Last Updated: September 1, 2021
New Zealand slang can be difficult to understand, especially when combined with our fast and sharp accent. Sometimes New Zealand English can seem like a completely different language! That's why I'm going to teach you some common New Zealand phrases and jargon!
This New Zealand slang is pretty much everywhere, even in fancy restaurants and hotels. It contains some Māori phrases and Māori slang used in everyday life, and even (as it turns out) some terms that are popular in the UK.
Here's a complete guide to New Zealand slang and how to use it like a real kiwi! It might look complicated, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it's as easy as bro.
Let's talk like kiwis! Here's some New Zealand slang!
1. Hmm - "It's cloudy this morning, isn't it?"
It's one of those classic New Zealand slang words that can be added to almost any sentence you can think of.
2. Yes No - "Want some vanilla ice cream?" Yes, no, I'm right.
This is what New Zealanders say when they are hesitating about what exactly they want to say.
3. Joking - "How much money do you have? Fuck everything.
Use it when you have nothing. I was surprised to hear this New Zealand slang is also used in the UK.
4. Bugger - *something went wrong* "Bugger!"
When something goes wrong, you can use a bug. Mainly on the farm. This New Zealand slang term is basically a spell.
5. Kool - "Look at Drinks" "Kool"
Wondering what chur means? Well, that word can be slapped in many different ways. Sometimes the meaning of chur is attached to another word or used by itself. It can mean sweet, amazing, yes, nice, cool, bless you.
6. Bro & cuz - “Chur cuz”或“How's it going bro?”
It basically means the same thing, just asking how you are. Although possible, this New Zealand slang term rarely refers to actual brothers or cousins.
7. Wops - "he lives in wops"
It's a Kiwi word that people have always assumed cute meant a place out of the way or away from everything.
8. Carked it - "Did you know what Jimmy did the other day?" or "Crash"
It's a bit depressing, but it's usually used when something or someone dies.
9. Munted - "This guy was mocked as" or "I crashed my car and he was mocked"
The word kiwi has two meanings: when something breaks or when someone is drunk.
10. Chocka - "Are you full?" "Yes, I'm locked out" or "Can you fit this in your car?" "No, it's a Chocka"
Used when something or someone is full. Not always, but sometimes we add "block" to the end of New Zealand slang.
11. Sus - "looks a bit sus" or "a bit sus"
When a situation or someone is particularly suspicious.
12. Piece of piss - "Can you build me this Lego man?" "Yes, it's piss"
It basically means things are easy.
13. She'll be right - "Will the sausage burn?" "No, she'll be right"
When will be good or bad. This is one of my favorite New Zealand slang words.
14. Angry - "Can you work a few more hours?" "You pissed off the guy"
If you don't make sense, you usually hear it. This is another New Zealand proverb I hear a lot in the UK.
15. Piss / Piss up - "Can you pee with Ute?" or "I just want to pee" or "Let's take a pee"
Pee usually refers to alcohol or urine. The word piss-up refers to a party. As you can see, "piss" is used in many different ways in New Zealand slang!
16. Stink one - "Did you catch me for cake?" "No" "Smelly"
O o. This is a New Zealand word you don't want to hear because it means you let someone down.
17. Keen - "Dude, do you want to go to the pool?" "Yes"
Used when someone is passionate about something.
18. Jandale - "Don't wear sneakers, put on your loafers"
In other words, flip-flops, thongs (Australia) or sandals. Not only are they useful for carrying around, they can also be used as weapons if one is a dick.
19. Skux - "You look like a skux today" "Thank you"
This New Zealand slang term has multiple meanings. Most popular is when someone looks cool or trendy. Sometimes it happens that a person looks hot.
20. Nek minute - "I'm at the dairy, nek minute"
This man is a true New Zealand icon.he made the famous filmAlready has over 3 million views. So nek minute basically means "the next minute". This is one of the New Zealand words I use a lot when talking to New Zealand friends abroad.
21. Mare - "I got a mare today"
This means you are going through a tough time.
22. Taking care of grief – “This kid is taking care of his grief.”
Whatever you do, don't do it. Packing up your sadness means you're just throwing a tantrum.
23. Gumboots - Put on the Wellingtons and let's go to the farm"
Also known as overshoes or overshoes. As a kid, one of my favorite songs was Gumboot!
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24. Washed up - "I can't get out of bed, I'm washed like a brother!"
A cartoon that mentions a whale being stranded on a beach means you're stranded somewhere.
25. Maaaate - "I forgot to buy you a bag of chips" "Aw maaaaate"
Of course it has to be expressed with an extended middle, but the normal word is just mate. If you're a bit disappointed, you use New Zealand slang.
