How to Pronounce 10 Aussie Slang Words - Part 1
🇦🇺 Confused by Aussie Slang? It’s Probably the Pronunciation
Ever heard someone say “arvo” or “Maccas” and thought…
Wait… what did they just say? 😅
Australian slang isn’t just about learning new words.
It’s about learning how to say them so you don’t sound awkward or forced, and so you actually get understood.
If you’ve ever felt confused, out of place, or even a bit embarrassed when trying to use Aussie slang, this one’s for you.
This Lesson Is for You If:
✅ You’re already living, studying, or working in Australia but slang pronunciation still throws you off
✅ You understand the meaning of words like barbie or mate, but aren’t sure if you’re saying them right
✅ You’ve been told you sound “too formal” or “not very Aussie” when you speak
✅ You want to fit in more easily with locals and speak with confidence — without overthinking
In This Video Lesson, I’ll Walk You Through:
The most commonly mispronounced Aussie slang words and how to fix them
Vowel shifts, schwas, and real-life rhythm that make Aussie speech sound natural
How to avoid sounding “too textbook” when using everyday slang
The one slang phrase every Aussie says and how to pronounce it so you sound relaxed, not robotic
By the end, you’ll sound more confident saying things like:
“Wanna get Maccas this arvo?”
“How ya going, mate?”
“No worries!”
Even better? You’ll understand why we say them that way.
Key Takeaways:
Pronounce “barbie” and “arvo” naturally without a hard R
Use reduced vowels like schwa in “Maccas”
Master diphthongs like the AY sound in “mate”
Practise real-life connected speech: “How ya going?”
Start sounding more Aussie without trying too hard
The 10 Words You’ll Learn:
Arvo
Barbie
Brekkie
Chrissie
How ya going
Aussie
Heaps
Maccas
Mate
No worries
Want to Practise These on Your Own?
I’ve created a FREE downloadable guide that pairs perfectly with this video.
It includes all 20 words (10 from this video + 10 more coming in Part 2), phonetic breakdowns, and pronunciation tips.
👉 Grab the free slang guide here
❓ FAQs
1. Why don’t Aussies pronounce the R in “barbie” or “arvo”?
Because Australian English is non-rhotic. We drop the R unless it’s followed by a vowel. So it becomes BAH-BIE, not BAR-BIE. Want to learn more about the non-rhotic R? Read this blog post.
2. Is slang OK in professional settings?
Yes, as long as you’re aware of context. Words like arvo, heaps, and no worries are often used in friendly work chats, especially in Aussie culture.
3. I already speak English fluently. Why does this matter?
Grammar is one thing. Pronunciation is social clarity. Learning how Aussies really speak helps you fit in and connect with people more easily.
4. Will this help me sound more Aussie?
Yes - by helping you understand how pronunciation works and applying it naturally.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re loving this lesson and ready to learn over 350 Aussie slang words, PLUS how to use them in real conversations, my self-paced online course, “The Aussie Slang Crash Course” is for you.
It’s a self-paced course packed with pronunciation tips, culture notes, and confidence-boosting examples that help you sound relaxed and real.
There’s no magic switch to sounding Aussie overnight, but there is a clear path forward.
✅ Start with the video
✅ Use the free guide
✅ Practise out loud
✅ And if you're ready to go further, the full course is waiting for you.
