Whenever we change places, we find that the words and their meanings change from places to places. Same with English language, students going to USA observe some changes in words and their usage. The following is a simple dictionary for translating between American English and Indian English. With the help of this word list you can easily communicate with local people in USA. here are few funny ways to pronounce the words and their new meaning. you might have laugh with such words that use in America and how we change in India.
Words List : Local Words Vs English USA Words
Word List For Food [/plain]
Education
The American education system is classified into Preschool, Elementary school, Middle school, High school, College, and Grad school
We say standards, they say grades. For instance, First standard is First grade, Second standard is Second grade, and so on
The school Staff is called as Faculty
We study for Marks/Percentage, they study for Grades/GPA
We say Timetable, they say Schedule
We call Graduate, they call Under-Graduate, and we call Post-Graduate, they call Graduate
We choose Degree/Specialization, they choose Major/Concentration
We do Bachelors – 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, final year and finally convocation, They do Bachelors – Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior and finally Graduation or commencement
[plain]Words List : Local Words Vs English USA Words
Word List For Education [/plain]
FOOD
We say Curd, they say Yogurt
We call it Lady’s finger, they say Okra
We don’t cook Brinjal, we cook Eggplant
We say Cup Cakes, they say Muffins
We don’t eat Chips, we order Fries
We don’t eat at Hotel, we eat at Restaurant and stay at Hotel
We don’t start our meal with Starter, we start with Appetizer and end with Desert
And when ready to pay, we don’t ask for a Bill, we ask for a Check
We don’t buy Dozen bananas, we buy bananas in pounds
we don’t eat Biscuits, we eat Cookies or Crackers
We don’t drink Cold Drinks like Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, etc we drink Soft Drinks or Soda
We don’t buy Coke Tin, we buy Coke Can
We say Medicine Tablets, they say Pills
We don’t buy Kilo Onions, we buy Onions in Pounds
We don’t eat Chocolates, we eat Candy
we dont’t cook Capsicum, we cook Bell Pepper
We don’t use Coriander, We use Cilantro
We don’t use Mixi, we use Blender
[plain]Words List : Local Words Vs English USA Words
Word List For Clothes[/plain]
Transportation
A car can be many types – coupe (2 door), compact(4 door – small family car), sedan (4 door- full size), SUV (sports utility vehicle)
We say Gears, they say Shift
We say Silencer, they say Muffler
The Boot of a car is known as Trunk
You don’t clean the car, you do car wash
We say Number plate, they say License plate
We say Traffic signal, they say Traffic lights
We say Zebra crossing, they say Crosswalk
You don’t fill the car tank with petrol or fuel, you fill it with Gas
And you don’t take your car to a Petrol pump, you take it to a Gas station
You don’t park your car in Car Park, you park in a Parking Lot
We don’t measure gas in Liters, we measure in Gallons
Car tires don’t Puncture, they get Flat
You call Bike as Motorcycle, and a Bicycle as a Bike and a Lorry as a Truck
We say Flyover, they say Overpass
We have Highways, they have Freeways, Expressways, Interstates
You don’t ask for a Lift, you ask for a Ride
We don’t walk on Footpath/Pavement, we walk on the Sidewalk
And remember, you drive on the opposite side of the road
[plain]Words List : Local Words Vs English USA Words
Word List For Transportation[/plain]
Indoor & Outdoor
We don’t live in Flat, we live in Apartment
The land in front of the house is called a Front yard, and the land in the back of the house is called the Backyard
And the Ground floor is called the First floor, and the First floor, the Second floor, and the Second floor, the Third floor and so on.
Lift is called an Elevator
We say Tap, they say Faucet
A Wardrobe is known as a Closet
We don’t use Torch light in dark, we use Flashlight
And the flashlight needs Batteries to work, not Cells
We say Note like 20 rupees note, they say Bill like 20 dollar bill
You don’t sit on Sofa, you sit on Couch
Slippers are called Flip flops
We don’t Post, we Mail, and ofcourse, Post box is Mailbox and Postman is Mailman
We say Pincode, they say Zip code
We call Zip, they call Zipper
We say Purse, they say Wallet
We say Bath, they say Shower
We eat Chewing Gum, they eat Gum
We use Gum to stick things, they use Glue to stick things
We don’t put Garbage in Dustbin, we put Trash in Trash can
We use Nappies for kids, they use Diapers
There are four seasons in a year – Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
We don’t ask Rubber, We ask for an Eraser (Rubber means Condom in US)
You say Luggage, they say Baggage
We don’t wait in a queue, we stand in the line
We say Sport shoes, they say Sneakers
Any more? Let us know under comments, we will add to the list!
