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English Word Drawn From Other Languages PDF
English Word Drawn From Other Languages PDF
Place names
Kylie (Noongar word for "throwing stick")Harrison
Internationally common
Afrikaans (noun: name of language, from "african") derivative: Afrikaner (person who speaks Afrikaans as their native tongue), plural: Afrikaners
apartheid (literally "apart-ness"): also the name of a period of segregation in the country between 1948-1994
bergwind (warm dry wind blowing from the plateau to the coast)
biltong (literally "rump tongue/strip"): dried cured red-meat, similar to Jerky. Has a boerewors equivalent known as Droëwors
Boer (literally "farmer"): due to the large number of Afrikaans-speaking farmers, the term is exclusively used among Afrikaners for displaying
national pride.
boerewors (literally "farmer's sausage"): a juicy mixed-spice and mixed-meat sausage
Highveld: a raised plateau stretching from the eastern side of the Free State (province) up north including the provinces of Gauteng and North
West. Due to its location in Gauteng, the city of Johannesburg is the highest urban settlement by elevation
ja (literally "yes")
kraal (African village within a stockade, from Portuguese curral)
kommando (originally a mounted infantry unit raised to retrieve stolen livestock)
kop, or koppie (literally "head" or "cup", an African monadnock): Koppie can also refer to a small hill.
laager (a collection of vehicles in a circle, meant for protection)
lapa A thatched roof structure supported by wooden poles. Lapas are commonly used as semi-open entertainment areas.
rand (literally "edge", "rim" or "ridge"): also the name of the South African currency, named after the Witwatersrand (White waters' ridge)
rooibos (literally "red bush"): a bush, endemic to South Africa, used to make a herbal tea also called rooibos
rondavel A round hut
sjambok (an ox-hide whip): used by the South African Police Service for riot control, formerly used as a disciplinary tool for misbehaving school
children
spoor (literally "tracks" or "footprints"): the Afrikaans "spoorweë" refers specifically to the National Train Route, often indirectly as the train-tracks
as well.
trek (literally "draw", or "haul"): Popularized in English by "Die Groot Trek" (The Great Trek)
veld (literally "field" or natural African bush vegetation)
ystervarkies (literally "iron piglets"; translates as porcupine/hedgehog), the South African name for Lamingtons
Common names
Afrikaans (or Cape Dutch) common names for plants and animals often entered the English vernacular:
aardvark (literally "earth pig"): Also known as an Anteater
aardwolf (literally "earth wolf")
boomslang (literally "tree snake"): A highly venomous bright green tree snake
blesbok (literally "blaze buck/antelope")
bontebok (literally "mottled antelope")
dassie (from Dutch, English translation Hyrax; see also dassie rat)
duiker (literally "ducker", or "diver")
eland (from Dutch, meaning "elk"): The largest known species of antelope
grysbok (literally "grey antelope")
klipspringer (literally "rock pouncer/jumper")
korhaan (from Dutch, meaning "black grouse")
leguan / leguaan (corruption of "likkewaan")
meerkat (literally "lake cat")
padloper (literally "path walker")
platanna (from Dutch "plathander", meaning "flat handed creature")
rinkhals (literally "ring throat"): also known as the ring-necked spitting cobra
springbok (literally "jumping antelope"): The National Animal of South African
white, in "white rhinoceros", possibly from wyd meaning "wide" (describing the animal's mouth) Modern Afrikaans also say "Wit Renoster",
meaning White Rhinoceros.
Cape Dutch There are also several English words derived from Cape Dutch, a forerunner of Afrikaans: hartebeest (modern Afrikaans=hartebees)
scoff/skoff (as in scoffing food): from Cape Dutch schoff, the word did not find its way into modern Afrikaans
veldt borrowed again by English in the modern form veld
wildebeest (modern Afrikaans equivalent is wildebees)
Afrikanerisms
This list of "Afrikanerisms" comprises slang words and phrases influenced by Afrikaans and other African languages. Typical users include people
with Afrikaans as their first language but who speak English as a second language and people living in areas where the population speaks both
English and Afrikaans. Many of these terms also occur widely amongst ethnic/native South Africans, and others living in neighbouring countries
such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia etc. These terms do not occur in formal South African English. Note when the letter "g" is either the first or
last letter of the word or syllable, it is pronounced as an unvoiced velar fricative in the back of the throat. Note, words ending in "-ng" are
pronounced identical to those in English. Note, in most cases of plurals ending in -nde, the "d" falls away in the informal pronunciation and spelling
and the "n" is duplicated in sound and re-positioned within the degrees of comparison. For example: Tande (plural of tand; "tooth"), formal =
"tande", informal = "tanne". In singular words' syllables ending in "-d", "-nd" and "-heid", the "d" is always pronounced as a "t". For example: "ge-
son(t)-hei(t)" (gesondheid, "health"). Note, the English term slang is used strictly in its English pronunciation in context, as the Afrikaans word of the
same spelling (though pronounced as "slung") translates as "snake".
Fanakalo (fanagalo) also refers to when people of non-Zulu origin attempt to speak Zulu without the proper pronunciation and throat sounds.
Fanakalo in Zulu literally means "same as this" – (fana – same, ka – as, lo – this).
aap – lit. ape/monkey. Originally refers to any person who behaves similarly to an ape or an idiot, i.e. barbaric, regardless of skin colour. Can be
considered racist.
ag man – oh man; ag as the Afrikaans equivalent to "oh" (pronounced \ach\ like German ACHtung), "man" pronounced as in English.
ag shame – both an expression of pity and sorrow, depending on context: Ag shame, daardie baba is te oulik! (Awe that baby is so cute!); Ag
shame, die arme hond is dood. (Ah shame, the poor dog died.)
antie – an older female authority figure. Derived from the English "aunt", with the original meaning still intact.
anties – breasts/boobs
aweh/awe (pronounced \AAAH-WHE\) – said in excitement, as in: Aweh; my boss said I can go home early today. Same as the English pop
culture slang 'yas'. The word has many meanings or uses: "hello", "goodbye", "yes". Also associated with prison use. (Greeting) "Aweh, my
bru." (Hello my friend). Similar: howzit, yooit, hoesit, yo.
babbelbekkie – someone who talks a lot
babelaas / babbelas – hangover (of Zulu origin)
bakgat – cool; expression of appreciation for something very well accomplished
bakkie – a utility truck or pick-up truck, now a mainstream word in South African English. Can also refer to a small plastic container/bowl.
balsak – lit. "ball-sack". Refers specifically to the scrotum.
bangbroek – lit. "scaredy-pants"
befok – really good, exciting, cool; as in "The rock-show was befok." (Do not confuse with gefok.) Can also mean "crazy" in a very strong sense, as
in "Are you befok?" – derogatory. Can also mean "to have sex with".
bekak – lit. "to shit on something". Often referring to a person who is extremely angry. Literally referring to a person "shitting his pants"
befoetered/bedonnered/bemoerd – lit. "extremely angry" similar to "diedonnerend", etc. Usually used to refer to a person who is often in a
very bad mood.
bek – derogatory term for mouth (Afrikaans: an animal's mouth); Hou jou bek! – "shut up!", "Shut your trap!" (literally: "hold your [animal's] mouth").
This translates well into British English as "Shut your gob."
bekgeveg – lit. "mouth fighting", it refers to two or more people arguing, though more specifically a volatile argument.
bergie – from Afrikaans berg, which translates to "mountain", originally referring to vagrants who sheltered in the forests of Table Mountain; now a
mainstream word for a particular subculture of vagrants, or homeless persons, especially in Cape Town.
beter bang Jan, as dooie Jan – lit. "better to be a scared Jan rather than a dead Jan". English equivalent is "better to be safe than sorry".
bietjie-baie – lit. "a little bit too much". "bietjie" (a little bit – "be-key") and "baie" (a lot – "bye-ya")
bielie – a butch, yet friendly and often brave man with a lot of stamina. Someone who will lovingly do something tough no matter if the odds are
stacked against him. Derived from the folk song "Jan, Jan, Jan, die bielie van die bosveld". Which describes a man (Jan) who is willing to do
any form of hard labour with a smile on his face.
blerrie/bladdy hell – damn/damnit. Originally from the British English phrase "bloody hell".
bliksem – strike, hit, punch; also used often as an expression of surprise/emphasis. It derives from the Dutch word for "lightning", and often occurs
in conjunction with donner. "Bliksem! Daai weerlig was hard!". (Damn! That lightning-strike was loud!) Used as a curse in Afrikaans: "Jou
bliksem!" (You bastard!)
bliksemse – lit. "damn thing" Used in conjunction with "donnerse".
bloediglik vererg – lit. "annoyed to the breaking point" (bloody annoyed). The less violent version of "moer-strip", usually ends up with the
sufferer warning the person who's annoying them to stop it immediately before they get angry and get to the point of the "stripping their moer".
blou – being sad, as in the English language feeling blue
blou kol – lit. "blue spot". Refers to the blue/purple hue visible on a bruised area of the skin.
blou moord/blue murder – describes when a child is screaming fearfully at something that is usually harmless. In some cases, the object of the
fear develops into a fully fledged phobia, while in most cases, the child outgrows it. The expression is based on the fact that the child goes blue
in the face while screaming, and that it is as if a murder has been committed. For example: Die klein laaitie het blou moord geskree toe hy op
Kersvader se skoot sit. (This little tyke was screaming blue murder when he had to sit on Santa's lap.)
blou oog – lit. "blue eyes". Refers to both the colour of the iris as well as a bruised and swollen eye (black eye).
bloutrein – literally "blue train", referring to methylated spirits, sometimes used for drinking (filtered through a loaf of white bread). Also refers to
the Blue Train, a luxury train that travels from Johannesburg to Cape Town via the Trans Karoo rail-line aka "Transkaroo".
boef – lit. "law-breaker". Refers to any person who has broken a law and got away with it. Derived from the Afrikaans word of the same spelling for
"to cuff" (i.e. to arrest, or get arrested). The plural "boewe", refers both to multiple persons in arrest and the handcuffs themselves. Considered
outdated as "bliksem" and "skelm" are more commonly used.
boer – literally "farmer" in Afrikaans. (pronounced boo-(r)).
boer maak 'n plan – "farmer makes a plan" is an expression used to refer to a creative solution, often low-cost and rather innovative.
boererate – a number of local home remedies that are super effective and cheap. May also be applied to DIY projects.
boerewors – a very popular mixed-meat spiced sausage in South Africa. In Afrikaans, literally "farmer's sausage", used as a mainstream word in
South African English. Due to the large variety of home recipes for the sausage, a local commission was set up to ensure the meat was labelled
correctly by butchers as "Boerewors", in order to preserve the original base-recipe.
boerewors roll/boerie roll – the South African equivalent of the hot dog, using the boerewors with an onion relish in a hot dog bun
boland – refers to the geographic region known as the Highveld (a large plateau that rises 1500m, above sea level, North from the Eastern Cape
and falls in the South of Limpopo). Usually the term is primarily used by Southern Coastal regions to refer to the inland provinces that form a
part of the plateau.
bokkie – (diminutive of bok, literally meaning "little buck" or "doe") a popular term of endearment, comparable to "sweetheart", "honey", etc.
Another meaning for the word bokkie (or bokbaardjie) is for a style of beard which is short (often pointy) and stylish and often surrounds just the
mouth and chin in a circle. Based on the Afrikaans word bok (lit. "buck", as well as goat), it indicates that the style of beard resembles that of a
goat's beard. Americans use the slang word goatee in that aspect.
boom – marijuana (iterally tree)
bosberaad – strategy meeting held in a rural setting
bossies, or bosbefok – crazy, whacko, mad. Also a term for one who has shell shock. Refers to the time of the South African Border War where
soldiers spent time in the bush ("bos/bosse") and would return home suffering battle flash-backs (post-traumatic stress disorder).
brak – mongrel dog, can also refer to brackish water
branna – short for "brandewyn" (lit. "brandy")
breakdown – an average pick-up that's been specially modified into a tow-truck. Often modified for performance.
broekie – panties or ladies underwear. From Afrikaans: broek, meaning "trousers/briefs". Common usage: "Don't get your broekies in a knot"
which means "Calm down".
broekie lace – ornate ironwork found on Victorian buildings (lit. 'pantie lace'), the tie that you find on board shorts
bro/bra/bru/boet/boetie – a close male friend and a term of affection used by one male to another. All words are variations of the word "broer"
in Afrikaans meaning "brother". Boetie (Pronounced 'Boet - tea') specifically means little brother in Afrikaans because of the "ie" diminutive
suffix. You could say, "Hey bro, howzit" or "Thanks a million bro for lending me your car". When you refer to another male as bro is it because
you consider that person to be such a good friend he is like a brother, a family member. Bro can also be used for strangers but only also if you
wish to show a welcoming and friendly attitude towards them or when you want to deescalate tension in a friendly way as in "Chill out bro".
However you would certainly not walk around calling every man you see, bro, because in South Africa the term is not used as loosely as it is in
the USA for example.
bring-en-braai/bring-and-braai – guests bring their own food and drink (usually pre-prepared, except for the meat) to the braai.
bromponie – lit. "a noisey pony", refers to a scooter motorcycle, because a full-size motorcycle is often referred to as an "ysterperd" (iron horse),
considering a pony is much smaller than a horse.
buk – duck your head down quickly, as in "Buk when you go in the door; it's really low."
bucks – from the English word meaning (antelope) it refers to money (currency), although borrowed from the American term of the same meaning,
coincidentally there are two types of bucks featured on the coins of the South African Rand (Springbok on the R1 and Kudu on the R2).
button – mandrax tablet (slang only)
braai – a barbecue, to barbecue (from braaivleis – grilled meat), used as a mainstream word in South African English. Specifically to grill meat on
an open fire. As a noun, it is also the literal area/object used for the grilling of the meat (in that case, the barbecue grill and stand) as well as the
social gathering around it.
braaivleis – same as braai
braaibroodjies – toasted sandwiches that are grilled over an open flame on a braai. Usually served as a side-dish to braaivleis.
cherry – "meddie", see tjerrie
china/chine – a friend; as in the greeting Howzit my china? Likely origin: Cockney rhyming slang "China plate" (meaning "my mate"); from early
British immigrants.
chommie – a friend (similar to English "chum"); also refers to the perineum area between vagina and anus. Also spelled tjommie.
"chop/tjop" – it literally means a piece of meat ("pork chop" or "lame chop") that you would often cook on a braai. If you can call someone a chop
it means they are being irritating or an acting like an idiot, "Don't be a chop". Calling someone a piece of meat is not a compliment it is a light
insult but this word is sometimes used in a friendly way.
chop-chop – lit. means "quickly". Is used when a person has had something done, or wants to have something done in a short amount of time.
Derived from the chopping of a knife.
choty goty – beautiful girl
chrisco – a party/disco where Christian music mainly features; a combination of the words "Christian" and "disco"
Chwee chweereekeys – getting high
civvies – taken from the English term "civilian wear", it refers to day-to-day clothes worn when out of uniform. Casual Fridays are encouraged
annually due to the public school system's dress code employing a uniform, similar to European school dress codes. So once or twice a year,
students are encouraged to come to school in their civvies.
coconut – lit. coconut fruit; can be used as a racist remark towards black people who behave like Caucasians, "brown on the outside, white on the
inside".
cooldrink/koeldrank – refers to a soft drink
cozzie/cossie – lit. "swimsuit." Derived from the British term "swimming costume". Is considered a more playful sounding name.
dagga – most commonly used word for marijuana
dice – not to be confused with the game of dice, it refers to a form of amateur motor-racing where 2 or more vehicles sprint to an impromptu Finish
Line on public roads. Often considered to be a part of illegal street racing, dicing under the legal limit though is usually permitted.
dik – lit. "thick". Can be a derogatory term for being overweight, similar to "dikgat", as well as the Satiety-state (also known as the absence of
hunger after a meal, or the sensation of being "full")
dikbek – grumpy, in a huff (literally: "thick mouth" (pout), with an image of puffed-out cheeks like a bullfrog)
dikgat – lit. "fat-arsed". Derogatory term for overweight people, used in conjunction with "vetgat"
diedonnerend; diemoerend; diebliksemend – lit. extremely angry, borderline volatile. derived from "donner", "moer" and "bliksem".
dinges – thingamabob, a whatzit or a whatchamacallit. Dutch – dinges.
Jou Ma se poes! – lit. "you're mom's pussy" (vulgar). Used as a strong disagreement.
Dog het gedog hy plant 'n veer en 'n hoender kom op – lit. "Think thought it would plant a feather and then 'n chicken will come up".
