English slang words with translation into Russian. English slang expressions

— I’ve managed to book the best seats at the theater for us, this weekend!

(I was able to get us the best seats in the theater this weekend!)

— Wicked! Thank you. I'm really excited!

(…! Thank you, I look forward to!)

So what do you think “wicked” means? No, it’s not “bad” or “mean” at all. In fact, “wicked” is a slang word that means “Brilliant!” or “Amazing!”

Slang, otherwise jargon, is a series of words and expressions that originated in a separate group of people. Even within the same city, slang changes from area to area - what can we say about the slang of Britain and Australia, Canada and South Africa!

People use slang when they want to sound less dry, less formal. Slang allows you to relax and feel freer. In this article we will give a list of the 55 most popular slang expressions in the English language.

1. UNREAL

"Unreal". Something amazing, amazing, impressive.

I love this party! It's just unreal! - I really like this party. She's just unreal!

2. PROPS

"Respect." An expression of respect and recognition. Comes from “proper recognition” or “proper respect” - due (proper) recognition or respect.

I know he failed the test, but you’ve got to give him props for trying. - Let him not pass the test, respect him for at least trying.

3. KUDOS

“Bravo!”, “Respect!”: another word for expressing respect, derived from the Greek kydos (“recognition”).

Kudos for organizing this party. It's brilliant! — The party was organized brilliantly. Bravo!

4. BOTTOM LINE

From English “bottom (resulting) line”, as in calculations in a column: the essence, the most important thing.

The bottom line is we just don’t have enough money for this. — The essence The point is that we simply don’t have enough money for this.

5. DISS

Speaking to someone is disrespectful, dismissive, and insulting.

Stop dissing her behind her back. Show some respect! - Stop it vilify her behind her back. Show some respect!

6.DIG

The exact translation is “to dig”, but in modern informal jargon it is “to get high”, “to trudge”. About what you really like.

Hey I dig your new style. Where did you buy that T-shirt? - Hey, I'm just trudge from your new style! Where did you buy this T-shirt?

7. BOB'S YOUR UNCLE

"Bob is your uncle!" - This expression is often used in Great Britain. It is placed at the end of a sentence, and it means something like “Voila!” (or, as Maxim, the leader of our groups on Facebook and VKontakte, suggests, “... and Vasya the cat!”).

— How did you make this cake? It's delicious! (How did you bake this cake? It's delicious!)

— Well, I just mixed in the batter thoroughly, poured it into a cake pan, baked it for 30 minutes and Bob's your uncle! (Well, I just mixed the dough well, poured it into the pan, baked for 30 minutes - and voila!

8. BUDGE UP

Use this expression when asking someone to make room for you. To budge up - move, shift.

I want to sit down too, could you budge up a little, please? - I want to sit down too, could you please? move over A little?

9.ACE

This word has many meanings, but the main ones are ace, a point in the game, the main trump card or a strong argument (as in the idiomatic expression to have an ace in the hole/up one's sleeve - to have a hidden advantage), as well as ace, a master of his In slang, it means something amazing, really cool, as well as flawless execution of some action (with the highest score, that is, an “A” grade):

Ace! I just got a promotion at work! — Waste! I just got promoted!

Robert aced his physics exam! - Robert passed brilliantly Physics exam!

10. ALL RIGHT?

The expression means "Hello, how are you?"

— All right?(Well, how is it?)

- Good thanks, are you all right?(Fine, thank you; how are you?)

11. FULL OF BEANS

Energetic, groovy. Literally, “full of beans.” According to one of the versions - coffee, because coffee is a famous energy drink.

All the children were full of beans at the party. — Children at a party just couldn't sit still.

12. BLATANT

Something obvious, obvious.

She's blatantly very annoyed, everyone can see it apart from you. - She obviously I’m very annoyed, everyone can see it except you.

13. PEAR SHAPED

Literally: “Pear-shaped.” The pear shape must seem highly irregular to the English: this expression means that the result of an action or process is not quite what (or not at all) what was expected.

I was trying to organize a surprise birthday party for her, but it’s all gone pearl shaped! — I tried to organize a surprise party for her birthday, but... went wrong.