26. Choice - "I Bought You a Cake" "Choose Brother!"
Choice means awesome, cool, awesome, thank you.
27. Day - “Linda is the day”
Dag is one of those words in New Zealand that has multiple meanings. Officially it means a piece of old dung hanging from a sheep's butt. But when used in New Zealand slang, as in this case, it actually means something or someone is funny.
28. Tough Thing - "Oh Sharon, she's tough!"
Hard case is New Zealand jargon for a witty person.
29. Hard out / hard - “Karen is so annoying” “Hard out bro”
Hard/hard out is a phrase used when you agree with someone.
Looking for good Kiwi insults?
30. Egg - “You are an egg”或“You are a rotten egg”
You might have to watch the movie "Boy" to appreciate how versatile this Kiwi word is and how it can be pronounced in so many different forms. It is used as an insult to someone.
31. Good as gold - "everything is like gold".
Means everything is great, lovely, perfect or going well. One of the classic New Zealand slang words!
32. Bloody - "That was a great night, wasn't it?"
The word is a British stereotype, so you might be surprised to learn that it's a very common expression in New Zealand as well. Bloody in any old sentence.
33. Tu meke / too much - "I bought you a cake" "Too much bro"
Tu meke is one of the Maori expressions on the list. There are too many Maori. It's not as useful as you might think. Means great or excellent work.
34. Yarn - "Stop Spinning" or "That's a Good Yarn"
Yarn is New Zealand slang for a story or talking bull.
Need some Kiwi slang for the party?
35. Skull - “Skull Now!”
In other countries, you might yell "drink" instead of a skull when someone drinks a drink. In New Zealand we shout "skull, skull, skull". So if you hear someone yelling in a bar, don't worry what they found wasn't a dead body, but some kiwi drinking slang.
36. Chilly bin - "Drink in a cool container, bro!"
This is the basket where you store your drinks. Also known as a refrigerated container, or an esky in Australia.
37. Hungus - "Stop being Hungus!"
This refers to someone who loves food very much.
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38. Gizza - "Can you drink gizza, bro?"
The word is short for "give me". In Kiwi it is common for many words to be shortened in this way.
39. Don't worry - "Thanks!" "Don't worry because"
Which means no problem! If someone helps you and you thank them, they usually say "don't worry".
40. Not even ow - “Jack went to jail” “Not even ow”
I'm not sure I can actually translate the meaning of this unique New Zealand phrase, because it's exactly what it says. You can use this term if you're a bit surprised. "Ow" is a address for you or someone. It can be added to almost any sentence and still have meaning to Kiwi.
41. Yes, that's right - "Johns has a girlfriend" "Yes, that's right!"
Classic New Zealand proverb often seen on Tui billboards. If you really don't believe what they say, you can tell someone (Tui is a beer from New Zealand). This is one of those New Zealand slang words you hear a lot!
42. Bowling Bowling - "I'm going bowling at your house" "Brother Chur."
Literally, this has nothing to do with the round bowl in true New Zealand slang style. It means someone is coming to visit.
43. Long Drop - "I just need a long drop"
Long drop is a New Zealand term for an outhouse or outhouse without a flushing system. Common in campsites and in groups.
44. Heap - "I have a lot of pee, bro!"
New Zealanders use the word like it's outdated. Stacks are significant.
45. Togs - "I just wanna put my clothes on"
It's one of those New Zealand slang words that I always find funny. When Kiwi refer to togas, they mean bathing suits, bathing suits or bathing suits.
46. It's okay - "I forgot to put on my pants today" "It's okay bro, I get it."
It basically means what it says. If something is good, you use it, or it could mean that's good too.
47. Means – “I got this lollipop for free!” “It’s despicable!”
I mean sweet, great, cool. It refers to something amazing.
48. Joking - "I got a ticket for stealing a patch of grass from my neighbor's lawn" "What a joke!"
Rather than saying it's funny, it's straight up using the iconic New Zealand slang word for "burst."
49. Straight up - "Are you straight?"
This word can actually mean two things. Either you're telling the truth (you're being honest) or you agree with someone as if you were saying "absolutely".
50.You want to hide——"You want to hide, brother?!"
This is one of those Kiwi phrases you never want to hear. If someone comes up to you on the streets of New Zealand and asks you that question, it doesn't mean they want to play hide and seek. This means they want to know if you want to fight them.
51. Sweet as-"This journey is sweet"
This phrase is probably the most common slang in New Zealand. This can be used to describe something or as an answer. Let's say someone says they'll be late to see you, and I might respond with something sweet.
52. Squeez – . "Can I have a test run in your new kitchen?"
I've been told it's a really weird word in New Zealand and I have to agree! That means quick browsing.