Translates as "Thinking won't get you anywhere."
doos – literally the Afrikaans translation for "box". Depending on context, the slang/derogatory version can mean prat, twat, idiot but most
commonly understood as a translation of "arsehole" or "cunt", which in that case would be considered highly offensive.
domkop – idiot (lit. Dumbhead), same as German "Dummkopf" or Dutch "domkop"
dom nool – emphasis of "stupid idiot"
donner – to beat up. Used in conjunction with "bliksem". Derived from "donder" (thunder, related to Thor). Amounts to an ancient curse. Like "Nick
I'm going to donner you".
donnerse – lit. "damn thing". Often used in frustration with another person or thing: "Die donnerse ding wil nie werk nie." ("The damn thing doesn't
wanna work").
donkie is 'n wonderlike ding – lit. "A donkey is a wonderful thing". Based on a rhyme of the same name, which satirically describes why a
donkey should be considered "wonderful". It can be used to describe any undesirable object/situation that may have its benefits as well.
dof – stupid or slow to understand.
dop – alcohol, to drink alcohol, to fail a test. Originally refers to a tot (measure).
doss, dorse, dossing – sleep or nap
draadsitter – lit. "fence sitter". Refers to someone who is uninterested in choosing a side in an argument and therefore remains neutral.
droëwors – (Afrikaans) dried boerewors, similar to biltong
drol – lit. a turd (vulgar); also refers to an arsehole/idiot; a cigarette, with a singly sold cigarette called a 'los drol' ("loose cigarette")
dronkie – drunkard
druk – to embrace or squeeze, hug (noun) "Gee my 'n drukkie," "Give me a hug." (not necessary sexually)
druk 'n Drie, druk a drol, druk 'n vinger in jou hol – lit. "score a try, squeeze a turd and insert your finger into your anus". A crude but
humorous way to say "go finger-fuck yourself"
DStv – a popular digital satellite television pay-service throughout Southern Africa. The satellite-decoders, mainly used by all the subscribers, are
often informally referred to just as "a DStv" instead of "DStv-decoder".
dux – to dream, sleep; lekker dux -to have sweet dreams
dwankie – someone or something that is lame, stupid, uncool, or generally undesirable. Generally used as an insult or in a derogatory way. Can
be used as both a noun: "Look at those dwankies over there!" and an adjective: "My chinas have gone dwankie!"
eh pappa! – lit. "whoa daddy!"
eina! – ouch! used as a mainstream word in South African English - originally an Afrikaans term.
eish! – Wow! What? Expression of surprise. Of Bantu origin.
ek sê – "I say!" Used when making a statement.
en nou?! - lit. "and now?". Used when a person is confused by a new revelation, like for example: (after hearing two friends suddenly start fighting
with each other) En nou?! Wat gaan hier aan? Julle was nou-net in a goeie bui gewees? ("What's going on?! A second ago the two of you were
in such a good mood?"). Used in conjunction with "nou-toe-nou" and "en dit nou".
entjie – Cigarette. For example, "Awe ou. Steek 'n ent!". Also refers to a small distance away: That car is an entjie away from you.
F.A.K. - pronounced as "fuck" if read as an acronym, though it is not appropriate to do so due to the similar pronunciation of the Afrikaans word
"vak" (educational subject), thus the letters are pronounced as individuals, it is the Federasie van Afrikaanse
Kultureelevereniginge (Federation of Afrikaans Cultural Associations). A non-profit organization that preserves the integrity of the Afrikaans
people's culture in history, literature, music and the performing arts. Music listed in the F.A.K. Songbook is generally perceived as mostly
Afrikaans folk music.
flaterwater – correction fluid (e.g.: Tipp-Ex, Wite-Out) [comes from flater (mistake) and water (water)]
flou – an unfunny (weak) joke (from the Afrikaans word for weak), can also refer to weak coffee or tea or weak alcoholic drink. A person that is
weak. (Die man is te flou – "The man is too weak").
fok – Afrikaans for "fuck", can be used in most ways it is used in English. Fokken = fucking, gefok = fucked. Dutch – Fokken = breeding (animals).
fok voort – lit. to proceed in a single-minded direction regardless of obstacles. Derived from the phrase: Kyk Noord en Fok voort. (Look North, and
go forth).
fok weet – lit. "fuck knows". A response to an unanswerable question (vulgar). Similar to "I don't know who knows"
fokker – lit. "fucker". Also the name of the Dutch aircraft manufacturer, Fokker.
fokkol – lit. "fuck-all". Literally means "absolutely nothing" (vulgar): Ek het fokkol geld ("I've got no money").
fokkoff – lit. "fuckoff" (vulgar)
fopdosser – a drag queen
gat – lit. "hole". Also refers lit. to "arse". Can also be used as a shortened version of the word "gaan" (going to).
gatkruip – lit. "arse creeping" or brown nosing
gat velle brand – lit. "arse-skin burning". Is a warning from a parent to his/her child, that they are about to receive a big hiding: Ek sal jou soo
hard pak gee, dat jou gat velle gaan brand! (I'm gonna give you such a big hiding that bum is gonna feel like it's burning.)
gatvol – lit. annoyed enough to the brink of getting angry: Ek is gatvol vir jou kak. (I've had enough of your shit.)
gemorsjors - lit. "a messy person". refers to a person who is behaving, and/or dressing, in a very messy (gemors) manner.
geit – (pronounced "gate", with the "g" sound in the back of the throat) It literally means "quirks". Usually a negative connotation in relation to a
person being either: stubborn, fussy or demanding and sometimes also relating to hypochondriasis. Literal English translation will align it with "-
ness" (a.i. hardness, stubbornness). An example is: "hardegat-geit" (lit. hard-arsed and cocky).
gham – derogatory term for an "uncivilized coloured"; used to describe someone with undesirable traits in looks and mannerisms. "Ew, that guy is
so gham!"
glug-glug-glug – lit. the sound made by a flowing liquid through a small opening, like a bottle being emptied. Also refers to a viral television
advertisement from the 1980s (involving a little boy playing with his toy Ferrari Testarossa) by the South African Oil company, Sasol. The term
also became one of Sasol's signature slogans.
goffel – ugly girl or woman. For example, "What a G!". Also a degrading term for a person of coloured origin.
gomgat – bumpkin, redneck (in the US sense, not to be confused with rooinek, the literal translation of redneck).
goof, ghoef – swim, take a dip
gooi – throw, chuck or to "tune" (see below) someone
goose – also chick, cherry: a young woman or girlfriend (used mainly during the 1950s, now dated). Also a famous line by South African comedian
Barry Hilton.
gril - (pronounced with the g-sound in the back of the throat) it refers to a person having an adverse sensory reaction to something that is
considered disgusting, creepy or freaky in any way. The closest English equivalent would be "hair-raising". Usually used in the phrase "ek gril
myself dood vir...." (i get freaked-out by...).
hardegat-, gheit – lit. "hard-arsed". Describes the stubbornness of a person.
Hier kom Groot Kak! - lit. "Here's comes big shit" Is an expression of revelation towards an often impending and undesired result.
hoesit, hoezit, howzit – derived from "How is it going? – contracted to how's it? In South African English context, howzit is more a greeting of
"hello" rather than "how are you?", similar to South African black slang's "eta" or "ola"
hoer en remoer - lit "whoring around" by either throwing wild parties, or having lots of casual sex with just about every attractive person you
meet, applies to both genders.
hokaai stop die lorrie! – lit. "Whoa there! Stop the lorry!". Often used to call an immediate halt in whatever is being done, usually in conjunction
with a possible undesirable outcome.
hol – lit. hollow. It also refers to "run very fast" ("Daai man hol so vinning"; "That man ran so fast"). Also refers to anus.
holskeurend – lit. "anus-ripping". Refers to hysterical laughter. Used in conjunction with "lag my gat af" (laughing my arse off).
holvlos - lit. "arsehole-floss", refers to a G-string. Die lankste toukie in die wêreld is 'n holvlos, omdat hy strek vanaf Hol-land na "Parra"guay. (A
G-string is the longest string in the world because it stretches from Holland (lit "arsehole-land") to Paraguay (with "parra" referring to the
vagina.)
honne – informal spelling and pronunciation of "honde" (dogs).
hottentot - derogatory term describing people of multiracial ethnic backgrounds, especially those of Malaysian-decent (i.e. the majority of
Capetonians).
huistoegaantyd - lit. "time to go home". A portmanteau of the words "huistoe" (to home), "gaan" (going) and "tyd" (time). Used to signal the end
of the school-day and work-day.
hy sal sy gat sien - lit. "he'll see his arse" fig. "He'll have his come-uppance"
ice-cream-karretjie/roomys-karretjie - lit. "ice-cream car" refers to a purpose-modified vehicle that drives around and sells ice cream.
Referred to in the U.S. as an "ice cream truck" and in the UK as an "ice-cream van". It also is considered a nickname for the Volkswagen Type
2 and Volkswagen Type 2 (T3), due to both vehicle's immense popularity in that configuration. Even though it is technically a panel van, it's still
referred to as a "karretjie".
in sy moer in – badly damaged, destroyed (rude, often considered profanity due to 'moer' to beat up). often used in conjunction with "moer-in".
in sy glory in – same as above, considered to be less rude.
innie/oppie – informal combined spelling of the phrases "in die" (in the) and "op die" (on the).
in jou noppies - lit. "you are thrilled". Used to describe levels of excitement, similar to "tickled pink".
ja – yeah (literally "yes" in Afrikaans)
Jakob regop – lit. "Jacob upright". Refers to an erect penis.
jakkals trou met wolf se vrou – lit. "Jackal weds Wolf's wife". Refers to the weather phenomena known as a "monkey's wedding". Can be
used to describe an unlikely situation. Also refers to a song of the same name by Afrikaans singer Karlien Van Jaarsveld.
jux/juks/jags – Meaning "horny". For example, "Jinne meisie, jy maak my nou sommer lekker jags."
ja-nee – literally "yes-no", an expression of positive confirmation. Example : Dis warm vandag. ("It's hot today") : Ja-nee ("Indeed")
Jan Allerman - lit. "Jan Every man". Local variant of the American term "Average Joe."
jippo - Bypass, hack, slacking, short-term fix. I'll jippo the alarm to not make a sound while we work on it. While the team was working hard all
night, Byron was jippoing.
jippo-guts - Diarrhoea
jislaaik! – expression of surprise, can be positive or negative. Often used when you get a fright, but equally often during particularly exciting parts
of a rugby game.
jissie – a shortened version of "jislaaik".
jinne – another variation of "jislaaik".
jo – an exclamation e.g., "Jo, that was rude," "Jo, you gave me a fright!" Pronounced as in "yolk".
jol – to have fun, to party, can also refer to a disco or party, to commit adultery or even dating or courting
Juffie – the shortened version of "Juffrou". "Juffrou" is a shortened version of the formal title given to address a young unmarried woman
"Mejuffrou" (Miss). It is also the formal title given to address a female teacher of any age or marital status, whereby "Juffie" would be considered
informal.
Jy span die wa voor die perde - lit. "You're drawing the wagon in front of the horses". You are jumping to conclusions.
kaalgat - lit. "naked arse". Derived from the word "kaal" (naked), it's simply a more humorous description. Similar to the English term "birthday
suits".
Kaapse Dokter/Cape Doctor - A strong south-eastern wind in the Cape Peninsula-area. Called the "doctor" because it causes large clouds to
form over Table Mountain for most of the year, with the clouds resembling white bed sheets from a hospital room.
Kaapse Draai - lit. "Cape turn", refers to a folk song (of the same name) that describes a flightpath around the Cape Peninsula literally as the
Pied crow flies (known as a Witborskraai in Afrikaans), can now be applied to actual tours around the peninsula. Singer Nádine released a
single based on the folk song, with the same name.
kafee/cafee/kaffie/caffie - refers to a café, though it can also refer to a small non-coffee serving grocery shop or Tuck shop.
kaffer – lit. Black people. Highly offensive.
kak – Literal translation: shit, crap, rubbish, nonsense (vulgar), of very wide usage. Also used as a way of further expressing one's feeling in
language, for example, instead of "that girl is pretty" one can say emphatically "that girl is kak pretty!"
kak en betaal - lit "shit and pay". Used when frustrated about spending all your hard-earned money on family, or friends, and having none left for
yourself. Closest English equivalent is "Cough it up and pay up", but it doesn't have anywhere near the same power.
kakhuis – lit. "shithouse". Refers to both a toilet and the bathroom it is located in, as well as "a lot of".
kakspul – lit. "shithouse/shitload". Refers to a troublesome situation as well as an exaggerated amount of money.
katspoegie – lit. "kat's spit". Refers to a very small amount of something, similar to "bietjie" (a little bit)
khaki – derogatory term for an English person. From the colour worn by British troops, as well as the traditional clothes worn by Boere (Afrikaans
speaking white farmers).
kêrels – police (original Afrikaans meaning: guys, chaps). "The kêrels are coming, watch out!" (dated). More commonly referring to boyfriend or
literal translation: Guy or young man. Dutch – kerels.
kerrie-en-rys – lit. "curry and rice", is a popular South African variant of a curry usually served with rice and blatjang
kiff, kif, kief – (adjective) wicked, cool, neat, great, wonderful. The word derives from the Arabic word kif, meaning pleasure or marijuana. This
may also be related to the Afrikaans word for poison: gif. Coastal pot-smokers used the term to refer to Durban Poison: "Gifs" [locally-grown
marijuana]. The word evolved into kiff, an adjective or exclamation meaning "cool", amongst English-speaking people on the east coast.
kie-kie/kiekie/kiek-kie – pronounced "key-ki"; refers to a photograph
Klaas Vakie - (pronounced "klaas faacky") refers to the mythical creature known as the Sandman, can also ironically refer to people who had just
now woken up late.
klankie – lit. "a sound", Can also mean unpleasant smell. Used in conjunction with "klank". Pronounced as in "clunk"
klap – to smack. (from Afrikaans). "He got klapped in the bar". Like a "bitch-slap", but much worse.
klets – lit. to have a conversation. Often used to jokingly refer to women who are chatting non-stop and about nonsensical topics.
klikkie klik bek – lit. a tattle tale
klipslag – lit. "stone-stroke". Used to jokingly refer to a person who can't swim even if their life depended on it and thus sinks like a stone in water,
this is mostly a joking self-reference by unconfident swimmers.
klokke – lit. "bells". The plural of the word "klok" (derived from "clock"). It also refers to a man's testes.
Koeksister – lit. "cake sister". A sweet pastry that's been fried and dipped in a honey syrup, and shaped in the form of a French-braid. It also can
refer to lesbians.
koek – lit. "cake". Can be used to refer to a response to a sticky situation: "O Koek" (Oh Shit); clumped hair that is messy: Jou hare is gekoek
(Your hair is very messy and difficult to brush); Can also refer to a vagina.
koebaai - an anglicism of "goodbye".
koffie-moffie – a camp male waiter or male flight attendant. See "moffie".
komme-sie komme-sa - lit. "either-or". An expression, of French origin, that states the user isn't sure about an answer and doesn't care either.
Similar to the expression "tamato-tomato".
kont – same as "cunt" in English (profanity)
koppie - lit. "cup". Also refers to a relatively small hill, (with "koppie" being the diminutive form of "kop") in reference to it appearing like a small
head (kop) poking out of the ground.
kortgat – lit. "short arse". Cutesy nickname given to shorter-than average people, can be considered offensive unlike its antonym "langeraad".
kots - lit. "to vomit" (vulgar)
krimpie – old person
kraaines – lit. "crow's nest". While the original English meaning stays intact, it can also refer to a big mess. Whether it be messy hair, a messy
bedroom or a loud and messy gathering, like a party.
kreef – literally means "crayfish" but it refers to a promiscuous woman with the intent to attract men.
kry 'n kramp! – lit. "get a cramp". A definitive expression of strong disagreement, usually used to end an argument regardless if the issue was
resolved. Can also be used to refer to exaggerated negative feelings towards a stubborn person: Ek wens hy kry 'n kramp! (I wish he gets a
cramp!). Used in conjunction with "gaan kak!".
kwaai – cool, excellent (Afrikaans: "angry". Compare the US slang word phat.)
kydaar – visitor from northern provinces, especially Gauteng, to Cape Town; from "kyk daar!" – "just look at that!". See also "soppiekoppie".
kyk teen jou ooglede vas - lit. "looking through closed eyes". Contrary to "kyk aan die binnekant van jou ooglede" (which means to take a nap,
or go to sleep), it refers to a person who is wide awake, yet cannot spot the item they're looking for that's right under their nose. Used in
conjunction with "As dit 'n slang was, dan sou hy jou gepik het"
laatlammetjie - lit. "late lamb", refers to the youngest child in a family, specifically if there is a significant age-gap between the child and their older
sibling (or more specifically when there is 3 or more siblings; the 2nd youngest sibling). It should also be considered that the parents' are at an
advanced age at that point. Laatlammetjies refer to a set of youngest siblings that are close in age to each other, but has a significant age gap
between their older siblings. For example: Charlie Duncan (4yrs old) and Toby Duncan (1yr old), from the Disney Channel series Good Luck
Charlie, are 12 and 16 years younger (respectively) than their older middle-brother Gabe Duncan.
laf – lit. "stupid/crazy". Used in conjunction with "mal".
lag – to laugh. For example: They lag at the joke.
laaitie, lighty – a younger person, esp. a younger male such as a younger brother or son
lank – lots/a lot
langeraad – (pronounced: "lung-A-raat") cutesy nickname given to a really tall person
lang maer blonde man – a slight contrast to the phrase "tall dark and handsome", it describes a goodlooking tall blonde-haired, and usually
blue-eyed, man.
laanie, larny – (n) boss, used in a different tone. (adj.) fancy
las – 1. an act that is undesirable to commit, a burden. 2. To tell someone or suggest to stop doing an act. (origin: something that is slowing you or
an object down; for example, "'n Las in die pad.", meaning "An object as in a stone in the road."). 3. To physically join two separate objects
together: (Las die punte van die twee toue aanmekaar; Tie the two ends of the ropes together.)
leeuloop - lit. "lion walk". Popularized by singer-comedian Robbie Wessels in the song of the same name, it refers to a sexual dance (but slightly
more humorous than vulgar). The song mainly describes a man getting down on all fours, clenching two balls (of "any" type) between his legs
and pretending to be a lion by roaring.
lus – to have a craving for. "I lus for a cigarette". (Also see "smaak".)
lekker – (lit. tasty) It means pleasing, tasty, nice, good, great, delicious. Lekker is used for just about anything you find nice. "How was the party?
Lekker", "I met a lekker chick last night", "local is lekker, a popular slogan promoting South African culture and produce", "How is that steak?
Lekker bro". Unlike it's English counterpart "nice", use of the word "lekker" is actually promoted instead of frowned upon despite being very
commonly used. It is speculated that "lekker" will never become Clichéd.
lorrie – lit. "truck". Derived from the English word "lorry" with an identical meaning, the term gained popularity after the British colonized South
Africa. Though "trok" (the proper Afrikaans translation for "truck") is still in use, it has been heavily replaced with the slang term "lorrie". Is
sometimes used to jokingly compare cars that are just as difficult to drive as an actual truck.
loskind – a really slutty girl, usually wears revealing clothes and is easy to get with (for example: "Sarah is 'n fokken loskind!")
loskop – air head, literally a "lost head" refers to someone whose head is in the clouds, clumsy, forgetful.
loslappie – a person who sleeps around a lot (i.e. "whore/manwhore", but not as derogatory)
ma-hulle/ma-le/pa-hulle/pa-le – collective references to both parents which can be either centered around the mother (ma) or father (pa).