14. PIECE OF CAKE

Literally: “A piece of cake (pie).” About a task that seems easy to the speaker - how to eat a piece of cake (pie).

— What do you think of the exam? I think it was really difficult. (What do you think about the exam? I think it was very difficult.)

- No, it was a piece of cake! (Not really, a piece of cake!)

15.BLIMEY

An exclamation of surprise, amazement. According to one version, the distorted “Blind me!” (Blind me! May I go blind!).

Blimey, look at all this mess here! I’d just left the house for an hour, and look what you’ve done! — Fathers, what a mess! I was only away from home for an hour and look what you did!

16. BOTCH

This word can be found in two expressions: “to bottle something up” And “to do a botch job”. Both of them mean clumsy work, careless work.

The builder did a terrible job on the roof. He just botched it up, and it still leaks every time it rains! — The builder did a terrible job repairing the roof. Made her blunder, and it keeps leaking when it rains.

17. CHEERS

Use this word when you want to raise your glass and make a toast.

Cheers everyone! Happy birthday to William! - Well, Cheers! Happy birthday, William!

18. SMASHING

Wonderful, magnificent, amazing. And the literal translation is devastating, crushing.

I had a smashing time on holiday, it was so much fun! — The holidays were easy super, it was so much fun!

19. SOD'S LAW

“The Law of Meanness,” another name for Murphy’s Law: If trouble can happen, it will happen. Sod (colloquial) - scoundrel.

— I wore my pretty new dress, because it was a sunny day, but as soon as I stepped out of the house, it started raining, and I got completely soaked! (It was a sunny day, so I put on a new dress. But as soon as I left the house, it started to rain and I was completely wet!)

— Sod's Law! (How according to the law of meanness!)

20. CHIN WAG

The word chin means chin, to wag means nod, and together means a pleasant, long conversation (during which the interlocutors nod to each other as a sign of understanding). Very imaginative and witty.

I saw Mary after such a long time yesterday! We had a lovely chin wag together, like the good old days. — Yesterday I met Mary. I haven't seen her for a hundred years! We're cute chatted, like good old times.

21. CHUFFED

Extremely pleased with smth. To chuff - 1) to puff; 2) encourage, inspire.

My mum bought me a fantastic car when I passed my driving test. I was chuffed to bits! — Mom bought me an incredible car when I passed my license. I was excited!

(If you want to learn more about how to use expressions 20 and 21, be sure to watch the video at the end of the article!)

22. CRAM

Prepare diligently for the exam in a short time, cram.

I was so busy with my family before the exam, that I only had three days to cram for it! — I was so busy with family matters before the exams that I spent the entire cramming I only had three days left!

23. NICE ONE

This is what you can tell when someone does something particularly impressive. Nice - good, dear.

— I published my first book last year, and I’ve already started working on the sequel! (I published my first book that year, and I'm already working on a sequel!)

— Nice one! You're doing really well. ( Not bad! Good job.)

24. CRIKEY

Surprised exclamation (Australian slang). A euphemism for the sacred name of Christ, which, as we know, cannot be taken in vain.

— I went shopping today! *comes in with lots of bags* (I went shopping today! *comes in with a whole bunch of bags*)

— Crikey! Have you spent all of our savings??!! ( God! Have you spent all our savings??!!)

25. DEAR

In Russian, the word “dear” has two meanings: 1) dear to the heart and 2) not cheap.

In common English, the word dear corresponds to the first option, but in slang it corresponds to the second: dear in informal English means “expensive.”

I avoid going shopping into the town center nowadays, everything is so dear! — Nowadays I try not to go shopping downtown and stuff like that. expensive!

26.FAFF

When someone procrastinates (from the Latin pro - “for”, crastinus - “tomorrow”), that is, puts things off until later.

Come on, we have to go now. Stop faffing around, we're going to be late! - Come on, we have to go. Cum pull rubber, We are going to be late!

27. DO

The main meaning of to do is to do, and in slang it is... a party. Well, for a party to be successful, it must be well prepared.