53. Ta - "It's a sandwich" "Yes"
Just to say thank you.
54. Pakaru - "Mamo, show Pakaru the TV!"
Another Maori phrase commonly used in New Zealand. This Maori word is often used when something is broken.
55. Stubbies - "Put on your socks, we're going to the beach today!"
One of my favorite New Zealand slang words is stubbies! This is another word for shorts, which are often worn by men on the eyes.
56. Dairy - "Let's go to the dairy for some cake!"
The dairy is also a corner store where you can buy snacks, cheese pies and just about anything else you could ever need!
Just get these New Zealand slang words sorted out and you can start talking like a local! Just don't make them say "my deck is slippery". You can get a hideout. Tell me below what your favorite New Zealand slang is. Do you think you can master New Zealand English before visiting?
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Here are some other New Zealand articles you might like:
- 30 things to do in New Zealand
- 34 Interesting Facts About New Zealand
- 7 tips for traveling to New Zealand
- 15 must-see cities in New Zealand!
- Explore New Zealand: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
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FAQs
What is the unusual means of transport in Albania? ›
This is the most popular way of travelling around Albania. Furgons are essentially minibuses that are privately-owned and not licensed. If you want a truly Albanian experience, a furgon is the most unique Albania transport option. What is this?
Can I travel Albania without a car? ›Yes, you can easily travel around Albania without a car. Albania has plenty of transportation options available for travellers. You can travel by train, minibuses, buses, hitchhiking and even join tours to get around Albania without a car.
Why is Albania not tourist? ›Although there are cases of pickpocketing, bag snatching, and even fraud in some places, these situations are infrequent. The history of Albania gives hesitation to tourists. The primary focus is on the civil war that took place in the late 1990s and the presence of landmines until 2009.
Why does Albania have no tourism? ›Due to the strict regime, which actively pursued and killed citizens looking to flee, and barred entry to most foreigners, Albania did not enjoy an economic boom, or tourism development, as its Balkan competitors did during the 20th century.
Is Albania safe for American tourists? ›Exercise increased caution in Albania due to crime. Country Summary: Law enforcement's ability to protect and assist travelers is limited in some areas, especially in remote regions. There has been targeted violence associated with illicit drug networks and organized crime countrywide.
Can I use my US driver's license in Albania? ›Note: An International driver's license/permit can only be used for one year. If you wish to drive in Albania for more than one year you must apply for an Albanian driver's license.
How long can an American tourist stay in Albania? ›Entry To Albania
U.S. citizens generally are allowed to stay in Albania for up to one year without a residence permit; You must have a passport that has at least three months of remaining validity (we recommend that your passport have at least six months of remaining validity from your planned departure from Albania.
Corruption is widespread in Albania and has made several official institutions dysfunctional. Nepotism is common, and most public employment is based on patronage rather than competence. Major political roles are often linked to corruption or nepotism.
What gestures should you avoid in Albania? ›Gestures you should Avoid in Albania
Shaking or jiggling your head in Albania means “yes”, and nodding or tipping your head means “no”. This can take some getting used to. Unfortunately, some of the younger Albanians are used to the western way, so expect there to be the possibility of confusion!
Very aware of Albanians' reputation as criminals and drug traffickers, partly founded and partly due to xenophobia and lazy stereotyping, they feel torn between pride for their nationality, embarrassment, fear, and anger. But the fallout of this toxic discourse goes far beyond jibes and playground bullies.
Who visits Albania the most? ›
number of foreign citizens visiting Albania are: Morine (35 %), Muriqan (12 %) and Rinas (12 %). In the period 2014-2018, the arrivals of foreign citizens for personal purposes (holiday, visit to relatives, health, religious purposes, etc.) occupy most of the arrivals of foreign citizens, averaging 98.7 %.
Which countries don t like Albania? ›- Greece.
- Italy.
- Switzerland.
- Montenegro.
- North Macedonia.
- Serbia.
It also maintains strong diplomatic relations with the EU (primarily Croatia, France, Germany, Italy) Balkan countries (primarily Kosovo, Greece and North Macedonia), Arab world, Canada, China, Turkey, Israel, India, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, UK and the United States.
Can Americans drink water in Albania? ›Is the tap water safe to drink in Albania? Tap water is drinkable but it holds a high amount of chlorine, which affects the taste. Drinking too much tap water might cause stomach cramps, therefore filtered water is recommended. To protect the environment we recommend you to invest in a good water bottle.
Can you drink alcohol in Albania? ›The alcoholic drink of choice is raki – like coffee, this spirit is something of a way of life in Albania, and usually consumed with meals. The country also produces some good wine, mostly red, though most locals will own to a preference for Macedonian varieties; Rilindja is a good, easy-to-find local label.
