Banter
BAN-ter /ˈbæntə/
Informal Neutral
What it really means
Playful, joking conversation between friends, often teasing each other. British people value banter, but it can feel harsh if you are not used to it — it is usually meant kindly.
Chinese explanation
朋友之间互相调侃、开玩笑式的聊天。英国人很看重 banter，不习惯的人可能觉得话有点冲，但通常没有恶意。
Example conversation
A: Why do they keep making fun of each other?
B: It's just banter — it means they're mates.
A：他们怎么老是互相取笑？
B：那只是打趣而已——说明他们关系好。
All British Slang
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake