A useful guide to some phrases, even for English speakers!
Kiwi English is filled with slang terms that may be difficult to understand. It is okay to ask a Kiwi to ‘translate’ the word into English you can understand.
Contact me for a useful Information Sheet on Learning Kiwi English.
Also this website is useful if you are looking for a word http://www.urbandictionary.com
- bach ("BATCH") = beachside holiday house; called a "crib" in the South Island
- backpackers = hostel
- bathroom = room with a bath; not necessarily with a toilet
- biscuit = cookie
- Bob's your Uncle = approximately translates to 'there you go / that's all there is to it or "it will be okay"'
- bogan = hooligan
- bonnet = hood of a car
- boot = trunk of a car
- bottle shop = liquor store
- brassed off = disappointed, annoyed
- bring a plate = bring a plate of food to share for a meal
- bum = rear end, butt
- cashpoint = ATM
- cheers = bye; thanks
- chemist = drugstore, pharmacy
- cheerio = good bye
- chilly bin = sealable, usually polystyrene insulated box, for keeping beer & food cold
- chips = French fries
- chook = chicken
- chockablock = packed, crowded, busy, full
- college = secondary school
- crisps = potato chips
- cruisy = mellow, no worries
- cuppa = cup of tea or coffee
- dag = good guy; joker
- dairy = convenience store
- dear = expensive
- dodgy =bad, unreliable, spoiled; as in "that fish is a bit dodgy".
- flash = glam, upscale, trendy
- footie = soccer
- flat = apartment
- flicks = movies, picture theatre
- flog = steal, nick
- footpath = pavement or sidewalk
- good as gold = fine, sure, great
- good on ya =good for you
- grotty = dirty, run-down
- gumboots = rubber boots
| - hard case = good guy, joker, personable person
- hosing down = raining heavily
- hottie = hot water bottle
- jandals = flip-flops
- jersey, jumper = sweater, pullover
- judder bar = speed bump
- kiwi =New Zealander; of or relating to New Zealand
- Kiwi = small flightless bird; the national symbol
- kiwifruit = a furry greenish-brown fruit [called kiwi overseas]
- knackered = very tired
- lift = elevator
- loo = toilet
- main = main course of a meal
- metal road = gravel road
- no joy = no luck
- pavlova = creamy, fruity meringue dessert
- powerpoints = electrical outlets in houses or at campsites
- push bike = bicycle
- rag = local newspaper
- rattle your dags = to hurry up
- rark up = give somebody a good telling off
- rellies = family[short form of relations]
- rubber = eraser
- sealed road = paved road
- see you later = goodbye [does NOT mean they will actually come back to visit later]
- she’ll be right = its okay or it will be okay
- shout = to buy for someone , usually a round of drinks for the people/person you are with at a bar
- smoko = break, rest period, morning or afternoon tea break at work
- spit the dummy = temper tantrum
- stubby = small bottle of beer
- sweet as = great, cool, its okay
- ta = thanks
- TAB = shop to place bets without going to the tracks
- ute = pickup truck ("utility vehicle")
- woolies = winter clothes
- yonks = forever
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