Based on the word hulle (they).
maak soos Rokoff en fokkoff! - lit. "make like Rokoff and fuckoff!" Of unknown origin, is a crude way of telling someone to go away. Is similar
to the English sayings like: Make like hay" and "Make like eggs, and scramble".
maaifoedie – motherfucker, as in "Jou maaifoedie"
maat – friend , also partner (wife, girlfriend)
mal – mad, crazy, insane
malhuis – lit. "looney bin"
mallie – mother
mamparra – idiot
melktert/milk tart – a traditional custard tart of Dutch origin. Unlike a conventional custard tart, a melktert has a strong milk flavour and is best
served with a dash of cinnamon sprinkled on top.
mengelmoes-kardoes - lit. "variety-case". Refers to a larger variety of "thrift" being on offer.
mmchakawally – cigarettes
mugwaai – cigarette
entjie – cigarette
Gebruiker – cigarette
mielie – millet corn (AmE) / maize (BrE), staple diet. The base ingredient of Mielie-meal, which is the flour of choice to make Pap (also called
mieliepap), a popular type of porridge.
muggie – bug, especially a little flying gnat
moegoe – stupid person, coward, or weakling
moffie – male homosexual (derogatory). Can be compared to "fairy". From "mofskaap", castrated sheep.
moer-toe – stuffed up or destroyed (my car is moer-toe);
moerse – a very strong word for big, for example: "that's a moerse house";
moer – to hit / to fight with, for example: "he is gonna moer you" Also a word for a nut used with a bolt
moer strip – a point in time when a person's patience has worn so thin, he could snap violently at any moment. Derived from a nut (moer) that
strips its threads when excessive force is applied.
moer-meter – comically describes a person's temperament for their tolerance of bullshit. Derived from the red thermometer and used as a
metaphor as illustrated by Donald Duck when he gets mad. Used in conjunction with "bloedaglike vererg".
moerkoffie - is a strong blend of ground-coffee usually served with minimal milk in a tin-based mug.
mompie – retard ("Liesl, you are such a mompie!")
mooi, man! - "well done, man", used as an expression of appreciation in another person's achievement.
Moola - lit. "money". Is the English slang term for money as well as the name of the actual mobile-currency used in the now defunct Mxit.
morne – boring, sterile, unexciting ("This is more morne than watching Saracens play!")
mos – Afrikaans, implies that what has been said is well known or self-evident (a formal part of grammar, the closest English equivalent would be
"duh!"). "Ek drink mos tee." ("I drink tea, duh!"). Used at the end of a sentence, as in "...Jy weet mos." ("...Obviously, as you know.")
mossie-poep – lit. "sparrow-fart" based on the definition of "poep-ruik" (oversleeping in the morning), it refers to a very early "waking up time" in
the morning, often more specifically before 6:00AM (before sparrows wake up, but after the cock's crow)
mxit taal – lit. "mix it language". Refers to the text-based grammar usage that was popularized by the now-defunct Mxit, a free instant messaging
service. For example: Eng: How R U? Afrikaans: Hoe ganit? (Hoe gaan dit?); Eng: I'm gr8 (I'm great).
naai (Afrikaans) – copulate; but strictly speaking "sew", from the action of a sewing machine needle.
N.A.A.F.I. – (pronounced NAAFI) acronym for: "No Ambition and Fuck-all Interest"; (originated from the (still existing) British military "Navy, Army
and Air Force Institute") referring to a lazy person. Used extensively during the days of national service.
nè? – do you know what I mean/agree?, oh really?, is it not so? or British English "innit?". Similar to the French "n'est-ce pas" and the Portuguese
"né?", meaning "Isn't it?", e.g. "Jy hou van tee, nè?" ("You like tea, not so?") (informal). The South African English equivalent is "hey", for
example "Eish, its cold hey?".
neuk – lit. "to hit", less vulgar than "moer", "donner" and "bliksem"
negentien-voetsek - "nineteen-voetsek" (Commonly pronounced "neëntien-voetsek"), refers to a date in the early 20th century/1900s, with
"voetsek" (go far away) referring to a very early date. Translation: a very long time ago, often used when the specific date isn't known.
nogal – of all things. Term expressing a measure of surprise.
nooit – never, no way, unbelievable!
now-now/nou-nou – contrary to the original meaning of the English word "now", it means "in due time", and therefore can mean anything from
"in the next five minutes" to "in the next five years".
nou-net – lit. "just now". Refers to an event that happened within a few minutes ago.
net-nou – lit. "earlier that day". Refers to an event that happened a while ago, though still within 12hrs.
nou – lit. "Immediately/now". Also means "narrow".
net-net - lit. "just just". Refers to something/someone that has either impeccable timing and/or is just shy from, and just far enough to, winning any
competitive event. English equivalents are: "Just in the nick of time", "just shy of winning", "almost". For example: Ek het my eksamen vraestel
net-net deur gekom (I just barely passed my exam).
Nou gaan ons Braai! – lit. "Now we're gonna Braai!". Pokes fun at the procrastination of the braaier, who intends to start immediately, but
doesn't start till much much later. It usually takes up to 1 hour to prepare the fire and in that time, the braaier can get easily distracted by
socializing.
O Griet! – lit. "Oh Gosh!". A catchphrase uttered by the beloved witch Liewe Heksie when calling out her magic horse, Griet, whom she's able to
conjure-up with the phrase, though she never remembers his name and as a result she only ever summons him by accident whenever she's in
panic. The popularity of the catchphrase ensured that it gained use via the general public and therefore is used by a person whenever their in a
state of panic.
O gonna Madonna – ("g" sound pronounced in the back of the throat) Derived from "O Gonna" ("Oh Shit", but not vulgar), the singer Madonna's
name was added to the phrase by Leon Schuster for comedic rhyming effect, it has since become one of his signature catchphrases along with:
"O gatta patata" and "Oh Schucks" (both mean "Oh Shit", and the latter was inspired by Leon's own last name).
OK - lit. "okay" (alternatively pronounced in Afrikaans as "oë-kah") while its original English meaning stays intact, it is also the name of a local retail
franchise owned by Shoprite. When used in conjunction with the original word "okay", the franchise's name can become a source of comedy, for
example: "Ek is by die OK, okay!"
oom – an older man of authority, commonly in reference to an older Afrikaans man (Afrikaans for "uncle")
ou (plural = ouens) man, guy, bloke (also oke) (literally "old")
ou toppie - lit. "old man". Refers usually to an elderly man and a father.
ouballie – old man, dad; as in: "shaft me, ouballie" "My ouballie (father, dad) will be home soon".
ousie – Term used to refer to a maid, usually a black female; also used by black females to call/refer to each other
pap – also called "mieliepap", is a traditional maize ("mielie") porridge similar to grits; can also mean "deflated". Pap (porridge) is primarily known in
three stages; all three are variant to the water-to-maize ratio:
stywepap (lit. "stiff-pap"; 3/4 water-to-maize),
phutupap/krummelpap (pap with a crumbly texture; 1/4 water-to-maize) and
slap-pap (pap with a runny texture; 4/3 water-to-maize). Unlike most international porridges, pap (specifically the aforementioned phutupap and
stywepap variations) is commonly served at both breakfast and dinner times in the Northern half of the country.
paplepel – lit. "pap-spoon"; a wooden spoon used in the making of pap, but can also be used to give a hiding
papier vampier – lit. a "paper vampire". Refers to a stapler.
papgat – lit. a physically weak person
pap-sop-nat – lit. "very wet"
pak – lit. "to pack". Also means "to give a hiding", as the shortened version of "pakslae"
patat – lit. "sweet potato". A favourite side-dish for Afrikaners, the name "patat" ("pah-tut") can also become a pet-name or term of endearment.
plak – lit. "to stick". Can also refer to starting an informal settlement like a Township (Plakkerskamp)
plakkerskamp/township – an informal settlement primarily housing non-whites of very low-income in poorly self-constructed houses known as
"shacks"
paraat – disciplined. Somebody who is paraat, generally has "houding" i.e. style / character
paw-paw – lit. a Paw-paw fruit. Can refer to an idiot, but is less derogatory and often used to lightly joke with the person in question.
perdedrolle is vye – lit. "Horseshit is figs". When someone is accusing another person of bullshitting them: Jy probeer my se dat perdedrolle is
fye! (You're trying to tell me that horseshit is figs!)
Peppermint Crisp - is a milk chocolate bar invented in South Africa by Wilson-Rowntree, now produced by Swiss chocolatier Nestlé. It features
thin layers of milk chocolate and tubes of mint-flavoured crunch. It is also popularly used as a topping on a milk-based tart that shares its name.
plaas – lit. "farm". Also, when someone falls down:
Plaas gekoop. As a verb, it translates to "placed down" or "put down"
pleister/plaster – lit. "to plaster", as in to plaster a wall. Can also refer to a Band-Aid.
platteland – lit. "flat land", refers to a rural area, country (as in living in the country, as opposed to living in the city). The "flatness" refers to the fact
that the area is geographically similar to farmlands.
plaas se prys - lit. "the price of a farm". Refers to anything that is considered too expensive regardless of its actual worth, considering that a farm
is one of the most expensive pieces of property one could privately own.
platsak – lit. out of cash, flat broke
piel – derogatory term for a male genitalia ("cock" or "dick")
piesang, piesang, paw-paw – lit. "banana, banana, paw-paw". Children's rhyme used when a person makes a fool of himself and/or is a sore
loser.
Piet Pompies — used to identify an anonymous man, similar to Joe Soap.
poepol – (from poephol, arse) an idiot. lit. an arsehole (more specifically the anus), but not as derogatory. Can be used as source of comedy: Ek
voel soos 'n poepol.
poepolletjie – lit. Diminutive form of poepol, strictly reserved as a term of endearment between couples.
poep – lit. "to fart". Derived from the English term "poop", it literally means "to pass gas".
soos 'n poep teen donderweer – lit. "it's like farting against a thunderstorm". Meaning the argument being presented is falling on deaf ears
due to either a much more intimidating defense, or just plain ignorance, i.e. the sound of the fart is being drowned-out by the sound of thunder.
Its closest English counterpart would be "it's like talking to a brick wall".
poepruik – lit. "to smell a fart". Refers to a person who is sleeping in late, though it specifically points to the person wasting time because of it.
poes – derogatory term for a female genitalia ("pussy" or "cunt")
poesklap – lit. a very hard slap. similar to "klap" (to smack/slap), but far more painful: Ek gaan jou so 'n harde poesklap gee, jou tanne gaan
vibreer vir maande lank. (I'm gonna smack you so hard, that your teeth will vibrate for months). Poesklap therefore is far more life-threatening
than a "bitch-slap".
pote – lit. "animal paws". Is an informal reference to a person's feet ("voete" in Afrikaans) directly relating the condition and size of the feet to that
of an animal's paws.
potjie – (pronounced "poi-key") lit. the diminutive form of the English/Afrikaans word "pot", referring to the cooking utensil, but more specifically a
small-to-large sized cast iron pot that is traditionally used to make potjiekos, phutupap and samp (stampmielies).
Potjiekos – lit. "small pot food". Is a meat and vegetable dish that is specially cooked in a potjie. It is traditionally slow-cooked over an open fire for
a couple of hours before being served during a Braai (social gathering). Though it is similar to a stew, the main differences are: a stew has lots
of water/sauce, while a potjiekos has very little water/sauce; and you stir a stew, you don't stir potjiekos as it is intended to not have the
individual ingredients' flavor mixing.
pommie, pom – derogatory term for an English person (borrowed from Australia)
pong - refers to a strong sense of stench or bad odor.
poplap – derived from "lappop" (rag doll). It is a term of endearment towards young beautiful women, and can also extend to much younger girls
usually via a grandfather-figure. The closest English equivalent would be "poppet".
pouse - (pronounced "po-ze"). As an anglicism it is derived from its English counterpart which means to temporarily stop an audio or video, or a
musical break. In its Afrikaans pronunciation it refers specifically to an intermission in theatre and a school recess. Due to code-switching, the
English pronunciation (in its original meaning) is also regularly used by Afrikaners, though it is separated from the Afrikaans pronunciation's
meaning. For example: Ek moet die video pause (Eng pro.) omdat ons nou op pause (Afr pro.) gaan. (I have to pause the video because we're
going on recess now.)
praatsiek – lit. verbal diarrhea. A person who talks non-stop.
praat 'n gat innie kop – lit. "speaking a hole in someone's head". To strongly convince someone to agree with you.
quarter-past kaal arm – lit. "quarter-past naked arm". A sarcastic response to the question "What time is it?", whereby the user either doesn't
know the time or doesn't care. "Naked arm" refers to the person not wearing a wristwatch.
raining cats and dogs/reën katte en honde – lit. "excessive rain"
rammetjie-uitnek - lit "ram with its head held high". Big-headed. Refers more to sporadic bragging rights, than egocentrism.
rigting bedonnerd - lit. "directionless". Refers to any person who becomes easily disorientated when no visual references are helping their
navigation, i.e. they feel lost very easily. It can also be used to humorously describe a person's poor sense of direction, for example: "James
May can get lost in his own house."
rietkooi - lit. "Reed bed", i.e. "bunk bed", considered out-dated as references to bunk beds in general fell out of use in favour of the English term.
Original Afrikaans translation for "bunk-bed" is "stapelbed". Riet ("Reed") refers to the bunk bed frame's flimsy appearance while "kooi" is the
slang term for a bed (specifically a single-bed), derived from the Capetonian dialect. "Kooi" is still in use in the Southern regions.
robot – lit. Afrikaans for "a robot". Is also used exclusively in South Africa, to refer to a traffic light. Originating from traffic guards during the British
colonization period, for moving like a robot while directing traffic. Though the traffic guard has largely been replaced by the traffic light, the name
stuck.
rooinek – ("red neck") Afrikaner derogatory term for English person or English-speaking South African. Derived in the 19th century due to native
British not being used to the hot African sun and getting sunburnt, especially on the neck. Alternative explanation, reference to the fact that
British officers during the two Boer Wars had red collars. Early American usage of "redneck" referred to the farmers who were commonly
sunburned due to field work. The term later came to be used by liberals as an epithet for conservatives from the poor rural southern states, and
nowadays is expanded in use to label any conservatives from any state whose political views differ from that of liberals.
rooijasse/rooibaadtjies – lit. a red jacket/coat. Refers to the British soldiers of the Anglo-Boer Wars that wore red coats.
safari – a camping adventure into the African wilderness, including in a nature reserve
saffa – lit. "a South African". Taken from the initials "S.A.", the term refers to any South African-born person who also grew-up in the country. This
sometimes also extends to the South African Expats.
sakkie-sakkie - Also known as the Sokkie dans, is a style of sensual Ballroom dance.
Sannie sê, Sannie sal sewe sakke sout sleep, sewe sakke sout is swaar sowaar - lit. "Sannie says, she will drag seven sacks of salt,
and the sacks are heavy". Based on the popular song "Sewe Sakke Sout" by Afrikaans singer Anneli Van Rooyen, the phrase is a tongue-
twister commonly used in speech therapy for those who speak with a lisp. The song itself also describes the titular Sannie speaking with a lisp.
Sarie Marais - is a popular folk song. The song describes the relationship between an unnamed man and a beautiful young Afrikaans
Boeremeisie named Sarie Marais during the Anglo-Boer War period.
sat – tired, dead – "Ek is siek en sat van sy nonsens" – "I'm sick and tired of his nonsense", see 'vrek' below (pronounced as "sut" in English)
se gat – expression of strong disagreement often used in conjunction with "se moer" & "jou gat" (your arse).
sies, "sis" – expression of disgust, disappointment, annoyance, as in: Ag sies man.
Sie-sah – expression of goodness, or of disgust, depending on context.
schoepit - pronounced "s-choo-pit", is the informal pronunciation of the word "stupid".
scrompie – slang for "hobo" or bergie. (Liesl told her 7-year-old son, Karl, to walk away from the scrompie walking towards them.)
sharaap – informal pronunciation of the English phrase "shut up"
sien jou gat – lit. "seeing your own arse". Refers to making an enormous fool of yourself and being out-performed & out-classed.
soos Siebies se gat – lit. "like Siebies' arse". Refers to a job done badly and a messy room. Derived from a man of unknown origin known as
"Siebies" (short for Siebert or Sieberhagen)
soos 'n poep innie bad - lit "like a fart in a bathtub of water". Refers to something rising very quickly (literally like the bubbles caused by a fart),
for example: Soos wat die vliegtuig opgestyg het, toe klim ons soos 'n poep innie bad tot by ons cruising altitude. (As the plane took off, we
ascended like a fart in a bathtub to our cruising altitude).
sit gat, rus bene – lit. "sit arse, rest legs". Refers to relaxing after a long hard day.
skapie – someone who might be referred to as a "pussy". Literally "little sheep".
skeef – skewed, gay, as in: hy het 'n bietjie skeef voorgekom (he seemed a bit gay)
skief – to glare at someone (root: Afrikaans 'skeef', skew)
skiet kat - Vomiting
skop, skiet en boomklim – literally "kicking, shooting and climbing trees". A colloquial description of an action film, usually of the lighter, more
humorous kind. (Think Jackie Chan.)
skop, skiet en donner – literally "kicking, shooting and beating people up". A colloquial description of an action movie of the more violent kind.