Are you going to Lizzie's birthday do next week? — Will you go to party on the occasion of Lizzie's birthday?

28.FLOG

Sell, sell something.

I managed to flog my car for a really good price! - I could drive car at a good price.

29. FORTNIGHT

Two weeks. This is short for “fourteen nights”.

I've been really ill for the past fortnight, and still haven’t recovered. - I was seriously ill two weeks and still hasn't fully recovered.

30. GOBSMACKED

It's simple: gob - mouth; to smack - clap. Often, out of surprise, a person slaps his hand over his mouth: this means that he is surprised, shocked, dumbfounded.

I can’t believe I passed that exam! I thought I was going to fail, I’m completely gobsmacked! — I can't believe I passed this exam! I thought I was going to fail. I have no words!

31. SPLASH OUT

Spend too much money, literally - “throw it away” (how figuratively!).

I wanted to give Sarah a special treat for her birthday, so I on a very romantic trip. — I wanted to give Sarah something special for her birthday, so went broke for an extremely romantic trip.

32.GRUB/NOSH

Both of these words mean a quick meal, a snack.

I'm going to get some grub for myself from the local takeaway. Do you want anything? - I'm going to get myself some food takeaway nearby. Do you want anything?

33. BEE'S KNEES

“The Bee’s Knees”: something outstanding, amazing, out of the ordinary.

You should see my new sound-system, it’s the bee's knees! — You should see my new stereo system, it's something unique!

I don’t like Harvey very much, he thinks he’s the bee's knees! — I don't like Harvey, he thinks he's the center of the universe.

34. GUTTED

When someone is very upset or devastated, disappointed (the main meaning of the verb to gut is to gut).

I'm so gutted I failed my driving test, again! — I failed my driving test again and just... crushed this.

35. PEANUTS

Low cost, low salary - in a word, a trifle.

I hate my job. I have to work such long hours, and I get paid peanuts. — I hate my job. I spend so much time on it, but they pay pennies.

You should buy your clothes online. You can find some great designs for peanuts! — Try shopping for clothes online. You can find branded items there for next to nothing!

36. HAGGLE

Lower the price, bargain (especially on small things).

The last time I went shopping with my mum, she was haggling for something that was already really cheap! — The last time I went shopping with my mother, she became to bargain about already cheap things!

I managed to haggle the price of this dress down by 25%! - I succeeded bring down the price this dress is 25% off!

37. JOLLY

This word is used in a variety of situations, but usually it means “very” (“jolly good” - “very good”).

— Don’t worry, I will pay you back before the end of this month. (Don't worry, I'll pay you before the end of the month.)

- I should jolly well think so! ( Very I hope so!)

38. THROW A SPANNER IN THE WORKS

In Russian, they put spokes in the wheels. In English it is a wrench. The expression means “to interfere with, impede something, destroy something.” - like a spanner destroys a working mechanism (one of the meanings of the word works) when it gets into it.

I managed to keep the surprise a secret, right up until the day before my sister’s birthday, then he threw a spanner in the works by telling her! “I kept the surprise a secret until almost my sister’s birthday, and then it messed up everything by telling her!

39. KIP

BrE: short nap (what Americans call nap).

Why don’t you try and have a kip before everyone gets here? You won’t have time to rest later. - Why don't you try? take a nap before everyone gathers? Then you won't have time to rest.

40. WIND UP

This expression has several meanings. Literally, to wind up means “to wind up.” But in slang it means “to make fun of” (not “to twist”):

John really is a wind-up merchant, but the girl he was picking on was so gullible! - John is real joke specialist, but the girl he made fun of was so gullible!

I was just winding her up for fun, but she took offense to it and got really angry! - I teased her just for fun, but she was offended by this and got really angry!

41. MATE

Buddy, friend, partner, comrade, roommate.

I'm going to the cinema with me mates tonight. - I'm going to the cinema today with friends.

42. NOT MY CUP OF TEA

“Not my cup of tea”: this is what the British say when they want to emphasize that something is alien to them or they don’t like it.

I don't really like this sort of music. It's just not my cup of tea. — I don’t really like this kind of music. It's simple not mine.

