8 essential phrases for speaking New Zealand-ish
Scott from “The 4th best unofficial fansite” of Flight of the Conchords (I’ll introduce you to them in an upcoming post) has compiled a handy list of Kiwi phrases, enabling global Kiwi-to-non-Kiwi communication.
The origins of many Kiwi phrases and expressions come from New Zealand’s british colonial heritage. (and are shared with South Africa, interestingly) There’s a neighborly Australian influence, and a broad range of sayings and expressions than are uniquely Kiwi.
Here are some of my favorites:
Juicy New Zealand Expressions
- G’day mate
The most common thing you’ll ever hear said in New Zealand and by a Kiwi. Simply put it is a friendly ‘Hello’. - Fush & chups
“Fish & chips” in the Kiwi accent - a popular, and generally quite healthy meal, bought in local ‘take-aways’ and cooked to perfection on the spot. The “chups” are generally sold by the scoop, approximately the size of a 1L ice-cream tub. - Chilly bin
An icebox / cooler box that forms an integral part of any summer holiday, sporting event or student piss-up and is used to keep your beer cool, as well as for sitting on (practical lot us Kiwis). - Jandals
A phrase unique to NZ referring to the beach footwear that is like a basic sandal with a thong between the big toe & the next one, which holds the whole thing together (called ‘thongs’ in Australia - to much amusement globally, and “flops” or “flip-flops” elsewhere). - Judder bar
A speed hump in the road i.e. the car ‘judders’ when it goes over one. - Fanny
Like Britain, referring to the private parts of a woman, vice your bum. - Good as Gold, or Good on ya mate
General phrases used to express happiness or a confirmation that everything is A’OK - Root
As Kiwis proudly boast in London bars, they’re quite keen to describe the Kiwi, NZ’s national bird… and themselves, as one who ‘eats roots & leaves’. Although in their case, they are actually talking about having sex vice any nocturnal forest activity (well, not that sort of activity anyway). Note to geeks - be careful how you pronounce “router”!
More New Zealand Words and Definitions
NZ.com has a NZ to US english dictionary, and chemistry.co.nz has a great list of Kiwi words and phrases.
Mar 27th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
(NB please remove the reset button! I pressed it thinking it was the Submit button)
“That’s us” is another one. I totally confused a US colleague by saying “that’s us” to mean “we’re done” or “we’ve finished”.
Mar 30th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Darn than reset button. It serves no real purpose anyway, I’ll schedule immediate termination :)
Mar 31st, 2008 at 2:29 am
hiya,
A great site, well done… but if i can correct you on one thing…. “G’day mate” is actually an Australian slang not Kiwi.
I am an aussie living here in NZ and loving it.
Welcome to this beautiful country and congratulations on purchasing property here.
Regards
Judy
Mar 31st, 2008 at 6:25 am
Hey Judy,
Thanks for the correction - maybe it’s something the Kiwis picked up from their Australian neighbors :)
Any idea who coined the phrase “down under”?
- David
Mar 31st, 2008 at 8:53 am
1. David, thanks for moving the Reset button! :)
2. Judy, I think you’re right. We just say G’day here, not G’day mate.
3. Don’t know who first coined “down under”, but there’s an awesome song by Men At Work called “I come from the land down under”.
And then there’s Icehouse’s “Great Southern Land”. Some pretty cool 80s Aussie music out there!
Mar 31st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
don’t forget the very kiwi - “yes no” or “yeah… no”
sounds confusing to alot of people - usually meant along the lines of “yes, I understand you/hear you, and no, I disagree”
The other one reasonably unique is “its all good” meaning things are under control/sorted. (I used to get blank stares from the English for that one)
Mar 31st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Heh. South African’s have a similar confusing phrase, “ja-nee”, beaning “yes-no”.. it normally indicates a state of indecision, or as you put it, understanding you but disagreeing with you.
I’ve confused a few Kiwis here by telling them I’ll do something “just now” (meaning “soon”), and they look at me, puzzled, wondering why I’m not doing it _now_ :)
Mar 31st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
The phrase “Down under” is another aussie thing.
More common kiwi slang is “cheers” meaning “thank you”
or “Sweet as” meaning “thats cool”
May 8th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Speaking of the 80’s….”cheers” was in common use in the UK when I was there on OE in the 80’s. I think it migrated to NZ after that (probably with a lot of incoming poms and returning kiwi’s)
I’m kinda surprised it isn’t used in OZ (perhaps greater population inertia and other influences)
May 21st, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hmm these are all very well and good, but you’ll sound like fresh meat if you walk around spouting “G’day, check out my new Jandles and my chillybin!” =D You need to use “sweet-as, bro” if you think something is quite cool, “wicked!”(whukud) can be used to discrbe just about anything, and “mean”/”mean-as” if something is pretty bad-ass.
“Sweet bro, pick up your missus and come ova, my new xbox is mean-as!”
“Wicked, cuz!”
May 31st, 2008 at 6:24 am
That’s funny Miles_away. Are those phrases specific to NZ or Australia also?
I’d be completely lost in NZ - people would be speaking English and I wouldn’t understand a word of it! :o)
Thanks for the tips!