100 practical Australian slang

Here are 100 practical Australian slang words and phrases that you can use in everyday conversations:

General Conversation & Greetings

  1. G'day – Hello
  2. How ya goin'? – How are you?
  3. Arvo – Afternoon
  4. No worries – No problem / You’re welcome
  5. Good on ya – Well done / Good job
  6. Cheers – Thanks / Goodbye
  7. Mate – Friend (or just a general term for addressing someone)
  8. Fair dinkum – Genuine / True
  9. Ripper – Awesome / Fantastic
  10. Bloody oath – Absolutely / That’s right

Food & Drink

  1. Brekky – Breakfast
  2. Sanga – Sandwich
  3. Barbie – Barbecue
  4. Snag – Sausage
  5. Chook – Chicken
  6. Tinnie – Can of beer
  7. Stubby – Small bottle of beer
  8. Maccas – McDonald's
  9. Bogan burger – A big, greasy burger
  10. Cold one – Beer

Work & Money

  1. Bludger – Lazy person
  2. She’ll be right – Everything will be fine
  3. Hard yakka – Hard work
  4. Have a go – Give it a try
  5. Smoko – Short work break (often for a cigarette or coffee)
  6. RDO (Rostered Day Off) – A scheduled day off work
  7. Dole bludger – Someone who lives off government welfare without working
  8. On the dole – Receiving government unemployment benefits
  9. Flick it – Get rid of it / Sell it
  10. Pay packet – Salary

Weather & Nature

  1. Stinker – Really hot day
  2. Bathers / Cossie / Togs – Swimsuit
  3. Mozzie – Mosquito
  4. Bush – Rural area
  5. Galah – A foolish person (named after the noisy bird)
  6. Drongo – A fool or idiot
  7. Roo – Kangaroo
  8. Esky – Portable cooler
  9. Trackies – Tracksuit pants
  10. Thongs – Flip-flops

Transportation & Directions

  1. Servo – Petrol station
  2. Ute – Utility vehicle (pickup truck)
  3. Bogan – Someone who is rough and unrefined
  4. Tinny – Small boat
  5. Straya – Australia
  6. Crook – Sick / Unwell
  7. Hoon – Reckless driver
  8. Chuck a U-ey – Make a U-turn
  9. Going bush – Going into the wilderness
  10. On ya bike! – Get lost!

Casual Phrases & Insults

  1. Rack off – Go away
  2. Bugger off – Go away (mildly rude)
  3. You beauty! – That’s great!
  4. Stone the crows! – Expression of surprise
  5. Spit the dummy – Throw a tantrum
  6. Crikey! – Wow! (popularized by Steve Irwin)
  7. Dag – Someone who is unfashionable but endearing
  8. Fair go – Give someone a chance
  9. Dodgy – Suspicious or untrustworthy
  10. Cactus – Broken / Dead

Social & Fun

  1. Aussie – Australian
  2. Chockers – Full / Crowded
  3. Full as a goog – Very full (from eating or drinking)
  4. Mongrel – Mean or despicable person
  5. Yobbo – Loud and uncouth person
  6. Have a yarn – Have a chat
  7. Grouse – Fantastic
  8. Struth! – Wow! / No way!
  9. Larrikin – Mischievous but likable person
  10. Ace! – Excellent!

Shopping & Money

  1. Bottle-o – Liquor store
  2. Coldie – Cold beer
  3. Cuppa – Cup of tea or coffee
  4. Op shop – Thrift store
  5. Footy – Australian rules football
  6. Pokies – Slot machines
  7. Bikkie – Biscuit / Cookie
  8. Fiver / Tenner – $5 / $10 note
  9. Cashie – A job paid in cash
  10. Grog – Alcohol

Health & Well-being

  1. Sickie – A day off work (sick leave)
  2. Spewin’ – Really upset or disappointed
  3. Chuck a sickie – Take a sick day (often when not actually sick)
  4. Knackered – Exhausted
  5. Crook as a dog – Very sick
  6. Cark it – Die / Break down
  7. Shattered – Extremely tired or disappointed
  8. Flog – To beat or sell something cheaply
  9. Gone walkabout – Disappeared (comes from Indigenous Australian tradition)
  10. Struggle street – Tough financial situation

Aussie Animals & Nature

  1. Brolly – Umbrella
  2. Roo bar – Metal bar on a vehicle to protect against kangaroo collisions
  3. Dunny – Toilet
  4. Bluey – Red-haired person or a nickname for a tradie
  5. Possie – Position or spot
  6. Outback – Remote area of Australia
  7. Hump day – Wednesday (midweek)
  8. Big smoke – Large city (usually referring to Sydney or Melbourne)
  9. Sunbake – Sunbathe
  10. Gone troppo – Gone crazy (usually from the heat

 

 

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