We share some of our favourite "Kiwi" slang words that will have you blending with the locals!
KIWI SLANG GLOSSARY
Dairy — A small corner shop / convenience store.
Jandals — Flip flops (called thongs in Australia). The name comes from "Japanese sandals" combined into one word.
Togs — Swimwear. Don't forget your togs on the cruise!
Sweet as / Keen as / Stoked — "Sweet as" means all good and cool. "Keen as" means excited. "Stoked" also means very pleased or excited. Kiwis like to add "as" onto the end of words to emphasise them.
Eh — Added onto the end of virtually any sentence. E.g. "the weather's nice today, eh." Very catchy!
Tiki tour — A big trip or an explore of different places. "Come tiki touring around New Zealand!"
Bach — A beachfront or small holiday home (pronounced "batch").
Duvet — A comforter or doona (to Australians). What you snuggle under after a long day.
Knackered — Tired.
Jersey — A sweater or fleece.
Cuppa — A cup of tea or coffee.
Lamington — A delicious Kiwi sweet treat: soft sponge cake covered in chocolate or raspberry sauce, then rolled in desiccated coconut. Quintessentially Kiwi — a must-try!
Hopefully a few of these words will get you prepared for your New Zealand trip and have you fitting in with the locals in no time!