English is one of the eleven official languages in South Africa. English was introduced by the British at the end of the 18^th century. Most white settlers at the time were either of Dutch descent and spoke Afrikaans, or of British descent. Over time, words from Afrikaans and other indigenous languages (Zulu, Xhosa) were incorporated into a form of the English that is distinctly South African. Here are some South African words and expressions.

Bakkie = pick up truck

Braai = cook out

Is it? = really?

Plaster = band aid

Robot = traffic light

“Just now,” “now” and “now now” = expressions to describe Africa time