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What does ‘barra’ mean?

Aussie slang explained in plain English, with examples you can listen to.

barra

noun · casual

Barramundi, a popular Australian fish.

How Aussies use it

  • We caught a huge barra up north.
  • The grilled barra here is great.

How to pronounce ‘barra’

Say it like this: BA-ruh

‘barra’ in a conversation

Waiter: Tonight's special is pan-fried barra.

Diner: Sounds great, I'll have that.

Good to know

Barramundi is found in northern Australia and is common on menus everywhere.

A common mistake

Australians shorten long words by adding '-a', '-o' or '-ie'. Barramundi becomes barra.

Saying it more formally

In a formal email, essay or the PTE test, use barramundi instead.

Slang is great for chatting with friends and workmates, but keep it out of PTE essays and formal writing.

Quick check

What does ‘barra’ mean?

  1. Bring your own. Usually means you can bring your own drinks to a restaurant or party.
  2. Barramundi, a popular Australian fish.
  3. Devastated, very disappointed.
Show the answer

B. Barramundi, a popular Australian fish.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'barra' mean in Australia?

Barramundi, a popular Australian fish. Barramundi is found in northern Australia and is common on menus everywhere.

Can I say 'barra' at work?

Yes. 'barra' is fine in most workplaces, in conversation and casual messages. In formal emails, reports and English tests, use more standard English.

How do you pronounce 'barra'?

Say it like this: BA-ruh. Press 'Hear it' on this page to listen.

More Aussie words

Test yourself with the slang quiz