43. PORKIES

Lie. The word comes from Cockney rhyming slang. Short for “porky pies,” which rhymes with “lies.”

Don’t listen to her, she’s telling porkies! - Don't listen to her, she lies!

44.ROW

Quarrel (rhymes with “cow”).

My brother had a huge row with his girlfriend yesterday. He's really upset! - Yesterday my brother quarreled with my girlfriend. He is extremely upset.

45. DONKEY'S YEARS

If someone says: “I haven’t seen you in donkey’s years!”, this means that this person has not seen you for a hundred years. Although, it would seem, what does donkey (donkey) have to do with it?..

Hi Sarah! What a surprise to see you here. I haven't seen you in donkey's years! How have you been? - Hello, Sarah! It's a big surprise to meet you here. I didn't see you god knows how long! How are you?

46. ​​EASY PEASY

This is what children call something very simple (easy). However, not only children.

I could make that for you, if you like? It's easy peasy! - I can do this for you, do you want? This trifle!

47. SORTED

This is what they say about a sorted problem. Solve the problem - “to get it sorted”.

— What’s happening about that roof leak then? (So ​​what's with the leaky roof?)

- Oh that's sorted now. I found a really good builder to do the job. (Ah, with this I figured it out. I found a good builder for this.)

48. STROP

And another expression of British slang. If someone is out of sorts, you can say that they are “throwing a strop”, or “getting a strop”, or “being stroppy”. In a word, “the reins have fallen by the wayside.”

Andrew, would you please cheer up? It’s your birthday, don’t be so stroppy! - Andrew, please, keep your nose up! It's your birthday, don't be like that beech!

​

49. CHEERIO

A friendly “goodbye.”

Right, I have to go now, see you soon. Cheerio! - Now I have to go. See you, bye bye!

50. WANGLE

A cunning trick (often dishonest) - as well as to deceive, to deceive someone. around your finger.

I can’t believe he managed to wangle the honeymoon suite in their hotel! “I can’t believe he managed to do it.” get hold of honeymoon suite at the hotel!

51. BLINDING

Magnificent, amazing. Literally: “blinding.”

They had a blinding party after their wedding ceremony. Everyone had such a great time! — After the wedding ceremony they arranged enchanting party. Everyone just had a great time!

52. WONKY

This is how they talk about something unstable.

I can’t eat my dinner at this table. It's wonky! “I can’t have lunch at this table.” He staggers!

53. ZONKED

A word from the American vocabulary. Anyone who is zonked or zonked out experiences complete breakdown.

He had a lot of fun at his birthday party earlier, but he’s completely zonked out now! — He had a lot of fun on his birthday, but now he's completely exhausted!

54. DODGY

Cunning, resourceful, unreliable, suspicious, untrustworthy. The Russian equivalent is “stupid.”

I saw a few doggy-looking people standing around along that quiet street near our house, so just to be on the safe side, I notified the police. - I noticed a few suspicious people gathered on a quiet street near our house, and notified the police just in case.

This food looks a bit dodgy, it might have passed its expiry date. I don't think we should eat it. — The food looks a little suspicious It's probably past its expiration date. I don't think we should eat this.

55.LEG IT

The same as “run” (as you remember, leg is “leg” in English).

I went out on Halloween night, and someone jumped out from behind a bush to scare me. I was so frightened, that I just legged it all the way back home! “I went outside on Halloween night and someone jumped out from behind the bushes to scare me.” I was so terrified that ran all the way home!

Well, you've reached the end, congratulations! Surely some words from our list immediately stuck in your head. Try to remember the rest too. Now, if you go to a country where English is spoken, it will be much easier for you to carry on a conversation with native speakers. And before you go on a trip, try to practice with

Slang- an English word that even those who do not know English know and understand. This word means a special vocabulary in colloquial speech, not yet jargon, but no longer literary speech. Slang exists, perhaps, in any language in the world. These words appear in the language under the influence of modern life, spread widely especially among young people and over time give way to new ones that appear among the new generation of young people.

