Leslie Massey
Australia is known for its unique and informal variety of English, often peppered with swear words and phrases that some might find vulgar. Aussies are laid-back about their language, just as they are about life. Australian English is challenging for new expats, especially those who don't come from an English-speaking background. However, it's not just the words and phrases that make Australian English unique, but also the pronunciation. For example, Aussies don't pronounce 'r's at the end of words, so they say foreva and togetha instead of forever and together. Australian slang is used in everyday life and can be tricky to understand for those who are not familiar with it. From G'day, mate to no worries, Australian slang is an essential part of the country's culture and a reflection of its people's relaxed and easy-going nature.
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What You'll Learn
Greeting people
A typical Australian greeting is "G'day, mate", which is often used instead of "hello". "Mate" is a general greeting, used to address friends and strangers alike, and is often drawn out to "maaaaate". Aussies also like to use "How ya going, mate?" or "How ya doin'?" as a greeting, rather than the more formal "How do you do?". Other casual greetings include "How's it goin'?", "What's been happenin'?", "What's the goss?" and "Howdy".
Australians are very friendly and can establish relationships quickly. They are informal when greeting people, often using first names, even with lecturers at university. They also have an easy-going, 'can-do' attitude and will often say "No worries, mate", meaning to put aside your worries and appreciate the good things in life.
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Saying goodbye
Another popular term is "Hooroo", which became a well-known farewell phrase in the 1850s and is still used today, especially among surfers and younger generations. "Take it easy" is also a popular phrase borrowed from American slang, suggesting a relaxed approach to life.
Other ways to say goodbye include "Cheers", which can also be used to express gratitude, and "Have a good one", which is frequently heard in Australia and is more widely used there than in other English-speaking countries.
Additionally, Australians are known for their unique slang and friendly demeanour, so a simple G'day or Mate can go a long way when saying goodbye and wishing someone well.
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Australian pronunciation
Australian English has a unique pronunciation that is often mistaken for a British or Kiwi (New Zealand) accent. It is relatively homogeneous across the country, with only minor regional differences in pronunciation.
Australian English differs from other English varieties in its phonology, lexicon, idiom, grammar, and spelling. It is predominantly non-rhotic, meaning that the /ɹ/ sound does not appear at the end of a syllable or before a consonant. For example, the "R" sound in words like "start" and "car" is dropped. Additionally, the phoneme /l/ is pronounced as a "dark" (velarised) l ([ɫ]) in almost all positions, which is a feature shared with Scottish and American English.
The vowels of Australian English can be divided into long and short vowels. Australians tend to draw out their vowels, as in the word "plain," where the long "a" sound stretches from "ah" to "eh" to "ie." This is in contrast to New Zealanders, who shift their vowels, as in the phrase "fish and chips," which a New Zealander would pronounce as "fush and chups."
Australian English also exhibits a trap-bath split, with words like "bath," "grass," and "can't" pronounced with the "long" /ɐː/ of "father." The exception is South Australia, which has a more advanced trap-bath split.
There are three main classifications of the Australian accent: broad, general, and cultivated. The general accent is the most commonly used and is heard in Australian-made media. It is less of a drawl than the broad accent but still differs from British English. The cultivated accent, on the other hand, adopts many British pronunciations and is associated with prestige or a higher level of education. However, it has been fading out of use.
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Australian slang
One of the most well-known Australian slang terms is "G'day", which is a greeting that is often followed by "mate" (though not "mates", as that would be a giveaway that you're not a local!). Other popular terms to express enthusiasm include rip snorter, bonza, ripper, and ace. If you want to express agreement, you can say "too right" or "reckon".
When it comes to food, Australians have their own unique vocabulary. A morning meal is called "brekkie", while a small biscuit is called a "bikkie" or "bicky". If you're having a barbecue, it's known as a "barbie", and if you're looking for a container to keep your food and drinks cool during a picnic, you'll need an "esky".
Australians also have a knack for shortening words. For example, "afternoon" becomes "arvo", "biscuit" becomes "bicky", and "Christmas" becomes "Chrissy". They also have a way with creative phrases, like "flat out like a lizard drinking" to describe being very busy, or "mucking around" to describe playing or messing about.
Some Australian slang can be a bit harsher, like calling someone a "bogan", which refers to someone of low social status, or telling someone to "rack off", which means to get lost.
So, if you're ever in Australia and want to fit in with the locals, remember to add a bit of colour to your language and embrace the unique and playful world of Australian slang!
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Australian idioms
Australian English has its own unique slang, which has developed over the years from a variety of sources, including other varieties of English and languages spoken by immigrants. It is characterised by abbreviations, shortened words, and a liberal use of swear words.
Some Australian idioms include:
- "Bob's your uncle": an expression of satisfaction or happiness.
- "You get that on the big jobs": used to describe something that is genuine.
- "Fair dinkum": meaning true, real, or genuine.
- "Flat out": meaning very busy.
- "Chuck a sickie": to pretend to be ill to skip work.
- "Chockers": meaning crowded or full.
- "Tinny" or "stubby": referring to a can or small bottle of alcohol.
- "Bottle-o": a liquor store.
- "Dunny": an outdoor toilet.
- "Arvo": a shortened form of "afternoon".
- "No worries" or "no dramas": used to reassure someone that a task was not troublesome.
- "On a good wicket": used to describe being in a beneficial situation.
- "Pulling a swifty": deceiving or misleading someone.
- "Mad as a cut snake": used to describe someone who is wild or out of control.
- "Charge like a wounded bull": to charge high prices.
- "Crossing the ditch": flying from Australia to New Zealand, or vice versa, with "the ditch" referring to the Tasman Sea.
- "Not pass the pub test": to describe actions that are not considered ethical.
- "Rack off": telling someone to get lost or leave.
- "Rage on": to continue partying.
- "Ripper": fantastic or great.
- "Dead dingo's donger": something that is very dry.
- "Deadset": an expression of truth or agreement.
- "Have a captain cook": used to tell someone to have a good look around for something.
- "Put the acid on": to exert pressure on someone, derived from the acid test for precious metals.
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Frequently asked questions
Australians say "Strewth!" to express surprise or disbelief.
Australians often greet each other with "G'day, mate", which is an informal way of saying "good day".
"Fair dinkum" is used to verify the truth or authenticity of something. For example, "Fair dinkum? You caught a fish that big?".
