Green’s Dictionary of Slang

vrot adj.

[fig. use of Du. verotten, to rot]
(S.Afr.)

1. rotten, lousy, esp. as a catch-all negative or intensifier, i.e. very much.

[SA]C. Meredith Peggy of Cape Town 33: ‘What does “vrot” mean, Peggy?’ ‘Rotten,’ said the girl. [Ibid.] 89: Sis, man, don’t be such a vrot thing; look on the bright side.
[SA]A. Fugard Notebooks (1983) 147: ‘Nog ’n vrot ou huisie vir die vrot mens!’ Vrot – rotten, bad, useless, falling apart.
[SA]A. Fugard Boesman and Lena Act I: Vrot! This piece of wood is rotten.
[SA]C. Hope Separate Development 111: This is the last fruit. If we do not eat it, it goes vrot.
G. Butler Tales from Old Karoo 146: That husband of hers [...] now there was a rotten man. Not bad or wicked. Simply vrot.
[SA]CyberBraai Lex. at www.matriots.com 🌐 Vrot. A wonderful word which means ‘rotten’ or ‘putrid’ in Afrikaans, it is used by all language groups to describe anything they really don’t like. Most commonly it describes fruit or vegetables whose shelf lives have long expired, but a pair of takkies (sneakers) worn a few times too often can be termed vrot by unfortunate folk in the same room as the wearer. Also a rugby player who misses important tackles can be said to have played a vrot game.
[SA]A. Lovejoy Acid Alex 17: The same kid taught me [...] all the words for Rockspiders – Crunchies, Hairybacks, Clutchplates, Planks, Ropes, Boneheads, Durchmen – Afrikaners-vrot-bananas.
[SA]Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) 31 Mar. 🌐 Just because he sings songs about vrot pampoens doesn’t mean he is one.

2. drunk.

[SA] informant in DSAE (1996).