Could you make it in L.A. with your English?

Los Angeles, “The City of Angels,” is home to millions of people from a wide diversity of cultures. There’s no other place in the world in which English is spoken in so many different ways, and if you travel there, you’ll want to fit in. Here are some fun words and phrase to try:

“Bro” “Dude” “Brother” “Amigo” All of these are words commonly used for addressing a male friend in LA. As in, “What’s up, bro?” The last one, “amigo” is the Spanish word for “friend” but is still frequently used by English speakers.

“Far out!” This exclamation is popular among people who surf. It means that something is exciting or awesome, almost beyond belief. “Far out, dude!”

“Hella” Another positive word, this time as a replacement for “very.” Just use it to make any compliment even better. “This food is hella good!”

“Surf n’ Turf” Speaking of food, this is a common cuisine in LA, in which both seafood and steak are served in the main course. Though it can be quite expensive, there are a lot of cheap restaurants called “dives” where you can get this sort of food at a reasonable price.

“Taco Stand” Another common cuisine, tacos come from Latin America, but they are very popular in southern California. A “stand” is a small place by the side of the road where you can stop and get a quick meal. These places are often cheaper than fast food restaurants like McDonalds or Burger King, but the food is much better!

“The 10” “The 5” “The 101” Los Angeles is a mass of highways, and, if you’re visiting, chances are you’ll have to drive around in a car. If you ask for directions from a local, they’ll identify highways in this way. “To get to the Hollywood sign, you need to get on the Ten and...”

“Celeb” Short for “celebrity.” You will probably see at least a few of these from US movies or television shows if you walk around LA. Don’t worry, it’s okay to ask politely for autographs or photos, but don’t “gawk at them” (stare at them).

“I’m keeping it real” Sometimes LA can feel so glamorous that it seems fake; it can seem as though you’re in a movie. This phrase means that you rise above that and manage to be a good person despite the fakeness. It’s a high compliment in the city. “You’re keeping it real, brother.”