Speaking

Survival Phrases

The exact phrases you need for real life abroad — with practice dialogues and audio, for every level.

Practice pronunciation
Language
ALL LEVELSA1A2B1B2C1
ALL TOPICS Greetings & Socializing Eating & Drinking Out Travel & Transport Hotels & Accommodation Shopping & Money Health & Pharmacy Banking & Daily Admin Renting & Housing Everyday Services Emergencies & Safety Work & Study

Renting & Housing

Finding a place, utilities, and repairs.

B1

Viewing an Apartment

Use these phrases when you visit an apartment, ask about costs, and check what is included.

B2

Viewing an Apartment

Use these phrases when viewing an apartment to ask the landlord or agent essential questions about the property, costs, and terms.

B1

Renting & the Lease

Use these phrases to ask important questions and agree on terms when you are renting a new apartment or house.

B2

Renting & the Lease

Use these phrases to negotiate rental terms, understand your legal responsibilities, and successfully sign a new lease.

C1

Renting & the Lease

Use these selected phrases to confidently navigate property viewings, clarify strict legal obligations, and negotiate the nuanced terms of a rental agreement with a landlord or leasing agent. At the advanced level, securing an apartment involves far more than simply asking about the monthly price. You are expected to dissect the fine print, gently push back on unfavorable clauses, and protect your long-term financial interests. Whether you are inquiring about buyout penalties, confirming maintenance stipulations, or ensuring your deposit is legally safeguarded, this vocabulary is essential. It helps you project competence and authority while maintaining an appropriately pragmatic conversational tone throughout the demanding leasing process.

B2

Setting Up Utilities

These phrases will help you successfully navigate phone conversations to activate, transfer, or manage your home utility services.

B1

Setting Up Utilities

Use these phrases when you need to connect your utilities, provide meter readings, or sort out billing for a new home.

B1

Repairs & Maintenance

Use these phrases to report problems in your home and ask your landlord or property manager for repairs.

A2

Repairs & Maintenance

Use these phrases when you need to contact your landlord or building manager to report a problem and ask for a repair.

B1

Talking to Neighbors

These phrases will help you introduce yourself to new neighbors, handle issues like noise or packages, and ask for small favors.

A2

Talking to Neighbors

Use these phrases to meet the people living near you, ask for small favors, or solve everyday problems.

B1

Trash & Recycling Rules

Use these phrases to ask your caretaker or landlord about the waste and recycling rules in your new home.

A2

Trash & Recycling Rules

Use these phrases to ask about trash rules and recycling in your new apartment.

B1

Furnishing Your Place

Use these practical phrases to ask the right questions about stock, dimensions, and delivery when buying furniture for your home.