In addition, slang words are often born in a professional environment. It’s scary to think how many slang words, for example, computer scientists have. It is unlikely that an uninitiated person will be able to understand what we are talking about. The same situation is observed with the understanding of foreign slang - and the words seem to be known, but what they are talking about - who can understand them.

Slang is a paradoxical phenomenon. On the one hand, the educated population of the planet looks down on it and considers it vulgar, on the other hand, who among you has not at least once used slang in your speech?

Slang is as ancient a phenomenon as the world itself. People have always been people and sought to enliven their speech with vivid images, inventing new words and their meanings. Therefore, in any language you can find a tendency to form slang words, and you will be surprised how similar these word formations will be to those in the Russian language.

On the other hand, we cannot understand some expressions even in our native language, let alone a foreign one. There are several varieties of slang in the English language alone. English slang truly diverse and unique. Bright and succinct words are born from the depths of literary English, sometimes even simply out of a feeling of protest against a long, difficult-to-pronounce word. This is especially true of young people, who also strive to encrypt their language in order to separate themselves from the world of prim adults. Therefore, slang, like the language itself, is a living organism that is constantly changing.

Obviously, slang is still not jargon and not everything is acceptable here, nevertheless, it is precisely such words that noticeably decorate and enliven English correct speech, adding a sort of “pepper” to it. Therefore, slang can be compared to a tramp who looks into the windows of a palace, always somewhere nearby, but cannot enter the doors of this palace and get into high society.

However, no one drives him away, but graciously allows him to be around, and sometimes even bestows mercy. So, for example, who in the modern world does not know the word lunch and its meaning? But hardly anyone knows that this word was originally just a slang word, as well as some other very well-known ones, such as fun, bus, etc.

Or a word dandy . Remember, Pushkin’s Evgeny Onegin was “dressed like a London dandy”? The meaning of this slang word, popular back in the time of Pushkin, “dandy” or “dandy” is known to you and me, isn’t it?

However, including slang in your active English vocabulary is, to put it mildly, risky. But if you are still determined to decorate your English speech with slangisms, familiarize yourself with some of the most common expressions so as not to get into trouble:

a screw loose - “the roof has gone crazy”;

airhead – stupid (literally – “air in the head”);

all wet – erroneous (literally – “all wet”);

beans – money (literally – “beans”);

bimbo – blonde (in a humorous sense);

bird – bird (about a girl);

cabbage – “vegetable” (literally – “cabbage”);

couch potato – television fan (literally – “potatoes in skins”);

cool – cool (literally – “cool”);

fit – sexy (literally – “suitable”);

freebie – freebie (literally – “free”);

hammered – drunk (literally – “knocked”);

hole in the wall – ATM (literally – “hole in the wall”);

hot – sexy (literally – “hot”);

knockout – a stunning woman or man (literally – “knockout”);

party animal – party animal (literally – “an animal at a party”).

Of course, this is by no means a complete list of slang words. If you know any interesting words from English slang, we will be glad if you share with us and our readers.

Currently, slang is a fairly common phenomenon present in colloquial speech.

Typically, slang is used to vividly express emotions and mood. The main feature of slang is that it completely violates all lexical and grammatical canons of the language.

It is necessary to be able to distinguish street slang from simple informal communication in order to know exactly where and what slang is appropriate.

Some linguists argue that slang is useful for the language itself. The fact is that with the help of slang expressions and phrases you can make the language truly vivid and describe those actions for which formal language is not suitable. Naturally, slang is not used in business and formal communication, as well as in correspondence.

Understanding slang

As a rule, it is quite difficult for a person to understand English slang, since it is built on idioms, the meaning of which must be known. Separately, slang words can be understood without problems. But in combination with each other they have a different meaning that does not correspond to the literal translation.

If you decide to use slang expressions in your speech, keep in mind that they may be offensive to the interlocutor. Therefore, you should think carefully before using this or that slang expression. But despite this, slang is widespread in the speech of ordinary English-speaking citizens. To fully communicate with native speakers and understand their speech, you must understand slang and know its translation.

Today there is an English slang dictionary in which you can find a variety of slang phrases. It is very comfortable. Opposite the slang expression is always “rude"if the slang expresses an insult or is a rude expression.

