How to Speak Canadian: Essential Slang Words and Phrases Explained

Want to speak like a real Canadian, eh? From Tim Hortons runs to two-fours at the cottage, Canadian slang is as diverse as our country itself. While we may sound similar to our American neighbors, trust us—we’ve got our own weird, wonderful, and wildly confusing phrases.

Whether you’re ordering a double-double, dodging a rink rat, or kicking back in a Muskoka chair, we’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to Canadian slang words and phrases. So, before you throw a Chesterfield kerfuffle, let’s dive in, eh?

How to Speak Canadian – The Ultimate Guide to Canadian Slang

Most people think Canadians speak a lot like our American neighbours, but the truth is, we’re a little weird up here in the Great White North. Plus, Canadians can pick out a Canadian accent anytime so don’t think that sewing a Canadian flag on your backpack suddenly turns you into a Canuck.

Canuck

The word Canuck is one of my favourites. This term refers to Canadians. We have the Vancouver Canucks, one of Canada’s most beloved hockey teams, and in the 1980s, our downhill skiers who dominated the World Cup circuit were called the Crazy Canucks, and I am personally a proud Canuck. If you haven’t figured it out yet, Canuck is another term for a Canadian. It’s so much simpler and shorter. I’m a Canuck man!

Eh

This is our most popular Canadian saying and everyone mocks us by using “eh” in the most ridiculous phrases and they never get it right. So I am going to give you a quick lesson on how to the word “eh”.
All you have to do is make a statement like “It is a very nice day out today.” If you add “eh” to the end of that statement, you can turn it into a question that will require a friendly reply from the person you are talking to.

Tuque

A knit winter hat, known elsewhere around the world as a beanie. Every Canadian owns at least one. I went my entire childhood and a large portion of my adult life not realizing that this was a word only used in Canada. “Tuque” as it is spelled in Quebec (it is spelled toque in English Canada) is a unique Canadian slang word used across the country to describe a winter hat. Buy your own Canadian tuque on Amazon. 

Essential Canadian Words You Need to Know Before Visiting

Loonie and Toonie

Our one-dollar coin is called a “Loonie” (thanks to the loon on it). Naturally, when the two-dollar coin came out, we named it a “Toonie” because it rhymes with Loonie….