Mastering Travel Phrases in South Africa: Your Guide to Saying ‘Safe Travels’ and Beyond
When traveling in South Africa, it’s always nice to know a few local phrases to convey your wishes and get around smoothly. Saying “safe travels” or expressing similar sentiments can make interactions with locals, hotel staff, airlines, and transportation services more personal and engaging. Here’s a guide on how to say “safe travels” and other useful phrases in South Africa, focusing on English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, and isiXhosa, which are among the country’s most spoken languages.
English (Universal in South Africa)
- Safe travels: “Safe travels”
- Thank you: “Thank you”
- Please: “Please”
- How much is this?: “How much is this?”
- Where is the bathroom?: “Where is the bathroom?”
Afrikaans (Widely spoken, especially in the Western Cape)
- Safe travels: “Goeie reis”
- Thank you: “Dankie”
- Please: “Asseblief”
- How much is this?: “Hoeveel kos dit?”
- Where is the bathroom?: “Waar is die badkamer?”
isiZulu (Most spoken language in South Africa)
- Safe travels: “Hamba kahle” (when someone is leaving) / “Sala kahle” (when you are leaving)
- Thank you: “Ngiyabonga”
- Please: “Ngiyacela”
- How much is this?: “Kubiza malini?”
- Where is the bathroom?: “Ikhona phi indlu yangasese?”
isiXhosa (Widely spoken in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape)
- Safe travels: “Hamba kakuhle” (when someone is leaving) / “Sala kakuhle” (when you are leaving)
- Thank you: “Enkosi”
- Please: “Nceda”
- How much is this?: “Ixabisa malini?”
- Where is the bathroom?: “Iphi indlu yangasese?”
Tips for Travelers
- Greetings Matter: Always greet before asking a question or making a request. A simple “hello” in the local language goes a long way.
- Learn Key Phrases: While English is widely spoken, knowing key phrases in the local language can enrich your experience and is often appreciated by locals.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of local customs and cultural nuances, especially when interacting with people from different backgrounds.
- Safety First: Always follow local advice on safety, especially when traveling to new or unfamiliar areas.
11. Asking for Directions
- English: Where is the nearest ATM? – “Where is the nearest ATM?”
- Afrikaans: Waar is die naaste OTM? – “Waar is die naaste OTM?”
- isiZulu: Iphi i-ATM eseduze? – “Iphi i-ATM eseduze?”
- isiXhosa: Iphi i-ATM ekufutshane? – “Iphi i-ATM ekufutshane?”
12. Ordering Food and Drink
- English: Can I have the menu, please? – “Can I have the menu, please?”
- Afrikaans: Kan ek asseblief die spyskaart kry? – “Kan ek asseblief die spyskaart kry?”
- isiZulu: Ngingathola imenyu, ngiyacela? – “Ngingathola imenyu, ngiyacela?”
- isiXhosa: Ndingayifumana imenyu, nceda? – “Ndingayifumana imenyu, nceda?”
13. Making Purchases
- English: Do you accept credit cards? – “Do you accept credit cards?”
- Afrikaans: Aanvaar julle kredietkaarte? – “Aanvaar julle kredietkaarte?”
- isiZulu: Niyazamukela izikweletu zekhadi? – “Niyazamukela izikweletu zekhadi?”
- isiXhosa: Niyazamkela iikredithi khadi? – “Niyazamkela iikredithi khadi?”
14. Expressing Gratitude
- English: I really appreciate it. – “I really appreciate it.”
- Afrikaans: Ek waardeer dit regtig. – “Ek waardeer dit regtig.”
- isiZulu: Ngiyakuthokoza kakhulu. – “Ngiyakuthokoza kakhulu.”
- isiXhosa: Ndiyayixabisa kakhulu. – “Ndiyayixabisa kakhulu.”
15. Dealing with Emergencies
- English: I need help. – “I need help.”
- Afrikaans: Ek het hulp nodig. – “Ek het hulp nodig.”
