You Speak Excellent English. Canadians Still Can’t Always Tell. Here’s Why.
There is a specific experience that many Nigerians describe in their first few weeks in Canada. You say something perfectly correct — something you would find in any grammar textbook — and the Canadian across from you pauses just slightly before responding. Not because they did not understand. But because something in the register felt slightly off. Too formal. Too careful. Like a cover letter in a conversation.
Nigerian English is one of the most grammatically precise variants of English on the planet. We were taught by teachers who took the rules seriously, and it shows. The problem is not your English. The problem is that Canadian English, particularly in casual contexts, runs on a different register entirely — one built around informality, brevity, and idiomatic expressions that never appeared in any of our secondary school textbooks.
Understanding this gap matters not just for social comfort, but practically, if you are preparing for the CELPIP test, which assesses your ability to communicate in everyday Canadian contexts rather than in academic ones. Here are the expressions you will encounter, what they mean, and how to use them naturally.
The Greetings That Are Not Really About How You Are
The first category of Canadian English expressions that trips up newcomers is the greeting — specifically, greetings that look like questions but are not actually inviting detailed answers.
“How’s it going?” — A greeting, not a question about your wellbeing
The natural Nigerian response to “Hello, how are you?” is “I am fine, thank you, and you?” This is correct. It is also slightly formal for Canadian daily life. “How’s it going?” is the more common opening, and the expected response is brief and casual: “Pretty good, thanks” or simply “Not bad.” Canadians are not asking for a status update. It is closer to a verbal wave.
“I’m good” — I’m fine / I don’t need anything
When someone offers you something and you decline, “I’m good” is the natural response. “No, thank you, I am fine” is not wrong, but “I’m good” signals fluency in the casual register that Canadians use constantly. You will also hear it as a general wellness response: “How are you?” “I’m good.”
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The Agreements and Affirmations
“Sounds good” — I agree / that works for me
When someone suggests a plan or a time and you agree, “Sounds good” is the standard casual response. It is versatile, warm, and low-friction. “I concur with that arrangement” is not wrong but will produce the slight pause we discussed earlier.
“For sure” — Definitely / absolutely / I agree
This is one of the most commonly used affirmations in Canadian English. “Are you joining us tomorrow?” “For sure.” It means yes with emphasis, though it is delivered casually rather than enthusiastically. Think of it as a relaxed “Absolutely.”
“No worries” — You’re welcome / that’s fine / don’t apologize
If you thank a Canadian or apologize for something minor, “No worries” is the most common response. It is simultaneously “you’re welcome,” “don’t worry about it,” and “it’s fine.” The Nigerian equivalent might be “Don’t worry yourself,” which is actually quite close in meaning but sounds slightly more formal.
The Action Phrases
“Give me a shout” — Contact me / let me know
This one catches Nigerians off guard because taken literally it suggests someone should raise their voice. It simply means “reach out to me” or “contact me when you’re ready.” “Give me a shout when you want to reschedule” means “Let me know when you want to reschedule.”
“Grab a coffee / grab lunch” — Have coffee / have lunch together
Canadians use “grab” as an informal substitute for “have” in the context of food, drinks, and casual plans. “Let’s grab a coffee” means “Let’s get together for coffee.” Nobody is grabbing anything. It is simply a casual way of proposing the activity.
“Hang out” — Spend casual time together
“We’re hanging out after work” means an informal gathering with no fixed agenda. “Do you want to hang out this weekend?” is an invitation to spend time together without necessarily having a plan. It is the Canadian equivalent of “come and chill.”
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The One You Should Know Before You Enter Any Building
“The washroom” — The toilet / restroom / bathroom
In Nigeria, we say “toilet,” “bathroom,” or in formal settings, “restroom.” In Canada, the universal term is “washroom.” If you ask someone where the “toilet” is, they will understand, but “excuse me, where’s the washroom?” is what you will hear and what you should use. It matters particularly in formal and professional settings.
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The Polite Exit Strategy
“Take a rain check” — Can’t do it now but would like to another time
“Want to go for lunch?” “I can’t today. Can I take a rain check?” This idiom means you cannot accept the offer right now but you would like to do it on another occasion. It is a polite way of declining without closing the door. Very useful in professional networking contexts when you want to keep a relationship warm but cannot commit at the moment.
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The Famous One
“Eh?” — Right? / Isn’t it? / Do you agree?
The most stereotyped Canadian expression is also one of the most genuinely used, though less constantly than international impressions suggest. “Eh” is appended to the end of statements to invite agreement or make a comment feel more conversational and friendly. “Pretty cold today, eh?” “That was a good match, eh?” It is the Canadian version of Nigerian “na wa” when used as a conversational softener, though the register is lighter and does not carry the same weight of exasperation.
💡 If you are preparing for the CELPIP, free practice tests are available through the official CELPIP website. Use them not just to practice the format but to expose yourself to the specific types of Canadian English conversations the test assesses.
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The expressions in this piece are not slang. They are the everyday language of Canadian workplaces, neighbourhoods, and social situations. Knowing them does not make you less Nigerian. It makes you more equipped for the specific linguistic environment you are living in now.
You already speak excellent English. This is just the Canadian version of the operating system.
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Go well.
Until next time,
