From ‘eish’ to ‘ag shame’, our lingo doesn’t need direct translation; it carries feelings, and Haley van der Merwe breaks it down for us.
South Africa (01 December 2025) – South Africa doesn’t just have slang; we have instant reactions. One word, and the entire room knows exactly what you mean.
Thanks to a post by Haley van der Merwe, social media was reminded of something we all know deep down: South African lingo isn’t just about language, it’s about emotion.
It goes something like this:
We don’t say “That’s crazy.” – We say: “Yoh.”
We don’t say “Oh my gosh.” – We say: “That’s hectic.”
We don’t say “I’m so sorry.” – We say: “Ag shame.”
We don’t say “That sucks.” – We say: “Eish!”
None of these is a direct translation, but they do carry a deep understanding.
Sure! We have 12 official languages, but our slang mixes them all into one. That’s why South African lingo is so special. It’s not just how we speak. It’s how we connect through it.
Sources: Haley van der Merwe
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Passionate about sharing stories of growth and resilience. From sports to the ways business, travel, and art shape communities. When she’s not writing, she’s likely out on a run or discovering new coffee spots.
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