BASIC PHRASES

INTRODUCTION

Hello, I'm very pleased to meet you.

Do you speak English?

Do you speak <Target Language>?

Do you understand English?

Do you understand this Language?

Let us use this machine to talk together.

The machine cannot translate your words for me.

The machine only works from my language to yours.

This is a computer translator.

Raise your hand if you understand.

I do not understand your language.

Answer my question yes or no.

Move your head like this for yes.

Move your head like this for no.

Squeeze my hand once for yes.

Squeeze my hand twice for no.

Do you mean yes?

Do you mean no?

Yes!

No!

Describe it with gestures.

Hold up the number of fingers.

Show the number with your fingers.

Point to it.

Is this what you wish to say?

I understand.

I do not understand.

Do what I ask.

Do you know where you are?

Do you know who I am?

No one here speaks your language.

Please repeat.

Thank you for talking with me.

We are here to help you.

What do you want?

I will get it for you.

Please write it down.

GREETINGS

Good morning.

Good afternoon.

Good evening.

Good night.

Hello.

Goodbye.

See you soon.

See you later.

See you tomorrow.

How are you?

Fine?

Better?

Not too good?

Not too bad?

How old are you?

My age is….

I will talk with you again.

COURTESY

Please.

Thank you.

You are welcome.

Sorry.

Excuse me.

It doesn't matter.

ASKING FOR HELP

Excuse me sir.

Excuse me ma'am.

Excuse me miss.

I'm sorry.

I'm a tourist.

I'm an American citizen.

Please take me to the American Embassy.

I don't speak <Target Language>

I speak very little of your language.

I understand a little.

Please speak more slowly.

May I ask a question?

Could you help me?

Where is the bathroom?

Leave me alone.

Get lost!

EMERGENCIES

Watch out!

Fire!

Help!

Stop!

I need help quick!

Can you help me?

Police!

I need a policeman!

It's an emergency!

That person is a thief!

Stop him!

Stop her!

My pocketbook has been stolen.

My wallet has been stolen.

My passport has been stolen.

My watch has been stolen.

I've lost something.

I've lost my suitcase.

I've lost my money.

I've lost my glasses.

I've lost my car keys.

EXPRESSIONS OF TIME

At what time?

What time is it?

When does it begin?

Show me on the watch.

Now

Early

Earlier

Late

Later

Before

After

Soon

On time

In the morning

In the afternoon

In the evening

Midnight

Noon

At night

Tomorrow morning

The day after tomorrow

Yesterday

The day before yesterday

In a week

Next week

Last week

Next month

Last month

Next year

Last year

How long ago?

How many minutes ago?

How many hours ago?

How many days ago?

How many weeks ago?

How many months ago?

How many years ago?

What month was it?

What year was it?

I will return in a few minutes.

I will return in a few hours.

I will return in a few days.

I will return later.

I will return soon.

Seconds

Minutes

Hours

Days

Nights

Weeks

Months

Years

DAYS, MONTHS, AND SEASONS

What is today's date?

What day is it?

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

WEATHER

What's the weather like?

It's nice today.

It's not too nice today.

It's windy.

It's hot.

It's cold.

It's sunny.

It's cloudy.

It's rainy.

It's not snowing now.

NUMBERS

Write the number here.

Zero

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen

Twenty

Thirty

Forty

Fifty

Sixty

Seventy

Eighty

Ninety

One hundred

Two hundred

Three hundred

Four hundred

Five hundred

Six hundred

Seven hundred

Eight hundred

Nine hundred

One thousand

Two thousand

Three thousand

Four thousand

Five thousand

Six thousand

Seven thousand

Eight thousand

Nine thousand

Ten thousand

One million

Two million

ORDINAL NUMBERS

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Fifth

Sixth

Seventh

Eighth

Ninth

Tenth

QUANTITIES

Once

Twice

Three times

Four times

Five times

Six times

Seven times

Eight times

Nine times

Ten times

Last

One half

On third

One quarter

Percent

How frequently?

Every….

Once a day

Twice a day

Four times a day

Six times a day

More?

Less?

How long?

For…..

For five minutes

For ten minutes

For thirty minutes

For one hour

For two hours

For four hours

COLORS

Red

Yellow

Green

Blue

White

Brown

Orange

Purple

Black

Gold

Silver

QUESTION WORDS

Who?

What?

Why?

When?

Where?

Where from?

Where to?

How?

How much?

How many?

CURRENCY

CHANGING MONEY

Where can I change some money?

Where can I change dollars?

Where can I cash this check?

Where can I cash travelers checks?

Is the bank open now?

Do you accept personal checks?

Do you accept bank drafts?

Do you accept cashier's checks?

Do you accept money orders?

How much is the dollar worth?

How much is your currency worth?

Do you need my identification?

Do you need my passport?

Do you need other documents?

Where do I sign?

May I have small bills?

May I have large bills?

May I have some large bills and small bills?

May I have some coins?

May I have the rest in change?

PAYING THE BILL

How much does it cost?

I would like the bill.

How much do I owe you?

Is service included?

This is for you.

AT THE AIRPORT

CLEARING CUSTOMS

I'm American.

I'm English.

I'm Canadian.