- isiZulu: Ngidinga usizo. – “Ngidinga usizo.”
- isiXhosa: Ndincedo. – “Ndincedo.”
16. Booking Accommodation
- English: Is breakfast included? – “Is breakfast included?”
- Afrikaans: Is ontbyt ingesluit? – “Is ontbyt ingesluit?”
- isiZulu: Ibhulakufesi lihlanganisiwe na? – “Ibhulakufesi lihlanganisiwe na?”
- isiXhosa: Iquka isidlo sakusasa? – “Iquka isidlo sakusasa?”
17. Expressing Concern or Discomfort
- English: I am not feeling well. – “I am not feeling well.”
- Afrikaans: Ek voel nie lekker nie. – “Ek voel nie lekker nie.”
- isiZulu: Angizizwa kahle. – “Angizizwa kahle.”
- isiXhosa: Andivakali kakuhle. – “Andivakali kakuhle.”
18. Asking for Recommendations
- English: What do you recommend? – “What do you recommend?”
- Afrikaans: Wat beveel jy aan? – “Wat beveel jy aan?”
- isiZulu: Ungincoma ini? – “Ungincoma ini?”
- isiXhosa: Ucebisa ntoni? – “Ucebisa ntoni?”
19. Inquiring About Hours of Operation
- English: What time do you open/close? – “What time do you open/close?”
- Afrikaans: Hoe laat maak julle oop/toe? – “Hoe laat maak julle oop/toe?”
- isiZulu: Nivula/nivala ngasip
hi isikhathi? – “Nivula/nivala ngasiphi isikhathi?”
- isiXhosa: Nivula/nivala ngaliphi ixesha? – “Nivula/nivala ngaliphi ixesha?”
20. Requesting a Specific Service
- English: Can I have a map of the city? – “Can I have a map of the city?”
- Afrikaans: Kan ek ‘n kaart van die stad kry? – “Kan ek ‘n kaart van die stad kry?”
- isiZulu: Ngingathola imephu yedolobha? – “Ngingathola imephu yedolobha?”
- isiXhosa: Ndingafumana imephu yesixeko? – “Ndingafumana imephu yesixeko?”
21. Nightlife and Entertainment
- English: Where can I find live music? – “Where can I find live music?”
- Afrikaans: Waar kan ek lewendige musiek vind? – “Waar kan ek lewendige musiek vind?”
- isiZulu: Ngingaluthola kuphi uhlelo lomculo obukhoma? – “Ngingaluthola kuphi uhlelo lomculo obukhoma?”
- isiXhosa: Ndingalufumana phi umculo obukhoma? – “Ndingalufumana phi umculo obukhoma?”
22. Discussing Local Attractions
- English: What is the most popular tourist spot here? – “What is the most popular tourist spot here?”
- Afrikaans: Wat is die gewildste toeristeplek hier? – “Wat is die gewildste toeristeplek hier?”
- isiZulu: Yikuphi indawo edume kakhulu yezokuvakasha lapha? – “Yikuphi indawo edume kakhulu yezokuvakasha lapha?”
- isiXhosa: Yeyiphi indawo edumileyo yabakhenkethi apha? – “Yeyiphi indawo edumileyo yabakhenkethi apha?”
23. Expressing Interest
- English: I would like to learn more about your culture. – “I would like to learn more about your culture.”
- Afrikaans: Ek wil graag meer leer oor jou kultuur. – “Ek wil graag meer leer oor jou kultuur.”
- isiZulu: Ngifisa ukwazi kabanzi ngamasiko akho. – “Ngifisa ukwazi kabanzi ngamasiko akho.”
- isiXhosa: Ndifuna ukwazi ngakumbi ngamasiko akho. – “Ndifuna ukwazi ngakumbi ngamasiko akho.”
24. Socializing and Making Friends
- English: Would you like to hang out sometime? – “Would you like to hang out sometime?”
- Afrikaans: Wil jy eendag uitgaan? – “Wil jy eendag uitgaan?”