Add stable expressions from English slang to your vocabulary to make your speech easier and more natural and better understand native speakers.

Some slang expressions in English

• Props- respect, recognition, synonymous with the word respect.
• I want to give them props, they have helped me a lot. (I want to express my gratitude to them, they helped me a lot).
• Kudos- respect, recognition, another synonym for the word respect.
• Kudos for organizing this concert. It was awesome! (Respect for organizing the concert. It was amazing!)
• To mess about/around- relax and enjoy idleness. Mess about is the British version, mess around is the American version.

• - Wanna go mess about on the beach? (Do you want to go laze on the beach?)
• - Yes, let’s go! (Let's go).

• Stop messing around! It's really important for me! (Stop being a fool! This is really important to me!)
• Sweet- in slang meaning, a synonym for the words awesome, nice, beautiful (amazing, sweet, beautiful.) Often pronounced with a long “and” - sweeeet!
• Your performance was great! You're so sweet! (Your performance was wonderful! You are so cool!)
• My bad/It's all good
• My badis an apology in a very informal manner. Suitable for trivial matters, but not for serious situations.
• It's all good- a typical response to “my bad”. It means everything is fine and there is no need to worry.
• – Is there my juice? (Where's my juice?)
• – My bad, I drank it in the morning. (Sorry, I drank it this morning.)
• – It’s all good, I am going to the shop now. (Come on, I'm going to the store now.)
• Take It Easy- relax (in a situation when a person is worried, nervous, in a hurry or angry.) This phrase can also be used to say goodbye to friends.
• Take it easy, guys. I'll solve this problem. (Relax, guys. I'll solve this problem.)

• Keep It Real- an interesting phrase that means to be yourself and not try to seem like someone you are not, under the pressure of society and other people's opinions.
• Keep it real, bro. Do what you love, and everything will be ok. (Be yourself, bro. Do what you love and everything will be ok).
• Dude- dude
• Hey what's up dude? (Hey, what's up, man?)
• Dudes, let's go to the bar tonight. (Dudes, let's go to the bar tonight).
• Mate- friend (synonym buddy, dude)
• Mate, I’m so glad to see you again! (Friend, I'm so glad to see you again!)
• Mate, you’re the kindest person I know. (Friend, you are the kindest person I know.)
• Blinding- dazzling, brilliant.
• This performance was blinding! (This performance was brilliant!)
• Ace- cool, cool.
• To ace- to achieve something easily and completely.
• Ace! We got it! (Cool! We did it!)
• Unreal- unreal, in the sense of incredibly cool, magnificent.
• I love this place, it’s just unreal! (I love this place, it's just unreal!)
• Dig- I really, really like it.
• I dig your new style. Where did you buy these sneakers? (I really like your new style. Where did you buy those sneakers?)
• Smashing- amazing
• I had a smashing time at the weekend! (I had a great time over the weekend!)
• Cheers!- universal toast (Salute! Hurray!)
• Cheers! Happy birthday to Nick! (Hurray! Happy birthday, Nick!)
• Jolly- Very.
• This cake is jolly good! (This cake is very good!)
• Not my cup of tea- I don’t like it, I don’t find it interesting.
• I don't like this music. It’s not my cup of tea. (I don't like this music. It's not to my taste.)
• To be into- to be interested in, love or enjoy something. The phrase is often used in reference to hobbies or fashion trends.
• I am really into drawing now. (I'm really into drawing now.)
• Grab- grab, collect something in a hurry.
• Hurry up! Grab your backpack and let’s go! (Hurry up! Grab your backpack and let's go!)

Another meaning is to impress, to attract attention.

