There are 11 official languages in South Africa. English is widely spoken, being the language of choice for official and commercial purposes. It only ranks 5th of the 11 official languages however, in terms of those for whom it is their first language, with isiZulu as the highest, being the mother tongue of approximately 24% of South Africans.
Below are listed some local words and phrases that you will probably hear in Franschhoek and as you travel around:
| Bafana Bafana | : | National soccer (football) team (isiZulu for "The Boys") |
| Bakkie | : | Pick up truck |
| Bergie | : | A tramp/vagrant |
| Biltong | : | Dried spiced meat (called jerky overseas) |
| Bobotie | : | Cape Malay food (curried mince with egg sauce topping) |
| Boerewors | : | Long sausage (usually beef) cooked on a braai |
| Boet | : | Brother - term of endearment (Afrikaans) |
| Boks | : | See Springboks (below) |
| Braai | : | Barbecue (traditionally over wood fire) |
| Braaivleis | : | Barbecued meat |
| Bredie | : | Cape Malay mutton stew |
| Circle | : | Traffic roundabout |
| Cooldrink | : | Soft drink (soda), such as Coca Cola |
| Dankie | : | Thank you (Afrikaans) |
| Dorp | : | A very small town or village (such as Franschhoek) |
| Gatvol | : | Fed up (Afrikaans) |
| Is it? | : | A reply to a statement (meaning "Is that so?") |
| Jol | : | A good time/party |
| Just now | : | Soon (ish) |
| Howzit | : | Common greeting (how is it?) |
| Lekker | : | Very nice (Afrikaans) |
| Madiba | : | Affectionate name for Nelson Mandela |
| Naartjie | : | Tangerine (fruit) |
| Oke | : | A male (guy) |
| Potjiekos | : | A traditional stew, cooked in a cast iron pot, over a braai |
| Robot | : | Traffic lights |
| Rooibos | : | South African tea-like drink |
| Samoosa | : | Triangular, curry-filled pie |
| Sarmie | : | Sandwich |
| Slops (slip-slops) | : | Sandals |
| Snoek | : | Local fish, often cooked on the braai or smoked |
| Spanspek | : | Sweet melon |
| Sosaties | : | Kebabs |
| Springboks | : | South African national rugby team |
| To die for | : | Expression of great approval ("It's to die for") |
| Tokoloshe | : | Mythical creature (supposedly a very short, nasty man) |
| Van Der Merwe | : | Afrikaans surname. Used as the butt of jokes, like 'Paddy', in Irish jokes |
| Veld | : | The bush, scrubland |
| Yebo | : | Yes (isiZulu) |
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