British English facts for kids

British English is the kind of English language spoken in the United Kingdom. It is also used in many countries that were once part of the British Empire.

How British English Sounds

People across the United Kingdom speak English in many different ways. This means their accents and how they say words can be quite different. For example, someone from near London might say their "r" sounds differently than someone from Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Different parts of the country have their own special accents. In Liverpool, people might speak with a "Scouse" accent. In Birmingham, you might hear a "Brummie" accent. And in London, some people speak with a "Cockney" accent. These are just a few examples of how varied British English can be!

Other Languages in Britain

Besides English, other languages are spoken in Britain. In Wales, many people speak Welsh. In Scotland, some people speak Gaelic. And in Ireland, a few people speak Irish. However, this article focuses on British English.

How British English is Spelled

British English often keeps older, more traditional ways of spelling words compared to American English. Here are some common differences:

• Words ending in "re"

Many British English words end in "re." This spelling often comes from the French language. In American English, these words are usually simplified to "er."

• • British English: centre, litre, metre
  • American English: center, liter, meter

• Words ending in "our"

Some British English words end in "our." This spelling also came from French. American English often simplifies these to "or."

• • British English: colour, favour, honour, labour
  • American English: color, favor, honor, labor

• Words with "ph"

Some British English words that originally came from the Greek language use "ph." In some other languages, this has changed to "f."

• • British English: Sulphur
  • American English: Sulfur

• Words using "s" or "z"

Some words in British English use "s" where American English uses "z." However, you might sometimes see "z" used in British English too, like in the word "citizen."

• • British English: colonisation, realisation, organisation
  • American English: colonization, realization, organization

• The word "gray" or "grey"

The word "gray" is interesting because it's usually spelled "gray" in American English and "grey" in British English. But both spellings can be found in both places!

Many of these spelling rules are also used in other countries outside the United Kingdom. This is especially true in countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Different Words in British English

British and American English sometimes use completely different words for the same thing. Here are some common examples:

• British – American
• accelerator – throttle
• autumn – fall
• biscuit – cookie
• bonnet – hood (of a car)
• boot – trunk (of a car)
• caravan – trailer, mobile home
• chips – French fries
• courgette – zucchini
• crisps – chips
• face flannel – washcloth
• flat – apartment
• football – soccer
• garden – yard
• handbag – purse
• jumper – sweater
• lift – elevator
• lorry – truck
• manual gearbox – stick shift
• metro, underground, tube – subway
• motorway – freeway
• mum – mom
• nappy – diaper
• number plate – license plate
• pants - underpants
• pavement – sidewalk
• pram – stroller
• petrol – gas or gasoline
• phone box - phone booth
• post – mail, mailbox
• railway – railroad
• shopping trolley – shopping cart
• take-away – take-out
• trousers – pants
• torch – flashlight
• tram – streetcar

British English Around the World

While American English is the official language mainly in the United States, British English is widely taught and used in many other countries.

Most Commonwealth countries and many parts of Africa learn British English. On the other hand, American English is often learned in the Americas and in China.

One small but noticeable difference is how the letter "Z" is pronounced. In the U.S.A. and sometimes Canada, it's pronounced "Zee." Almost everywhere else, it's pronounced "Zed."

Also, the keyboards used in the United Kingdom and Ireland have a British layout. Countries like Australia, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S.A. use American layout keyboards. In continental Europe, English as a second language is sometimes taught using American English, though British English is still common in places like Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

See also

In Spanish: Inglés británico para niños