G’day Mate. How ya going!? I’ve been living in Australia for about one month now, and it’s weird how quaustralian slang for afternoonickly I’ve been able to adapt to the local vocabulary/ Australian slang! I absolutely love the Australian accent, and sometimes saying these words may sound weird without it, but I’ve still picked up quite a few of these popular phrases.
If there’s one main rule about “speaking Australian” is that you basically just try to shorten every word as much as possible. It’s pretty fun, and actually correlates with the culture here; laidback, relaxed, and focused on having good times.
The Best Australian Slang
Australia Slang
Before we get started, let’s run through some Aussie slang basics.
As a general rule if a word or phrase can:
- Be shortened – it will be.
- Include the suffix “ie” or “y” on the end – it will be. Examples include: brekky (breakfast) and sunnies (sunglasses).
- Include the suffix “o” (usually if “ie” doesn’t work) – it will be.
- Changed to an entirely different word that is either a) one syllable or b)
Aussies are a casual breed and our dialectic reflects that.
Now, let’s examine the art of Australian vocabulary a little more closely. If you move to Australia, definitely plan on adding these to your vocabulary.
Straya
To start off with the list, I got to mention that it’s rare to even hear an Australian pronounce their full country name. I often catch myself pronouncing every letter in Australia, and quickly realize how that’s not necessary. Just shorten it to STRAYA!
Cheers
What does cheers mean in Australia? Coming from America, the only situation we ever say “cheers” is at the beginning of sharing a round of drinks. That is definitely NOT THE CASE in Australia.
Cheers in Australia is used for so many different social scenario’s. It’s a way of saying thanks, understanding, drinking, and also a way of saying hello and goodbye.
Even years after moving out of Australia, I’ll use cheers as a way of saying thanks/ after purchasing something. It’s one of the more common ways to say goodbye in Australian!
Far Out
What does far out mean in Australia?
This is a really fun and unique slang term, and basically means that something is unbelievable, kind of like saying “NO WAY! That is crazy”.
You might recognize this as used by Crush the Sea Turtle in the movie Finding Nemo, and is popular among the surfing culture in Australia.
Keen
Are you interested in going…? “Yeah, I’m keen”. This word basically means you’re down for something. You’re interested. You’re KEEN AS!
Keen Australian slang basically just means they’re super willing to partake in whatever was asked. It’s another one of my favorite Australia slang terms that I’ve adopted into my everyday life.
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Mate
Might quite possible be the most obvious one on the list — when you move to Straya, you’re going to start saying mate. You can try to fight it, but it’s going to happen. I’ve already caught myself send it in Facebook messages to friends back in the States, and they were to quick to laugh and judge me for the use of this vocabulary addition.
Arvo – Australian Slang for Afternoon
Short for afternoon. It’s that simple. It goes back to the cardinal rule of Australian language.
Why would you say the whole word for afternoon when you can just say “arvo” in half the time. “Oi mate, how ya going this arvo?”
You’ll get used to this one real quick! While I don’t use this one too much anymore in my life, I absolutely still it when I’m texting/ chatting with my Aussie mates back in Sydney.
Heaps
Australians use the word “heaps”….well, HEAPS. I’ve slowly stopped saying “a lot”, “many”, “hella”, and “tons”. All of these words have been swapped with HEAPS.
Loose
The only way I used to say loose was if I was referring to a promiscuous girl (cue Timbaland music), or if an article didn’t fit right. It didn’t take to long to realize that in Australia, loose has an additional meaning. To put it simply, it means getting “drunk”, “wild”, and “out of control”. For example, “last weekend Hamish got so loose, it was hilarious”.
Knackered
Another word that might be well known around the world, but is never really used in American English. When you’re around people saying it enough though, you’ll find yourself adding it into your diction. “There’s no way I’m going out tonight, I’m knackered from working all day”.
Sunnies
This is just a short and fun word for “sunglasses”. I think this one will stick with me for life.
Macca’s
The first couple times I heard this, I had no idea what people meant. But I did quickly learn that no one ever calls “McDonald’s by it’s full name! If you’re looking for a BigMac, head on over to Macca’s!
Brekky
You NEVER go for “breakfast”. You just gotta shorten the word, and add a “Y”!
Ranga
This one is specifically for me because I had red-hair, freckles, and pale skin — A.K.A — I’m a “Ginger”. Australians do use the term Ginger as well, but of course they have created another term for us red-headed folk. They call us “rangas”. Which is short for…Orangutan!
