Durban lingo: Common phrases only Durbanites understand
Planning to visit Durban? These are the words you need to know.
Durban is one of the biggest tourist attractions in South Africa. Scores of people flock to the city annually, especially during the holiday season.
In 2017, South Africa saw a 13 percent increase in international tourists visiting the country. Although many international tourists used the Cape Town International or OR Tambo Airports to enter the country, 1.9% flew in via King Shaka International Airport.
It goes without saying that to better enjoy and get the best from a place, it's important to understand the culture of that place and language plays a big role in culture.
If you are planning on visiting Durban, let's look at some of the phrases you need to learn:
Kerel – Police man
Choon - Talk
Pozie – House or home
Vrou – My wife
Cherrie - Girlfriend
Guzzie - Friend
Slaan - Wear
Crown – Money
Cake – Idiot
Lukka - Nice "Lukka, meet up bra".
Vy - Go (Let's go)
Ballie - Old man
Dala (dhala) - Fight or to do something e.g 'Dala what you must" means 'do what you must' - which is usually said before a fight.
Shot - Thanks e.g. shot bra
Bra / bruh - friend
Boet - Brother / friend
Ou - Nice person (he's a lukka ou - he's a nice person), another example (I'm vying pozi to tune with my bra. He's a lukka ou' - I'm going home to talk with a friend. He's a good friend of mine'.
Lytie or laaitie - Little boy
Submissions from a few East Coast fans:
Sick dude - That’s cool dude
What’s up, G - How you doing, mate?
Nort Bru - No mate
NB: Because these are not official words found in the dictionary, others may spell them differently.