• – How did the movie grab you? (How do you like this movie?)
• – It was amazing! (It's great!)
• Hangover- hangover.
• Sam can’t play football today. He has a hangover. (Sam can't play football today. He has a hangover.)
• Drop by/Drop in- to drop in, to visit someone for a short while.
• Jane, can I drop in after work to give you back your book? (Jane, can I come by after work to return your book?)
• YOLO- You Only Live Once. (You only live once.) Often used when someone wants to do something dangerous, strange, adventurous.)
• Let's go surfing to Bali, friends! YOLO! (Let's go surfing in Bali, friends! You only live once!)
• Whatever- I don’t care, so what, whatever. Can be used in a positive, relaxed format or to emphasize indifference.
• You can eat whatever we like. (You can eat whatever you want).
• She was right, but whatever! (She was right, so what!)
• Swag– cool (person), cool style.
• That guy has swag. (This guy is cool).
• Turn my swag on. (Rate my style).

English slang makes speech more lively and relaxed. But such colloquial vocabulary is very emotional, so you need to be sensitive to where and when it can be used.

Do you need to learn English slang? We think every language learner would like to know the answer to this question. Today we will tell you what types of slang exist, who should study it, and who does not need to burden themselves with additional work. And for those who decide to study fashionable expressions, we will give some tips that will help you master slang.

What types of slang are there?

1. Abbreviations

Is it worth learning English slang to look cool? Find out from the article. Abbreviations of words are often classified as slang. This category of expressions is worth knowing for every English language learner. They are used in almost all films, books, songs. These words are completely harmless, for example: wanna (want to), lotsa (lot of), yep (yes), etc.

2. Vivid youth expressions

This category includes all words used by young (and not so young) people in informal speech. The expressions are quite simple, they can be easily used in conversation. The exception is a formal setting: business negotiations, conferences, interviews, etc. Example of slang expressions: posh (chic, pretentious), wicked (cool, excellent, cool). However, even these expressions should be handled very carefully: they can simultaneously have the opposite meaning. When studying expressions, we recommend looking up all the meanings in the dictionary and drawing a conclusion: is it worth using this word?

3. Expletives

How to get rid of English-speaking friends? It’s very simple: learn words from this category, and no one will want to communicate with you in English. We will not give examples: the Internet is teeming with all sorts of “reference books for those who like to quarrel.” But if you really want to say a bad word, we recommend softening it up a little. Watch this video: a native speaker will tell you how to swear... without swearing.

4. Abbreviations

Do you need to learn English slang?

Let's start with the fact that slang is not an easy thing, it is constantly changing, new expressions appear, and old ones die off as unnecessary. In addition, each city may have its own set of popular expressions. However, there are also the most common words that various online slang dictionaries offer us. We will talk about the need to study them.

Who should learn English slang?

• For those who are planning to move for permanent residence to an English-speaking country. In this case, it makes sense to improve your knowledge with the help of lessons with a native speaker. He will tell you which vocabulary is commonly used, which one should be avoided, and which one is hopelessly outdated.
• People who want to communicate with foreigners in an informal setting. It is advisable for you, if not to use it, then at least to know the most popular words in order to understand the speech of your interlocutor.
• For students of foreign universities. Slang is the language of youth. You should become familiar with common slang words to understand your peers. Rest assured, in any case, during your studies, your stock of slang expressions will significantly increase.
• For fans of modern films, songs, shows, books in English. Many authors, without the slightest hesitation, build almost their entire “masterpiece” on slang. Therefore, adherents of trendy creations, willy-nilly, will have to learn some words for their own convenience.
• For those planning to take the exam. You don't need to use slang words, but you may come across them while listening to texts or reading, so we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the most commonly used expressions to be fully prepared.
• Those who want to develop diversified. Any language is a rather complex structure, consisting of a formal and informal part. Slang is a mandatory attribute of any language. There is no need to think that “street” expressions are necessarily swear words. Slang is also often used to describe quite decent expressions, abbreviations of words that make them easier to pronounce, and abbreviations used when communicating via SMS or chat. Slang is the most “delicious” thing in a language, something that allows you to understand the culture and objective reality of people.

It is advisable to know slang, but it cannot be used in all situations.

Who doesn't need to learn slang?