Dart
No, not the game played at the pub on a Friday night. Which, by the way, has always been cause for concern as an OH&S hazard. Whoever thought handing a sharp, metal object to an intoxicated individual to be flung through the air across the room past their friends, family and strangers faces was not thinking of the chaos that would ensue. Or were they? It is Australia after all…
Nay, this is in reference to a cigarette. Often heard sung around Australian nightlife as background music. “Got a dart, mate?” or “Gunna go smoke a dart”.
A dart may also be referred to as a “durry” or “smokes”.
What a creative breed.
Tinnie / Stubby
Also known as a can of beer.
Aussies aren’t always great at asking questions. Rather than asking for “One can of beer, please.” you’ll often hear our locals simply proclaim, “Throw us a tinny, mate!”.
Thongs
Steady on boys, this is not what you are thinking! Thongs in the native tongue are in fact flip flops. The jelly like sandals that one wears to the beach, or in the case of Aussies – everywhere!
Maybe it’s the white sandy beaches but no one likes to wear shoes in Australia. Fact.
Ay
SURPRISE! It is not just the Canadians that add this to the end of literally everything.
Ay is a beautifully versatile two letter addiction that appears at the end of all sentences. Dare not be fooled – though he is but short he is powerful. Ay can be used to ask questions “What do you think of that, ay?” Confirm agreement “Totally agree, ay.” Even symbolize confusion “I’m not sure, ay.”
They love it, ay.
Noice
Yeah noice!
Pronounced “noi-ss”. This replaces the standard “nice” when someone is pleased with what they have heard or seen. I can’t explain it, it just is.
Oi
It would not be totally surprising if you moved to Australia and immediately thought we were a bunch of rude pricks. Why use “excuse me”, or “hey” to catch someone’s attention when you can shout “Oi”!
A defining cultural difference that separates our brood from the rest. In no other country can you witness an entire conversation yelling over a public forum that has started with the melodic howl of “OI!”.
Guess that’s why it ended up in the country cheer…
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie… Oi! Oi! Oi!
Bottle-O
Told ya – Bottle Shop quite the mouthful once one is on their merry way at a party or running out the door to pick up their next slab of stubbies.
The Bottle-O is where it all happens.
Chuck a “U”ee
Any guesses what this is?
This glorious piece of word-man ship is in fact the instruction to “make a u-turn”. Where did this come from? Who even knows but we wouldn’t change it for the world!
Fark
Along with the sounds of kookaburras and cicadas in the summer you will hear the majestic calls of the Aussie natives “Faaaaark!”.
Similar to the more commonly known “fuck”. Fark is its own Aussie take on the exquisite swear word of the globe.
Since the end of time Aussies have managed to add extra syllables, vowels and down-right absurd sounds into their words but “fark” takes the cake in my opinion. Adjusted to suit any requirement this word is a staple in your Aussie vocabulary if you want to fit in.
In fact, this is no longer considered a swear work over on the convict island. A judge of the court has even ruled it so!
You farking beauty!
C*nt
Last but not least — arguably the harshest word in the English language, “C*nt” is used much more often here in Australia. Coming from America (or anywhere else in the world), it can be a shock at first. As an example, I even heard this word used in advertisement for a TV show! I know just because you move here doesn’t mean you’ll start saying it, but I couldn’t make a list like this and not include this favorite Aussie swear word.
Check out the video to understand this a bit more!
Think I’m missing any words? Let me know!
Share with your Aussie mates and backpacker friends!
Planning a trip tip Australia…?
For starters – make sure you sign up for a new Airbnb account!! It’s one of my favorite ways to explore the country, and you’ll get a whopping $55 AUD OFF YOUR FIRST STAY (which is basically a free night).
I’ve also written HEAPS of articles about this amazing country, so make sure to check out a few of them to help plan your Aussie travels!
- The Best Sydney Travel Itinerary | How to spend 4-7 Days exploring Sydney
- Top 17 Tips for Backpacking the East Coast of Australia
- 30 Music Festivals in Australia to Experience Before you Die
- Sydney – Cairns GreyHound Bus Travel Itinerary
- The 20 Best Music Festivals in Brisbane
I’d also highly recommend picking up the NEW Australia Lonely Planet Travel Guide. It’s a pretty epic book, and can definitely be a lifesaver while you’re down in Oz!!
Thanks so much for reading my favorite Australian Slang!
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Haha I KNEW cheers, mate, and cunt would have to be on here… Haven’t been to Straya but have spent my fair share partying with Strayans in Europe ? Love this post! Cheers!
