Simple British Slang

Simple British SLANG

If you find yourself confused when speaking to a native British/American person or if you would like to boost your vocabulary and sound more native when you speak, then some of the most common English slang words and phrases can help you do just like that!

SLANG is vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of informal register, common in spoken conversation but avoided in formal writing.

To better understand British talking we need to have a broader vocabulary and a high comprehension. Let’s have a look at the ten most common slang.

1- A native speaker instead of saying ‘’Hello’’ can say ‘’Hi’’ or ‘’Hiya’’

Just imagine greeting a British person and he addresses you simply with a ‘’Hiya’’

A: Hello, I am Tom.

B: Hiya! How are you?

2- We are also used to saying ‘’Bye’’ or ‘’Goodbye’’ but sometimes they might sound a little bit boring. Instead, we can say ‘’ See Ya! ‘’ or we can use a better one which is the acronym TTFN

(Ta Ta For Now).

Maybe it is not commonly used but you will be surprised how many native speakers do now this.

A: Ta Ta for now! I have to go to work.

B: Ok, see you tomorrow.

3- Instead of saying ‘’No’’ we can say ‘’Nope’’ We have to be careful when using ‘’Nope’’ because it can sound a little bit rude.

A: Mary have you done your homework?

B: Nope!

Another alternative to ‘’No’’ is ‘’Nah’’

A: Do you fancy going bowling tonight?

B: Nah, not really!

4- In the same way we can use ‘’Yeah’’ for ‘’Yes’’ But instead of ‘’Yes’’ we can use ‘’You bet’’

We often use it to speak enthusiastically about something.

A: Have you bought your dress for the wedding?           B: You bet I have!

5- When we do something wrong or make a mistake we usually say ‘’Sorry, my mistake’’ but we can also use the expression ‘’ My bad’’.

A: Did you spill the tea on the carpet, Deniz?

B: Sorry, my bad!

6- When there is no problem for us to do something for people we care we can say ‘’no biggie’’ instead of ‘’no problem’’

A: Do you mind going to the Butcher’s to get me some steak?

B: Sure, no biggie!

7- Another alternative to saying ‘’ thanks ‘’ is ‘’ Cheers’’. Cheers in informal situations can mean thanks or thank you. British usually say ‘’ Cheers ‘’ to the driver of a bus, of a taxi, or a friend.

We can also use it when clinking glasses making a toast but in this context, it doesn’t mean thank you.

A: Cheers to the new couple on this special day!

B: Yes, cheers to them!

8- The verb ‘’TO KID’’ can be used as slang to refer to someone who is joking or is not being serious.

                                  Are you kidding me?

                                  Oh, please don’t kid with me!

                                  You’re kidding me! Emre spent how much on that villa by the sea?

9- One of the most British slang is probably ‘’ Tosh ‘’ which means ‘’rubbish, not true, nonsense’’

 A: I couldn’t finish my project on time because it was very difficult. I don’t know what to say to my boss.

B: Oh tosh, you could have finished it on time if you asked for help.

10- A very nice expression that British people often use when they want to say that someone is being a little bit silly or maybe foolish is ‘’Numpty ‘’

 ‘’ Of course, I would have lent you the money.

Why didn’t you tell me? You are such a numpty!’’