heup
In Afrikaans, the English word 'hip' (referring to a joint) is translated as heup.
Meaning: joint (noun)
Which one should you use?
To describe being fashionable, you can use the formal modieus, the slang term cool or the regional term kwaai to express excitement or trendiness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term kwaai originates from the Cape Flats area of Cape Town and is used there to convey excitement or to describe something as trendy and awesome.
Did you know?
- The Afrikaans term kwaai is a fascinating example of how a word meaning 'angry' or 'fierce' in standard Afrikaans can be transformed into a term of high praise for being 'hip' in Cape Town slang.
- The word heup is a cognate of the Dutch word heup, reflecting the deep historical roots of Afrikaans as a daughter language of 17th-century Dutch.
- Unlike in English, where 'hip' can mean being trendy or aware, the word heup is strictly anatomical and cannot be used metaphorically to describe a person's style or awareness.
Examples in context
- Hierdie klere is baie modieus.These clothes are very fashionable.
- Daardie kar is regtig cool!That car is really cool!
- Ek dink jou nuwe kleredrag is baie cool.I think your new outfit is very cool.
- Sy lyk regtig cool in daardie hoed.She looks really cool in that hat.
- Hulle het 'n kwaai nuwe dans uitgedink.They came up with a cool new dance.
- Die musiek in hierdie klubs is altyd so kwaai!The music in these clubs is always so hip!
- Ek hou van jou kwaai kas.I love your cool car.
- Sy het 'n seer heup.She has a sore hip.
- Die heup is 'n belangrike gewrig.The hip is an important joint.
- Hy het sy heup beseer tydens hardloop.He injured his hip while running.
Example conversation
Pieter and Anika are at a physiotherapy clinic.
- PieterAnika, kan jy help met my heup?Anika, can you help with my hip?
- AnikaJa Pieter, waar is die pyn presies?Yes Pieter, where is the pain exactly?
- PieterDit is hier aan die voorkant.It is here at the front.
- AnikaOns gaan dit nou saggies strek.We are going to stretch it gently now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hip” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