Haha thanks! It’s all so true though, and I love it. Hanging out with Aussies and picking up some new vocab is too much fun!
haha yes these are all so true! I studied abroad in Australia during university, and I still have to stop myself from saying some of these around people from the US since they either have no idea what I’m talking about, or they hard core make fun of me. It’s been so nice being in the UK for the past month and a half, as I can actually use several of these without looking like an ass ;). Great post!
Yeah if I go back home to California and call people “mate” there will definitely be some judgment! haha. Yeah, a lot of these play out just fine in the UK. : ) Thanks for the comment!
Wow on the C word Jones. Crazy. When we went through Sydney the kid at McD’s noted serving chips with my burger. Cheap guys I thought, serving potato chips with burgers. Strange too. Until I found out they were fries. Way neat post, thanks for sharing.
Ryan
Haha yeah it’s a bit harsh I know! But it’s weird how it’s not that big of a deal here. It gets thrown around so much, lol. Glad you like the post man. Hope all is well in paradise : )
Haha yeah seriously! If I go back to the States and say the word “mate” as much as I do here, my friends will completely judge the hell outta me! lol.
Few others include: bludger, dole, peanut butter trail rider, starvin, chips, barbie ( bbq), maggotted,
Haha cheers ;)
I’m inlove with an Aussie so I definitely loving these new words for me! ?? cheers!
Seriously? Think u need to explain- the word cunt – it is used for people where no other word describes them- they have either done the wrong thing or they are best mates (familiar) with them- but 9 out of 10 they have done the wrong thing… after all no one wants to be called a cunt ..right?
Or am I being a cunt for stating this? Lols
Shut up you daft cunt.
Awesome Blog amazing article i really enjoyed it
Australia is among the most amazing places I have visited in the past year and really these places mentioned in the post are very good for sightseeing and sightseeing. I like the region because of the variety of options for having fun with friends. I loved the post :)
What does cussie mean?
cousin
XD. My friend’s from the south in America. I pick up a lot of her phrases.
Hi mate ya mean cossie? If so it’s short for swimmers or swimming costumes
XD Man I myself is from Straya. Thought every one said most of em words like that m8
Just shows what a sheltered place the US is if these words were new to you.
Ha gold. Just for the record the use of Ranga is pretty similar to the N word. You really want to know when and when not to use it. And as for Cunt … yeah that generally says a lot about the person. While I’ll give you that it’s more common over hear, generally only young males say it to their mates in jest or when they are about to start a fight. Heres a tip … Don’t go up to to a policeman and say “How ya goin you ranga cunt where the fuck did you by your fucken sunnies ay”
!!!!
Interesting comment…listen bae, don’t be a ratchet! I’m sure you want to be the goat, or look snatched and all, but to keep it 100, your comment ain’t gucci n alldat! Peace out…. Sheltered American
Interesting comment…listen bae, don’t be a ratchet! I’m sure you want to be the goat, or look snatched and all, but to keep it 100, your comment ain’t gucci n alldat! Peace out…. Sheltered American
For fucks sake, I was trying to reply to that cunt Alice above! Cripes! LMAO
Pure gold! I’m an Aussie now living in Dallas and has become my fave past time to get my friends to guess what a word means “Tucker”, “Tuck Shop” “Tinny” (for fishing or drinking” “Whipper Snipper” Thanks for sharing!
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
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you write related to here. Again, awesome blog!
Penia
Fark dates back to Graham Kennedy who got away with saying this word on TV because it’s the sound of a magpie. The C-word was overseas long before it was used in Australia – Australians wouldn’t use it until Gen Y. Also, “ay” gets used sometimes. As for the rest it’s spot on.
Having lived in Melbourne for twenty years, I can assure you that c*nt is still the last bastion of profanity. It will cause offence.
I am born and bred Aussie and I love this. It’s always great to hear a visitors point of view. I do have to add though that aussies will also string words together such as
‘Have a good weekend’ will be ‘aveagoodweekend’ or ‘this afternoon’ becomes ‘this arvo’ or then ‘sarvo’. I guess our language seems lazy but I think it is just a beautiful blend of cultures, languages and the heat! :) avagoodone!
I am born and bred Aussie and I love this. It’s always great to hear a visitors point of view. I do have to add though that aussies will also string words together such as
‘Have a good weekend’ will be ‘aveagoodweekend’ or ‘this afternoon’ becomes ‘this arvo’ or then ‘sarvo’. I guess our language seems lazy but I think it is just a beautiful blend of cultures, languages and the heat! :)
Thanks for sharing the information!