Professional Tips: Understand Canadian Slang

Question

How do I say please in Canada?

Community Answer

If you're in Quebec, a French-speaking province, you would use the French word "S'il vous plaît." Otherwise, you can just say "please."

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Question

What do people in Canada say for "bicycle"?

Pink_Star

Community Answer

In Western Canada they say "bicycle" or "bike". If you were in a French-speaking part of Canada, like Quebec, you could say "bicyclette".

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Question

What Canadian slang term can I use for giving credit?

Community Answer

For giving credit, you would use the phrase "giving someone their due."

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Question

What does "big shoots" mean in Canadian slang?

Community Answer

Somebody who is full of themselves. Ex: "Betcha my Dually can outpull that semi." "Alright there, big shoots."

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Question

What is the slang word for toilet in Canada?

Community Answer

We call it the washroom, bathroom, or toilet.

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Question

What does it mean when a Canadian calls me a beauty?

Community Answer

Actually, this usually refers to a situation or event, and means that things went very well. For example, "I got a box of donuts today and they gave me a baker's dozen." "Beauty!" It can also be used sarcastically, however, in which case it would mean the opposite.

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Question

Do people in Canada use the word "bedroom"?

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Community Answer

Yes, we do use the word "bedroom". Sometimes we use the word "room" instead.

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Question

Is feeferdoon a word in Canada for kindergarten?

Community Answer

No, it's still called kindergarten in Canada. However, some oddball people might use that term.

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Question

How do you say "you are the love of my life, and I love you" in Canadian?

Paul Dunlop

Community Answer

In Southern Ontario we say "I love you." as for "You're the love of my life." that can be said as is or colloquially "Yer the one fer me." In our area, mostly rural with some small urban areas, we tend to pronounce "You're" as "Yer", "for" as "fer or fur". If we are telling someone where we are going or have been, you might hear them say "I've been, or I'm going (to be) oot and aboot" it translates to "Out and about" some of our American friends find it extremely funny when we say it as we do.

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Question

How can I tell if a Canadian is being sarcastic?

Community Answer

They will have a funny expression and a tone that is off. It's quite similar to an American.

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Question

What does 'cockabaloo' mean?

Community Answer

'Cockabaloo' is an insult meaning 'bully' that comes from Newfoundland. It is not used very commonly, but people would definitely be impressed if you knew it.

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Question

Do Canadians call ladies, "sir?"

Community Answer

No. As in the United States, most Canadians would address a woman as "ma'am."

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Question

Do Canadians use the word "eh" at the end of each sentence?

Community Answer

No, not at all, this is just a stereotype about Canadians that a lot of people repeat.

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