(Think Jean-Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger.)
skelm – (pronounced: skellem) crook or trouble-maker, mistress, secret lover, on the sly
skilpad het nie vere nie, en appels is nie pere nie – lit. "tortoises don't have feathers, and apples aren't pears". It is a children's rhyme that
discusses a mistruth. It is the Afrikaans equivalent of "liar liar pants on fire."
skinner, skinder – gossip
skinderbek/skinnerbekkie - refers to the person(s) who is spreading gossip, not to be taken as a compliment.
skop – kick
skort – watch out, be careful or something is wrong here
skraal – "thin" or "emaciated"
skrik – fright; also used in the phrase skrik my gat af (very big fright)
skyf – cigarette, a puff, and also less commonly marijuana or dagga
skyrocket/sky-rocket - contrary to the original meaning of the English name, it refers to a portable toilet.
skuit – (pronounced "skate") lit. "to shit"; similar to "taking a dump"
skwaanz – to snitch and sue; a bru dat overreacts to situations or activities they themselves participate in, like, they choke out people in the
choking game and thinks dat is fun, but when someone chokes THEM out, they snitch and sue. Also, "squanz"; "Yo, dat bru is skwaanz! We
don't hang wit daardie fok."
slapgat – English translation is "lazy arse", also can refer to something badly put together, "Hy het dit slapgat gemaak" (he put it together
haphazardly)
slaptjips/ slapchips – (pronounced as "slup chips") similar to thick-cut British chips; usually soft, oily and soaked in vinegar. Slap is Afrikaans for
"limp". French fries refers to thinly cut chips. Crispy potato/corn chips are referred to as 'chips'.
smaak – "taste" also means, to like another person or thing.
smaak stukkend – to like very much or to love to pieces (literal meaning of stukkend). "Ek smaak you stukkend" = "I love you madly".
sneeudier – old person
snoepie - (pronounced "snoopy") refers almost exclusively to a tuck shop based in a school. Tuck shops that are outside school property are often
just called a "winkel" or "winkeltjie" (meaning "a small shop"), and sometimes also called a kafee (referring to a café, though not necessarily one
that serves coffee). The original English usage of the term "Tuck shop" stays intact.
snotklap - "i'll slap you so hard the snot will fly". Usually used to discipline a child.
sel – lit."cell" in all definitions of the word, i.e.: selfoon (cellphone); tronk sel (jail sel); plant sel (plant cell)
soek – to look for trouble with someone/to antagonise/to stir up trouble = "you soeking with me?" – Afrikaans: "to seek or look for".
sommer – for no particular reason, "just because"
soutpiel/soutie – derogatory term for English person, literally salty penis. Someone with one foot in England, the other in South Africa and their
penis hanging in the Atlantic Ocean.
soutpilaar – lit. "salt pillar". Refers to anyone who is standing and staring unnecessarily at something (whether it is at an object or into blank
space, i.e. daydreaming) and isn't paying attention to his/her surroundings. Based on the biblical figure Lot's wife, who turned into a pillar of salt
after disobeying God's command by looking back at the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
spaarbussie/spaarbus – lit. "save-bus". Refers to a piggy bank.
spinning - alongside its original English meaning (to spin or turn), it also refers to a popular local motorsport culture. Whereby a driver would spin
his car's wheels while performing a doughnut and various other drift-style maneuvers for showcase value in front of an audience.
spookasem – lit. "ghost-breath". Refers to candy floss.
springbok - lit. "springbok". As the antelope is the national animal of South Africa, its name has been used in several specialized fields to indicate
a "belonging" to the country, incl: the former Springbok Radio (operated by the SABC), the South Africa national cricket team (was originally
called the Sprinkboks, now called the Proteas due to disassociation with the Apartheid regime and the Springbok-emblem), the South Africa
National Rugby Union Team (commonly called "the Springboks, or Bokke") and the call sign of South African Airways.
spuitpoep - lit. "Diarrhea"
spyker – lit. "a nail". Can also refer to rough sex, similar to "naai".
steek – stab, poke (with a knife). "He/she steeked her/him" = "He/she poked her/him". Also see "naai" = Nick steeked me stukkend.
stukkie, stekkie – a woman (from the Afrikaans meaning "a piece") – mostly used when referring to a woman that you have/have casual
encounters with, girlfriend.
stompie – a cigarette butt, a short person or impolite term to refer to the remaining arm/leg/finger after an amputation.
stukkend – (Afrikaans) broken, a lot. Also commonly used when someone is hungover. For example, "I am so stukkend".
Stuur Groete aan Mannetjies Roux - lit. "Send greetings to Mannetjies Roux" a popular folk song by Laurika Rauch about the titular
Springbok Rugby Player. The song describes a young girl going to live on a farm with her aunt and uncle, who are avid supporters of South
African Rugby Union player Mannetjies Roux (pronounced Munne-keys (in Afrikaans) Roux (as in French)). A film based on the song was
eventually released in 2013.
suig 'n duik in my kop – lit. "sucking a dent in my skull". Refers to a very strong sucking sensation caused by a thick viscous drink when
drinking it through a straw, especially a McDonald's milkshake, which is famous for the sensation.
swak – broke. Original Afrikaans: weak. "I'm swak, ek sê". Also used to suggest that someone's behaviour was harsh (with varying degrees of
seriousness, depending on tone and context), for example: "It's swak that I failed the test."
sy naam is Kom Terug en sy van is Bloedbek/Bloedneus – lit. "its first name is Come Back, and its last name is Bloody-mouth/nose/Or
Else". A verbal warning given to a person who wants to borrow something.
tata/ta ta/ta-ta - Is a goodbye greeting of British origin. It is also the name of the Indian car manufacturer Tata.
tekkies – running shoes. (The Anglicised pronunciation tackies has become mainstream in South African English.) Sports shoes that are
specifically designed for running and often used for comfort.
tiet – English equivalent "boob" or "breast" (from "teat"); tiete (plural); tietie (diminutive) and tieties (plural diminutive)
tietie bottel - lit. "baby bottle".
tet – breast or boob
tjor/tjorretjie – diminutive description of a car, especially one that's being admired: This is a nice tjorretjie you got here!.
tjorts - refers to the sound droplets of liquid make, often referring to a very minimal amount of a liquid ingredient, similar to "kat spoegie".
toppie, ou toppie – father – see ouballie
tos – lit. to masturbate
Transkaroo - refers to a trans-Karoo rail-line that connects Cape Town and Pretoria, it more specifically refers to the train that ran on the line known as the Trans
Karoo Express. A popular song of the same name, describes the narrator's wishes of reuniting with his girlfriend by pleading to the train itself (personified), to bring
her home safely and quickly. Though the train itself is no longer in service, the rail-line is now operated under the Shosholoza Meyl train service, as well as being
used by the luxury Blue Train.
trek – to move or pull. (The word has become international with the meaning of "making a pioneering journey"; the slang usage more closely resembles the standard
Afrikaans meaning.)
trekker - lit. "mover". Also refers to a tractor, as it can be used to tow (pull) trailers and/or cars.
tannie – lit. "aunt/mother". Derived from the Dutch word tante (aunt), it refers to any older female authority figure. The female counterpart of "oom" (uncle). Though the
original English meaning stays intact, the term has come to indicate a sign of tremendous respect towards a much older woman. Rules in using the term correctly
are: The woman must be at least 10 years older than oneself, otherwise they might consider it offensive towards their age if they are young; unless she is one's real-
life aunt, referring to a woman as "tannie" is purely permission-based, i.e. if she doesn't accept the term (and she'll tell you), then you should refrain from using it
when addressing her.
tiekie/tie-kie/ticky – taken from the word "tiekieboks/ticky box", is the popular name of the now outdated streetside payphone. Though ticky boxes are still in use,
they have been largely replaced by cellphones. The ticky box takes its name from the limited time-period per call, based on the ticking of a timer. Also the name
given to the old 2 and a half cent piece and later the 5 cent piece.
tok-tok-tokkie – refers to a woodpecker, with "tok-tok" being the onomatopoeia of the sound the bird makes while pecking. Also refers to the woodpecker-style birds
used in some cuckoo clocks.
TVP (tiener velprobleem) – acne problems
vaalie – mildly derogatory term used by people on the coast for a tourist from inland (Root: Old Transvaal province)
vark – lit. "pig". Identical meaning to the English word in all of its interpretations, i.e.: pig, pork (varkvleis), arsehole (vulgar).
van die os op die wa af - lit. "from the ox onto the wagon and off". Similar to "speaking of which" and "while we're on the subject"
van toeka se dae af – lit. "since the olden days". Derived from the acronym "toeka", which is defined as the foundation of God's Word, which
means it has been used since biblical times.
veë jou gat aan dit af - lit. "wiping your arse on it". Refers to blatant ignorance against any person or object, no matter the consequences.
Closest English equivalent is: "You don't give a shit."
vellies – veldskoene, traditional Afrikaans outdoors shoes made from hide
verkramp – politically conservative or pessimistic, the opposite of verlig, or enlightened
vetkoek – a deep-fried pastry that can either have a sweet filling of jam, honey, and syrup, or a savory filling of beef, chicken, pork, etc. Though the name literally
translates as "fat cake", that name was already reserved by an English dessert, so in order to distinguish between the two very different dishes, vetkoek remains the
universal name across all languages.
voertsek, voetsek – get lost, buzz off, go away, run, scram, stuff off, bugger off (it can be considered rude, depending on the context) – usually used when
referring to an animal. From the Dutch "vort, zeg ik" – used with animals, meaning "Go away!" or "Get moving". Voetsek is considered to be far more assertive than
its English counterparts.
voetjie-voetjie – lit. a game of footsie
voël - lit. "bird". While the original meaning remains intact, it also refers to a penis (vulgar), due to "eiers" (eggs) being another nickname for
testicles.
voshaarnooi – lit. "a red-headed girl". Derived from the song of the same name, by Afrikaans singer Louis Van Rensburg, the song describes the
beauty of a young fiery red-headed girl (voshare = red hair). The original Afrikaans term for a "red-head" is a rooikop.
Volksie - (pronounced as "folk-see") Is the local name of the Volkswagen Type 1 "Beetle" (based on the German/Afrikaans pronunciation - "folks-
vach-en"). It essentially translates to "little Volkswagen". Also known as a "Volla".
vrek – Afrikaans, meaning an animal dying. Possibly from Dutch verrekken to dislocate?
vroeg ryp, vroeg vrot - lit. "the quicker the fruit ripens, the quicker it will rot". Refers to anything that is being rushed, and will be ruined because
of it, thus enforcing the ideology of thinking things through before big decisions are made, or as couples would call it: "taking it slow". It often
serves as a verbal warning against couples that have a whirlwind romance at first and then deciding unwisely, and without hesitation, to enter a
doomed marriage.
vrot – bad, rotten, putrid, sometimes drunk
vrotbek – someone who swears a lot or is swearing a lot at the moment, as well as someone with bad breath.
vry – to make out or courting (equivalent to American "necking", British "snogging" or Australian "pashing")
Vrystaat vernier – shifting spanner
viswyf - lit. "fish female", refers to a woman that throws a "bitch-fit" when she doesn't get her way. "Jy gaan soos 'n viswyf tekere!" (You're being
really bitchy now!).
waai – Afrikaans for "wave hello/goodbye". Slang for "to go". Durbanites like to say "Hey, let's waai pozzy." = "Let's go home." Also refers to the
blowing of wind.
waar val jy uit die bus uit/van die bus af? - lit. "Where did you fall off the bus?". Is a question usually asked when the person you are talking
to, wasn't paying attention to the topic changing when they joined the discussion, and as a result they usually interrupt the discussion with an
off-topic question.
watookal – lit. "whatever"
wakkerslaap - despite its original Dutch meaning "worry", it can also be used to verbally "wake-up" a drowsy person.
windgat – lit. "wind-arse". This is a man who is misbehaving yet manages to get away with it by utilizing a charming personality, even though he
can gain an inflated ego from it. It can also refer to people who regularly drive faster than the speed limit.
woes – wild, untidy, unkempt or irreverent. A general term pertaining to either a person, behaviour or situation.
word wakker, word wakker die dag word al swakker! - lit. "wake-up sleepyheads, the day is getting weaker and weaker!". A literal wake-
up call in military fashion, usually is accompanied with loud banging on the door.
wys – multiple meanings – to insult (see tune) or to say e.g. "Yoh, John wys me after I told him to shut up!". Also refers to "wysheid" (wisdom/wise)
in a sarcastic tone: "O jy dink jy's wys né! (You think you're smart huh, do you!)
yoh – an expression of surprise e.g., "Yoh, that was rude" "Yoh, you gave me a fright!", (Police-chief talking about the poor physique of his
policemen) "They should look at our men and say "yoh!".
ysterperd - "iron-horse", describes a motorcycle, specifically a Harley-Davidson-style "full-size" motorcycle. Is derived from the fact that a
motorcycle, with all its uses, is the modern day equivalent of a horse-and-rider.
ystervarkie(s) – lit. "iron piglets". Also known by their English/Australian name "Lamingtons", these are small cubes of sponge cakes dipped in
chocolate syrup and covered in desiccated coconut. It takes its Afrikaans name from the ystervark (Afrikaans for porcupine) due to its
resemblance to the animal.
zap - while the original English usage remains intact, though the term "to shock" is preferred, it also refers to one's obscene usage of the middle
finger, while a "double-zap" would be where both middle fingers are extended at the same time.
zef – from the Ford Zephyr car, cheap to tune up; cool, rough guy; common person; kitsch, trashy
zol – a homemade cigarette rolled with old newspaper or rizlas (likely marijuana-filled) joint (equivalent to American "doobie")
Celtic Gaulish language, entering English via Old Frankish or Vulgar Latin and Old French
ambassador from Old French embassadeur, from Latin ambactus, from Gaulish *ambactos, "servant", "henchman", "one who goes about".
beak from Old French bec, from Latin beccus, from Gaulish beccos.
bilge from Old French boulge, from Latin bulga, from Gaulish bulgā, "sack".
bran from Gaulish brennos, through the French bren, "the husk of wheat", "barley...".
brave from Prov/Cat brau, from Gaulish bragos.
budge (lambskin) from Old French bulge, from Latin bulga, from Gaulish bulgā, "sack".
budget from Old French bougette, from bouge, from Latin bulga, from Gaulish bulgā.
bulge from Old French boulge, from Latin bulga, from Gaulish bulgā, "sack".
car from Norman French carre, from L. carrum, carrus (pl. carra), orig. "two-wheeled Celtic war chariot," from Gaulish karros.
cream from Old French cresme, from the Latin word of Gaulish origin crāmum.
change from Old French changier, "to change, alter", from the late Latin word cambiare derived from an older Latin word cambire, "to barter,
exchange", a word of Gaulish origin, from PIE root *kemb- "to bend, crook".
embassy from Middle French embassee, from Italian ambasciata, from Old Provençal ambaisada, from Latin Ambactus, from Gaulish *ambactos,
"servant", "henchman", "one who goes about".
glean from Old French glener, from Late Latin glennare, from Gaulish glanos, "clean".
gob from Old French gobe, likely from Gaulish *gobbo-.
palfrey from Old French palefrei, from Latin paraverēdus from Greek para + Latin verēdus, from Gaulish *vorēdos.
piece from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *pettia, likely from Gaulish.
quay from Old French chai, from Gaulish caium.
truant from Old French, from Gaulish *trougo-, "miser".
valet from French, from Gallo-Romance *vassallittus, from Middle Latin vassallus, from vassus, from Old Celtic *wasso-, "young man", "squire".
varlet from Middle French, from Gallo-Romance *vassallittus, from Middle Latin vassallus, from vassus, from Old Celtic *wasso-, "young man",
"squire".
vassal from Old French, from Middle Latin vassallus, from vassus, from Old Celtic *wasso-, "young man", "squire".
Animals
Dachshund, a dog breed, literally "badger dog" (usually referred to as Dackel in German usage)
Doberman Pinscher, a dog breed (usually referred to as Dobermann in German)
Hamster, a hamster is the furry little creature many people keep as pets
Poodle, a dog breed, from German Pudel
Rottweiler, a dog breed
Schnauzer, a dog breed (though in German, Schnauzer could also be short for Schnauzbart, meaning "moustache")
Siskin, several species of birds (from Sisschen, dialect for Zeisig)
Spitz, a dog breed
Technology
–bahn as a suffix, e.g. Infobahn, after Autobahn
Blücher, a half-boot named after Prussian Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (1742–1819); also a hand in the British card game
Napoleon.
Ersatz, replacement; usually implying an artificial and inferior substitute or imitation. In German, the word has a neutral connotation, e.g. Ersatzrad
simply means "spare wheel" (not an inferior one).
Flak, Flugabwehrkanone, literally: air-defence cannon, for anti-aircraft artillery or their shells, also used in flak jacket; or in the figurative sense:
"drawing flak" = being heavily criticized
Kraft as in kraft paper the strong paper used to make sacks; Kraft in German just means "strength" or "power".
Volkswagen, literally "people's car"; brand of automobile
Zeppelin, type of rigid airship named after its inventor
Other aspects of everyday life
erlaubt, allowed, granted; opposite of verboten.
kaput (German spelling: kaputt), out-of-order, broken, dead
nix, from German nix, dialectal variant of nichts (nothing)
Scheiße, an expression and euphemism meaning "shit", usually as an interjection when something goes amiss
Ur– (German prefix), original or prototypical; e.g. Ursprache, Urtext
verboten, prohibited, forbidden, banned. In English this word has authoritarian connotations.
Architecture
Angstloch, literally "fear hole", a small hole in the floor of a medieval castle or fortress through which a basement room (popularly described as a
"dungeon") can be accessed
Bauhaus, a German style of architecture begun by Walter Gropius in 1918
Bergfried, a tall tower typical of Central European medieval castles
Biedermeier, of or relating to a style of furniture developed in Germany in the 19th century; in German, it might also derogatively describe a
certain old-fashioned, ultra-conservative interior styling
Hügelgrab, in archaeology, burial mound
Jugendstil, art nouveau
Pfostenschlitzmauer, in archaeology, a method of construction typical of prehistoric Celtic hillforts of the Iron Age
Plattenbau, building made from prefabricated slabs; a typical building style of the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, particularly associated
with East Germany.
