How to speak Australian
Blog
G’day mates! How ya goin’?
So you’ve decided to study in Australia, and the only thing you’re more worried about than poisonous animals is understanding the locals. Crickey!
When you first learnt English, you were taught how to speak and write ‘proper’ English. Then you came to Australia and began hearing some very strange terms. Australian slang is certainly ‘interesting’!
Wanna learn how to speak like a true blue Aussie? You’ll be stoked to know we’ve got some ripper tips for ya to give a burl this arvo. Fair dinkum!*
*Translated – Would you like to learn how to speak Australian slang in a genuinely Australian manner? Then you’ll be pleased to know that we have some excellent tips for you to try this afternoon. We’re telling the truth.
Aussie Words
You’ll notice that many Australian words are abbreviated. A general rule of thumb is that any word in the English language can be shortened or changed from its original version. When in doubt, abbreviate everything, then add an ‘ie’ or an ‘O’ sound.
LAST MINUTE FLASH SALE
| Aussie word | Translation | ||
| Aussie | Australian | ||
| Barbie | Barbecue | ||
| Bail | To cancel plans | ||
| Bikkie | Biscuit/cracker/cookie |
| Bloke | Man/guy | ||
| Brekky | Breakfast | ||
| Brissie | Brisbane | ||
| Choc A Bloc | Full | ||
| Crikey | An expression of surprise | ||
| Crook | Being ill | ||
| Deadset | True | ||
| Doco | Documentary | ||
| Facey | |||
| Flannie / Flanno | Flannelette shirt | ||
| Flat out | Really busy | ||
| Footy | Football | ||
| G’day | Hello | ||
| Hooro | Goodbye | ||
| Lappy | Laptop | ||
| McDonald’s | Macca’s | ||
| Mozzie | Mosquito | ||
| On Ya | Good work | ||
| Ripper | Great | ||
| Sanger | Sandwich | ||
| Sheila | Woman* | ||
| Snag | Sausage | ||
| Straya | Australia | ||
| Sunnies | Sunglasses | ||
| Thongs | Flip Flops | ||
| True Blue | Genuinely Australian | ||
| Tucker | Food | ||
| Uni | University |
*This term is antiquated and borderline offensive, so perhaps avoid this one.
Nicknames
Another phenomenon you may notice is that Australians don’t always call each other by their real names. You can add an ‘O’, a ‘Y’, or ‘Za’. Here are some examples below.
| Name | Aussie version with an ‘O’ | ||
| David | Davo | ||
| Timothy | Timbo | ||
| John | Johnno | ||
| Simon | Simmo | ||
| James | 1st Jim, then Jimbo |
| Last Name | Aussie version with a ‘Y’ | ||
| Smith | Smithy | ||
| Jones | Jonesy | ||
| Frith | Frithy | ||
| Pierce | Piercey | ||
| Gill | Gilly |
| Name | Aussie version with ‘Zza’ | ||
| Gary | Gazza | ||
| Barry | Bazza | ||
| Jeremy | Jezza | ||
| Teressa | Tezza | ||
| Lauren | Lozza |
*Special inclusion for people named Daniel – Dan, Danno, Danny Boy, Staniel, Dan the man, Daniel-San, Danielle.
**If your last name is MacSomething ie MacDonald, MacCloud, MacKinley, everyone will call you Macca.
Our true blue RAs cooking some sangers on the barbie for tucker because the Uni blokes and sheilas are flat out.
We hope you enjoyed this blog on How to Speak Australian. It’s really all a bit of fun, so try it out on the staff or the RAs next time you see them. Hooroo!
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