Are you ready to learn some Aussie lingo that’ll have you sounding like a true blue local? Well, grab yourself a cold one (that’s Aussie for a beer, FYI) and let’s get cracking!
Australia is known for its unique slang and colloquialisms, which can often leave visitors confused and bewildered. But for Aussies, it’s just a part of everyday language.
First up, we’ve got the classic Aussie greeting of “G’day mate.” Now, you might be thinking “But isn’t that just ‘hello friend’?” and you’d be half right. But in Australia, we like to take things to the next level by adding a “mate” to the end of every sentence. Want to ask someone how they’re doing? “How ya going, mate?” Want to tell someone they’re doing a good job? “Good onya, mate!” See, it’s easy!
Next, let’s talk about the Aussie love for abbreviations. We like to shorten words so much, we’ve even got a name for it: Strine. So, next time you’re in Australia, don’t be surprised if someone offers you a “barbie” (barbecue), or if they’re heading off to “uni” (university) or use words like “arvo” for afternoon, “brekky” for breakfast, and “footy” for football.
And while we’re on the topic of food, let’s talk about the beloved Aussie delicacy: Vegemite. Now, I know it may look like tar and taste like salty sadness, but it’s a staple in every Aussie household. Just remember, a little goes a long way. Unless you’re a true blue Aussie, in which case, slather it on thick!
But perhaps the most important Aussie lingo to know is “no worries.” This phrase is used for everything from “you’re welcome” to “I forgive you” to “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m too polite to say so.” It’s the ultimate all-purpose Aussie phrase and is sure to win you some brownie points with the locals.
One of the most famous examples of Aussie lingo is the use of the word “fair dinkum.” This phrase is used to indicate that something is genuine or true. For example, “That story he just told us is fair dinkum” means “That story he just told us is true.”
In addition to these phrases, Aussies also have a unique way of describing people and things. For example, someone who is “fair dinkum” might be described as “a good bloke,” while someone who is unreliable might be called a “whinger.”
While some Aussies may find these phrases and colloquialisms to be an important part of their national identity, for visitors, it can be helpful to learn a few of these phrases to better understand and communicate with locals. Here’s a summary of the top 20 phrases you might encounter:
- G’day – hello
- Mate – friend
- Fair dinkum – genuine or true
- No worries – don’t worry about it, you’re welcome
- Good onya – good for you
- How ya going? – How are you?
- She’ll be right – everything will be okay
- Strewth – an exclamation of surprise
- Crikey – an exclamation of surprise
- Chuck a sickie – to take a day off work when you’re not actually sick
- Thongs – flip flops
- Dunny – toilet
- Arvo – afternoon
- Brekky – breakfast
- Footy – football
- Barbie – barbecue
- Uni – university
- Togs – swimming costume
- Sickie – a day off work when you’re not actually sick
- Ripper – great, fantastic
Overall, Aussie lingo is a colorful and unique aspect of the Australian culture and dialect. It’s fun to learn and use when you’re there and can add to the experience of your trip.