Sondergotik, a Late Gothic architectural style found in Central Europe between 1350 and 1550
Stolperstein, literally "stumbling stone", metaphorically a "stumbling block" or a stone to "stumble upon", a cobblestone-size (10by10 centimetres
(3.9 in × 3.9 in)) concrete cube bearing a brass plate inscribed with the name and life dates of victims of Nazi extermination or persecution
Viereckschanze, in archaeology, a Celtic fortification of the Iron Age
Arts
Gesamtkunstwerk, "the whole of a work of art", also "total work of art" or "complete artwork"
Gestalt (lit. "shape, figure"), a collection of entities that creates a unified concept (where "the whole is more than the sum of its parts")
Heraldry
Seeblatt
Schwurhand
Music
Affektenlehre, the doctrine of the affections in Baroque music theory
Almglocken, tuned cowbells
Alphorn, a wind instrument
Augenmusik, eye music
Ausmultiplikation, a musical technique described by Karlheinz Stockhausen
Blockwerk, medieval type of church organ featuring only labial pipes
Crumhorn, from German Krummhorn, a type of woodwind instrument
Fach, method of classifying singers, primarily opera singers, by the range, weight, and color of their voices
Fife, from Pfeife, a small transverse flute often used in military and marching bands
Flatterzunge (literally "flutter tongue"), playing technique for wind instruments
Flugelhorn (German spelling: Flügelhorn), a type of brass musical instrument
Glockenspiel, a percussion instrument
Heldentenor, "heroic tenor"
Hammerklavier, "hammer-keyboard", an archaic term for piano or the name of a specific kind of piano, the fortepiano; most commonly used in
English to refer to Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata
Hosenrolle, a term for male character, literally "trousers' role"
Kapellmeister, "music director"
Katzenjammer, hubbub or uproar; in German, the term Katzenjammer could also mean hangover.
Katzenklavier, cat organ, a conjectural instrument employing live cats
Kinderklavier, piano for children
Klangfarbenmelodie, a term coined by Arnold Schönberg regarding harmonic theory
Konzertmeister, concert master
Kuhreihen, song originally used for gathering cows for milking
Leitmotif (German spelling: Leitmotiv) a musical phrase that associates with a specific person, thing, or idea
Lied (pronounced "leet"), "song"; specifically in English, "art song"
Lieder ohne Worte, "songs without words"
Liederhandschrift, a manuscript containing medieval songs
Liederkranz, (originally male) singing club
Liedermacher, Singer-songwriter
Marktsackpfeife, a type of bagpipes
Meistersinger, Master-singer
Mensurstrich, barline that is drawn between staves
Minnesang, medieval love poetry
Musikalisches Würfelspiel, a composing technique featuring the use of random number generators, i.e. dice (Würfel)
Ohrwurm, catchy tune
Orgelbewegung, a movement of organ building featuring a more baroque sound and organ architecture
Rauschpfeife, a type of woodwind instrument.
Rückpositiv (also rendered as Ruckpositiv)
Sängerfest, a Central European tradition of music festivals that also spread to North America
Schlager, "a hit" (German schlagen, to hit or beat)
Schottische, literally "Scottish", a folk dance
Schuhplattler, a regional dance from Upper Bavaria and Austria
Singspiel, German musical drama with spoken dialogue
Sitzprobe, rehearsal of a musical stage work where singers are sitting and without costumes
Sprechgesang and Sprechstimme, forms of musical delivery between speech and singing
Strohbass
Sturm und Drang, "storm and stress", a brief aesthetic movement in German literature, just before Weimar Classicism
Urtext, "original text" (of the composer)
Volksmusik, traditional German music
Walzer (Waltz)
Zukunftsmusik, music of the future
Genres
Kosmische Musik: a Krautrock-associated genre of electronic music pioneered by Popol Vuh
Krautrock: German-like English name for a variety of German rock
Neue Deutsche Härte (NDH): "New German Hardness"; a genre of German rock that mixes traditional hard rock with dance-like keyboard parts.
Recently it has begun to appear in English.
Neue Deutsche Todeskunst: "New German Death Art": a movement within the darkwave and gothic rock scenes
Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW): "New German Wave". A genre of German music originally derived from punk rock and new wave music.
Neue Slowenische Kunst: "New Slovenian Art". An art collective dating back to the 1980s, when Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. Most
prominently associated with the band Laibach, named after the German name for Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana.
Romantische Oper: genre of early nineteenth-century German opera
Schranz: a type of techno
Modern songs
99 Luftballons: "99 Balloons" (English title: "99 Red Balloons") by Nena
Schrei nach Liebe: "Scream for Love" by Die Ärzte
Feuer frei!: "Fire at will" (literally, "fire freely!") by Rammstein
Der Kommissar "The Commissioner" by Falco
Theatre
Theaterpädagogik, "theatre pedagogy," the use of theatre as a means for teaching and learning in non-theatrical areas of study
Verfremdungseffekt, effect of disassociation or alienation
Typography
Fraktur, a style of blackletter typeface
Schwabacher, a style of blackletter typeface, from the Franconian town of Schwabach
Biology
Ahnenreihe, line of ancestors
Ahnenschwund, pedigree collapse
Ahnentafel, line of ancestors
Anlage in genetics; also used in the sense of primordium in embryology and temperament in psychology; literal meaning "disposition" or "rudiment"
Aufwuchs, growth
Aurochs (Modern German: Auerochse), urus
Bauplan, body plan of animals
Bereitschaftspotential, readiness potential
Edelweiss, German spelling Edelweiß, Leontopodium alpinum
Einkorn, Triticum boeoticum or Triticum monococcum, a type of wheat
Krummholz, crooked or bent wood due to growth conditions of trees and bushes
Lagerstätte, repository; sedimentary deposit rich in fossils
Lammergeier or lammergeyer (German: Lämmergeier, also Bartgeier), the bearded vulture
Molosser, a type of dog, literally "Molossian", from Molossus, the name of an ancient dog breed which the modern molossers descend from
Oberhäutchen (often written oberhautchen in newer literature), the outermost layer of reptile skin; literally "small top skin" (Häutchen is the
diminutive of Haut, the German word for "skin")
Schreckstoff (lit. "scream stuff"), a chemical alarm signal emitted by fish
Spitzenkörper, structure important in hyphal growth
Spreite, laminae found in trace fossils, going back to animal burrows
Unkenreflex, a defensive posture adopted by several branches of the amphibian class
Waldsterben, forest dieback
Zeitgeber (chronobiology), external clue that helps to synchronize the internal body clock
Zugunruhe (ornithology), pre-migration anxiety in birds and other migratory animals
Chemistry
Bismuth
Darmstadtium
Einsteinium
Meitnerium
Roentgenium
Wolfram
Chess
Allumwandlung
Blitz chess, from German Blitzschach, literally "lightning chess", also known as Fast chess
Fingerfehler: slip of the finger
Kibitz, from German Kiebitz (see de:Kiebitz (Spielbeobachter)), a spectator making comments on the game that can be heard by the players
Luft
Patzer
Sitzfleisch: patience during slow play
Zeitnot
Zugzwang
Zwischenschach
Zwischenzug
Economics
Dollar (German Thaler, Czech: tolar), from Joachimsthal (Czech: Jáchymov), name for the silver coin mined in Bohemia in the 16th century in
Joachimsthal (through Dutch (Rijks)daalder)
Energiewende, stands for Energy transition
Freigeld
Freiwirtschaft
Heller (German also Häller), from Hall am Kocher, name for the coin
K: In economics, the letter K, from the German word Kapital, is used to denote Capital
Lumpenproletariat
Mittelstand
Takt
Wirtschaftswunder
Geography
Hinterland
Inselberg
Knickpoint (German Knickpunkt, from knicken "to bend sharply, fold, kink"), a point where the slope of a river changes suddenly
Massenerhebung effect
Mitteleuropa
Mittelgebirge
Schlatt (also Flatt; from Low German)
Steilhang (steep slope or face)
Thalweg (written "Talweg" in modern German)
Geology
Aufeis, sheets of layered ice formed from groundwater discharge or upwelling of river water behind ice dams during freezing temperatures
Bergschrund
Dreikanter
Fenster, also known as a window, a geologic structure formed by erosion or normal faulting on a thrust system
Firn
Flysch
Gneiss (German Gneis)
Graben
Horst
Karst
Loess (German: Löss)
Randkluft, gap between the rock face and the side of the glacier
Sturzstrom
Urstrom, a large glacial age river in Northern Europe
Urstromtal
Minerals including:
Feldspar (German Feldspat)
Hornblende
Meerschaum
Moldavite (German Moldavit), from Moldau (Czech: Vltava)
Quartz (German Quarz)
Wolframite (German Wolframit)
Zinnwaldite (German Zinnwaldit), from Zinnwald (Czech: Cínovec)
History (Some terms are listed in multiple categories if they are important to each.)
The Third Reich
Alltagsgeschichte, literally "everyday history" a type of microhistory
Aufklarung, in German: Aufklärung, "enlightenment", short for Zeitalter der Aufklärung, "age of enlightenment"
Biedermeier, era in early 19th century Germany
Chaoskampf (mythology)
Diktat
Gründerzeit, the period in German history of great artistic and economic developments
Junker
Kaiser, "emperor" (derived from the title "Caesar")
Kleinstaaterei, the territorial fragmentation of Germany in the early modern period
Kulturgeschichte
Kulturkampf, literally the 'struggle for culture'; Otto von Bismarck's campaign for secularity which mostly went against Catholics in the newly
formed German state, ostensibly a result of Bismarck's suspicion of Catholic loyalty
Kulturkreis, a theory in anthropology and ethnology
Kulturkugel, literally "culture bullet" or "cultural bullet", a neologism coined by archaeologist J. P. Mallory for his model of cultural diffusion
Landflucht
Landnahme
Nordpolitik
Ostflucht
Ostpolitik
Ostalgie (nostalgia for the former Eastern Bloc, specifically for the GDR)
Perserschutt, "Persian rubble", sculptures that were damaged by the invading Persian army on the Acropolis of Athens in 480 BC
Quellenforschung, "research of sources", the study of the sources of, or influences upon, a literary work
Regenbogenschüsselchen, a type of prehistoric gold coin of the Celtic Iron Age
Realpolitik (political science: "real politics"); usually implies the way politics really works, i.e. via the influence of power and money, rather than a
principled approach that the public might expect to be aligned with a party's or nation's values, or rather than a political party's given
interpretation.
Reichstag (Imperial Diet; see Reichstag building, Imperial Diet, Reichstag, and the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic)
Sammlungspolitik
Sippe, an ancient Germanic clan
Urmonotheismus
Urreligion
Völkerschlacht – the "Battle of the Nations" (that is, the Battle of Leipzig, 1813)
Völkerwanderung – the migration (and invasions) of the Germanic peoples in the 4th century
Weltpolitik – the politics of global domination; contemporarily, "the current climate in global politics".
Linguistics
Ablaut
Abstandsprache
Aktionsart
Ausbausprache
Dachsprache
Dreimorengesetz, "three-mora law", the rule for placing stress in Latin
Gleichsetzung or Gleichung, "equation" (of cognates, in etymology)
Grammatischer Wechsel, "grammatical alternation", a pattern of consonant alternations found in Germanic strong verbs and also in Germanic
nouns
Grenzsignal, "boundary signal"
Gruppenflexion, "group inflection", the attachment of an affix to an entire phrase instead of individual words
Junggrammatiker, literally "Young Grammarians", a formative German school of linguists in the late 19th century
Loanword (ironically not a loanword but rather a calque from German Lehnwort)
Mischsprache, mixed language
Nebenüberlieferung or "secondary transmission", linguistic material such as names (place-names, personal names etc.), loanwords or glosses
from a particular language found in texts composed in other languages (e. g., Hesychius' glossary)
Primärberührung, "primary contact", the development of certain consonant clusters (stop consonant + /t/) in Proto-Germanic
Rückumlaut, "reverse umlaut", a regular pattern of vowel alternation (of independent origin from usual ablaut patterns) in a small number of
Germanic weak verbs
Sitz im Leben (Biblical linguistics mainly; the study of pragmatics has a similar approach)
Sprachbund, "speech bond" or"language union", a sociolinguistic term for a group of languages that have become similar because of
geographical proximity
Sprachgefühl (de), the intuitive sense of what is appropriate in a language
Sprachraum
sprachwirklich (said of words and structures: actually attested as opposed to, e. g., merely postulated on theoretical grounds, or as opposed to
artificial coinages and inventions by ancient grammarians that were never used in reality)
Stammbaumtheorie, also Stammbaum alone, for a phylogenetical tree of languages
Suffixaufnahme
Trümmersprache, fragmentarily attested language
Umlaut
Urheimat, "original homeland", the area originally inhabited by speakers of a (reconstructed) proto-language
Ursprache, "proto-language"
Verschärfung, "sharpening", several analogous phonetic changes in Gothic, North Germanic and modern Faroese
Wanderwort, "migratory term/word", a word which spreads from its original language into several others
Winkelhaken, a basic element in the ancient cuneiform script
Literature
Bildungsroman
Knittelvers
Künstlerroman
Leitmotiv, a recurring theme
Leitwortstil
Nihilartikel, a fake entry in a reference work
Quellenkritik, source criticism
Sturm und Drang, an 18th-century literary movement; "storm and stress" in English, although the literal translation is closer to "storm and urge".
Urtext, "original text"
Vorlage, original or mastercopy of a text on which derivates are based
Wahlverwandtschaft (pronounced with a [v]) (from Goethe's Die Wahlverwandtschaften)
Q, abbreviation for Quelle ("source"), a postulated lost document in Biblical criticism
Medicine
Anwesenheit
Diener, autopsy assistant
Entgleisen
Gedankenlautwerden
Gegenhalten
Kernicterus (German spelling: Kernikterus)
Kleeblattschädel
Mitgehen
Mitmachen
Mittelschmerz ("middle pain", used to refer to ovulation pain)
Pfropfschizophrenie
Rinderpest
Schnauzkrampf
Sensitiver Beziehungswahn
Sitz Bath
Spinnbarkeit
Verstimmung
Vorbeigehen
Vorbeireden
Wahneinfall
Witzelsucht
Wurgstimme
Philosophy
An sich, "in itself"
Dasein
Ding an sich, "thing in itself" from Kant
Geist, mind, spirit or ghost
Gott ist tot!, a popular phrase from Nietzsche; more commonly rendered "God is dead!" in English.
Übermensch, also from Nietzsche; the ideal of a Superhuman or Overman.
Weltanschauung, calqued into English as "world view"; a comprehensive view or personal philosophy of human life and the universe
Welträtsel, "world riddle", a term associated with Nietzsche and biologist Ernst Haeckel concerning the nature of the universe and the meaning of
life
Wertfreiheit, Max Weber's postulate: statements of science should be kept separate from value judgments (value neutrality)
Wille zur Macht, "the will to power", central concept of Nietzsche's philosophy
Physical sciences
Ansatz, an assumption for a function that is not based on an underlying theory
Antiblockiersystem
Aufbau principle (physical chemistry) (German spelling: Aufbauprinzip)
Bremsstrahlung literally, "brake radiation", electromagnetic radiation emitted from charge particles stopping suddenly
Durchmusterung, the search for celestial objects, especially a survey of stars
Entgegen and its opposite zusammen (organic chemistry)
Farbzentrum (Solid-state physics)
Foehn wind, also "foehn" (German spelling Föhn), a warm wind which sometimes appears on the northern side of the Alps in south Germany and
Austria
Fusel alcohol (German: Fuselalkohol), from German Fusel, which refers to low-quality liquor
Gedanken experiment (German spelling: Gedankenexperiment); more commonly referred to as a "thought experiment" in English
Gegenschein, a faint brightening of the night sky in the region of the antisolar point
Gemisch (chemistry: a randomized mixture of components)
Gerade and its opposite ungerade (quantum mechanics)
Graupel, a form of precipitation
Heiligenschein (lit. "Saint's shine")
Hohlraum, a radiation cavity used in thermonuclear weapons design
Kirchweger-Kondensationseinrichtung
Kugelblitz (the German term for ball lightning), in theoretical physics: a concentration of light so intense that it forms an event horizon and
becomes self-trapped
Kugelrohr, distillation apparatus
Mischmetall (lit. "mixed metal"), alloy
Rocks and minerals like Quartz (German spelling: Quarz), Gneiss and Feldspar (originally Gneis and Feldspat respectively), Meerschaum
Reststrahlen (lit. "residual rays")
Schiefspiegler, special type of telescope
Schlieren, inhomogeneities in transparent material
Sollbruchstelle, predetermined breaking point
Spiegeleisen
Trommel
Umklapp process (German spelling: Umklappprozess)
Umpolung (organic chemistry)
Vierbein, and variations such as vielbein
Zitterbewegung
Zwitterion
Politics
Befehl ist Befehl
Berufsverbot
Kritik, a type of argument in policy debates
Lumpenproletariat
Machtpolitik, power politics
Putsch, overthrow of those in power by a small group, coup d'état. (Although commonly understood and used in contemporary High German, too,
the word putsch originates from Swiss German and is etymologically related to English "push".)
Realpolitik, "politics of reality": foreign politics based on practical concerns rather than ideology or ethics.
