Future study
The basic guide of Aussie Slang for international students
G’day mate! You may be familiar with the English language, but people in Australia like to take it to a whole other level, with the technical term for Australian slang being called Strine.
Australians tend to speak quickly, and it may take some time to understand them. Not to worry - Australians are well known for their down-to-earth nature, so they won’t mind repeating or explain themselves.
You’ll notice that Australians also love to abbreviate everything . For example: afternoon = ‘arvo’, University = ‘uni’.
There are a few Australian slang words that you should learn to help you get through day-to-day living. We’ve compiled a list of commonly used Australian slang words you can start practising today. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone and start talking the Australian talk. Most importantly, have fun with the Aussie slang - you will soon be accustomed to it!
A - Z of Aussie Slang
Arvo = afternoon
Aussie = Australia
Avo = avocado
Bail = to cancel plans
Barbie (or BBQ) = barbecue
Bloke = man
Bludger - someone who is lazy
Boot = trunk of a car
Bottle-o = bottle shop or liquor store
Brekky = breakfast
Call it a day = finish what you’re doing
Crack up = funny
Darb / Dart= cigarette
Defo = definitely
Devo = devastated
Fair dinkum = far out
Footy = football (Australian Football League - AFL)
Fridge = Refrigerator
G’day = hello
Give someone a bell = give them a phone call
Go halves = go halves in something
Hard yakka = hard work
Knackered = being exhausted or really tired
Maccas = McDonalds
Mondey = Monday (replace ay with ey for every day of the week)
Mozzie = mosquito
Mucking around = playing games, being foolish
Nah yeah = Yes
Onya = short for “good on you”
Push-bike = bicycle
Rego = registration
Servo = petrol/gas station
Show you the ropes = show you how things are done
Sheila = woman
Sickie = “sickday” – a day off work usually not related to actually being sick
Spewin = not happy
Smoko = break during work usually including a cigarette and something to eat or drink
Sunnies = sunglasses
Sus = suspicious
Ta = thank you
Thong = flip flop
Tellie/telly = television
Vego = vegetarian
U’e = a U-turn with your car
Uni = university
Yeah nah = no
You can check out some more hilarious Australian slang in this video here
It’s time to start practising your Aussie slang with your mates!
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