More Kiwi Terms

Some everyday items are hard to find in NZ supermarkets and shops. Not that they don’t exist but simply because they are known here by different names. If you are new to New Zealand, it is worth your while to familiarize yourself with the terms below before going out shopping. Otherwise, you may get quizzical looks from the locals when you ask for these items. (E.g. If you ask where the nearest drug store is, they might suspect you to be a drug addict)

1. Chemist or Pharmacy – drug store
2. Chips (or sometimes pronounced as “cheps” or “chups”) - french fries.
3. Coffee whitener - coffee creamer. My friend J found this out on his first day at the grocer. BTW, this item may be hard to find in smaller grocery stores. This is because Kiwis prefer fresh milk instead.
4. Connection Pack – SIM card
5. Cotton buds - Q-tips.
6. Dairy – sari-sari store
7. Duvet – a thick blanket commonly called comforter in the States
8. Petrol - gasoline
9. Petrol station - gas station. Here we have Shell, Caltex, Mobil, BP, Gull, Challenge
10. Ice block – popsicle
11. Jersey – sweater
12. Jumper – also sweater.
13. Lemonade - Sprite or 7-Up.
14. Lolly – refers to all candies, not only the lollipop we know
15. Lucky Dip – quick pick in Lotto. A Lucky Dip costs $6 and consists of 10 lines.
16. Mobile – cell phone
17. Nappies – diapers
18. Rubbish – trash or garbage
19. Rubbish bin – where you throw rubbish
20. Sausages – hotdogs
21. Tissue or Serviette – table napkins
22. Togs – swimsuit
23. Tomato sauce - catsup. Note: you have to pronounce “Tomato” the way it is written “to-ma-to”, not “to-mey-tow”. That’s funny because, “potato” is pronounced as “po-tey-tow”.
24. Torch – flashlight
25. Tracksuit – sweatshirt

Finally, “Kiwi” either refers to a New Zealander, the kiwi bird, or the kiwi fruit. You have to determine which one from the context that it is used.

Kia Ora!