If you have recently relocated to the USA from India, you also have an unspoken expectation. You have to adjust your communication style to align with the prevailing American practices.
Being an Indian, you seem to be familiar with the British version of English. But American English is different. Native people in the USA speak English somewhat differently. They use slang words, often used to express emotion or situations. As such, you need to master American slang words and phrases. That will help you to avoid friction while interacting with Americans around the country.
After relocation, you will stay in a different culture. You not only need to develop a cultural awareness but also understand the subtle meanings in communicating languages. In the USA, people use slang in their most verbal expressions. You will hear slang terms in their casual conversations, expressions of humor or emotions, and cultural behaviour.
If you do not understand them, you will not be able to figure out subtle meanings, jokes, or some of the regular expressions. As such, you might misunderstand people or encounter awkward situations. Again, if you do not use such terms, people might interpret your communications wrongly
By understanding slang phrases and words, you will be able to interpret the tone, context, and nuance in your regular interactions. Your communications will be clear and smooth. And, there will be less scope for misunderstanding. You will feel more confident in social and professional settings.
To familiarize you with the common slang words, here is a compilation. You can start your learning by referring to the list.
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Fantastic |
Lit |
That party was lit! Everyone had a great time. |
|
Don't lie |
No Cap |
No cap? You really got 100% on that test? |
|
Excel at something |
Slay |
She absolutely slayed that presentation! |
|
Really good |
Bussin' |
Yo, this pizza is bussin'! |
|
Mediocre |
Mid |
The movie was mid, not worth watching. |
|
Amazing |
Fire/Flames |
That new song is fire! |
|
Silly |
Goofy |
Why are you being so goofy right now? |
|
Atmosphere |
Vibe |
The vibe at this place is really nice tonight. |
|
Upset/Bitter |
Salty |
He's so salty about losing that game! |
|
Attractive |
Fit |
Yeah, that person is really fit! |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Know what I mean |
Understood the assignment |
You totally understood the assignment on that project! |
|
Loss/Failure |
Take the L |
Your team took an L pretty badly today. |
|
Win/Success |
Get the W |
Congratulations on getting the W on that exam! |
|
Gossip/Truth |
Spill the tea |
Girl, let me spill the tea about what happened! |
|
Conflict |
Beef |
They have serious beef from way back. |
|
Suspicious |
Sus |
That story seems sus, I don't believe it. |
|
Embarrassing |
Cringe |
That video was so cringe, I had to look away! |
|
Gives impression of |
It's giving |
That outfit is giving 80s vibes! |
|
Underrated |
Slept on |
That artist is totally slept on by everyone! |
|
Evidence |
Show me receipts |
You can't prove it, show me receipts! |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Failed |
Flopped |
That product launch totally flopped in the market. |
|
Dominated |
Ate (no crumbs) |
He ate and left no crumbs in that presentation! |
|
Excellent work |
That was cooked |
This report is absolutely cooked, really impressed! |
|
Poor performance |
Giving unemployed |
That work is giving serious unemployed energy. |
|
Incompetent |
Bozo move |
Who made this error? That's such a bozo move! |
|
Confidence |
Main character energy |
She walked into that pitch with main character energy! |
|
Doesn't make sense |
Make it make sense |
Make it make sense, why would they hire him? |
|
Warning |
Heads up |
Heads up everyone, the deadline is tomorrow! |
|
Good decision |
That's the move |
Applying for that job is definitely the move! |
|
Doesn't add up |
Ain't mathing |
These budget numbers ain't mathing at all |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
How are you |
What's good |
Hey! What's good? It's been forever! |
|
What's the situation |
What's the tea |
You look upset, what's the tea? |
|
See you later |
Catch you later |
Alright, I gotta go, catch you later! |
|
Relax/Calm down |
It's not that deep |
It's not that deep, just relax! |
|
I understand |
Say less |
Can you handle this? Say less, I got you! |
|
Emphasis |
Periodt |
That's facts, periodt! No arguments! |
|
That's true |
Facts/On God |
On God, that was quite something! |
|
I disagree |
Not the way |
Not the way I see it, let's try something else. |
|
Seriously |
For real, for real |
Nah fr fr, I actually saw it myself! |
|
Being serious |
Real talk |
Real talk, I'm genuinely concerned about you. |
|
Terrible quality |
That's trash |
How was the food? That was straight trash, bro! |
|
Best ever |
That's GOAT |
He's the GOAT, no one can compete with him! |
|
Boring/Bad |
That's wack |
The party was wack, I should've stayed home. |
|
Great song |
That's a banger |
Have you heard this song? It's a total banger! |
|
Very tired |
I'm exhausted |
I'm exhausted from work, can't go out tonight. |
|
Acting silly |
You're being wild |
Why are you acting so wild right now? |
|
Very foolish |
That's dumb dumb |
That plan is dumb dumb, there's no way that works. |
|
Completely confused |
I'm confused confused |
Explain this again, I'm confused confused right now. |
|
Very excited |
I'm so hype |
The concert is tomorrow! I'm so hype! |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Attractive body |
She's thicc |
Did you see her? Yeah, she's thicc! |
|
Kiss passionately |
They made out |
What happened at the party? They made out by the pool! |
|
Take a chance |
He's shooting his shot |
He's finally talking to her and shooting his shot! |
|
Looking sharp |
She's caked up |
Wow, you look amazing! Thanks, I'm caked up today! |
|
Being ignored |
He left me on read |
Did he respond yet? Nope, left me on read for hours! |
|
Suddenly disappear |
She ghosted him |