Rechtsstaat, concept of a state based on law and human rights
Siegerjustiz
Überfremdung
Vergangenheitsbewältigung
Psychology
Aha-Erlebnis (lit. "aha experience"), a sudden insight or epiphany, compare eureka
Angst, feeling of fear, but more deeply and without concrete object
Eigengrau (lit. "intrinsic grey") or also Eigenlicht (lit. "intrinsic light"), the colour seen by the eye in perfect darkness
Einstellung effect, from Einstellung, which means "attitude" here
Erlebnis, from erleben for "experience", meaning a lived through conscious experience
Ganzfeld effect, from German Ganzfeld (lit. "complete field"), a phenomenon of visual perception
Gestalt psychology (German spelling: Gestaltpsychologie), holistic psychology
Gestaltzerfall (lit. "shape decomposition"), a kind of visual agnosia where a complex, holistic shape (Gestalt) dissolves into its parts for the perceiver
Haltlose personality disorder, from haltlos (lit. "not stopping"), aimless
Merkwelt, "way of viewing the world", "peculiar individual consciousness"
Schadenfreude, gloating, a malicious satisfaction obtained from the misfortunes of others
Sorge, a state of worry, but (like Angst) in a less concrete, more general sense, worry about the world, one's future, etc.
Umwelt, environment, literally: "surrounding world"; in semiotics, "self-centred world"
Weltschmerz (lit. "world-pain"), kind of feeling experienced by someone who understands that physical reality can never satisfy the demands of
the mind
Wunderkind (lit. "wonder child"), child prodigy
Zeitgeber (lit. "time-giver"), something that resets the circadian clock found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus
Sociology
Gemeinschaft, community
Gesellschaft, society
Herrschaft, reign
Männerbund, elite male society
Verstehen, understanding
Zeitgeist, spirit of the times or age
Theology
Gattung, genre
Heilsgeschichte (salvation history, God's positive saving actions throughout history)
Kunstprosa, artistic prose
Sitz im Leben (setting in life, context)
Common morphemes
Morpheme Definition Example word
Andr Man Android: a machine made to look like a man
Anthrop Humankind Anthropology: the study of humankind (see logy)
Arch Rule; govern Gynarchy: Government by a woman [see gyn]
Archae Ancient; old Archaeology: The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric antiquities, such as the remains of buildings
or monuments of an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics, written manuscripts, etc. [see logy]
Bath Depth Bathometer: a device measuring depth (see meter)
Biblio Book Bibliophobia: the fear of books [see phobia]
Caco Bad Cacography: poor handwriting [see graph]
Centr Center Centerpiece: an ornamental object used in a central position, esp. on the center of a dining-room table
Chrom Color Polychrome: having many colors [see poly]
Chron Time Chronological: being in time order
Cycl Circle Bicycle: a vehicle with two wheels in tandem, usually propelled by pedals connected to the rear wheel by a
chain, and having handlebars for steering and a saddlelike seat. [see bi]
Dem People Democracy: Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and
directly exercised by the people
Di Two Dichromatic: having two colors [see chrom]
Dyn Power Dynasty: a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group
Erg Work Ergonomics: the science of equipment design, intended to maximize productivity, especially in the workplace
Eu Good Euphony: pleasant combinations of sound [see phon]
Gen Origin; kind Genesis: the first book in the Bible
Geo Earth Geology: the study of the earth [see logy]
Gon Angle Polygon: a many sided shape [see poly]
Graph; Write; draw; Telegraph: the long-distance transmission of written messages without physical transport of letters [see tele]
gram record
Gyn Woman Misogyny: The hatred of women [see miso]
Helio Sun Heliotherapy: therapeutic exposure to sunlight [see therap]
Hem; Blood Hemorrhage: a profuse discharge of blood
haem
Hemi Half Hemisphere: one of the halves into which the earth is divided
Hetero Unlike; different Heterogeneous: Differing in kind; having unlike qualities; possessed of different characteristics; differing in
origin [see gen]
Homo Same Homogenous: Having a resemblance in structure, due to descent from a common progenitor with subsequent
modification [see gen]
Iso Equal Isography: Imitation of another's handwriting [see graph]
Latry Worship Idolatry: the religious worship of idols
Log Word; idea; study Dialog: A conversation between people. (dia: through) + (logos: speech, reason) = ("exchange of thoughts")
Logy; Discourse; learn Trilogy: a set of three works of art that are connected
ology
Macro Long Macrocosm: any large thing; universe
Mancy Prophecy Bibliomancy: prophesying by use of books [see biblio]
Mania Madness Pyromaniac: A person suffering from pyromania; A person who is obsessed with fire; one who lights things on
fire
Mega Large Megalomania: a mental disorder characterized by delusions of power [see mania]
Meter Measure Diameter: the length of a straight line passing from side to side of any figure or body, through its center
Micro Small Microscopic: so small it's hard to see [see scop]
Miso Hate Misology: the dislike of arguments (see log)
Mono One Monopoly: an exclusive privilege to carry on a business, traffic, or service, granted by a government
Olig Few Oligarchy: a form of government all the power resides with few people [see arch]
Ortho Correct; straight Orthodontics: the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention and correction of irregular teeth
Pan All Pandemic: prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world [see dem]
Para Beside; beyond; Paralysis: loss of muscle function for one or more muscles
abnormal
Path Feeling; disease Sociopath: a person, whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social
conscience.
Phil Friend Philanthropy: the desire to help others [see anthrop]
Phobia Fear of Arachnaphobia: The fear of spiders
Phon Sound Euphonic: Pleasing to the ear [see eu]
Poly Many Polymath: a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas
Rhe Flood; flow; gush; Logorhea: a flood of words spoken quickly (see log)
burst
Scop; Look at; examine Kaleidoscope: A toy in which reflections from mirrors make patterns
scept
Stat; stas Stop Static: showing little or no change
Tel; tele Far; distant Telephone: Apparatus designed to convert sound waves into electrical waves which are sent to and
reproduced data distant point [see phon]
Theo God Atheist: one who believes in no gods
Therap Cure Therapy: Treatment of illness or disability
Hawaiian words
Vowel Pronunciation
a [aː], [ɐ] or [ə]
e [ ː], [ɛ], or [e]
i [iː] or [i]
o [oː] or [o]
u [ ː] or [u]
Hawaiian word Meaning Pronunciation
(IPA)
ʻAʻa A kind of rough-surface volcanic rock (in Hawaiian: 'a'ā). Note that there are two glottal stops [ʔəˈʔaː]
before and after the first "a". Thus, it is not spoken as "ahh", but as "ah-ah".
Akamai Intelligent, clever, smart. [ʔɐkəˈmɛi]
Aloha Hello, goodbye, and love; outside of Hawaiʻi, only the first two meanings are used. [ʔəˈlohə]
ʻAwa A Polynesian shrub, Piper methysticum, of the pepper family, the aromatic roots of which are [ˈʔɐwə]
used to make an intoxicating beverage
Haole Foreigner or outsider. Usually directed towards Caucasians or people from the mainland. [ˈhɑol ]
May be said offensively, but is commonly said familiarly. Derived frim haʻole, meaning
"without breath"; allegedly, the word was originally used to describe Captain Cook's
crewmen, as they had button shirts that would go all the way up to the neck.
Honu Green sea turtle. [ˈhon ]
Hula Ancient Hawaiian form of dance. In the older days, men used to do hula as a sign of [ˈh lə]
masculinity and as a war dance. Also see haka. Many people get confused between the
Hawaiian hula (more graceful and slow) and the Tahitian hula (quicker and more hip
movements)
Humuhumunukunu The reef triggerfish. The humuhumunukunukuapua'a is notorious for its long name, which [ˌh m ˌh m ˌn k ˌ
many struggle to pronounce correctly (Humu (HOO-moo) + humu (HOO-moo) + nuku n k ˌwaːp ˈwɐʔ
kuāpuaʻa
(NOO-koo) + nuku (NOO-koo) + wa (WAH) + pua'a (poo-WUH'-uh)) ə]
Kahuna Hawaiian priest, wizard, or shaman; used in the slang phrase "big kahuna" [kəˈhunə]
Kamaʻāina A local; someone who has lived in Hawaii for a long time [kɐməˈʔɛinə]
Keiki A child. [ˈk iti]
Kukui The candlenut tree, state tree of Hawaii, so named because the nuts were used as candles. [k ˈk wi]
Kukui nut leis were worn by celebrities such as Jessica Simpson and Tyra Banks in
2005-07 and became popular must-have accessories.
Lānai A veranda or patio, from the word lānai (not to be confused with the island, Lānaʻi) [laːˈnɛi]
Laniakea The galaxy supercluster that is home to the Milky Way. It means "immeasurable heaven". [la:niakæ]
Lei A garland of flowers and/or leaves to be worn around the neck. [ˈl i]
Luau A Hawaiian feast (Hawaiian: lūʻau). [l ːˈʔɔu]
Mahalo Thank you. [məˈhɐlo]
Mahi-mahi Dolphin fish; the word means "very strong." [ˈmɐhiˈmɐhi]
Mana Magical or spiritual power. [ˈmɐnə]
Mano Shark (Hawaiian: manō) (not to be confused with the Spanish "mano", meaning "hand"). [ˈmɐno]
Muʻumuʻu A loose gown or dress incorrectly pronounced moo-moo in English, but properly pronounced [ˈm ʔ ˈm ʔu]
(Muumuu) "muʻumuʻu" in Hawaiian.
ʻOhana Family, neighborhood. May also mean a guest house where family members stay. [ʔoˈhɐnə]
Ono Good to eat. May also refer to the Scombrid Fish, also known as the Wahoo. [ˈono]
Pahoehoe A kind of smooth-surface volcanic rock. [paːˈhow ˈhow ]
Pele's hair A type of volcanic glass fibers named after Pele, the Hawaiian fire goddess of volcanoes [ˈpɛlɛ]
(see also limu o Pele).
Pele's tears Solidified pieces of lava named after Pele. —
Poi A type of Hawaiian food made from mashing corms of the taro plant. [ˈpoi]
Puka A hole or perforation. Puka shells are round shells with center holes, strung together to make [ˈp kə]
popular necklaces.
Shaka A hand gesture common in Hawaii by raising the thumb and pinky fingers to make a sign —
similar to the American Sign Language symbol for "Y".
Taboo From Hawaiian "kapu". Also Māori, Tongan, Samoan, Tahitian "tapu" or Fijian "tabu". [ˈkɐpu]
Ukulele A small guitar-like musical instrument that resembles the Portuguese cavaquinho (lit. [ʔ k ˈlɛlɛ]
"jumping flea")
Wahine A (Polynesian) woman, a female surfer. [waːˈɦiːn ]
Wiki Fast; used in the "Wiki Wiki Shuttle" and "English Wikipedia" [ˈviti], [ˈwiki]
GOULASH
From gulyás, a type of stew known in Hungarian as gulyás. In Hungary, 'gulyásleves' is a soup dish; leves meaning soup. Gulyás also means
'herdsman' dealing with cattle, as the noun gulya is the Hungarian word for cattle herd. (This can cause confusion with native Hungarian speakers,
as Hungarians generally understand unqualified "gulyás" to mean "gulyásleves", the soup, instead of referring to the international goulash as
"pörkölt".)
Hajduk From hajdúk, "bandits". Outlaw, guerilla fighter. The original Hungarian meaning was "cattle drover".
Halászlé or Fisherman's Soup, a very hot and spicy river fish soup with a lot of paprika. (The actual Hungarian halászlé is not always made with
hot paprika, unlike the internationally-known soup.)
Hussar From Hungarian huszár, a light cavalry soldier. The Hungarian word originally meant "freebooter" and was further derived via Old Serbian
husar, gusar, gursar ("pirate") from Italian corsaro ("pirate"), i.e. the same root as that of English corsair.
Itsy-bitsy is sometimes linked to Hungarian ici-pici ("tiny") by popular sources, but is regarded as an unrelated English formation by English
dictionaries.
Komondor A big Hungarian breed of livestock guardian dog, looking like a big mop, always white.
Kuvasz A big Hungarian breed of shepherd dog, always white.
Lassan From lassú, "slowly". a slow section of music, often associated with czardas dances (cf. friska).
Palacsinta a form of pancake popular throughout central Europe
Paprika a spice produced from the ground, dried fruits of Capsicum annuum, a red pepper
Pengő the currency of Hungary between 1925 and 1946 (cf. forint).
Puli A small Hungarian breed of shepherd dog, also looking like a mop, usually black or white.
pusta or puszta From puszta, a kind of Hungarian steppe.
Rezbanyite a mineral (consisting of lead, copper, and bismuth sulfide), named after Rézbánya ("copper mine")
sabre (UK) or saber (US) From French (sabre, sable), ultimately from an unknown source in a language of Eastern origin, possibly through
Hungarian szablya.
shako or tsako From csákó süveg, 'peaked cap', a stiff military hat with a high crown and plume.
tokaji or tokay From tokaji aszú, the name of the wine from Tokaj, the centre of the local wine-growing district Tokaj-Hegyalja.
Vashegyite a mineral (hydrated basic aluminum phosphate), named after Vashegy ("iron mountain"), the old Hungarian name for the village of
Ž l zník, Slovakia where it was discovered.
Verbunkos a Hungarian men's folk dance and musical style (itself coming from German Werbung - meaning "military recruitment" here).[citation
needed]
vizsla or vizla From vizsla, a Hungarian breed of hunting dog.
Dravidian languages
Aiyo, a word used to express distress, regret and fear, either from Tamil aiyō or Sinhalese ayiyō.
Betel, a leaf of a vine belonging to the Piperaceae family; from Portuguese betel, which probably comes from Tamil or Malayalam.
Candy, crystallized sugar or confection made from sugar; via Persian qand, which is probably from a Dravidian language, ultimately stemming
from the Sanskrit root word 'Khanda'.
Coir, cord/rope, fibre from husk of coconut; from Malayalam kayar (കയർ) or Tamil kayiru (கயிறு). The origin of this word cannot be conclusively
attributed to Malayalam or Tamil.
Congee, porridge, water with rice; uncertain origin, possibly from Tamil kanji (கஞ்சி), Telugu or Kannada gañji, or Malayalam kaṇni
Coolie, a labourer or slave, a South Asian person; possibly from Tamil cooli (கூலி) "labour", or possibly from Koḷī "Gujarati people" in Gujarati,
which is not a Dravidian language
Cot, a bedstead or a portable bed; via Hindi from Sanskrit, which in turn may have come from a Dravidian source such as Tamil kattil
Cowry, the shells of certain sea snails, or the snails themselves; via Hindi and Urdu from Sanskrit kaparda (कपदद), which may be related to Tamil
kotu (ககோது) "shell"
Curry, a variety of dishes flavored with a spicy sauce; cognates exist in several Dravidian languages.
Ginger, a fragrant spice; exact route from Dravidian is uncertain, but possibly from Tamil inchi (இஞ்சி) or Malayalam inchi (ഇഞ്ചി)
Godown, synonym to warehouse; English from Malay, which in turn may have borrowed it from Telugu giḍangi or Tamil kiṭanku
Gunny, an inexpensive bag; from Tulu word goni.
Hot toddy, beverage made of alcoholic liquor with hot water, sugar, and spices; from Hindi tari "palm sap", probably from a Dravidian language
Jaggery, coarse brown sugar made from palm and sugarcane; from Malayalam sharkara (ശർക്കര) or Kannada sharkare, having its origins in
Sanskrit,ultimately originating from Tamil sakkarai (சக்கரை) - meaning sugar in modern use.
Mango, A tropical fruit;origin probably from Malayalam or Tamil
Mongoose, a small carnivorous mammal from southern Eurasia or Africa, known for killing snakes; probably ultimately from a Dravidian language,
with spelling influenced by the English word goose
Mung, a type of bean; ultimately from Sanskrit mudga (मुद्ग), which is the name of the bean and the plant, perhaps via Tamil mūngu (முங்கு) "soak",
or perhaps from mũg (माँग), the name of the bean in Hindi, which is not a Dravidian language
Orange, a citrus fruit, or a color named for the fruit; cognates exist in several Dravidian languages
Pagoda, a religious building; etymology uncertain but perhaps influenced by Tamil pagavadi (பகோவடி) "house belonging to a deity"
Pariah, a social outcast; from Tamil paṟaiyar (பரையர்) or Malayalam paṟayan, "drummer"
Peacock, a type of bird; from Old English pawa, the earlier etymology is uncertain, but one possible source is Tamil tokei (க ோரக) "peacock
feather", via Latin or Greek
Sambal, a spicy condiment; from Malay, which may have borrowed the word from a Dravidian language such as Tamil or Telugu
Teak, a tropical hardwood tree; called tekku (க க்கு) in Tamil, tekka in Malayalam, Telugu teku, and Kannada tegu
Malayalam
English word Word Transliteration Meaning in Malayalam
Copra കൊപ്ര kopra copra; coconut kernel
Coir കയർ kayaṟ cord; coir
Teak തേക്ക് tēkka teak
Mango മാങ്ങ māṅṅa mango
Betal വിറ്റില vittila betel
Areca അടയ്ക്ക adekka areca nut
Catechu കശൂ cashoo catechu
Calico കോഴിക്കോട് kēāḻikkēāṭ name of the place it originates from (Calicut)
Papadum, Poppadom പപ്പടം pappaṭaṁ poppadom
Jackfruit ചക്ക Chakka jackfruit tree or fruit
Tamil
Gregory James, a professor with the language center of Hong Kong university believes that more than 100 words in the Oxford English Dictionary
have Tamil origin, and there could be even more. The third edition of the OED, published online since 2000, contains approximately 400,000 words.
