Understanding Colloquialism: Examples, Impact, and How It's Used in Language

Key takeaways

• Colloquialism refers to informal expressions used in everyday speech or writing. They can include contractions, regional terms, informal concepts, and slang.
• Colloquial words add realism, character, and emotion to communication. Using them can make language more casual when done correctly.
• Learning colloquial expressions helps language learners sound more fluent and natural when they’re using English. However, colloquial language varies by region, culture, and even generation.

When you’re learning a language, it’s easy to get bogged down in the technical stuff, like grammar and structure. And in the process, you overlook all that good stuff, like personality and culture.

Think about when you’re chatting casually with friends in your native tongue. Do you sound like textbook examples of perfect language? Doubt it. You probably dabble in colloquial language (or colloquialisms), meaning the everyday informal words and expressions that add warmth and expression to your conversations.

But what is a colloquialism? Is it different from slang or jargon? And how do we use them in speech and writing? In this article, Promova explores the meaning of colloquialisms and how you can use these casual expressions to sound more fluent and natural as an English speaker. With Promova’s help, you’ll be able to sprinkle some into your own convos.

What colloquialism means

First things first: what the heck is a colloquialism? The colloquialism definition is a word or phrase that people use in everyday, casual conversation. In fact, the term comes from the Latin colloquium, meaning “conversation.”

In short, colloquial language reflects the way people actually talk. So, it’s less about stuffy, formal writing or speech and more about informal expressions and phrases that we use in casual conversations. 

Colloquialisms can include:

• Contractions: A word that combines two or more words in a shortened form. “Wanna grab a bite?” instead of “Want to grab a bite?”
• Idioms: These words are different from the literal meaning of the word. Like, “he let the cat out of the bag.” This guy didn’t actually let a feline out of a bag, but he did spill a secret.
• Regional expressions: Use these in specific geographical areas. One regional example of colloquialism is the phrase, “that was wicked cool” instead of “that was very cool”. Head to Massachusetts and you’ll probably hear this one a lot.

Colloquialisms make language sound chill and friendly. And they can differ depending on the speaker’s background or country.

How and why we use colloquial expressions 

Put away your badge, grammar police. Colloquial language isn’t “bad grammar.” It’s an integral part of natural communication, and if your goal is to boost your English proficiency, it’s a must. Here are some colloquialism examples and why you might want to use them:

To sound more natural

Using formal sentences in casual settings can feel stiff and wrong. Instead, saying something like “I’m gonna head out” instead of “I am going to leave now” helps you sound more relaxed and conversational.

To build connections and relationships

Language is how we build relationships, so using colloquial expressions helps you show familiarity and foster connections. And since people usually mirror the tone of the person they’re speaking to, it can help your conversations feel more friendly and personal. 

To express culture and identity

Sometimes, colloquialisms can help reflect our regional culture, humor, and history. Even around the globe, phrases like “no worries” (Australia) or “cheers” (the UK) carry a cultural warmth that words alone can’t convey.

To add character in writing

Many writers use colloquialisms in dialogue or first-person narratives to give their characters more realistic voices. For example, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!” sounds more like a real person than “Nobody has time for that.” Plus, it’s a whole lot funnier.

Colloquial vs. slang vs. jargon

As a language learner, trying to differentiate between colloquialisms, slang, and jargon can feel like a full-time gig. And since they all overlap (but still aren’t the same thing), it gets even more challenging. Here’s a quick guide to their differences:

As you can see, all slang is colloquial, but not all colloquial language is slang. Just remember, colloquial expressions are informal but widely understood, while slang tends to be more temporary or niche. 

Curious about slang trends? Promova’s brainrot language course and Brainrot slang blog are fun ways to learn about modern online speech patterns and stay straight bussin’. No cap.

Spice up your speech with established slang

You could say that colloquialisms are slang when they first begin. As language evolves, the slang we were saying yesterday can become today’s everyday speech. In fact, phrases like “cool” and “hang out” started as slang, but now, we use them in our everyday language. They graduated to standard colloquial expressions.