Where's your boyfriend? He ghosted me last week! |
|
Too eager for attention |
Stop simping |
Why do you do everything for them? Stop simping! |
|
My significant other |
That's my bae |
Who is that person? That's my bae right there! |
|
Attractive woman |
She's a baddie |
Look at her! Yeah, she's definitely a baddie! |
|
Attractive man |
He's a zaddy |
Who are you looking at like that? That zaddy over there! |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Being moody |
Giving attitude |
Why are you giving attitude right now? |
|
Acting superior |
That's so bougie |
She only shops at designer stores, that's so bougie! |
|
Very honest/direct |
That's raw |
What do you think of it? Raw? It wasn't good. |
|
Fake/Untrustworthy |
That seems sus |
She says she's nice, but that seems sus to me. |
|
Honest/Genuine |
He keeps it real |
Can I trust him with this? Yeah, he keeps it real! |
|
Trustworthy person |
She's a real one |
Who should I talk to about this? Talk to her, she's a real one! |
|
Acting juvenile |
That's petty |
Why are you mad about that? That's petty, move on! |
|
Wanting everything |
Don't be greedy |
You want more already? Don't be greedy! |
|
Jealous behavior |
Don't be envious |
Why are you acting like that? Don't be envious of their success! |
|
Too confident |
He's cocky |
Did he keep boasting? Yeah, he's way too cocky! |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Overwhelmed |
I can't even |
This job is too much! I can't even handle it! |
|
Work constantly |
Always hustling |
Take a break from work! Can't, I'm always hustling! |
|
Anxious |
I'm stressed out |
How are you feeling? Stressed out about finals next week. |
|
No money |
I'm broke |
Wanna go out tonight? I'm broke until payday! |
|
Very tired emotionally |
I'm so drained |
You doing okay? I'm so drained after today. |
|
Annoyed |
This is frustrating |
What's wrong? This whole situation is frustrating! |
|
Feeling emotional |
In my feelings |
Why are you quiet? I'm in my feelings today. |
|
Anxious about results |
I'm worried |
How are you feeling? Worried about the exam results. |
|
Hurt by someone |
I feel betrayed |
What happened between you two? I feel betrayed by them. |
|
Melancholy mood |
Sad boi hours |
Why are you listening to sad music? It's sad boi hours right now. |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Food to eat |
Let's grab some grub |
I'm hungry, you are too? Yeah, let's grab some grub! |
|
Delicious |
This slaps |
Try this dish! Yo, this food slaps! |
|
Disgusting |
That tastes gross |
How is it? Honestly, it's gross. |
|
Very hungry |
I'm starving |
Are you hungry? Yeah, I'm absolutely starving! |
|
Very thirsty |
I'm parched |
Get me some water please! I'm so parched right now! |
|
Eating very fast |
Stop scarfing it down |
Slow down while eating! This is too good, I'm scarfing it down! |
|
Large meal |
That was a feast |
How was your dinner? That was an absolute feast! |
|
Unhealthy food |
Stop eating junk |
More chips? Yeah, I love junk food! |
|
Homemade meal |
Nothing beats home cooked |
Where's dinner from? I made it, nothing beats home cooked! |
|
Fancy restaurant |
Let's be bougie |
Where should we eat? Let's be bougie tonight! |
|
Indian |
American |
Example |
|
Getting drunk |
Let's get lit |
What are we doing tonight? Let's get lit! |
|
Dance energetically |
Come dance with us |
Dance it out with us on the floor! |
|
Hung over |
I'm so hungover |
How do you feel this morning? Man, I'm so hungover! |
|
Close friend |
That's my bestie |
Who is that person? That's my bestie, we're tight! |
|
Friend group |
My whole squad's here |
Who are those people? That's my whole squad! |
|
Having fun |
We had a blast |
How was the party? We had a total blast! |
|
Dance partner |
Found a good partner |
Who are you dancing with? My dance partner for tonight! |
|
Problems/Conflict |
There's drama |
What's wrong with them? There's drama going on between them. |
|
Ready to party |
Let's get turnt |
Are you ready for tonight? Yeah, let's get turnt! |
|
Big party |
They're raging |
Where's everyone at? At this house party that's raging! |
Attaining proficiency in slang words is not a big deal. You can attain command over such informal vocabulary with consistent efforts.
#1. Understand the Meaning and Context of Each Word
Do not simply memorize slang words. Dig deeper to understand their meanings. You can also refer to a guide. Use such words and phrases in casual conversations and daily interactions. Define the terms for a comprehensive understanding.
#2. Examine Social Media Trends
Determine how content creators and influencers use such words on social media platforms, like Instagram and YouTube. That way, you can quickly pick up trendy slang expressions.
#3. Observe Culture
Keep an eye on the cultural activities. They often shape slang trends. For instance, slang from hip-hop or pop culture can become instantly popular. Different regions can have their own variations. For example, slang expressions in Texas are different from those in Florida. Therefore, look for region-specific American slang.
#4. Watch and Listen to Real Conversations
By watching interviews and casual discussions on TV shows, you can determine how native speakers use slang in real-life contexts. Pay attention to tone and body language. It is important to know how people deliver them.
#5. Participate in Indian Events
Connect with Indians who have been staying in the USA for a long time at Indian events in America. When fellow Indians communicate with you using slang, it will act as a strong motivator. That will influence you to learn quickly. You can keep a tab on such events on popular platforms, such as ePadosi.
If you have not yet started to learn American slang words or phrases, you are unknowingly making a mistake. To communicate smoothly in the U.S., using slang is necessary. Slang also helps to connect with the American people culturally. You can understand humor and casual expressions. Your conversations become smoother and more engaging, improving communication in the U.S.
