Learning slang and informal English can make your conversations sound more natural, friendly, and connected to real-life situations. However, slang should be used carefully — the right slang in the right situation can make you sound fluent, but the wrong slang in the wrong setting might cause confusion or even seem impolite.
What is slang and informal English?
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Slang is informal language often used by certain groups, ages, or communities. It can be trendy and change quickly over time.
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Informal English is everyday conversational language that’s more relaxed than formal writing or speech.
Example:
Formal: I am very tired today.
Informal: I’m really tired today.
Slang: I’m totally wiped out today.
When to use slang and informal English
You should use slang and informal English:
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With friends and peers – casual conversations, text messages, social media.
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In relaxed environments – cafés, casual workplaces, gaming chats.
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When you want to sound natural – especially if you’re imitating native speakers’ everyday speech.
Avoid using slang:
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In business emails or job interviews (unless the culture is very informal).
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With strangers in serious situations.
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In academic or official writing.
Common slang and informal expressions
Here are some popular slang and informal phrases you might hear:
| Slang / Informal phrase | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Great, nice | That movie was really cool. |
| Hang out | Spend time together | Let’s hang out this weekend. |
| Chill | Relax | I’m just going to chill at home tonight. |
| No worries | It’s okay / no problem | Sorry for being late! — No worries. |
| Bummer | Bad luck, disappointment | Missing the concert was such a bummer. |
| Wanna | Want to | Do you wanna grab coffee? |
| Gonna | Going to | I’m gonna watch a movie later. |
| Yikes | Surprise, shock | Yikes! That test was hard. |
| FYI | For your information | FYI, the meeting’s been moved to 3 p.m. |
How to remember slang and informal phrases long term
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Learn in context – Don’t just memorize lists; read and listen to slang in TV shows, YouTube videos, or podcasts.
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Use it in conversations – Practice with friends, language partners, or online chats.
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Keep a slang journal – Write down new slang, its meaning, and an example sentence.
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Group slang by theme – For example, slang for emotions, slang for greetings, slang for food.
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Stay updated – Slang changes quickly, so keep learning from current media.
Using slang and informal English effectively will make you sound more natural and help you connect with native speakers in casual situations. Just remember: know your audience and setting before you use it.
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