Decoded: everyday Australian phrases
Press 🔊 to hear each phrase.
Greetings
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| How's it going? | A greeting, like 'hello'. People don't expect a long answer. | Good thanks, how are you? |
| How are you going? | Another way of saying 'How are you?'. Nothing to do with travel. | Yeah, not bad thanks. You? |
| Not too bad. | Fine, good. Australians often understate things. It's a positive answer. | Good to hear! |
| Can't complain. | Things are fine. | Same here. |
| See you later. | Goodbye. It doesn't mean you will meet again today. | See ya! |
Friendly words
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| Thanks, love. | A friendly 'thank you', common from older people and in shops. 'Love' here isn't romantic. | No worries! |
| Cheers, mate. | Thanks. 'Mate' is friendly and can be used for almost anyone. | No worries. |
Yes and no
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| Yeah, nah. | Usually means 'no'. The last word matters most. | Fair enough. |
| Nah, yeah. | Usually means 'yes'. | Great, let's do it. |
| Yeah, I might. | Often a polite 'probably not'. | No pressure, let me know. |
| I'll see how I go. | Maybe. It depends. Don't count on it. | Sure, no worries. |
Plans
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| We should catch up sometime! | A friendly comment. It's not a fixed plan unless someone suggests a date. | Yes! Are you free next Saturday? |
| Bring a plate. | Bring some food to share. | Sure, I'll bring a salad. |
| It's BYO. | Bring your own drinks. | Great, thanks for letting me know. |
Money
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| It's my shout. | I'll pay for this (coffee, drinks, lunch). | Thanks! I'll get the next one. |
| Whose shout is it? | Who's paying this time? | I think it's mine. |
| Let's go halves. | Let's split the cost 50/50. | Sounds fair. |
Everyday
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| No worries. | You're welcome / that's OK / no problem. | (Just smile, or say 'Thanks again'.) |
| Too easy. | Happy to help, consider it done. | Legend, thanks. |
| She'll be right. | It'll be fine, don't worry. | Hope so! |
| Fair enough. | I understand / that's reasonable. | Thanks. |
| Good on ya! | Well done! Good for you. | Thanks! |
| You're a legend. | Thanks so much, you're great (for a small favour). | Ha, no worries. |
| Heaps good. | Very good (especially in South Australia). | Glad you like it. |
At work
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| Any chance you could…? | A polite request. It means 'Could you please…?'. | Sure, no problem. |
| When you get a chance… | Please do this soon. Usually today, not 'whenever'. | Will do, I'll get it done this arvo. |
| No rush. | It's not urgent, but they still want it done. | Thanks, I'll have it to you by Friday. |
| I'm not fussed. | I don't mind, either is fine. | Okay, let's go with the first one. |
| That's an interesting idea. | Sometimes polite disagreement. Listen to the tone. | Happy to talk it through. |
| Can you run me through it? | Can you explain it step by step? | Sure. First… |
Repeating
| They say | They mean | You can reply |
|---|---|---|
| Sorry? | I didn't hear you. Please say it again. | (Repeat what you said, a bit slower.) |
| Say again? | Please repeat that. | (Repeat it.) |
Quick quiz: what do they mean?
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When you don't understand
It's completely normal to ask. Try one of these:
- Sorry, I didn't catch that. Could you say it again? When you didn't hear.
- Sorry, what does that mean? When you heard but don't know the phrase.
- Could you slow down a little, please? When someone speaks too fast.
- Just to check, do you mean today? To confirm you understood.
Want more? Browse the full Aussie slang dictionary.
Frequently asked questions
How should I answer 'How's it going?' in Australia?
Keep it short and positive, then ask back: 'Good thanks, how are you?' or 'Not bad, you?'. It's a greeting, so people don't expect details.
What does 'yeah nah' mean?
Usually 'no'. Australians often start with 'yeah' to be polite, then give the real answer. 'Nah, yeah' usually means 'yes'. The last word matters most.
Is it rude when someone calls me 'love' or 'mate'?
No. In Australia 'love' and 'mate' are friendly, everyday words, often used with strangers in shops. They're not romantic. If you're not comfortable with it at work, it's fine to say so politely.
What should I do if I don't understand an Aussie phrase?
Just ask: 'Sorry, what does that mean?' Australians are usually happy to explain their slang, and even other native English speakers ask.