My name is…

I am staying with friends.

I am staying at a hotel.

I am here on vacation

I'm just passing through.

I'm here on a business trip.

I'll be here for a few days.

I'll be here for a week.

I'll be here for several weeks.

I'll be here for a month.

I have nothing to declare.

Of course.

What are these?

These are personal effects.

These are gifts.

Do I have to pay duty?

Have a nice stay.

LUGGAGE AND PORTERS

I need a porter.

I need a baggage cart.

Here is my luggage.

Here are my suitcases.

Here are my bags.

Take my bags to the taxi.

Take my bags to the bus.

Take my bags to the sidewalk.

Please be careful!

How much is it?

Do you know where the airline is?

Where is the information booth?

Where is the ticket counter?

Where is the luggage check in?

Where do I pay airport tax?

AIRPORT SERVICES

Where is the lost baggage office?

Where is the duty free shop?

Where is the money exchange?

Where is the bus stop?

Where is the taxi stand?

Where is the hotel shuttle?

Where is the train station?

Where can I rent a car?

FINDING YOUR WAY

TAKING A TAXI

Is this taxi available?

Is this taxi occupied?

Do you know this address?

Please take me to the hotel.

Please take me to the train station.

Please take me to the subway station.

Please take me to the airport.

Please take me to the center of town.

Please take me to this address.

Slower, please.

Stop over there.

Meter

Fare

Fixed rate

Tip

ON THE BUS

I'm looking for the bus stop.

Which bus line goes north?

Which bus line goes south?

Which bus line goes east?

Which bus line goes west?

Which bus do I take?

How many stops?

How long does it take?

Can you tell me when to get off?

How much is the fare?

Should I pay when I get on?

Where do I catch the return bus?

How often does the return bus run?

Which is the closest stop to the park?

I would like a ticket.

I would like a receipt.

I would like a reserved seat.

I would like first class.

I would like second class.

I would like a direct bus.

I would like an express bus.

USING THE SUBWAY

Where can I buy a subway ticket?

How much is a subway ticket?

Is there a map for the metro?

Is there a map for the subway?

Which subway do I take to go to….

Which subway do I take?

Can you tell me when we arrive?

USING THE TRAIN

Where can I buy a train ticket?

How much is a train ticket?

When does the train leave for this city?

Is it a local train?

Is it an express train?

Is it a through train?

When does the train leave?

When does the train arrive?

Is the train on time?

Is the train late?

From what platform does it leave?

Does this train stop at this city?

Is there time to eat something?

Is there time to buy something?

Is there time to take pictures?

Is there a dining car?

Is there a sleeping car?

I would like a round trip ticket.

I would like a one way ticket.

Is this seat taken?

Excuse me, I believe this is my seat.

Sorry, this seat is occupied.

It is not taken.

It is not occupied.

I would like a non smoking compartment.

WALKING AROUND

Do you have a map of the city?

Could you show me on the map?

Can I get there on foot?

How far is it?

I'm lost.

Where is this hotel?

Where is this street?

Where is this avenue?

How do I get to the train station?

How do I get to the bus stop?

How do I get to the ticket office?

How do I get to the subway entrance?

How do I get to the airport.

Straight ahead

To the right

To the left

A block away

On the corner

On the square

Facing

Opposite

Across

Next to

Near

Far

ACCOMMODATIONS

HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS AND SERVICES

I would like a room for this many nights.

I would like a room for this many weeks.

How much is it for a day?

How much is it for a week?

Does that include tax?

I have a reservation.

Do you have a room with a private bath?

Do you have a room with air conditioning?

Do you have a room with heat?

Do you have a room with television?

Do you have a room with hot water?

Do you have a room with a balcony?

Do you have a room with a view facing the street?

Do you have a room with a view facing the ocean?

Does the hotel have a restaurant?

Does the hotel have a bar?

Does the hotel have a swimming pool?

Does the hotel have room service?

Does the hotel have a garage?

Does the hotel have a safe deposit box?

Does the hotel have laundry service?

I would like meals included.

I would like breakfast only.

I would like no meals included.

I would like an extra bed.

I would like a baby crib.

I would like another towel.

I would like soap.

I would like clothes hangers.

I would like another blanket.

I would like drinking water.

I would like bottled water.

I would like toilet paper.

This room is very small.

This room is very cold.

This room is very hot.

This room is very dark.

This room is very noisy.

The light does not work.

The heat does not work.

The toilet does not work.

The air conditioner does not work.

The key does not work.

The lock does not work.

The fan does not work.

The outlet does not work.

The television does not work.

May I change to another room?

Is there a beauty parlor?

Is there a barber shop?

Is there a baby sitter?

Is there a gift shop?

I would like to place an order.

Can you recommend a babysitter for my child?

How much do you charge?

Can you stay until midnight?

USING THE TELEPHONE

Operator

May I have an outside line, please?

I would like to make a long distance call.

I would like to make a collect call.

I would like to make a call with time and charges.

I would like to make a person to person call.

I would like to make a credit card call.

Please connect me with this room.

Please connect me with the reception desk.

Please connect me with the dining room.

Please connect me with this telephone number.

Please connect me with room service.

Please connect me with the bell captain.