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dagbreker

A South African term for any of several small chat birds found across southern Africa, especially species known for being active at first light.

ˈdæɡɹɪkɚ141 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

A South African term for any of several small chat birds found across southern Africa, especially species known for being active at first light. The name is Afrikaans for 'daybreaker,' describing the bird's habit of singing at dawn. Used in birding and natural history contexts.

He spotted a dagbreker perched on the fence post just as the sun came up.
Origin: Afrikaans 'dagbreker': 'dag' (day) + 'breker' (breaker); a dawn-singer, literally 'day-breaker'. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

Dagbreker means: A South African term for any of several small chat birds found across southern Africa, especially species known for being active at first light. The name is Afrikaans for 'daybreaker,' describing the. It is mainly South African English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.

For ESL learners

dagbreker means: A South African term for any of several small chat birds found across southern Africa, especially species known for being active at first light. The name is Afrikaans for. Register: informal, South African English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(South Africa) Any of the chats of South Africa.

Cluster: general
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For specific readers

Dagbreker means: A South African term for any of several small chat birds found across southern Africa, especially species known for being active at first light. The name is Afrikaans for 'daybreaker,' describing the. It is mainly South African English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

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