English grammar
American slang: awesome, for real, dude, a gig — with register warnings
Understand everyday American slang and know when not to use it.
From the scene No way, dude!
In short
American slang: awesome (great), for real (honestly), a gig (a job), dude (only with friends). They sound American.
Your turn
Which one goes with honestly, seriously?
Options: awesome · a gig · for real
Show answer
honestly, seriously → for real
How it works
Awesome means "great", for real means "honestly" or "seriously", and a gig is a job, often a short or extra one (in Britain it's also a concert).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
No way! Another (blank), dude? Another job?
Options: gig · dude · awesome
Show answer
No way! Another gig, dude? Another job?
¡No manches! ¿Otra chamba, güey? ¿Otro trabajo?
Good to know
Dude is friendly between friends, but it sounds rude or silly to an older person or your boss.
Good to know
British speakers understand all of these from films, but they sound American.
great, brilliant awesome
Tomás
Good! "Awesome" means "great". For real, it's amazing.
¡Bueno! «Awesome» es «genial». En serio, es buenísima.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Good! "(blank)" means "great". For real, it's amazing.
Options: Awesome · A gig · Dude
Show answer
Tomás
Good! "Awesome" means "great". For real, it's amazing.
¡Bueno! «Awesome» es «genial». En serio, es buenísima.
honestly, seriously for real
Tomás
Good! "Awesome" means "great". For real, it's amazing.
¡Bueno! «Awesome» es «genial». En serio, es buenísima.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Good! "Awesome" means "great". (blank), it's amazing.
Options: For real · A gig · Dude
Show answer
Tomás
Good! "Awesome" means "great". For real, it's amazing.
¡Bueno! «Awesome» es «genial». En serio, es buenísima.
a (short or extra) job a gig
friend, mate (only with friends!) dude
Tomás
What's up, dude! What have you got there?
¡Qué onda, güey! ¿Qué traes ahí?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
What's up, (blank)! What have you got there?
Options: for real · dude · awesome
Show answer
Tomás
What's up, dude! What have you got there?
¡Qué onda, güey! ¿Qué traes ahí?
no way! (I don't believe it) no way, dude!
Elena
Another gig, Javi? No way, dude!
¿Otra chamba, Javi? ¡No manches, güey!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Another gig, Javi? (blank)!
Options: For real · No way, dude · Awesome
Show answer
Elena
Another gig, Javi? No way, dude!
¿Otra chamba, Javi? ¡No manches, güey!
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| great, brilliant | awesome |
|---|---|
| honestly, seriously | for real |
| a (short or extra) job | a gig |
| friend, mate (only with friends!) | dude |
| no way! (I don't believe it) | no way, dude! |
More lines from the story
- TomásNo way! Another gig, dude? Another job?¡No manches! ¿Otra chamba, güey? ¿Otro trabajo?
- JaviTacos! I've been delivering them since yesterday for a Mexican restaurant.¡Tacos! Desde ayer los reparto para un restaurante mexicano.
- TomásBetween friends, no. But to you, Doña Elena, I would never say it.Entre amigos, no. Pero a usted, Doña Elena, nunca se lo diría.