sosatie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowRegional (South African English), Culinary
Quick answer
What does “sosatie” mean?
A South African dish of marinated meat cubes (usually lamb) skewered and grilled, often with pieces of dried fruit and onion between the meat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A South African dish of marinated meat cubes (usually lamb) skewered and grilled, often with pieces of dried fruit and onion between the meat.
Refers specifically to this traditional Cape Malay and Afrikaner barbecue (braai) item, characterised by a sweet-and-sour marinade typically containing curry spices, tamarind, chutney, and/or apricot jam. It is a cultural culinary staple in South Africa.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is virtually unknown in both British and American general English. In culinary contexts, it would be described as a 'South African meat skewer' or 'kebab'.
Connotations
In the UK/US, it has no inherent connotations. In South Africa, it connotes tradition, outdoor cooking (braai), and Cape Malay/Afrikaner heritage.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside South Africa. Within South Africa, it is a common, everyday term for a specific food item.
Grammar
How to Use “sosatie” in a Sentence
[Subject] braais/grills a sosatie.[Subject] prepares sosaties with [ingredient].[Subject] is a classic sosatie.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sosatie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to sosatie the lamb for the barbecue.
- He expertly sosatied the chunks of meat and apricots.
adjective
British English
- The sosatie marinade filled the kitchen with a fragrant aroma.
- It was a classic sosatie recipe passed down for generations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Unused except in the context of a South African restaurant menu or food export business.
Academic
Rare; might appear in anthropological or culinary studies focusing on South African culture.
Everyday
Common in South Africa; otherwise unknown.
Technical
Unused in general technical fields. Specific to culinary arts in a South African context.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sosatie”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sosatie”
- Pronouncing it as /soʊˈseɪʃi/ (like 'sashay').
- Using it as a general term for any kebab outside of South Africa.
- Misspelling as 'sosaty', 'sassatie', or 'sosatiee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are skewered meats, satay is of Southeast Asian origin (like Indonesian or Thai) and is typically served with a peanut sauce. Sosatie is South African, with a distinct sweet-and-sour curry-based marinade, often containing fruit.
Yes, but only within the South African context. While lamb is traditional, 'chicken sosatie' is a common variation. Outside South Africa, simply calling it a 'marinated chicken skewer' would be clearer.
The standard South African pronunciation is roughly /soh-saa-tee/, with the stress on the second syllable. In IPA, it's commonly /səˈsɑːti/.
Rarely, and only informally in South Africa (e.g., 'to sosatie meat'). It is not standard in formal English. The word is primarily a noun.
A South African dish of marinated meat cubes (usually lamb) skewered and grilled, often with pieces of dried fruit and onion between the meat.
Sosatie is usually regional (south african english), culinary in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'So, I'm SATisfied after eating a tasty SOSATIE at a South African braai.' It sounds like a mix of 'sauce' and 'satay', which hints at its marinated, skewered nature.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULINARY HERITAGE IS IDENTITY (The sosatie is a metaphor for South African cultural fusion, particularly the blending of Cape Malay, Afrikaner, and indigenous food traditions).
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the term 'sosatie' a common, everyday culinary word?