English word Tamil word Transliteration Meaning in Tamil
Clay களி Kali
Catamaran கட்டுமைம் kattumaram tied wood
Cheroot சுருட்டு s r ṭṭ roll
Corundum குருந் ம்/குருவிந் ம் kuruntham/kuruvintham ruby
Mulligatawny மிளகுத் ண்ணி muligai-taṇṇīr m ligai-thanni herb water
Patchouli பச்ரசർஇரை pachchai ilai green leaf
Pandal பந் ல் pandhal temporary shelter
Culvert கல்வவட்டு kalvettu Carved/Cut Stone
Telugu
English word Telugu word Transliteration Meaning in Telugu
Bandicoot పందికొక్కు pandi-kokku "pig-rat"
Mongoose ము౦గిస mungeesa mongoose
Pitta పిట్ట pitta young bird
Kannada
English word Kannada word Transliteration Meaning in Kannada
Bamboo ಬಂಬು baṃb bamboo
Dhole ತ ೋಳ tōḷa wolf
Hijra ಹಿಜಡಾ Hijaḍā impotent man
Animals
Babirusa, compound word from babi (pig) and rusa (deer)
Banteng
Bantam, from the town of Banten
Binturong
Cassowary from kasuari (Papuan)
Cockatoo from kakatua
Dugong from duyung
Komodo dragon, from Komodo
Orangutan
Pangolin from pengguling or trenggiling
Siamang
Tapir
Tokay (gecko) from tokek (Javanese)
Trepang from teripang
Plants and trees
Bamboo from bambu
Gambier from gambir
Gutta percha from getah perca
Kapok from kapuk
Meranti a kind of tropical tree
Merbau a kind of tropical tree
Paddy from padi (Indonesian) / pari (Javanese)
Pandanus from pandan
Ramie from rami
Rattan from rotan
Sago from sagu
Cajuput from kayu Putih
Fruits
Cempedak
Durian
Langsat
Mangosteen from manggis (manggustan)
Rambutan
Salak, also known as Zalacca
Papaya from pepaya
Foods
Agar
Ketchup from kecap (soy sauce, not tomato sauce)
Sambal
Satay from sate (Javanese)
Tempeh from tempe
Sports
Bantam, from bantam chicken, ultimately Banten town
Silat
Sepak takraw
Others
Balanda to refer whiteman, from belanda (Dutchman)
Camphor, from kapur barus ("Barus' chalk"), which refers to the port of Barus in Sumatra as the source of camphor
Damar, plant resin
Lahar from lahar (Javanese)
Tombac from tembaga
Compound from kampung, which is Indonesian for "village".
Acciaccatura
Adagio
Allegretto
Allegro
Alto
Andante
Appoggiatura
Aria
Arpeggio
Ballerina and Prima ballerina
Baritone (from Italian baritono – from Greek βαρύτονος – through French)
Bass (from Latin bassus, influenced by Italian basso)
Basso
Bel canto
Bravo
Bravura
Brio
Cadenza
Cantata
Castrato
Celesta
Cello (from Italian violoncello)
Coda
Coloratura
Concert (from Italian concerto through French)
Concertante
Concerto
Continuo
Contralto
Contrapuntal (Italian: contrappuntistico)
Cornetto
Crescendo
Diminuendo
Diva
Duet (from Italian duetto through French)
Duo
Falsetto
Fantasia
Fermata
Fiasco (whose Italian basic meaning is "flask, bottle")
Finale
Forte
Fortissimo
Glissando
Impresario
Intermezzo
Largo
Legato
Librettist (Italian: librettista)
Libretto
Madrigal (Italian: madrigale)
Maestro
Mandolin (from Italian mandolino through French)
Mezzo-soprano (in Italian without hyphen)
Obbligato
Oboe
Ocarina
Opera
Operetta
Oratorio
Pianissimo
Piano
Piccolo (in Italian means "small")
Pizzicato
Presto
Prima ballerina
Prima donna
Quartet (from Italian quartetto through French)
Quintet (Italian: quintetto)
Scherzo (in Italian means "joke")
Semibreve
Sextet (Italian: sestetto)
Sol-fa, Solfa, Solfeggio, Solfège (the last one through French)
Solo (in Italian means "alone")
Soloist (Italian: solista)
Sonata
Soprano
Sotto voce (in Italian literally means "under voice" i.e. "whisper"; often written without spaces)
Staccato
Tarantella after the city of Taranto
Tempo (in Italian means "time")
Timpani (Italian timpano, pl. timpani)
Toccata
Tremolo
Trio
Trombone
Vibrato
Viola
Violin (from Italian violino through French)
Violoncello
Virtuoso
Art and architecture
Antics (from Italian antico, meaning "old, ancient")
Apartment (from Italian appartamento through French appartement)
Arabesque (from Italian arabesco through French arabesque)
Architrave
Archivolt (Italian: archivolto)
Balcony (from Italian balcone)
Bas-relief (from Italian bassorilievo through French)
Belvedere (in Italian means a view point)
Bust (from Italian busto through French)
Cameo (Italian: cameo or cammeo)
Campanile
Caricature (from Italian caricatura through French)
Carton (from Italian cartone through French)
Cartoon (from Italian cartone through French)
Chiaroscuro: From chiaro-oscuro, "light-dark". An art technique making strong use of bold stadow and harsh lighting
Corridor (from Italian corridoio through French)
Cupola
Dado (in Italian meaning "dice")
Fresco (Italian: affresco from the expression a fresco)
Gesso
Graffiti (Italian: graffito, pl. graffiti)
Grotto (in Italian grotta, meaning "cave")
Impasto
Intaglio
Loggia (from French loge)
Madonna (in Medieval Italian meant Lady, in Modern Italian indicates Mary the Virgin)
Magenta called after the Italian town
Mezzanine (Italian mezzanino, from mezzano "middle")
Modello (Italian modello, "model, sketch")
Moresco
Parapet (from Italian parapetto through French)
Patina
Pergola
Piazza
Pietà (in Italian means "pity")
Portico
Putto (Italian putto, "baby", "cherub")
Replica (in Italian means "repeat performance")
Sgraffito (Italian sgraffiare, "to scratch, write")
Stucco (in Italian means "plaster")
Tempera
Terra-cotta (in Italian without hyphen)
Terrazza (in Italian means "terrace", "balcony")
Torso
Veranda
Villa
Literature and language
Canto From canto "song," originally from Latin. A section of a long or epic poem
Ditto (Old Italian for "said")
Lingua franca (Italian lingua Franca, "Frankish language"). Its usage to mean a common tongue originated from its meaning in Arabic and Greek
during the Middle Ages, whereby all Western Europeans were called "Franks" or Faranji in Arabic and Phrankoi in Greek.
Motto (Italian motto, "word")
Novel (Italian novella, "tale")
Ottava rima
Rodomontade (From Rodomonte, a character in Italian Renaissance epic poems Orlando innamorato and its sequel Orlando furioso).
Sestina
Sonnet (From Italian sonetto through French)
Stanza
Theatre and dramatic arts
Cantastoria: From canta historia, "sung story" or "singing history". A theatrical form In modern Italian: cantastorie.
Extravaganza (in Italian stravaganza, meaning "extravagance")
Finale, Series finale
Imbroglio (in Italian means "cheat")
Punch (from the Italian character Pulcinella)
Scenario (in Italian also meaning "scenery")
Sotto voce (Italian sottovoce, "under voice")
Arts in general and aesthetics
Burlesque (from Italian burlesco through French)
Capriccio: From capriccio, "sudden motion". In music, a free composition; in art, a juxtaposing of elements to create a fantastic or imagined
architecture
Cinquecento (Italian Cinquecento from millecinquecento, "1500") The culture of the 16th century
Grotesque (from Italian grottesco through French)
Pastiche (from Italian pasticcio through French)
Picturesque (from Italian pittoresco through French)
Quattrocento (Italian Quattrocento from millequattrocento, "1400") The culture of the 15th century
Studio
Colours
Orange
Lava (color)
Magenta
Rosso corsa
Sepia (Italian: seppia, meaning "cuttlefish")
Sienna (Italian terra di Siena, "earth of Siena")
Terra cotta (color)
Umber (from Latin umbra, "shadow", and the region of its origin, Umbria)
Cuisine
Al dente
Al fresco
Antipasto
Artichoke from articiocco, Northern Italian variant of Old Italian arcicioffo
Baguette (through French baguette from Italian bacchetta)
Banquet (from Italian banchetto through French)
Barista: From barista, "bartender". A preparer of espresso-based coffee
Bergamot (Italian: bergamotto)
Biscuit (through French from Italian biscotto, meaning "cooked twice")
Bologna after the Italian city
Bruschetta
Broccoli (Italian: broccolo, pl. broccoli)
Candy :from Middle English sugre candy, part translation of Middle French sucre candi, from Old French çucre candi, part translation of Italian
zucchero candito, from zucchero sugar + Arabic قاندلqandI candied, from Persian قندqand cane sugar; ultimately from Sanskrit खुड् khanda
"piece of sugar," perhaps from Dravidian.
Cannelloni (Italian: cannellone, pl. cannelloni)
Cantaloupe (after the Italian village of Cantalupo in Sabina through French; in Italian the fruit is simply called melone or "Cantalupo")
Cappuccino: From cappuccino, "little hood" or "Capuchin". A reference to the similarity between the drink's colour and that of the brown hoods of
Capuchin friars
Cauliflower (originally cole florye, from Italian cavolfiore meaning "flowered cabbage"
Chipolata (from Italian cipolla, meaning "onion")
Ciabatta (whose Italian basic meaning is "slipper")
Coffee (from Italian caffè, from Turkish kahveh, and Arabic qahwah, perhaps from Kaffa region of Ethiopia, a home of the plant)
Espresso (from espresso, "expressed")
Fava
Fusilli (Italian fuso, "spindle")
Gelatine (from Italian gelatina through French)
Gnocchi (Italian: gnocco, pl. gnocchi)
Gorgonzola after the village near Milan
Granita
Grappa
Gusto
Lasagne (Italian: lasagna, pl. lasagne)
Latte (or "Caffè latte") (Italian: caffellatte or caffè e latte, "coffee and milk")
Latte macchiato (Italian latte macchiato, "stained milk")
Macaroni (Italian maccherone, pl. maccheroni)
Macchiato (or Caffè macchiato) From macchiato, "stained". Espresso coffee with a small dash of milk
Maraschino
Marinate (Italian: marinare)
Marzipan (through German from Italian marzapane)
Martini cocktail named after the famous brand of vermouth
Minestrone
Mozzarella (from Italian mozzare, "to cut")
Muscat (through French from Italian moscato)
Orange (through French from Italian arancia, from Arabic naranj)
Panini (Italian: panino, pl. panini)
Parmesan (through French from Italian parmigiano, meaning "from the city of Parma")
Pasta
Pepperoni (from Italian peperone, pl. peperoni, meaning "bell pepper")
Pesto (from Italian pestare, "to crush (with mortar and pestle)")
Pistachio (Italian: pistacchio)
Pizza
Pizzeria
Polenta
Provolone
Radicchio
Ravioli
Risotto
Salami (Italian: salame, pl. salami)
Salumi (Italian pl. of salume, "salted meat")
Scampi (Italian: scampo, pl. scampi)
Semolina (Italian: semolino)
Sfogliatelle (Italian sfogliatelle, "many layers")
Sorbet (through French from Italian sorbetto, which in turn comes from Turkish, Persian and Arabic)
Spaghetti (Italian: spaghetto, pl. spaghetti)
Spumoni (Italian: spumone, pl. spumoni)
Sultana (in Italian is the female of "sultan"; the grape is called sultanina)
Tagliatelle (Italian tagliare, "to cut")
Tortellini (Italian tortellino, pl. tortellini)
Trattoria
Tutti frutti
Vermicelli
Vino
Zucchini (Italian: zucchina, pl. zucchine)
Some toponym of Latin, Greek, Slavic or Arabic origin referring to non-Italian places entered English through Italian:
Angora
Cairo
Crimea
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Montenegro
Tripoli
Valletta
Vienna
Politics
Doge
Discrimination (from Italian discriminazione)
Embassy (through French embassée from Italian ambasciata)
Fascism (Italian: fascismo)
Fascist (Italian: fascista)
Ghetto
Machiavellian and Machiavellianism after Niccolò Machiavelli
Manifesto (in Italian means "poster")
Nuncio (Italian: nunzio)
Politico (in Italian means "politician")
Segregation (from Italian "segregazione")
Sociology (from Italian "sociologia")
Others
Armature (through Italian plural armature singular armatura; in English rebar, short for reinforcing bar)
Berlinetta: From berlinetta, "little saloon". A two-seater sports car
Bravado (through French bravade from Italian bravata)
Brave (through French from Italian bravo)
Capisci ("understand", often misspelled kapish, or kapeesh)
Ciao: From ciao, an informal greeting or valediction, originally from Venetian sciavo, "(your humble) servant". Goodbye.
Cognoscente (in Italian conoscitore)
Dilemma (in Italian means "alternativa tra due posizioni inaccettabili")
Dilettante (in Italian means "amateur")
Ditto
Genoa after the city
Gonzo (in Italian means "simpleton", "diddled")
Humanist (through French from Italian umanista)
Inferno (in Italian means "hell")
Latrine (through Italian plural latrine from Latin lavatrina)
Lido (in Italian means "coast", usually "sandy coast")
Lipizzan (Italian: lipizzano)
Major-domo (Italian maggiordomo)
Mizzen (through French misaine from Italian mezzana)
Paparazzi (Italian paparazzi, plural of paparazzo, the name of a character in the film La Dolce Vita)
Poltroon (through French poltron from Italian poltrone)
Pronto
Regatta (Italian: regata)
Vendetta (in Italian means "vengeance")
Vista (in Italian means "sight")
Viva
Placenames
View over Greater Tauranga, taken from the top of Mauao
Thousands of Māori placenames (with or without anglicisation) are now official in New Zealand. These include:
Territorial authorities: Waikato, Manawatu, Tauranga, Taranaki, Otago
Cities: Tauranga, Whangarei, Waitakere, Timaru, Rotorua
Tourist destinations: Aoraki/Mount Cook, Tongariro, Manapouri, Moeraki, Wakatipu, Te Anau, Waitomo
There is a movement to replace anglicised words and return placenames to their original Māori forms. See for example Whanganui. Some Treaty of
Waitangi settlements have included placename changes.
Many New Zealand rivers and lakes have Māori names; these names predominantly use the prefixes wai- (water) and roto- (lake) respectively.
Examples include the Waikato, Waipa and Waimakariri rivers, and lakes Rotorua, Rotomahana and Rotoiti.
A Māori name for New Zealand, Aotearoa, has gained some currency as a more acceptable alternative. It appears in the names of some political
parties, e.g. Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and Communist Party of Aotearoa.
Many Māori words that describe Māori culture have become part of New Zealand English and may be used in general contexts
Aotearoa: New Zealand. Popularly interpreted to mean 'land of the long white cloud', but the original derivation is uncertain
aroha: Love, sympathy, affection
arohanui: "lots of love", commonly as a complimentary close
haere mai: welcome
haka: a chant and dance of challenge (not always a war dance), popularised by the All Blacks rugby union team, who perform a haka before the
game in front of the opposition
hāngi: a method of cooking food in a pit; or the occasion at which food is cooked this way (compare the Hawaiian use of the word luau)
hongi: traditional Māori greeting featuring the pressing together of noses
hui: a meeting; increasingly being used by New Zealand media to describe business meetings relating to Māori affairs
iwi: tribe, or people
kai: food
kapai: very pleasant; good, fine. From Māori 'ka pai'
kaitiaki: guardianship of the environment
kaupapa: agenda, policy or principle
kia ora: hello, and indicating agreement with a speaker (literally 'be healthy')
koha: donation, contribution
kōhanga reo: Māori language preschool (literally 'language nest')
kōrero: to talk; to speak Māori; story
Kura Kaupapa Māori Maori language school
mana: influence, reputation — a combination of authority, integrity, power and prestige
Māoritanga: Māori culture, traditions, and way of life. Lit. Māorin ss.
marae: ceremonial meeting area in front of the meeting house; or the entire complex surrounding this, including eating and sleeping areas
Pākehā: Non-Maori New Zealanders, especially those with European ancestry
piripiri: clinging seed, origin of New Zealand English 'biddy-bid'.
pōwhiri: ceremony of welcome
puku: belly, usually a big one
rāhui: restriction of access
tāngata whenua: native people of a country or region, i.e. the Māori in New Zealand (literally 'people of the land')
tapu: sacred, taboo; to be avoided because of this; (a cognate of the Tongan tabu, origin of the English borrowing of taboo)
tangi: to mourn; or, a funeral at a marae
taniwha: mythical water monster
te reo: the Māori language (literally, 'the language')
waka: canoe, boat (modern Māori usage includes automobiles)
whānau: extended family or community of related families
whare: house, building
Other Māori words and phrases may be recognised by most New Zealanders, but generally not used in everyday speech:
hapū: subtribe; or, pregnant
kapa haka: cultural gathering involving dance competitions; haka team
karakia: prayer, used in various circumstances including opening ceremonies
kaumātua: older person, respected elder
kia kaha: literally 'be strong'; roughly "be of good heart, we are supporting you"
Kīngitanga: Māori King Movement
matangi: wind, breeze ("Matangi" is the name for a class of electric multiple unit trains used on the Wellington suburban network, so named after
Wellington's windy reputation).
mauri: spiritual life force
mokopuna: literally grandchildren, but can mean any young children
pakarū: broken, damaged
rangatira: chief
rohe: home territory of a specific iwi
taihoa – not yet, wait a while
tamariki: children
tohunga: priest (in Māori use, an expert or highly skilled person)
tūrangawaewae: one's own turf, "a place to stand"
tutū: to be rebellious, stirred up, mischievous Used in New Zealand English to mean "fidget" or "fiddle" e.g. "Don't t tū with that!"
urupā: burial ground
utu: revenge (in Māori, payment, response, answer)
wāhi tapu: sacred site
whaikōrero: oratory
whakapapa: genealogy
waiata: song
wairua: spirit
List of English words of Sanskrit origin
This is a list of English words of Sanskrit origin. Most of these words were not directly borrowed from Sanskrit. The meaning of some words have
changed slightly after being borrowed.
Both languages belong to the Indo-European language family and have numerous cognate terms; these words are not of Sanskrit origin and
technically should not be included on this list.
Ambarella through Sinhalese: ඇඹරැල්ලා æmbarællā ultimately from Sanskrit: अम्बरे ल्ला, a kind of tree.
