2021-07-26 Obvs – The English We Speak

Summary

Some things are obvious but maybe this word isn’t. Neil gets to use it a lot in this programme because, obviously, he wants to teach you a new word. ‘Obvs’ can replace ‘obvious’ and ‘obviously’ in a very informal way.

Transcript

Jiaying
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with you, Neil….

Neil
… and you, Jiaying.

Jiaying
And, as always, we’ll be teaching you a useful and informal English phrase or word.

Neil
Obvs!

Jiaying
Excuse me?

Neil
Obvs! Isn’t that what we always do?

Jiaying
Err, yes Neil, I suppose we do. So, what are we teaching today?

Neil
Isn’t that obvs?

Jiaying
Oh, I get it. You want to talk about the word ‘obvs’, obvs! ‘Obvs’ is a short or slang way of saying ‘obviously’ – which means ‘in a way that’s clear or easy to understand’. So, Neil, shall we hear some examples of this word?

Neil
Obvs!

Examples
If you’re making tea, you’ll find the milk in the fridge – obvs!

Our football team is the best in the world – obvs!

It’s obvs that you’ve forgotten my birthday – you didn’t buy me a present!

Jiaying
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English, and we’re talking about a short and slang form of the word ‘obviously’ which is, Neil?

Neil
Obvs – obviously!

Jiaying
As you can see, it can sound a bit rude when you say it to someone – so be careful who you say it to.

Neil
Who would get offended by a small word like ‘obvs’?

Jiaying
Well, some things aren’t always obvious to everyone. Like today is your turn to make the tea – obvs!

Neil
How rude!

Jiaying
Thanks, Neil.

Neil
OK, I’ll go and make the tea. Bye.