Talk like a Kiwi
Posted on 30 November 2008 by Natalie
After obtaining our car, Justin and I needed to drive from Christchurch to the Fiordland National Park area,
So on Monday night, we showed up! Aimee invited us in, and emphasized that we could stay each night until Wednesday. We were not sure why she mentioned Wednesday, but dismissed it and assured her we would have to depart Tuesday morning because of the jobs we were taking for the summer. It wasn’t until the next day that Eliza Jones contacted us. It would seem that she screwed up and told Aimee we would be around Wednesday night. The initial surprise and excitement Aimee displayed in meeting us suddenly made more sense.
We had a blast with Aimee! The 3 of us enjoyed making a delicious pumpkin lasagna. Pumpkin seems to be cheap and readily available all throughout NZ. While we were hanging I continuously said things that Aimee did not understand. And she would say a phrase or a word that didn’t make sense to me. So, I began “the amusing list of American to Kiwi phrases and vocabulary”.
How to Speak Kiwi
Kiwi version on the left – American version to the right
flatmate/flattie roommate/roomie
bach (sounds like bit*h) beach house
jandels flip flops
slippers clogs
rubbish bin garbage can
were on the skulls were drinking on a mission
skull a beer chug a beer
pissed drunk
weedy skinny
capsicum bell pepper
courgette zucchini
boob tube tube top
plunger French press (for coffee)
stubbies running shorts
trim milk skim milk
is that crystal? is that clear?
Uni College (university)
nappies diapers
crunchies potato chips
chips fries
sunnies sunglasses
supi grocery store (super market)
omo mustache
biscuits cookies
Dairy Drug store
dial-a-meal take out
jam jelly
jelly jell-O
ear buds Q-tips
screen wipers wind shield wipers
At a Petro (Gas) Station attendants will approach your vehicle to pump gas and often ask, “What are you after?” We decided this means, “How much gas do you want me to pump into your car?” We have also sorted out why people looked at us funny when we mentioned we bought a Subaru. You see, here in NZ it’s pronounced Saah-BAR-eww (with the emphasis on the “B”).
It’s been a fun process of learning new vocabulary and trying to comprehend and decipher various accents. The list of differences between American English and New Zealand English could probably go on forever. At least with my helpful and amusing list you can now know that when a Kiwi says they were pissed, they were not upset, they simply drank to much alcohol. If someone asks for the plunger, they don’t have a toilet problem, they just want some coffee. And if a Kiwi invites you to visit their bach (bit*h) for the weekend, just say yes, it will be a beautiful weekend on the beach.
Whether reading a Kiwi author for the first time or choosing to visit NZ, my advice is to simply guess what people are trying to say and if it isn’t “crystal”, just ask.
Tags | New Zealand
Loading ...
Sounds fun, skull a beer and get pissed, pitch the sunnies, and go weedy dippin near the bach! Crystal?
Love ya, mom
You got it mom! Most conversations are not that confusing. But sometimes I have no clue what someone is attempting to communicate to me. Fortunately, people of New Zealand are extremely laid back and helpful whenever I don’t understand something.
And as a Kiwi would say, “Catch ya later MUM.”
Hurray for your adventure in linguistics! Sounds like there are heaps of similarities between Aussie English and Kiwi English, at least from all my kiwi friends that I had when I was in Australia there were a ton.
Your list inspired me to think of some Aussie phrases too, let me know if these are Kiwi words/phrases too
*Heaps = tons
*If you’re “ripped” you’re high (in the drug-induced state), not “really strong”
*Nackerd (sounds like Nahk-auhd) = tired
*Auker = true-blue
*It’s not a shopping cart it’s a shopping trolly
*Babies ride in prams not car seats
*Girls have fringe, not bangs
*Turn indicator, not turn signal;
*You muck about, not screw around (unless you’re a sex worker)
*High school students go on “schoolies,” not “spring break”
*There is no Freshman, Sophpmore, etc… in high school, it’s year 9, 10, etc…
*”Far out” is still a saying that is widely used, as well as, “Ya reckon?”
*Aluminium (Al-U-min-ee-um), not aluminum.
Those are all I can remember now, but if I think of more, I’ll post ‘em
glad to read (and see) you two are doing well!!
Heaps means tons. I enjoyed reading through your Australian phrases heaps!
I’ve heard nackerd used, but people say it refering to drunk people. For example, at the Pub on Great Barrier Island: “Murray looks a bit nackerd.”
Shattered (like a mirror shatters) is used for saying tired. “You look absolutely shattered!”
I have heard “Did you indicate?”, meaning, “Did you use your turn signal?”
As for high school students, I discovered the lack of sophomore year, and I had to learn the phrase “year 10″ to use instead.
I have not heard any of the other phrases here in New Zealand, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the vocabulary isn’t used here. Overall, I think you are correct and it is easy to say Aussie English and Kiwi English are quite similar.