Aniline through German: Anilin, French: Aniline and Portuguese: Anil from Arabic النيلal-nili and Persian نيالnila, ultimately from Sanskrit नीली nili.
Aryan from Latin Ariana, from Greek Ἀρεία Areia, ultimately from Sanskrit आयद Arya-s "noble, honorable".
Atoll through Maldivean:ު ައ ޮތޅprobably ultimately from Sanskrit अन्तला antala.
Aubergine from French aubergine, in Catalan albergínia, via Arabic ( با ِذ ْنجانal-badinjan) and Persian ( بادنجانbadin-gan) ultimately from Sanskrit
वावतगगम vātigagama, meaning Eggplant or Aubergine.
Avatar from Sanskrit अवतारavatāra, which means "descent", an avatar refers to the human incarnation of God during times of distress on earth. Thus, Krishna and
Rāma were both avatars of Vishnu, who also manifested himself as an avatar many other times, ten of which are considered the most significant.
Bandana from Sanskrit बन्धन bandhana, "a bond".
Banyan from Hindi baniyaa ultimately from Sanskrit वविज्ർ vaṇij, which means "a merchant".
Basmati through Hindi बासमती ultimately from Sanskrit वास vāsa.
Bahuvrihi from Sanskrit बहुव्रीवह bah vrīhih, a composite word, meaning 'much rice.'
Beryl from Old French beryl, via Latin beryllus, Greek βήρυλλος and Prakrit वेलुटरय (veluriya) ultimately from Sanskrit वैडयद vai ūrya, of Dravidian
origin, maybe from the name of Belur.
Bidi through Hindi बीडी ultimately from Sanskrit वववतक vitika.
Bhakti from Hindi भवि "bhakti", portion.
Brinjal from Persian بادنجانba ingān, probably from Sanskrit भडटाकी bhaṇṭākī.
Buddha from Sanskrit बुद्ध buddha, which means "awakened, enlightened", refers to Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism Also refers to
one who is enlightened in accordance with the teachings of Buddha or a likeness of Buddha
Candy Middle English candi, crystallized cane sugar, short for sugre-candi, partial translation of Old French sucre candi, ultimately from Arabic
sukkar qan ī : sukkar, sugar + qan ī, consisting of sugar lumps (from qand, lump of crystallized sugar, from an Indic source akin to Pali kaṇḍa-,
from Sanskrit khaṇḍakaḥ, from khaṇḍaḥ, piece, fragment, perhaps of Munda origin).
Cashmere 1680s, "shawl made of cashmere wool," from the old spelling of Kashmir, Himalayan kingdom where wool was obtained from long-
haired goats.
Cheetah which is from Sanskrit वचत्रस chitra-s "uniquely marked".
Chuddar through Urdu چادرultimately from Sanskrit छत्रम् chatram.
Chintz from Hindi chint, from Sanskrit chitra-s "clear, bright".
Chukar via Hindi चकोर cakor and Urdu چکورchukar ultimately from Sanskrit चकोर cakorah.
Chukker from Hindi चक्कर and Urdu چکرchakkar, from Sanskrit चक्र cakra, "a circle, a wheel".
Citipati from Sanskrit वचवत पवत citi-pati, which means "a funeral pyre lord".
Cot from Hindi खाट khaat "a couch", which is from Sanskrit खट्वा khatva.
Copra from Portuguese copra (16c.), from Malayalam (Dravidian) koppara (cognate with Hindi khopra) "coconut;" related to Hindi khopri "skull,"
from Sanskrit kharparah "skull."
Cowrie from Hindi कौडी kauri and Urdu کمتدبkauri, from Marathi कवडइ kavadi, which is ultimately from Sanskrit कपदद kaparda.
Crimson from Old Spanish cremesin, via Medieval Latin cremesinus from Persian قرمزqirmiz "a kermes", which is ultimately from Sanskrit कृ वमज
krmi-ja literally: "red dye produced by a worm."
Crocus from Greek κρόκος crocus, via Semitic languages (e.g. Hebrew כרכוםkarkōm, Aramaic ܟܟܘܪܟܟܡܡܐkurkama, Persian كركمkurkum, which
mean saffron or saffron yellow. ); ultimately from Sanskrit कु ङ्कु मां kunkumam.
Dhal through Hindi दाल āl ultimately from Sanskrit दलह dalah, meaning cotyledon of a pea pod, a type of Indian food; also refers to lentils.
Das from Sanskrit दासा daasa, a slave or servant.
Datura through Latin and Hindi: धतरा hatūra "jimson weed" ultimately from Sanskrit धत्तुरह hattūrāh, a kind of flowering plant.
Deodar through Hindi देओदार o ār ultimately from Sanskrit देवदार va ār , a kind of tree.
Deva from Sanskrit देव deva, which means "a god", akin to Latin deus, "god".
Devi from Sanskrit देवी devi, which means "a goddess".
Dharma from Sanskrit: धमद dharma; akin to Latin: firmus, meaning "conformity to one's duty and nature" and "divine law".
Dhoti via Hindi hotī (Hindi: धोती) ultimately from Sanskrit ha tī (Sanskrit: धौती) which means 'to wash', a traditional male garment used in
India. Material tied around the waist that covers most of the legs.
Dinghy from Hindi कदन्गी dingi "a tiny boat", probably from Sanskrit द्रोिम drona-m.
Ganja via Hindi गज "elephant bull" ultimately from Sanskrit गाांजा gāñjā, which means "of hemp".
Gharry via Hindi word gā ī (Hindi: गाडी) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit word garta (Sanskrit: गतद) which means 'chariot'.
Ginger from Old English gingifer, gingiber, from Late Latin gingiber, from Latin zingiberi, from Greek zingiberis, from Prakrit (Middle Indic)
singabera, from Sanskrit srngaveram, from srngam "horn" + vera- "body,"
Gondwana from two Sanskrit words, goṇḍa (Devanagari: गोडड) which means 'Gondi people or mountaineers' and vana (Devanagari: वन) which
means 'forest'.
Guar through Hindi गार ultimately from Sanskrit गॊपवल gopālī, an annual legume.
Gunny via Hindi गोनी ultimately from Sanskrit गोिी goni "sack". ; from Persian " گونیGooni" a burlap sack.
Gurkha via Nepalese गोखाद ultimately from Sanskrit गोरक्ष goraksa, "a cowherd".
Guru via Hindi गुर ultimately from Sanskrit गुर guru-s, which means "a teacher".
Jackal from Turkish çakal, from Persian شغالshaghal, from Middle Indic shagal, ultimately from Sanskrit शृगालुः srgalah "the howler".
Jaggery via Portuguese jágara, jagre and Malayalam ഛക്കര chakkara perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit शकद रा śarkarā derived from proto-
Dravidian.
Java originally a kind of coffee grown on Java and nearby islands of modern Indonesia. By early 20c. it meant coffee generally. The island name is
shortened from Sanskrit Yavadvipa "Island of Barley," from yava "barley" + dvipa "island."
Juggernaut through Odia ଜଗନ୍ନାଥർJagannatha ultimately from Sanskrit जगन्नाथ jagat-natha-s, which means "lord of the world".
Jungle through Hindi जांगल jangal "a desert, forest"; also Persian جنگلjangal meaning forest; ultimately from Sanskrit जङ्गल jangala, which means
"arid".
Jute via Bengali পাট Pata ultimately from Sanskrit जुतास juta-s, which means "twisted hair".
Karma from Sanskrit कमद karman, which means "action".
Kedgeree probably ultimately from Sanskrit कृ शर krśara.
Kermes via French: Kermès, and Persian قرمزqermez; perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit: कृ वमज kṛmija meaning "worm-made."
Krait through Hindi करै त karait probably ultimately from Sanskrit: काराइट, a kind of snake.
Lac through Urdu الکھ, Persian الکand Hindi लाख lakh from Prakrit लक्ख lakkha, ultimately from Sanskrit लाक्षा lākṣā, meaning lac.
Lacquer through French: Laque and Portuguese: Laca from Arabic لكlakk, via Prakrit ultimately from Sanskrit लाक्षा lākṣā.
Langur through Hindi लुट lut probably ultimately from Sanskrit लांगल ु म langūlam.
Lilac via Arabic للكlilak from Persian نيلکnilak meaning "bluish", ultimately from Sanskrit नील nila, which means "dark blue".
Loot ultimately from Sanskrit लुडटा lota-m or लवन्त्त l ṇṭhati meaning "he steals" through Hindi लट lūṭ, which means "a booty, stolen thing".
Maharajah through Hindi महाराजा ultimately from Sanskrit महा राजन् maha-rājān, which means "a great king".
Maharani through Hindi महारानी finally from Sanskrit महा रानी mahārājnī, which means "consort of a maharajah".
Maharishi from Sanskrit महर्षद maha-rishi, which means "a great sage".
Mahatma from Sanskrit महात्मा mahatman, which means "a great breath, soul".
Mahayana from Sanskrit महायान maha-yana, which means "a great vehicle".
Mahout via Hindi माहुत (variant of महावत) ultimately from Sanskrit महमत्रह् mahāmātrah.;
Mandala from Sanskrit मडडल mandala, which means "a disc, circle".
Mandarin via Portuguese mandarim, Dutch mandarijn, Indonesian and Malay mantri or menteri, and Hindi मांत्री mantri "a councillor" ultimately
from Sanskrit मवन्त्रन् mantri, which means "an advisor".
Mantra from Sanskrit मन्त्र mantra-s which means "a holy message or text".
Maya from Sanskrit माया māyā, a religious term related with illusion.
Mithras from Sanskrit वमत्र Mitrah, which means "a friend".
Moksha from Sanskrit मोक्ष moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Mugger via Hindi मगर and Urdu مگرmagar ultimately from Sanskrit मकर makara ("sea creature"), like a crocodile, which attacks stealthily.
Mung bean through Hindi मुग mūg and Pali/Prakrit मुग्ग mugga ultimately from Sanskrit मुग्दह् mudgah, a kind of bean.
Musk via Middle English muske, Middle French Musc, Late Latin Muscus and Late Greek μόσχος moskhos from Persian موشکmushk, ultimately
from Sanskrit मुस्कस् muska-s meaning "a testicle", from a diminutive of मुस mus ("mouse").
Mynah through Hindi मैना maina ultimately from Sanskrit मदन madana-s, which means "love".;
Nainsook through Hindi नैनसुख nainsukh and Urdu نينسوکھultimately from Sanskrit नयनम्सुख् nayanam-sukh, meaning "pleasing to the eyes".
Nard through Old French narde and Latin nardus from Greek νάρδος nardos, perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit नलदम् naladam.
Narghile through French Narguilé and Persian نارگيلهnārghīl h ultimately from Sanskrit नाटरके लुः nārik lah.
Nark probably from Romany nak "a nose", via Hindi नक् nak ultimately from Sanskrit नक्रർ nakra.
Neem through Hindi वनम् nīm ultimately from Sanskrit वनम्बुः nimbah, a kind of tree.
Nilgai through Hindi नीलगाय nīlgāy lit., blue cow ultimately from Sanskrit नीलगौुः nīla-gauh, an ox-like animal.
Nirvana from Sanskrit वनवादि nirvana-s which means "extinction, blowing out".
Opal through French opalle from Latin opalus from Greek ὀπάλλιος opallios, probably ultimately from Sanskrit औपल upalah.
Orange through Old French orenge, Medieval Latin orenge and Italian arancia from Arabic نارنجnaranj, via Persian نارنگnarang and Sanskrit
नारङ्ग naranga-s meaning "an orange tree", derived from proto-Dravidian.
Pal 1788, from Romany (English Gypsy) pal "brother, comrade," variant of continental Romany pral, plal, phral, probably from Sanskrit bhrata
"brother"
Palanquin via Hindi word pālakī (Hindi: पालकी) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit word palyanka (Sanskrit: पल्यङ्क) which means 'bed' or
'couch'.
Panther via classical Latin panthēr, itself from the ancient Greek word pánthēr (πάνθηρ) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit पाडडर pāṇḍara
which means ("pale").
Parcheesi 1800, from Hindi pachisi, from pachis "twenty-five" (highest throw of the dice), from Sanskrit panca "five"
Pepper Old English pipor, from an early West Germanic borrowing of Latin piper "pepper," from Greek piperi, probably (via Persian) from Middle
Indic pippari, from Sanskrit pippali "long pepper."
Punch via Sanskrit पञ्च pancha, meaning "five". The original drink was made from five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices.
Pundit via Sanskrit पवडडत paṇ ita, meaning "learned". A person who offers to mass media their opinion or commentary on a particular subject
area.:
Raita ultimately from Sanskrit रवजकवतिक rājikātiktakaḥ via Hindi रायता rāytā, a south Asian condiment and side dish made of yogurt and
vegetables.
Raj through Hindi राज and Pali/Prakrit रज्ज rajja ultimately from Sanskrit राज्य rājya, which means "a king" or "kingdom." Raj means kingdom or
domain of a ruler.
Rajah through Hindi राज from Sanskrit राजन् rājān, which means "a king".
Ramtil through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit रामवतलुः rāmatilah, which means "a dark sesame".
Rani through Hindi रानी ultimately from Sanskrit राज्ञी rājnī, consort of a rajah.
Rice via Old French ris and Italian riso from Latin oriza, which is from Greek ὄρυζα oryza, through an Indo-Iranian tongue finally from Sanskrit
व्रीवहस् vrihi-s "rice", derived from proto-Dravidian.
Rupee through Hindi रपया r piyā ultimately from Sanskrit रूप्यकम् rūpyakam, an Indian silver coin.
Saccharo- via Latin Saccharon and Greek σάκχαρον from Pali सक्खर sakkharā, ultimately from Sanskrit शकद रा sarkarā.
Sambal through Afrikaans, Indonesian and Tamil சம்பல் campāl ultimately from Sanskrit सम्बार sambhār i.
Sambar through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit सांभारह् śambarah, a kind of Asian deer.
Sandal via Middle English sandell, Old French sandale, Medieval Latin sandalum, Medieval Greek σανδάλιον sandalion (diminutive of σάνδαλον
sandalon) and Arabic and Persian ;صندلperhaps ultimately from Sanskrit चन्दनम् candanam meaning "wood for burning incense;" this is the
word sandalwood, not related to sandals which is a type of footwear.
Sapphire via Old French saphir, Latin sapphirus and Greek σάπφειρος sappheiros from a Semitic tongue (c.f. Hebrew: ספירsapir); possible
ultimate origin in Sanskrit शवनविय sanipriya which literally means "sacred to Saturn (Shani)".
Sari through Hindi साडी sari and Prakrit सकद sadi, finally from Sanskrit षाटी sati "garment".
Shampoo via Anglo-Indian shampoo and Hindi चााँपो champo probably from Sanskrit चपयवत capayati, which means "kneads".
Shawl from Persian شالshal, finally from Sanskrit सत्ल् satI, which means "a strip of cloth".
Singapore via Malay Singapura ultimately from Sanskrit ससांहपुरां Simhapuram, literally "the lion city".
Sri Lanka from Sanskrit: श्री लांका which means "venerable island." It is said that Shree or Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, resides there.
Sugar through Old French sucre, Italian zucchero, Medieval Latin succarum, Arabic: سكرsukkar and Persian: شکرshakar ultimately from Sanskrit
शकद रा sharkara which means "ground or candied sugar" (originally "grit" or "gravel").
Sunn via Hindi: सुन्न ultimately from Sanskrit: सन sāna, a kind of Asian plant.
Swami through Hindi स्वामी swami ultimately from Sanskrit स्वामी svami, which means "a master".
Swastika from Sanskrit स्ववस्तक svastika, which means "one associated with well-being, a lucky charm" or Good, god fearing being. It is said to be
the form of the Sun.
Taka via Maithili and Bengali: টাকা from Sanskrit तन्कह् tankah.
Talipot through Hindi, Indonesian and Malay talipat from Sanskrit तालपत्रम् tālapatram, a kind of tree.
Tank a word originally brought by the Portuguese from India, from a Hindi source, such as Gujarati tankh "cistern, underground reservoir for
water," Marathi tanken, or tanka "reservoir of water, tank." Perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit tadaga-m "pond, lake pool," and reinforced in later
sense of "large artificial container for liquid"
Tendu via French "stretched" and Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit तालपत्रम् tainduka.
Teapoy via Hindi वतपाई tipāi and Urdu تپائيtipāʼī,which originated as a Sanskrit compound: वत्र (trí, "three") and पाद (pā a, "foot").
Thug through Marathi ठग and Hindi ठग thag probably ultimately from Sanskrit स्थग sthaga, which means "a scoundrel".
Til from Sanskrit वतल tilah, a kind of plant.
Toddy through Hindi तरी tari ultimately from Sanskrit तल tala-s, a Dravidian origin is also probable.
Toon through Hindi तुन tūn ultimately from Sanskrit तुन्नह् tunnah, a kind of tree.
Tope through Hindi टॉप ṭop probably from Prakrit थुपो thūpo, finally from Sanskrit स्तप stūpah.
Tutty through Middle English tutie, Old French, Medieval Latin tūtia, Arabic توتيtūtiyā, and Persian توتياultimately from Sanskrit तुत्थां tuttham
meaning "blue vitriol", a Dravidian origin is also probable.
Vina ultimately from Sanskrit वीिा vīṇā through Hindi वीिा vīṇā, a kind of musical instrument.
Wanderoo through Sinhalese: වන්ඩෙරූ vanḍ rū finally from Sanskrit वानर vānarah, a kind of monkey.
Yoga through Hindi योग ultimately from Sanskrit योग yoga-s, which means "yoke, union".
Yogi through Hindi योगी yogi from Sanskrit योवगन् yogin, one who practices yoga or ascetic.
Zen through Japanese 禅 and Chinese 禪 Chán ultimately from Pali झन jhāna and Sanskrit ध्यान dhyana, which means "a meditation".
This is a list of English words borrowed from Scottish Gaelic. Some of these are common in Scottish English and Scots but less so
in other varieties of English.