Cape Town is a melting pot of languages. Here are some useful words and phrases you'll hear from locals — we've noted which language each comes from.

Afrikaans

Please - Asseblief

Thank you - Dankie

Yes - Ja

Nice or good - Lekker

Oh, man! - Ag, man!

Ouch! - Eina!

Travel food - Padkos

Barbecue - Braai

isiZulu / isiXhosa

Yes - Yebo (isiZulu)

No way! - Aikona! (isiZulu/isiXhosa)

Wow / Surprise - Eish! (widely used across languages)

South African Slang

Hello / How are you? - Howzit

Yes, I'm interested - Ja, no, I'm keen

Go for a party - Jol!

Soon-ish - Now now

Sometime later - Just now