student asking question

What does "mate" mean? When can I use it?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Great question. The phrase "mate" is very common in the UK, New Zealand and Australia. The meaning of "mate" and "friend" are pretty much interchangeable. You use the phrase "mate" to refer to your close friends. This is when you use “mate” because you don’t know someone or just to make it quick.You will hear this everywhere in Australia, the UK and New Zealand – at the shops, when someone opens the door for you, when someone at work helps you with something. Ex: How's your mate Roger doing? Ex: Oh be nice, she's my best mate. Ex: Hold the door mate! Ex: We've been mates for years.

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