New Zealand English→English

Translate New Zealand English to English the way locals mean it.

New Zealand English uses local words, understated reassurance, and soft refusals that can sound more literal or less definite than they really are.

Going the other way? English to New Zealand English

474 local dialects

AIRTranslate on iPhone choosing between English varieties

What locals actually say

Yeah nah, not keen on that, eh.

No, I don’t really want to do that.

“Yeah nah” is a soft but clear refusal, while “eh” lightly seeks agreement rather than asking a serious question.

She’ll be right, just chuck it in the bach.

It’ll be fine, just put it in the holiday house.

“She’ll be right” means there is no need to worry, and a “bach” is a small holiday home, not a person named She.

Can you grab some kai from the dairy? Chur.

Can you get some food from the corner shop? Thanks.

“Kai” means food, “dairy” means a local convenience shop, and “chur” is an informal thanks or acknowledgement.

Can you flick me twenty bucks till payday? I’m a bit short.

Could you lend me twenty bucks until payday? I’m a bit short.

“Flick” is an informal New Zealand construction meaning to send or transfer something, while “bucks” signals casual local speech about money.

Go past the roundabout and it’s just up the road on your left, mate.

Go past the roundabout, and it’s just up the road on your left, mate.

“Mate” is a familiar form of address common in New Zealand English, signalling friendly, informal conversation.

The rellies are staying over, so Mum’s house is chocka.

The relatives are staying over, so Mum’s house is chocka.

“Rellies” means relatives and “chocka” means completely full. Both are informal New Zealand colloquialisms.

I’m flat out, but I’ll flick that through after smoko.

I’m really busy, but I’ll send that through after morning tea.

“Flat out” means very busy, “flick that through” means send it on, and “smoko” is the New Zealand term for a work break.

There’s a southerly blowing in, so chuck on a jumper.

A cold southerly is coming through, so put on a jumper.

“Southerly” refers to a cold wind from the south, a familiar New Zealand weather expression, while “chuck on” means put on quickly or casually.

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

How New Zealand English differs

New Zealand English. British-leaning spelling, NZ vocabulary (bach, jandals, dairy for corner shop, chur informally), occasional te reo Māori loanwords where locals genuinely use them (kia ora, whānau, kai).

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