Ep 13: Using Common English SLANG
We tend to use slang in situations and with people that feel very comfortable.
Hello, everybody, and welcome to another episode of B1 English Talks. This podcast is here to help you improve your English at the B1 level and feel more confident in your progress. Each episode, we'll dive into fun and real-life topics to help you sound more natural and practice your listening skills. So let's get started.
A QUICK NOTE FROM BRANDON:
I just quickly want to say before we get into this episode that later in the episode, I speak very freely. When I'm speaking very freely, I'm not choosing my words carefully, so I'm using language and a speed of speaking that is quite advanced, maybe B2 or C1. So this episode is a little more advanced than most episodes. I just wanted to make that clear before we get into it. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the episode. There is a lot of rich language and opportunity to learn and grow within this episode. Enjoy.
Talking About Slang
Today, we're talking about slang, informal words or phrases that you'll hear in casual conversations, in movies, and in TV shows. When you watch a movie or hang out with your English-speaking friends, you might hear words that aren't taught in your textbook or in the classroom. These are typically slang words, and they're a piece of cake (idiom) once you get used to them.
Now, keep in mind, slang is best used with people you know well. With strangers or in formal situations, it's better to stick to standard English. Think about it in your own native language: you typically will use slang in situations and with people where you feel really, really comfortable. Not strangers, not formal situations. And in English, it's the same.
Common Slang Terms
Let’s check out some common terms. If your friend says something like, cool, awesome, or even sick, they mean it's great. For example:
That new movie is awesome.
Your new phone is sick.
When people want to relax, they may say:
Let's chill, or I just want to go chill out at home.
If someone is stressed, you can tell them to chill out or take it easy.
Spending time with friends is often called hanging out. For example:
Do you want to hang out this weekend?
If you do, you might just grab a coffee, chat, or watch a movie together.
Instead of saying, I want to, people often say:
I wanna, I wanna.
Instead of saying, I'm going to, people often say: I'm gonna, I'm gonna.
Example: I'm gonna meet my buddy at the cafe. Wanna come?
To show surprise or mild shock, you could say something like:
Yikes. Depending on the context, yikes could be a little cringe.
Cringe means something is uncomfortable or weird, like:
Oh, that's cringe.
If something is disappointing, you can say:
That's a bummer.
If your friend does something great, you can say:
Congrats, or give them a high five.
If you need something done fast, you can say:
I need this ASAP, or A-S-A-P.
I like to say ASAP, personally.
More Slang Examples
If something is too expensive or not worth it, you might call it a rip-off or a scam.
That souvenir shop was a rip-off.
To tell someone to wait, you can say:
Hang on for a second.
Hang on for a minute.
If you want someone to relax about a problem, you can say:
No worries. Hey, it's no worries. Don't worry.
Talking about plans, you might say:
I've gotta check out that new park. (I’ve got to visit the new park.)
It’s awesome. It’s pretty cool. It was sick.
If someone’s hungry and getting angry, you can combine those words and say:
They’re hangry.
When leaving on a trip, say:
We’re gonna hit the road early tomorrow. (Hit the road means to go on a trip.)
If you haven’t seen a friend for a while, you might say:
Hey, let’s catch up this weekend. (Catch up means to discuss how our lives have been going lately.)
If something is very impressive, you can call it epic or say:
That concert was lit. (Lit is often used for parties or exciting events.)
If you’re really tired at the end of the day, you might say:
I need to crash.
Context Matters
This next one depends on context. If someone asks you, Are you down? It can mean one of two things:
Are you interested, or are you in? Like:
We’re going to a party. Are you down?
Or it could mean:
Why are you down? (Why are you upset?)
When a task needs to be finished, you could say:
It needs to be sorted or wrapped up.
I need to wrap up my work real quick before we go hang out.
If you need to think of ideas, you can say:
I need to brainstorm. (Brainstorm means to think of ideas.)
Learning and Using Slang
Remember, these words are fun and they make your language sound more natural. But use them carefully. They’re best with friends and not in a job interview.
Now we’ve discussed about 20 to 25 slang words, and most of them are really, really common—as long as you get the context right. I personally don’t say hangry very much. I am careful with the word lit because you can sound kind of cringe depending on how you use it.
As you learn to use these words, you will likely say them and people will laugh. It’s because people are not expecting you to say them. And the way you use them might not sound very natural at first. That’s okay. Just laugh with them and ask, Did I use it right?
Final Thoughts
Part of my Spanish lingo, I say ché all the time. And my Honduran friends are like, What is ché? So, that’s just the process of learning slang. To me, it’s one of the most fun parts of learning a language. I get so excited about slang words.
Slang words can make your English conversations feel more real, natural, and give you insight into the casual culture of the language. Start with a few words that you like, and just try using them with your friends who speak English. Over time, you’ll feel more confident and relaxed in everyday situations.
Which slang words did you find interesting? Pick a couple and try them out this week.
Thanks for listening to today’s episode of B1 English Talks. If you have any questions or want to share your favorite slang word, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram, at EnglishWithBrandonH. Have a great day, and I’ll see you next time. Oh, and Merry Christmas.
B1 Grammar Highlights:
Phrasal Verbs: hang out, chill out, wrap up, catch up
Contractions: wanna, gonna, gotta
Modal Verbs: could, would, might
Conditionals: “If you haven’t seen a friend…,” “If you’re hungry and angry…”
Key Vocabulary:
Slang words: cool, awesome, sick, lit, hangry, cringe, epic
Informal actions: brainstorm, crash, hit the road, hang out, catch up
Contextual phrases: no worries, hang on, piece of cake
