Compiled by Marita van Rooyen

The following words are typical local vernacular, which is influenced by Afrikaans – still largely the lingua franca- – and other indigenous languages. Local Lingo in Namibia crosses cultural, historical and language boundaries making it one – aweh bra! Eish, let’s have a braai, it’s going to be a jol! 

Using them will do much to improve your communication with locals. 

Onjala Lodge. Fun in Nature. Photo: Marita van Rooyen.

So enjoy twisting your tongue and give it a bash – make this a real Namibian adventure. 

aweh – said in excitement. The word has many meanings and uses, including ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, and ‘yes’

babbelas – hangover

bakkie – a pick-up truck

bill – the piece of paper stating what you owe for a meal in a restaurant

biltong – dried and seasoned meat, a very popular snack

braai – a barbecue. Braaiing is a national pastime during which turning the meat with one hand while holding a beer in the other is taken very seriously

bra/bru/boet – a male friend

dorp – small town

The ‘dorp’ Tsumeb’s Art’s and Craft Centre by Christie Keulder

droëwors – dried sausage, a snack like biltong

eish! – an interjection expressing resignation

izzit – said as a question in response- to a statement, meaning ‘really?’ or ‘is that so?’

ja – yes

jol – to have fun, to party

koppie – a small hill, not yet a mountain

just now/now, now – meaning anytime within the next 50 years other than right at this moment

Meme

kapana – traditionally barbecued meat, usually sold in the townships or on the side of the road

lapa – the thatched outdoor shelter used for shade from the African sun or to braai underneath when it’s raining

lekker – nice, good, great, tasty, awesome

mémé – respectful name for a female

pap – traditional maize porridge

plaas – farm

potjie – a three-legged cast-iron pot used for cooking stews over the fire

robot – a traffic light

Having a ‘jol’ with a seal.

shebeen – an informal bar that’s open 24 hours

sies – expression of disgust, disappointment, annoyance

sisi/sister – female friend

smiley – a goat’s or sheep’s head, cooked and ready for consumption

sosatie – a selection of meats and vegetables on a stick, also reserved for the braai

tate – respectful name for a male

vetkoek – deep-fried bread dough, usually sold with kapana

wors – spicy sausage for accom-panying the meat on the braai

yoh – an expression of surprise