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!