrs’) A popular South African tea made from the Cyclopia genistoides bush. Rooibos is Afrikaans word meaning ‘red bush’. Come and try a Red Cappuccino made from Rooibos at the Cape Town Tourism City Centre Visitor Information Centre.