“Tsek!” is more than just four little letters. It’s a whole attitude packed into a tiny word.
Tsek (pronounced check) is shortened from the Afrikaans word “voetsek,” which loosely translates to “get lost!” If you don’t know, Coloureds try and get our point across in as few syllables as possible. Here are a few scenario’s you’d say “tsek!”
To shoo away an animal
Dogs tend to get the brunt of “tsek!” If they start barking or getting too close, you shout “Tsek!” to tell it to keep its distance. It’s a universal command and most of the time, this works—dogs seem to understand this one. Tsek won’t work on cats though. They’ll keep lounging around like they didn’t hear you at all.
Tsek is a way to stand your ground
If you’re in a heated exchange, “tsek!” is often the word of choice when things are about to get serious. It’s often a sign that you’re not backing down and that a fight could be coming soon. It’s not exactly a swear word, but when said with the right tone, it can definitely be felt as one. The word can also be paired with harsh language to give it more punch. You might hear someone hiss: “Tsek, jou n**i!”. Not very polite, but it gets the warning across.
A cheeky term of dismissal
There’s also a lighter side to “tsek.” It’s not always about anger or frustration. Sometimes, when someone teases you, you might respond with a “tsek!” to let them know you’re not offended. It’s playful and shows you’re in on the joke.
Author: Editorial Team
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