While English is the main language spoken in New Zealand (the other official languages are Te Reo Māori and New Zealand sign language) and is generally understandable for someone coming from English-speaking North America, the Kiwis do have a lot of terminology borrowed from British English as well as a few words that are entirely their own. It helps to know what Kiwis are talking about when they tell you to bring your togs and jandles to the beach!
- Kiwi word: cuppa
- North American translation: hot drink (typically tea or coffee)
- Kiwis love their morning tea and will invite you to enjoy a cuppa with them!
- Kiwi word: jandals
- North American translation: flip-flops
- I’m not sure why the Kiwis went to the trouble of inventing the word ‘jandals’ when they could’ve just named them after the sound they make like the North Americans did, but here those comfy sandals are known as “jandals”.
- Kiwi word: Togs
- North American translation: Swimsuit
- I have no idea why Kiwis called swimsuits “togs” but they do, and it’s helpful to know what it means because you’ll see it around (like signs by public pools that declare “proper togs required”)
- Kiwi word: mince
- North American translation: ground meat
- Kiwis call ground meat “mince”, whether it’s beef or lamb or something else.
- Kiwi word: pie
- North American translation: hot meat pie
- While Kiwis definitely do eat sweet dessert pies, typically if a Kiwi refers to “pie” they mean a hot meat pie, often containing beef mince. They’re worth a try – Kiwis know how to make a great meat pie!
- Kiwi words: kumara, courgette, capsicum, coriander leaves
- North American translation: sweet potato, zucchini, red/green/yellow pepper, cilantro
- We were so confused about produce when we first moved to New Zealand! They use several names for common veggies, fruit and herbs that are very different than what we’re used to and the names give very little indication of what they might mean!
Check out our post on grocery stores in New Zealand for more interesting food-related facts!
- Kiwi word: lolly
- North American translation: candy
- The Kiwis have some great lollies… and by lollies they mean candies, so it’s an important word to know for those of us who have a sweet tooth!
- Kiwi word: Macca’s
- North American translation: McDonald’s restaurant
- I’ve heard McDonalds referred to as “McD’s” or even “Mickey D’s” in North America but “Macca’s” is distinctly Kiwi. Even the restaurant itself uses the term!
- Kiwi word: dairy
- North American translation: corner store
- The small neighborhood stores selling candy, basic groceries and snacks are known as “dairies”, regardless of how much dairy they actually sell!
- Kiwi word: chemist
- North American translation: pharmacy
- Drug stores in New Zealand are quite different than the pharmacies in North America – in NZ, they are separate stores known as “chemists” and they only sell medications. You won’t be able to pick up your laundry detergent and a pack of gum there like you would at a North American pharmacy!
- Kiwi word: paracetamol
- North American translation: acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- It’s the same medication, just a different name!
- Kiwi word: plasters
- North American translation: bandages/Band-Aid
- I’m not sure why Kiwis call the adhesive strips you put over small cuts “plasters” but they do and it can be confusing!
- Kiwi word: petrol
- North American translation: gas
- “Petrol” is a throwback to the British influence on New Zealand, so if you have a kid who watches Peppa Pig, you’ll already know this one!
- Kiwi word: chilly bin
- North American translation: cooler
- In North America, if you want to keep your drinks cold at the beach, you put them in a cooler. In New Zealand, it’s a chilly bin!
- Kiwi word: ta
- North American translation: thank you
- It’s even shorter and easier than saying “thanks”!
- Kiwi word: kia ora
- North American translation: hello/welcome/thank you
- “Kia ora” is a Moari phrase used as a greeting, an expression of gratitude, and a way of welcoming people. It actually nicely represents the Kiwi way of life in a single phrase!
What Kiwi terms have you heard?
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