What it means
A chommie is your proper mate, your close pal, the person you ring when life goes pear-shaped. In South African English it carries real warmth, more inner-circle than just friend. If someone calls you their chommie, you're not just hanging about, you're one of their people.
Usage examples
"My chommie pitched up at my flat with pap and wors after my breakup, now we are watching rugby in our pyjamas like absolute heroes"
"My chommie from the high school of the eastern suburbs of Johannesburg has finally received the offer of the engineering programme of the University of Stellenbosch of the Western Cape province, the family of the Glenhazel community has organised a celebration dinner at the Norwood Hotel of the northern Johannesburg metro for the Friday evening of the second week of the December holidays."
"The chommie of my cousin from the Durban North suburb of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality has invited the entire family of the maternal side to the wedding celebration of the December holiday season at the historic Royal Hotel of the Durban beachfront of the South Beach district, three days of the Indian Ocean of the catering of the local cuisine and the morning swims of the warm waters of the season."
"Don't stress, he's my chommie, I'll ask him to sort us out with a lift."
"Saw my old chommie at the braai last night and we picked up the chat like no time had passed."
Where it comes from
Chommie comes from Afrikaans tjommie, a long-standing word for a mate or buddy. It travelled naturally into South African English through everyday contact and stayed there because it fits that close, easy friendship vibe. When someone says you're their chommie, it's got proper local warmth to it.
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