“I’m keen” Means “I’d Like to Join”

In an everyday Australian invitation, if someone asks, “Want to grab a coffee?”, answering “Yeah, I’m keen” means “Yes, I’d like to”. The tone is positive and informal. Here, keen means interested or eager, not sharp or perceptive.

A: We’re going for a walk after lunch. Are you keen?
B: Yeah, I’m keen.

For a specific action, say “I’m keen to come”. For a thing or activity, say “I’m keen on hiking”. A Chinese speaker who says “I’m interesting” changes the meaning: it describes the speaker as a person who interests other people, not as someone who is interested. This use of keen is not uniquely Australian, but it sounds entirely natural among Australian friends and colleagues. In a formal reply, “I’d be happy to join” is a safer alternative.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/keen
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-14/adult-migrant-english-program-failing-students-educators-say/106438170