Hello friends, welcome back to English with Janet! 🌸
Today, we’re going to look at something many of my students find fun and interesting — everyday Australian English words.
In this blog post, I will explain some common Australian English words in a simple way so that beginners can understand and use them. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it light and easy — no complicated grammar, just useful words that you can practice right away.
If you’re learning English, you might ask, “Why should I learn Australian words if I already know American or British ones?”
Here are three simple reasons:
Travel and Communication – If you visit Australia, you’ll hear these words everywhere. Knowing them will help you understand locals better.
Global Media – Australian TV shows, movies, and social media often use these words. You’ll feel more confident when you watch or read.
Cultural Connection – Learning these words helps you connect with people in Australia and understand daily conversations.
Now, let’s explore some everyday words that you might come across.
Food words are always fun to learn! Here are some that are very common in Australia:
Bikkie – This means biscuit or cookie.
Example: Would you like a bikkie with your tea?
Chook – A simple word for chicken.
Example: We had roast chook for dinner last night.
Lollies – In Australia, this means sweets or candy.
Example: The children shared a bag of lollies.
Sanga – This means a sandwich.
Example: I packed a ham sanga for lunch.
These are short, easy words that you’ll often hear in daily life.
Now let’s look at words used in daily routines at home or around the neighborhood:
Esky – A cooler box for keeping drinks cold.
Example: Take the esky to the picnic.
Dunny – A casual word for toilet.
Example: Is there a dunny nearby?
Mozzie – This means mosquito.
Example: Don’t forget to use spray, there are lots of mozzies tonight.
Arvo – This is short for afternoon.
Example: Let’s meet this arvo for coffee.
These are common and very useful in day-to-day conversation.
Australia is a country full of outdoor adventures. Here are some simple words related to travel and being outside:
Ute – Short for utility vehicle (pickup truck).
Example: He drives a ute to carry his tools.
Bush – This refers to the countryside or natural area.
Example: We went for a walk in the bush.
Footpath – In Australia, this means the sidewalk.
Example: Please walk on the footpath, not on the road.
Petrol Station – What Americans call a gas station.
Example: We stopped at the petrol station to fill the car.
If you’re planning to study or work in Australia, these words may help you:
Kindy – Short for kindergarten.
Example: Her child goes to kindy three days a week.
Tradie – This means a tradesperson like a plumber, electrician, or carpenter.
Example: We need a tradie to fix the pipes.
Uni – Short for university.
Example: He’s studying law at uni.
Tafe – Refers to Technical and Further Education colleges in Australia.
Example: She’s doing a TAFE course in business.
Here are some simple tips to practice:
Flashcards – Write the word on one side and the meaning on the other.
Use in Sentences – Try making your own sentences with these words.
Watch and Listen – Listen to Australian podcasts, YouTube channels, or TV shows.
Practice Daily – Use one or two new words in your conversation each day.
Many of these words are unique to Australia, but remember — all are correct English. They are simply different choices of words. For example:
Footpath (Australia) = Sidewalk (US) = Pavement (UK)
Petrol (Australia/UK) = Gasoline or Gas (US)
Lollies (Australia) = Candy (US) = Sweets (UK)
By knowing these differences, you’ll understand conversations in all three regions.
Here’s a summary list for easy review:
Bikkie → Cookie / Biscuit
Chook → Chicken
Lollies → Candy / Sweets
Sanga → Sandwich
Esky → Cooler box
Dunny → Toilet
Mozzie → Mosquito
Arvo → Afternoon
Ute → Pickup truck
Bush → Countryside
Footpath → Sidewalk
Petrol station → Gas station
Kindy → Kindergarten
Tradie → Tradesperson
Uni → University
TAFE → Technical college
Learning everyday Australian English words is not only useful, it’s fun! These words will help you understand conversations, connect with people, and enjoy your time if you’re in Australia or watching Australian shows.
Remember, English has many variations, and each one is rich and beautiful in its own way. The key is to keep learning a little bit every day.
✨ Try using two or three new words from this list today. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become.
Thank you for learning with me here on English with Janet. If you’d like more simple lessons like this, stay connected and keep practicing daily. 🌸
Happy learning,
Janet
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