• For children. Yes, teenagers can and will enjoy learning a few buzzwords. However, please note: many slang words are indecent, and it is unlikely that a child should be taught them.
• For beginners. If you just started learning English from scratch, you don’t need to bother yourself with youth words. Learn what the teacher advises you: you can do without slang, but you cannot do without basic words.
• People preparing for an interview. We think that in the conditions of accelerated preparation for an interview in English, you will not have the desire to study “street” vocabulary. But if it does arise, we advise you to abandon this idea and read the useful article “”.
• For those who study Business English for business communication. It is not necessary for you to know slang and it is even harmful: in a stressful situation, you can accidentally use an inappropriate expression.
• For those learning English for travel. You will need a standard set of phrases with which you will communicate with local residents. Native speakers will not torment a foreigner with an abundance of slang words. And besides, we should not forget that slang can be different in different territories.

How to learn slang in English?

If you find yourself in the category of people who should learn slang expressions, you need to act. We want to give some practical recommendations on how to learn the “language of the street” correctly and quickly.

1. Use an up-to-date reference book

First, you need to find supporting material from which you will take expressions to study slang words. It is better if it is an online directory: the information is updated there the fastest. The following resources can be recommended:

• Englishclub.com - English-English slang dictionary. For each word there is an example of use in context, a history of the origin of the expression, as well as a mini-test with which you will check how correctly you understood the expression.
• Learnamericanenglishonline.com - American slang dictionary with examples of usage.
• Englishdaily is another good reference book of English slang, which has definition, usage examples, etymology and synonyms of the expression.
• Audio-class.ru is a Russian-language resource, quite complete and understandable. However, only the translation of the expression into Russian is given. Can be used in conjunction with the above English-language resources.

2. Use proper vocabulary learning and repetition techniques.

To remember any word, including slang, you need to find the optimal method for learning it. Use one of the methods for learning words proposed in the article “”. After that, do not forget to repeat the acquired knowledge. To do this correctly, read the article "". From it you will learn unusual and effective repetition techniques.

3. Use slang in your speech

Try to use all the words you want to remember in conversation or writing. You can write short stories or simply make sentences with the expression you have learned, and then retell them. Still, slang is an attribute of oral speech, so it is better to find an interlocutor with whom you can consolidate your knowledge. Having trouble finding a partner? Then use the tips from the article “ The right combination of slang with classic English will allow you to speak “cool” and beautifully. On the website englishclub.com you can subscribe to useful newsletters “Word of the Day”, “Idiom of the Day”, “Phrasal Verb of the Day”, “Slang of the Day”. Take advantage of this opportunity: you will receive 1 informative email every day. It's convenient and time-saving.

So, we hope that with the help of our article you have decided whether you should learn slang in English and which type of slang you should choose. However, in conclusion, we would like to warn you against excessive use of slang: in the eyes of native speakers, a foreigner expressing himself will seem more uncultured than “advanced.” Learn classic English and amaze everyone with the correct, beautiful speech. Good luck!

English slang has been gaining momentum lately, so only the lazy do not use it in their speech. And if a few years ago it was not necessary to know all the most common expressions, today you may not understand the interlocutor who actively uses slang in his speech.

Everyone knows that English slang is nothing more than an opportunity to express thoughts more clearly, using pepper in speech, it is an opportunity to stay “on topic”, and also to avoid tactlessness. And if you still think that slang is not for you, then take a look at the English slang dictionary:

After visiting for a few minutes, you will hardly be able to tear yourself away from reading modern expressions that are actively used in the English language. Take at least "abysinnia!"(I'll be seeing you!) And if today slang is born by chance, then earlier the appearance of fashionable words was associated with the movements of hippies, goths, underground, informals, and a little later with the age of computerization.

If you want to master English slang with translation, it is better to do it by topic, for example, money slang, financial slang, sports slang, etc.

Financial and money slang

• Black Monday is the day the stock market crashed in 1987.
• In the black - no losses.
• In the red - to get into debt.
• Scalpers are speculators aimed at immediate success.
• Fill and kill - a situation in which the customer's order is either completed immediately or not completed at all.

When learning the language, remember that English slang has long been part of the culture, but you need to use it carefully, weighing the situations in which you are in advance. Do you want to learn English on your own? Check out the website. Here, each of you will find useful materials for each level of language learning, as well as online tests, grammar tasks and much more.