Can Americans retire in Albania? ›Can I Become a Permanent Resident in Albania with a Retirement Visa? To become a permanent resident of Albania, you are required to live for five consecutive years in the territory of the country. After five years of uninterrupted residence, you can apply for permanent residency in the Republic of Albania.
Is Albania left or right hand drive? ›What side of the road do they drive on in Albania? Like the vast majority of European countries, motorists drive on the right-hand-side of the road in Albania.
What percentage of Albania speaks English? ›Among the two languages that are better known by Albanians, English is the language most common among Albanian citizens with 57.6% followed by Italian at 17.2%. Other languages are known much less, such as German at 3.2%, French at 0.9%, and Spanish at 0.2%.
What is the legal drinking limit in Albania? ›Alcohol. The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.1 ‰. If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream exceeds the allowable, a fine will be imposed from ALL 2,500 to 10,000 (€ 23 - 90) and suspend driving license from 6 to 12 months.
Is Albania visa free for U.S. citizens? ›You may enter the Republic of Albania as a tourist without a visa. U.S. citizens may stay up to one year in Albania without applying for a residency permit. If you wish to stay in Albania longer than one year, you may apply for a residency permit once you enter the country.
Do I need a Covid test to fly from USA to Albania? ›
COVID test is not required when arriving in Albania.
Is Albania visa free to USA? ›As an Albanian citizen, you need a visa to enter the United States of America. So if you are planning a trip there, for business or pleasure, iVisa can help you with the formalities so that you can get your US B1/B2 VISA easily.
What is the best way of transportation in Albania? ›Buses are the country's primary mode of transport, with routes connecting most towns and cities. It is easy to locate them because there are bus terminals in each main city, easily accesible. For most of the destinations there are several buses departing from Tirana each day.
What is an unusual aspect of Albania? ›An unusual aspect of Albania is: its large Muslim population. The Western European state that is not a member of the European Union is: Switzerland.
What is the most common transportation in Albania? ›ALBANIAN MINIBUS OR FURGON
By far the most common public transport in Albania. These Minibuses or Furgons are privately owned un-licensed public transportation. They are basically large vans that cruise back and forth between their chosen destinations which will be shown in the front window.
When driving in Albania a U.S. citizen can use a valid international driver's permit issued in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Tirana cannot issue, renew or extend the validity of an IDP. The American Automobile Association (AAA) issues International driver's permits in the United States.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Albania? ›It is polite, but not required and you may have to be persistent when tipping. Taxi Drivers: Should I tip? Tipping taxi drivers in Albania is not a common practice. However, rounding up the fare to the nearest hundred lek and leaving the change is a wonderful gesture.
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What are Albanian beauty standards? ›Albania. Albania's 'Miss' candidates each feature beautiful wavy blonde hair, with a small waist and slim physique. The facial features are some of the most similar amongst any of the countries, solidifying the beauty standards.
What is Albanian people known for? ›Albanians place a large value on families and their ethnic heritage. In fact, they honor a traditional code called besa, which translates to “keep the promise.” It is believed that observing besa, which includes family honor and hospitality, is the foundation for a successful life.
Does Albania have toilets? ›
Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in Albania, although Turkish style squat toilets can be found in some places. Don't flush your toilet paper – use the bins provided. Bidets can be found in many bathrooms in Albania. Public toilets are common and are also free to use.
Why are there so many old Mercedes in Albania? ›in Albania both tarmac and dirt, since the German luxury brand is so common, parts are readily available and cheap. plus there are many shops who specialize in Mercedes. and have a for the brand. that's why out of 740 000 cars in Albania, 212 000 of them are Mercedes.
Are there Ubers in Albania? ›For many of us, Uber is our go-to app when we need to quickly arrange transport. However, Uber does not exist in Albania.
What is the most visited city in Albania? ›- Top 1: Berat. The city of Berat is located at the river Osum in the middle of the country. ...
- Top 2: Albanian Riviera. ...
- Top 3: Apollonia. ...
- Top 4: Durres. ...
- Top 5: Gjirokastra. ...
- Top 6: Kruja. ...
- Top 7: Tirana. ...
- Top 8: Shkodra.
Archaeological sites include prehistoric mounds, as well as ancient Greek and Roman temples and forts, and medieval bathhouses. The country is also rich with lakes and rivers, forests and ancient towns that will take your breath away.
Where do most Albanians move to? ›The largest communities of the Albanian diaspora are particularly found in Italy, Argentina, Greece, Romania, Croatia, Turkey, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.