Being able to pepper some colloquial and slang terms into your chats helps you sound more authentic and confident in casual English. It’s also a fun way to understand pop culture, memes, and online communities—the cornerstones of modern communication.

Colloquial language around the world

Thanks to the magic of words, colloquialisms can change dramatically from country to country, even when you’re speaking the same language. To give you an idea of what we mean, here are some examples of how different regions use English colloquial language in their own special flavor.

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English colloquialism examples

As you can see, these expressions help us feel and connect through language. And no matter where in the world you are, they lend a warmness to our speech that formal language just can’t beat.

Common English colloquial expressions

Ready to get your colloquial language on? Next time you’re speaking English, sprinkle some of these common examples of colloquialism in. You’ll be amazed at how natural your English sounds, and it’ll help you recognise other people using informal speech in daily conversations. 

Keep your eyes peeled and ears open, and you’ll probably find colloquialisms everywhere, including movies, songs, and chats with friends. As you learn more of them, it’ll help you understand English as it’s really spoken, and not just as it’s written. 

Psst, practice your pronunciation of colloquialism to make your speech sound even more natural.

Tips on using colloquialisms in your speech and writing

It can totally feel daunting to start using colloquialisms all willy-nilly in your everyday conversations and written communication. First, you need to learn how to use them correctly and in balance, so that your language is friendly and relatable. Here are some tips on how to do it:

• Match the setting you’re in

Timing is everything with colloquial expressions. Keep them confined to casual situations, like with friends or at a workplace where you’re comfortable with coworkers. Avoid them in job applications, formal emails, or academic essays.

• Listen and Imitate

Consume as much media as possible in the language you’re learning to see how they use informal language. Watch movies, podcasts, YouTube videos, and TV series, all in the name of education. 

• Learn your regional phrases

Remember, what’s common in the U.S. might be out of place in the U.K. Take some time to learn what other speakers in your area are saying, and try to determine if it’s a regional or global phrase.

• Avoid overusing colloquialisms

Colloquialisms are a beautiful thing, but too many of them can make your speech sound messy. Only use them to add warmth and color to your language, and keep your grammar and clarity intact.

• Practise in conversations

Language learning is active. When you chat online, during lessons, or using interactive speaking tools, throw your newly learned colloquialisms in to see how they land. 

Speak naturally and casually with Promova

Ready to graduate from textbook English to the real deal? Promova can help you master colloquialisms, adding an instant boost of warmth and personality to your language. Whether you’re learning English, Spanish, or another language, we make it fun and effective, so you’re learning how native speakers really communicate. 

Here’s how Promova can help you nail those colloquialisms: 

Practice and role play with AI

The best way to learn a language is through experience. But it’s not always easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger on the street. Get real-time speaking experience with Promova’s AI-driven role play. Talk through real-world scenarios, like ordering a matcha or catching up with friends, and your AI friend will give you instant corrections. 

Access your very own AI tutor

Having your own personal Promova AI Tutor that gives you grammar tips, vocabulary explanations, and personalised feedback? Promova delivers. Your AI tutor can adapt lessons to your goals and proficiency, so it’s perfect for mastering colloquial language step-by-step.

• Join our global community of learners

Connect with our community of learners through Promova’s English Conversation Club and live the language you’re speaking. You can explore English idioms, school yourself on formal vs informal English, and even indulge yourself in some brainrot language trends to keep up with the cool kids.

Beating the final boss of English

Learning formal language is one thing, but being able to add warmth and color to your words? Magical. As the heartbeat of language, colloquialisms help us bond with friends, express our culture, and bring life to our words. And Promova is here to make learning them a whole lot easier.

Our AI-powered tools and self-learning resources mean you move from textbook English to real-life English. Master colloquialisms and level up your English abilities with your personalised language learning platform, Promova.