- isiZulu: Ungathanda ukuphuma nami ngesinye isikhathi? – “Ungathanda ukuphuma nami ngesinye isikhathi?”
- isiXhosa: Ungathanda ukuchitha ixesha nam nini na? – “Ungathanda ukuchitha ixesha nam nini na?”
25. Expressing Concerns
- English: I am worried about… – “I am worried about…”
- Afrikaans: Ek is bekommerd oor… – “Ek is bekommerd oor…”
- isiZulu: Ngikhathazekile ngo… – “Ngikhathazekile ngo…”
- isiXhosa: Ndikhathazekile nge… – “Ndikhathazekile nge…”
26. Talking About Weather
- English: What’s the weather forecast for tomorrow? – “What’s the weather forecast for tomorrow?”
- Afrikaans: Wat is more se weer voorspelling? – “Wat is more se weer voorspelling?”
- isiZulu: Sizoba njani isimo sezulu kusasa? – “Sizoba njani isimo sezulu kusasa?”
- isiXhosa: Lithini ibaluleke malunga nemozulu yomso? – “Lithini ibaluleke malunga nemoz
ulu yomso?”
27. Offering Help
- English: Can I assist you with that? – “Can I assist you with that?”
- Afrikaans: Kan ek jou daarmee help? – “Kan ek jou daarmee help?”
- isiZulu: Ngingakusiza ngalokho? – “Ngingakusiza ngalokho?”
- isiXhosa: Ndingakunceda ngaloo nto? – “Ndingakunceda ngaloo nto?”
28. Expressing Satisfaction or Displeasure
- English: I am very pleased with… / I am not happy about… – “I am very pleased with… / I am not happy about…”
- Afrikaans: Ek is baie tevrede met… / Ek is nie gelukkig oor… nie – “Ek is baie tevrede met… / Ek is nie gelukkig oor… nie”
- isiZulu: Ngiyajabula kakhulu nge… / Angijabuli nge… – “Ngiyajabula kakhulu nge… / Angijabuli nge…”
- isiXhosa: Ndichulumanciswe kakhulu yi… / Andivuyiswa yi… – “Ndichulumanciswe kakhulu yi… / Andivuyiswa yi…”
29. Inquiring About Local Customs
- English: Is there a local tradition I should be aware of? – “Is there a local tradition I should be aware of?”
- Afrikaans: Is daar ‘n plaaslike tradisie waarvan ek moet weet? – “Is daar ‘n plaaslike tradisie waarvan ek moet weet?”
- isiZulu: Kukhona isiko lendawo okumele ngazi ngalo? – “Kukhona isiko lendawo okumele ngazi ngalo?”
- isiXhosa: Kukho isithethe sendawo endifanele ukwazi ngaso? – “Kukho isithethe sendawo endifanele ukwazi ngaso?”
30. Leaving and Saying Goodbye
- English: I’ve had a wonderful time. Goodbye! – “I’ve had a wonderful time. Goodbye!”
- Afrikaans: Ek het ‘n wonderlike tyd gehad. Totsiens! – “Ek het ‘n wonderlike tyd gehad. Totsiens!”
- isiZulu: Ngibe nesikhathi esimangalisayo. Hamba kahle! – “Ngibe nesikhathi esimangalisayo. Hamba kahle!”
- isiXhosa: Bendonwabe kakhulu. Hamba kakuhle! – “Bendonwabe kakhulu. Hamba kakuhle!”
By incorporating these phrases into your travel experience in South Africa, you’ll not only navigate more easily but also deepen your engagement with the diverse cultures and communities you encounter. Enjoy your travels, and embrace the opportunity to connect and learn.
By using these phrases appropriately, you’ll not only ensure smoother interactions but also demonstrate respect for the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of South Africa. Whether you’re checking into a hotel, navigating transportation options, or engaging with locals, these phrases can help make your journey more enjoyable and safe.
For More info : https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html