British English→English

Translate British English to English the way locals mean it.

British English often wraps firm opinions, refusals, and strong reactions in politeness or understatement, so the literal words can sound milder than the message.

Going the other way? English to British English

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between English varieties

What locals actually say

That’s a bit pricey, isn’t it?

That costs too much for me.

A bit softens the criticism and can mean quite or too in this context.

I’ll give you a ring later.

I’ll call you later.

To give someone a ring is the usual British informal expression for making a phone call.

That’s rather unfortunate.

That’s really bad news.

Rather can understate a strong reaction, especially in polite or formal-sounding speech.

Could you point me towards the loo?

Could you tell me where the toilet is, please?

“Loo” is a distinctly British informal term for toilet, while “point me towards” makes the request polite and conversational.

Fancy a cheeky takeaway tonight?

Would you like a takeaway this evening?

“Takeaway” is the British term for food ordered to eat elsewhere, and “cheeky” signals playful informality.

The kids are round my mum’s for tea.

The children are at my mum’s house for dinner.

“Round” means at someone’s home, while “tea” can mean the evening meal in British English.

I’ve got quite a lot on, so can we park this until tomorrow?

I have quite a lot of work, so could we postpone this until tomorrow?

“Park this” is a British workplace construction meaning to set a matter aside temporarily, and “quite” softens the statement.

It’s absolutely pouring, so I’ll give the picnic a miss.

It is raining heavily, so I’ll skip the picnic.

“Pouring” describes very heavy rain, and “give it a miss” is a British idiom meaning to decide not to do something.

Notes like these come with every AIRTranslate translation, so you learn why locals phrase it that way as you go.

How British English differs

British English. British spelling (colour, organise, centre), UK vocabulary (flat, lift, pavement, holiday, queue), DD/MM/YYYY dates. Understatement, politeness softeners (quite, rather, cheers) where the register calls for it.

Sound like a local everywhere, not just here.

Every one of 474 dialects, with voice, camera, a keyboard for any app, and offline packs.

Choosing Spanish (Peru) from 471 local variants

Localization Notes explaining why locals say it that way