Local Namibian Lingo
The following words are typical local vernacular, influenced by Afrikaans – still largely the lingua franca – and other indigenous languages. Using these words will do much to improve your communication with locals:
Aweh – Said in excitement. The word has many meanings and uses, including hello, goodbye and yes
Bakkie – a Pickup truck
Biltong – Dried and seasoned meat(like jerky), a popular snack
Braai – a barbeque. Braaing – a National pastime that traditionally entails turning the meat with one hand while holding a beer in the other – is taken very seriously
Bra/Bru/Boet – a Male friend
Brotchen – a Bread roll, offered with different toppings, to be eaten as breakfast, lunch supper or snack
Dorp – Small town
Droewors – Dried sausage, sometimes eaten with biltong as a snack
Efundja – Periodic flood in the Owambo regions, northern Namibia
Eish! – An interjection expressing resignation
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
Kapana – Traditionally barbequed meat, usually sold in their townships and next to the road
Lapa – The thatched outdoor shelter used for shade from the African sun or to braai underneath when raining
Lekker – Nice, good, tasty, great, awesome
Meme – respectful form of address for an adult female
Oshana – Shallow pools and watercourses in the Owambo regions, northern Namibia
Pap – Traditionally maize porridge
Plaas – Farm
Potjie – a Three-leggit cast-iron pot used for cooking stews over fire
Robot – a Traffic light
Shebeen – An informal bar that’s open for 24hours
Sies – Expression of disgust, disappointment, annoyance
Sussie/Sister – Female friend
Smiley – a Goat or sheep’s head, cooked and ready for consumption
Sosatie – Meat and vegetable skewered on a stick, usually accompanied by other meat on a braai
Tate – Respectful form of address for a male
Vetkoek – Deep-fried bread dough, often sold with kapana
Wors – Spicy sausage for accompanying meat on the braai
Yoh – An expression of interest