Question 1

What does "sweet as" mean in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Sweet as is New Zealand's most iconic saying, meaning excellent, great, or no problem. It comes from the Kiwi habit of using 'as' as an intensifier — so sweet as literally means as sweet as it gets. Example: 'Can you help me move this?' 'Sweet as.'

Question 2

What does "yeah nah" mean in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Despite sounding contradictory, yeah nah means no in New Zealand. The 'yeah' is a polite softener before the actual answer of 'nah'. It's the Kiwi way of declining something without being rude or abrupt.

Question 3

What does "chur" mean in NZ slang?

Accepted Answer

Chur is a casual Kiwi way of saying thank you, cheers, or I acknowledge you. It's used as a quick expression of gratitude or agreement. Thought to derive from 'cheers', it's widely used across New Zealand.

Question 4

What does "hard out" mean in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Hard out means absolutely, definitely — strong agreement or emphasis. Example: 'Was it a good game?' 'Hard out, best one all season.'

Question 5

What does "mean as" mean in NZ?

Accepted Answer

Mean as means awesome, excellent or really cool. Like sweet as, it uses the Kiwi 'as' intensifier. Despite 'mean' having negative connotations in other English dialects, in New Zealand it is a strong positive.

Question 6

What does "bro" mean in New Zealand slang?

Accepted Answer

Bro is a gender-neutral term for a friend or mate in New Zealand. Influenced by Maori culture, bro is used widely across all demographics and age groups.

Question 7

What are jandals in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

Jandals are what New Zealanders call flip flops or thongs. The word is a portmanteau of Japanese sandals and has been used in NZ since the 1950s. Jandals are practically the national footwear.

Question 8

What does "she'll be right" mean in NZ?

Accepted Answer

She'll be right is a classic Kiwi expression meaning everything will be fine or don't worry about it. It reflects the relaxed, optimistic Kiwi attitude toward life's problems.

Question 9

What does "rattle ya dags" mean?

Accepted Answer

Rattle ya dags means hurry up. Dags are the dried wool and dirt that hang from a sheep's backside — when a sheep runs they rattle. A very Kiwi way to tell someone to get a move on.

Question 10

What is a dairy in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

A dairy in New Zealand is a small convenience store or corner shop — nothing to do with milk or farming. You go to the dairy to grab a pie, a fizzy drink, some lollies or a loaf of bread.

Question 11

What does "munted" mean in NZ slang?

Accepted Answer

Munted means broken, wrecked, or completely ruined. It can refer to an object that is broken, a situation that has gone wrong, or a person who has had too much to drink.

Question 12

What is a bach in New Zealand?

Accepted Answer

A bach (pronounced batch) is a small, simple holiday home usually near the beach or a lake. Baches are a huge part of Kiwi culture, representing summer holidays and family gatherings.

Question 13

What is the most used NZ slang word?

Accepted Answer

Sweet as is arguably the most iconic and widely used New Zealand slang expression. It is understood by virtually every New Zealander and has become a symbol of the relaxed, positive Kiwi attitude.

New Zealand Slang Dictionary — Kiwi Words & Phrases Explained

Full Guides to the Most Popular NZ Slang Terms