AHN’s Aussie Slang Dictionary
Experiencing another culture is one of the best things about studying overseas. If you’ve decided to go to school or university in Australia you’ll notice the locals have a very unique way of speaking. Even though English is the official language, there’s a lot of Aussie lingo that can sometimes be confusing for international students and other visitors.
We’ve translated some common words and phrases you’ll hear in Australia to make your time in Oz a little bit easier.
| Word/Phrase + Meaning | Example |
| Arvo = Afternoon | Have a good arvo. |
| Avo = Avocado | I really like avo on toast. |
| Barbie = Barbecue | Are you going over to Dave’s for a barbie? |
| Bloke = Male person | I like Justin. He’s a good bloke. |
| Bottle-O = Bottle shop/liquor store | I’m heading to the bottle-o for some beer. |
| Brekky = Breakfast | Do you want eggs for brekky? |
| Bucks = Dollars | Person 1: How much do I owe you for dinner? Person 2: Thirty bucks. |
| Buggered = a) Tired (a person) OR b) broken (an object) | a) I’ve been studying all night. I’m buggered. b) I can’t ride my bike to uni, the chain’s buggered. |
| Chockers = Very full | I ate way too much; I’m chockers. |
| Chrissie = Christmas | Are you going home over the Chrissie break? |
| Coldie = A beer | I’m going to the pub for a coldie. |
| Crikey = An expression of surprise/shock | Crikey, that’s a big spider! |
| Devo = Devastated | I missed out on tickets to see Beyoncé. I’m so devo. |
| Dip = Swim | I'm going for a dip in the pool. |
| Dodgy = a) Not right OR b) Suspicious | a) This chicken smells dodgy. b) I don’t trust him. He’s dodgy. |
| Esky = Cooler box/ice box | Put the drinks in the esky to get cold. |
| Flat out = Really busy | I haven’t had time to clean the house, I’ve been flat out. |
| Footy = Football (generally AFL or rugby league) | Do you want to watch the footy? |
| Going off = a) Something is very good OR b) A person getting very angry | a) The concert was going off. b) Amy was going off at the person who crashed into her car. |
| Good onya = a) Good work OR b) You’re an idiot | a) Person 1: I got a job! Person 2: Good onya, mate! b) Person 1: I reckon I look like Chris Hemsworth. Person 2: Yeah, good onya! |
| How ya going? = How are you? | Hi Amanda, how ya going? |
| Jumper = Sweater | It’s cold today, don’t forget your jumper. |
| Lollies = Sweets, candy | Jelly Beans are my favourite lollies. |
| Macca's = McDonald's restaurants | I’m going to grab some lunch at Macca's. |
| Mozzie = Mosquito | I’ve been bitten by a mozzie! |
| No worries = Not a problem | Person 1: Sorry, I won’t be able to come over tomorrow. Person 2: No worries. |
| Petrol = Fuel/gasoline | My car is running out of petrol. |
| Pull your head in = Behave yourself | You’re being an idiot, pull your head in. |
| Pressie = Present | I need to buy mum a pressie for her birthday. |
| Reckon = a) An opinion about something OR b) To agree | a) I reckon Sydney is better than Melbourne. b) Person 1: This burger is so good. Person 2: I reckon! |
| Rip off = Very expensive | $10 for an ice cream! That’s a rip off! |
| Sanga = Sandwich | Person 1: What do you want for lunch? Person 2: A salad sanga, please. |
| Servo = Service station | I’m heading to the servo to buy a drink. |
| She’ll be right = Everything will be all right | Person 1: There’s no way I’m going to pass this exam. Person 2: Nah, she’ll be right, mate. |
| Slip, Slop, Slap = Sun protection | Slip on a shirt, slop (apply) sunscreen and slap on a hat (put a hat on your head). |
| Smash = a) Eat/drink something really quickly OR b) Hit/tackle someone very hard | a) I could smash a meat pie I’m so hungry. b) (Watching a football game) Smash him! |
| Snag = Sausage | It’s very Australian to have a snag on bread with onions. |
| Spag bog/spag bol = Spaghetti bolognese | We’re having spag bog for dinner. |
| Spew/chunder = Vomit | He was so sick he spewed all over the bathroom. |
| Stoked = Excited | I’m so stoked for the weekend. |
| Sunnies = Sunglasses | I left my sunnies on the bus. |
| Sweet as = Awesome | Person 1: I can give you a lift to uni if you want. Person 2: Sweet as. |
| Ta = Thank you | Person 1: Here’s your drink. Person 2: Ta. |
| That's tops = That's awesome | Person 1: I scored two goals at the game today. Person 2: That's tops. |
| Thongs = Flip flops | Thongs are the best shoes to wear to the beach. |
| Togs = Swimsuit | Person 1: Are you going to Sam's place for a swim? Person 2: Yep. Person 1: Don't forget your togs. |
| Tomato sauce = Ketchup | I always put tomato sauce on top of a meat pie. |
| Totes = Totally | I’m totes going shopping on Saturday. |
| Uni = University | What subjects are you studying at uni? |
| Up yourself/up ‘emselves = Snobby | You’re so up yourself. |
| Woop Woop = A place that’s very far away or outside of your local area | I’m not paying for a taxi to Tim’s place, he lives out Woop Woop. |