(AU, NZ, informal) Food.
005. [↑](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Cenat#cite_ref-5)IV, Antonio Pequeño. ["Ninja, Kai Cenat Lead Twitch's Most Followed North American Streamers In 2024—Here's The Full List"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/anto…
Under the _[Engishiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engishiki "Engishiki")_ classification system, Kai was ranked as a "superior country" (上国) in terms of importance, and one of the 16 "middle countries" (中国) in term…
(AU, NZ, informal) Food.
"kai" means food. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
"kai" means food. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
Add your own interpretation of "kai".
Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.
See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.
Browse all slang words starting with K.
(LGBTQ, slang) Sexual activity or intercourse between drag queens.
(slang, dated, UK, Australia, New Zealand) food.
A Maori phrase meaning good, fine, or well done — used in New Zealand English as an expression of approval or encouragement. 'Ka pai' is one of the most commonly borrowed Maori phrases in New Zealand English and is used across contexts by all communities, from classrooms to workplaces to casual conversation. Pronounced approximately 'kah pie.' Its use reflects New Zealand's genuine bicultural engagement with te reo Maori.
(South Africa, slang) A term of approval, equivalent to great or fantastic; cool; excellent.
Describing this contrast, Kai said: > “Kai is me in my dream state.
"kai" is informal English meaning food. It is mainly heard in Australian or New Zealand English. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "food" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "kai" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.
“005. [↑](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Cenat#cite_ref-5)IV, Antonio Pequeño. ["Ninja, Kai Cenat Lead Twitch's Most Followed North American Streamers In 2024—Here's The Full List"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2024/12/27/ninja-kai-cenat-lead-twitchs-most-followed-north-american-streamers-in-2024-heres-the-full-list/). _Forbes_.”
“Under the _[Engishiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engishiki "Engishiki")_ classification system, Kai was ranked as a "superior country" (上国) in terms of importance, and one of the 16 "middle countries" (中国) in terms of distance from the capital.”
“Describing this contrast, Kai said: > “Kai is me in my dream state.”