What British People Say vs. What They Really Mean!

kirsteen310
Jun 4
3 min read

Have you ever spoken to a Brit and not fully understood what they were saying?

You thought you had a good understanding of the English language,yet you walk away slightly confused?

Don't worry! You're not alone. British English is full of polite phrases, dry humour and subtle understatements. Here's a lighthearted guide to help you decode what British people 'say' and what they actually mean.

It's polite and common to ask someone how they are when you see them.

For example:

Hi, how are you?

A common reply to this is:

''Not bad"

What you hear: They are ok.
What they mean: They are actually quite good.

Many Brits tend to downplay things. Even if they're feeling great, they are likely to minimize it.

On the other hand, they may say:

"I'm fine"

What you hear: Everything is ok.
What they mean: Everything is definitely not ok.

The phrase "I'm fine" often conceals unspoken complexities and emotions, serving as a protective barrier against further inquiry or emotional exposure.

Enjoy hanging out with friends? Of course, we all love to catch up with friends and to relax or do something fun, however, sometimes we just want to chill out on the sofa and shut out the world.

So, you invite someone out and they say:

"I might join you later".

What you hear: They're considering it.
What they mean: They probably won't join you.

So, essentially, the phrase "I might join you later" serves as a polite yet ambiguous response that often reflects a reluctance to commit, suggesting that the person is unlikely to participate in the proposed activity.

So, you're out with friends and they ask your opinion on something or perhaps they invite you to go somewhere such as a hike or a football game.

Then you hear:

"I'm not to keen on that".

What you hear: I'm unsure
What they mean: I really don't like it.

Essentially, saying 'I'm not keen', softens the blow. It would seem almost rude to be completely honest and say you don't like something, so you can use this phrase and avoid the confrontation.

We've all had that situation where we see an old friend from school or a previous job. Perhaps it's been months or even years since you last saw them. You talk for a little while, asking all the usual questions 'how's your family', 'how's work?', 'what have you been up to recently?'

Then, it's time to part ways and you hear this phrase:

"We must have a catch-up soon!".

What you hear: Let's meet up.
What they mean: We probably won't.

This might come across as impolite or feel like you're being dishonest, but in reality, both parties typically understand that a meeting won't happen. It's simply a courteous way to part ways and leave each other with a positive feeling.

How do you say goodbye in English? Honestly, there are so many ways to say goodbye, from see you 'later to goodbye', 'have a nice day'. We have a great phrase whether you're on the phone or at a friends house and it's getting near the end of the conversation.

You may hear this phrase:

"I'll let you go".

What they say: I am keeping you, but I must let you get on.
What they mean: I want to leave.

Perhaps you've got things to do or maybe you just want to get home and relax. This last phrase is a great one to use. Again, this is a polite way to say goodbye and part ways. It implies you understand that the other person needs to go and you're being respectful. When in reality, it's you who wants to go, you're just softening that blow.

Why does this matter for English Learners?

Understanding these phrases helps you:

Avoid miscommunication
Pick up on cultural cues
Sound more natural in conversation

British English is rich in charm and nuance. The more you listen, the better you'll become at reading between the lines. Let's face it, discovering these small subtleties and cultural habits is quite enjoyable.