We have all done it. Excitedly telling a new Irish friend about “how lekker it was to be on the highway and get to the circle just after the robot”
Only to be met with a blank, blinking face, a slightly furrowed brow, and a very gentle: “Sorry, how do you mean?”
You launch into a detailed description, complete with hand gestures. And then you see the lightbulb switch on:
“Ohhhh, you mean the roundabout at the end of the motorway after the traffic light!”
Cue your confused Saffa smile.
Welcome to Ireland. Where you thought you spoke the same language. And you do. Just not the same English.
“Ag, Shame Man!”
A quick word before we start
This is not just Saffa vs Irish. There is Dublin speak, Cork speak, Galway, Clare, Wexford, Limerick, Kerry, and a whole different universe up north. Accents change wildly within a few kilometres. Phrases change. Slang changes. Even the humour shifts. A Cork joke in Donegal might get a polite nod and nothing else.
So take this as a starting point, not a bible. The fastest way to learn is to listen, laugh at yourself often, and never be afraid to say “What does that mean?” The Irish love explaining their own slang. It’s basically a national pastime.
And if you REALLY want to know why… Look up Hiberno-English and there’s a whole history of language development to explore! Hiberno-English refers to the unique varieties of English spoken in Ireland, deeply influenced by Irish language grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. It includes distinctive traits like the “after” perfective, the habitual “be,” and unique slang. These dialects reflect Ireland’s history and cultural shift from Irish to English. “I’m after losing my keys” “I do be going to the gym”
This is what we received, and as always, if anything needs to be added, please email admin@sa2eire.com and we will happily add it.
The Translation Table
Saffa Speak
Irish Speak
SAFFA (South African Far From Africa)
South African
Viennas
Frankfurters
Now, now now, just now (you will use this for years. No one will ever understand you.)
?
No
“I will, yeah”
Yes
“No bother”
Ja Nee (do we even know what this means?)
?
A 4×4 or SUV (Land Rover? Rav4? Doesn’t matter)
Jeep
Prestick
Blu Tack
Cupboard
Press
Bedside table
Locker
Geyser
Immersion
Cupboard with the geyser in it
Hot Press
Koki
Marker / Sharpie
Cellphone
Mobile
Airtime
Credit
SMS
Text
Robot
Traffic light
Circle (the traffic kind)
Roundabout
Takkies
Runners
Rusks
Baby teething biscuits
Braai (no, it’s not a BBQ. It takes longer than 30 minutes. Do not insult us.)
(accept defeat and teach them)
Plastic glasses
Safety glasses
Wendy house
Shed
Treehouse / fort
Cubby
Broom
Brush
Aliceband
Hairband
Children
Wee’uns (Northern word)
EFT
Direct transfer
Debit order
Direct debit
Flapjacks / crumpets
Pancakes
Pancakes
Pancakes / crêpes
Cupcake / muffin
Buns (any small cake is a bun)
Depositing cash
Lodging cash
Plakkies
Sliders
Chips (hot)
Chips
Chips (cold, in a bag)
Crisps
Gumboots
Wellies
Long-life milk
UHT milk
Bread rolls
Baps (or blaa in Waterford)
It’s raining hard
“It’s lashing” (there are about 15 terms for rain. You will learn them.)
Really?
“Go ‘way!”
Please listen to me
“Come ‘ere to me now”
That thing / thingy
The yoke
Buying drinks at the pub
Extending an arm
Vibe
Craic
Howzit?
“How a’ya?” / “What’s the story?” / “How’s she cuttin’?” / “What’s the form?”
Pen
Biro
Man whose name you don’t know
Yer man
How’s your husband/wife?
“How’s himself?” / “How’s herself?”
That person (female)
Your wan (pronounced “one”)
I will take you to the shop
“I will bring you to the shop”
Really bad word for a person
Gowl / Geebag (context matters. A lot.)
It’s a bit nippy
“It’s positively baltic!” / “Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey”
Idiot
Tool
Idiot (affectionate)
Eejit
French kiss
Shift
Very dirty or smelly
Manky
Attractive person
Fla
That’s awesome
“That’s class”
Hammered drunk
Plastered / scuttered / langers / locked
He’s from Dublin
Jackeen
Plaas Jaapie
Culchie
Male bits (joking term in Cork)
Langer
It is what it is
“Ah sure look it”
It’s broken
“It’s banjaxed”
Toilet
Jacks
She’s shouting at me
“She’s giving out”
Horrible place
“It’s a kip”
Flipping funny
“That’s gas!”
I don’t feel like it
“I’m allergic!” (“I’m allergic to work today”)
Ahh that’s great
“Happy out!”
How are all of you?
“How are ye?” (Cork) / “How are yous?” (Dublin)
Bonus round: Things the Irish say that no Saffa will initially understand
“Will I?” means “Should I?” as in “Will I put the kettle on?”
“Sure look” means nothing and everything at once. Context.
“Grand” is the national answer. It can mean good, fine, okay, neutral, bad but I don’t want to talk about it, or genuinely wonderful. You will never know which one.
“A good drying day” is a real compliment. It means the weather is dry enough to hang washing outside. Celebrate it.
“A soft day” means it’s drizzling. Which is every other day.
“Fierce” is an intensifier. “Fierce cold.” “Fierce busy.” “Fierce lovely altogether.”
“Altogether” at the end of a sentence adds nothing except warmth.
“Sorry” is used to apologise, to excuse yourself, to get someone’s attention, to start a complaint, to end a complaint, and occasionally to say hello.
Bonus bonus round: Things Saffas say that make the Irish blink
“Just now” means “in a bit” or possibly “never.” Irish brains cannot parse this.
“Is it?” is not a question. It’s an acknowledgement. Like “oh really” but shorter.
“Shame!” is a term of endearment. Do not explain this in a pub without context. They will think you are being cruel.
“Hectic” means stressful, wild, busy, overwhelming, or fun. Again, context.
“Now now” is faster than “now” but slower than “right now.” Yes. It is confusing. No, we can’t explain it either.
“Howzit?” is hello. It is not a question about your health. Do not answer.
Rain vocabulary, because you will need it
Drizzle
Mist
Soft day
Spitting
Lashing
Bucketing
Pouring
Teeming
“A bit damp”
“Grand stretch” (means the rain has stopped, briefly)
“Could be worse”
“At least it’s not snowing”
The wrap up
Well, there you have it. You thought you would have to learn Irish. Turns out you need to relearn English.
As culturally different as Saffa slang is from province to province, Irish slang changes from county to county. Sometimes from village to village. Sometimes from pub to pub. Listen, laugh, get it wrong, laugh harder.
And when someone asks you “How a’ya?” as they walk past, remember: they are not asking. It is a hello. Keep walking. Smile. Say “Grand, thanks!” back.
You will be sorted in no time.
Slán go fóill! (Goodbye for now!)
Or as we say back home…
Cheers!!!
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