Greetings
Heita
HAY-ta
'Hey / what's up' — a Joburg township greeting that went national. Warmer than 'hello' and used across the city.
Sawubona / Ngiyabonga
sow-BOH-na / n-gee-ya-BON-ga
'I see you' / 'thank you' in isiZulu — the most widely spoken home language in Gauteng. Two words that change how people treat you.
Howzit
HOW-zit
The all-purpose South African greeting. English is the working language of business here, so you will use it constantly.
Social
Eish
AY-sh
Frustration, sympathy or resignation in one syllable — 'eish, the water's off again'. You will hear it daily.
Sharp / sharp-sharp
shahp
'OK / cool / got it / bye', usually with a thumbs-up. Doubling it means genuine enthusiasm.
Ayoba
ah-YOH-ba
'Excellent / brilliant' — Joburg street slang that a phone company put on billboards and never gave back.
Daily life
Robot
ROH-bot
A traffic light. 'Third robot, turn right' is a normal direction and confuses every newcomer exactly once.
Just now / now now
just now / now now
'Now now' means soon-ish; 'just now' means later, possibly much later. Neither means now. Ask for a time.
Jozi / eGoli
JOH-zee / eh-GOH-lee
The city's own names for itself. eGoli is isiZulu for 'place of gold' — Johannesburg exists because of a reef discovered in 1886.
Food
Braai
br-EYE
A barbecue, and a social institution. 'Come for a braai on Sunday' is how friendships actually form here.
Emergency
Help — emergency
help
Dial 112 from any mobile, 10111 for police, 10177 for an ambulance, or 011 375 5911 for City of Johannesburg emergency services.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.