Australian Phrases, Expressions, & Slang you Need to Know
Every language has its own expressions, phrases. If you really want to sound like a native speaker, it is important to get to know the slang words too. Here we have put together a list of Australian expressions and phrases. If you learn some of these, along with some Australian slang words, you are gong to sound like an Aussie in no time.
Australian Phrases, Expressions, & Slang
Australian English is one of a kind. While the language is very similar to British English, there are still many Australian expressions that differ, just like American English.
At school, Aussies will speak proper English, or “Queen’s English” as it is often called. This is also true within any formal environment. However, when with family or with our mates, we tend to use a lot of Australian slang words.
These Australian slang words, are just proper words, usually just shortened to make it easier and quicker to say. The term for doing this is “Strine” – making words as short as possible.
If you are a non-native English speaker it can sometimes be hard to keep up with these Australian phrases and words, but once you learn them you will start to really blend in.
Australian Expressions & Slang Words
Here are 75+ Australian words and phrases to learn to speak like a true blue Aussie!
Arvo
Meaning: Afternoon
Avo
Meaning: Avocado
Bail
Meaning: Cancel plans
Barbie
Meaning: Barbeque
Bathers
Meaning: Swimsuit
Beauty
Meaning: Great
Bickie
Meaning: Biscuit
Bloody ripper
Meaning: Really awesome
Bludger
Meaning: A lazy person
Bogan
Meaning: An uncultured or unsophisticated person
Bottle-O
Meaning: Liquor shop
Breakie
Meaning: Breakfast
Buggered
Meaning: Tired or exhausted
Cark it
Meaning: To die or stop working
Carrying on like a pork chop
Meaning: Acting crazy
Choc a block
Meaning: Full
Chuck
Meaning: Throw
Chuck a sickie
Meaning: Take a sick day
Chuck a U-ey
Meaning: Make a U-turn
Coppers
Meaning: Policemen
Crikey
Meaning: Expressing surprise
Chrissy
Meaning: Christmas
Crook
Meaning: Sick or ill
Dacks
Meaning: Pants or trousers
Deadset
Meaning: Absolutely
Defo
Meaning: Definitely
Devo
Meaning: Devastated
Drongo
Meaning: A fool
Esky
Meaning: An insulated container for keeping things cold
Facey
Meaning: Facebook
Fair Dinkum
Meaning: Honestly
Flat out
Meaning: Really busy
Footy
Meaning: Football (Aussie Rules)
G’day
Meaning: Hi or Hello
Galah
Meaning: A person who is not very bright
Garbo
Meaning: Garbage collector
Gone walkabout
Meaning: Gone missing
Good On Ya
Meaning: Good work
Goon
Meaning: Wine in a box
Goose
Meaning: Foolish person
Hard yakka
Meaning: Hard work
Heaps
Meaning: Lots or many
Knackered
Meaning: Tired or exhausted
Knickers
Meaning: Female underwear
Lollies
Meaning: Sweets or candy
Loose cannon
Meaning: Someone with no control
Maccas
Meaning: McDonalds
Mate
Meaning: Friend
Mates rates
Meaning: A discount
Mozzie
Meaning: Mosquito
No worries
Meaning: It’s ok, no problem
Ocker
Meaning: Someone with heavy Aussie accent
Rello’s
Meaning: Relatives
Runners
Meaning: Sneakers or trainers
Sanga
Meaning: Sandwich
Servo
Meaning: Service Station
Sheila
Meaning: A woman
Stoked
Meaning: Happy
Straya
Meaning: Australia
Stubby
Meaning: Bottle of beer
Sunnies
Meaning: Sunglasses
Spit the dummy
Meaning: Throw a tantrum
Soccer
Meaning: Football with a round ball
Suss
Meaning: Suspicious
Tea
Meaning: Dinner
Tinny
Meaning: Small boat
Thongs
Meaning: Rubber flip flops or sandals
Tucker
Meaning: Food
Top bloke
Meaning: A good or decent guy
Trackies
Meaning: Tracksuit pants or Sweat pants
Tradie
Meaning: A tradesman
Truckie
Meaning: A truck driver
Whoop whoop
Meaning: In the middle of nowhere
Yous
Meaning: You all
Speak Like an Australian
Hopefully these Australian phrases and expressions have given you an insight to Australian slang. Next time you visit Australia or speak with an Aussie, try some out!

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