🎵 Rhythm & Linking
A lot of an accent is rhythm, not just individual sounds. In relaxed Australian speech, important words are stressed, small words become weak, and words link together into chunks.
Linking words into chunks
How ya going?Say "how-yuh-GOH-in" as one smooth chunk, not four separate words. Full phrase page →
What are you doing?In relaxed speech this can sound like "Whatcha doing?".
Do you want to come?Often becomes "D'ya wanna come?" in casual speech.
I don't know.Often shortened to "I dunno".
Tip: Practise in chunks. Listen to a whole short sentence, then say it back without pausing between the words.
Stress the important words
No WORries.The stress falls on the first syllable of "worries". Full phrase page →
I REckon it'll rain.Stress the idea words and let the small words fall away. Full phrase page →
Flat WHITE, please.The key word gets the strongest stress. Full phrase page →
Weak and shortened syllables
g'dayThe first syllable is very short and light. Full phrase page →
afternoon → arvoAustralians love shortening words and adding a final -o or -ie sound.
breakfast → brekkieAnother popular shortening.
Phrases from this guide
Practise it
Reading is not enough. Say these phrases out loud: listen, repeat, and keep the rhythm.
Start the 20-minute lesson →Keep going
🦘 Want the slang meanings?
Look up Aussie slang and origin stories on Fair Dinkum.
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Look up Aussie slang and origin stories on Fair Dinkum.