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South African >> American Dictionary

General Conversation, Getting Around
rand >> south african unit of commercial exchange
R8 >> $1
cheers >> bye
petrol >> gas
..., hey? >> ..., amirite?
minibus >> minivans and the informal form of transit most people take. surprisingly safe, affordable, and reliable. the fare taker may attempt swindling you out of some rand, though.

Food
chips >> fries
spinach >> swiss chard
english spinach >> spinach
sweet potato >> something that looks in shape/texture like a sweet potato, but has red skin and white flesh. apparently they also have orange sweet potatoes and white sweet potatoes. I have not yet spotted a white sweet potato. The red version is cooks up softer than orange ones like we have.
yam >> yuca, maybe? i have never seen a vegetable like this in person before.  roughed up, almost pineapple-like brown skin, white interior.
kale, unfortunately, does not exist here. peanut butter, strangely, does, making this the only other country in the world with a market for peanut butter. (true? don't know.)

Time
late >> this qualifies as a "closing time" for weekends at bars. it is also accurate.
close at 5 >> we're out of here at 5, so if you're here at 4 you might not get what you're looking for. (this might be Mango Ginger specific which, despite how uncomfortable the owner will make you, has really, really delicious food and a baller fresh juice bar)
1pm, Saturday >> when most things in the city close for the weekend.
morning >> 2pm. Okay, to be fair this was one time and more a matter of miscommunication than disregard for time-identifying nouns.  And actually, while hours are flexible, it seems like my office is bumping before 9am every day. Other people are experiencing more confusing office hours.
am/pm and 24 hour clock used interchangeably as far as i can tell.

My Faves
pleasure >> you're welcome
rocket >> arugula
robot >> stop light (!!!!! WINNER)
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