In South Africa, the slang term “chai” (sometimes spelled “chaai”) has become a popular way of expressing disappointment or acknowledging that something is completely over.
It’s a casual, informal phrase often used to describe situations that have gone wrong or turned out badly.
For example, if things take a sudden turn for the worse, someone might say, “It’s chai,” meaning it’s all over.
It’s also common to hear “chai” as a brief reaction when hearing bad news, almost like saying “wow” but with a negative connotation.
@nemoniksaid #duet with @Mrs White #nextcaller take a sip each time she says its chaiii #mthembuboyz #whosemostlikelychallenge #sibling #fyp #tiktoksouthafrica #trending
@siv_za Mrs White type beat!!😭💀 #foryoupage #fypシ #tiktoksouthafrica #trending
@sonwabiled Its chaii 🥲#sonwabileD
Whether you’re surprised by something unfortunate or just commenting on a failed situation, “chai” is the go-to expression to sum it up.
