Survival Phrases
The exact phrases you need for real life abroad — with practice dialogues and audio, for every level.
Greetings & Socializing
Meeting people, small talk, and everyday politeness.
Greetings & Introductions
Use these greeting phrases when you meet someone for the first time in everyday situations.
Making Small Talk
These phrases help you start a friendly conversation with someone you have just met. You can use them at events, meetings, or while waiting in line. They are simple, polite, and work well in everyday situations like cafés or parks. Using them shows interest and makes the other person feel comfortable quickly. Feel free to adapt the wording to match your own style and the context.
Saying Goodbye
Two friends meet at the station, chat briefly, and realize the train is about to leave. They exchange polite goodbye phrases, wishing each other a safe journey and good health. One mentions the train departure time, while the other notes they will message next week. They promise to keep in touch, agreeing that a quick text will be enough for now. As the train doors close, they wave and say their final farewells before parting ways.
Thanking & Apologizing
These expressions help you show gratitude, apologize politely, or ask to move past someone in everyday situations. You can use them when thanking a friend, replying to a compliment, or apologising for a small mistake. They are also useful when you need to pass someone in a crowd or interrupt a conversation politely. Using the right phrase shows respect and keeps communication smooth and friendly. Practice them often so they become natural in your daily English interactions.
Invitations & Making Plans
Making plans with friends can sometimes be difficult when everyone is busy with work. If you want to suggest a meeting, you can check their availability for the weekend. People often decide to meet in a cafe or they may choose to go out. You might need to decline an invitation politely because you have already made other plans. However, you can still suggest another time that is more convenient for your schedule.
Making Friends
Use these practical phrases to build deeper connections and talk about shared interests with new friends.
Giving Opinions & Disagreeing
Use these phrases when you want to share your opinion or disagree politely during conversations.
Congratulations & Celebrations
Use these phrases to congratulate people on their achievements and celebrate special events with them.
Talking About Family
Use these phrases when you want to discuss your family and ask other people about theirs.
Saying No Politely
Use these phrases when you want to decline an invitation or an offer without sounding rude.
Eating & Drinking Out
Restaurants, cafés, bars, and ordering food.
Making a Restaurant Reservation
You can use these helpful phrases when you want to book a table at a local restaurant.
Ordering at a Restaurant
You can use these useful phrases when you eat out at a restaurant and need to order food.
Allergies & Dietary Needs
Use these phrases when you are ordering food at a restaurant and need to explain your dietary needs.
Sending Food Back & Complaints
Use these phrases when you have a problem with your food or service at a restaurant.
Paying & Splitting the Bill
Use these expressions when you have finished your meal and you want to pay the restaurant bill.
Ordering Drinks at a Bar
Use these helpful phrases when you visit a bar to order drinks and pay your bill.
Takeaway & Delivery
Use these phrases when you want to order food for takeaway or delivery, and when resolving order issues.
Travel & Transport
Airports, trains, taxis, and getting around.
Checking in at the Airport
Use these phrases when you arrive at the airport and need to check in for your flight.
Going Through Security
Use these essential phrases when you are going through the airport security check before your flight.
Customs & Immigration
Use these phrases when you are passing through customs and immigration control at the airport.
Reporting Lost Luggage
Use these helpful phrases when your suitcase has not arrived at the airport baggage carousel.
Buying Train Tickets
Use these phrases when you are travelling by train and need to buy tickets or ask for information.
Using Buses & the Metro
Use these phrases when you travel around a city by bus or metro and need help from local people.
Taking a Taxi or Rideshare
Use these English expressions when you travel by taxi or rideshare in a city.
Asking for Directions
If you get lost in a foreign city, these phrases will help you ask for directions.
Renting a Car
Use these essential phrases when you want to rent a car for your holiday.
On the Plane
These essential English phrases will help you communicate clearly with staff and passengers on a plane.
Missed or Delayed Connection
Use these phrases when your flight or train is delayed and you need to rebook your travel.
At the Tourist Office
You can use these polite phrases when you visit a local tourist information office.
Renting a Bike or Scooter
Use these phrases when you want to rent a bicycle or a scooter in a city.
Hotels & Accommodation
Checking in, problems, and amenities.
Checking into a Hotel
Use these essential phrases when you arrive at a hotel and want to check in.
Hotel Room Problems
Use these phrases when you experience issues with your hotel room and need to ask for help.
Asking About Hotel Amenities
You can use these practical phrases to ask for services and find hotel amenities during your stay.
Checking Out
Use these phrases when you are ready to leave your hotel and need to pay.
Booking a Room
Use these phrases when you want to book a room or change your hotel reservation.
Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals
Use these phrases when you stay in a holiday apartment and need to talk to your host.
Staying at a Hostel
Use these English phrases when you are staying at a hostel to communicate with staff and other travelers.
Extending Your Stay
Use these English phrases when you want to extend your stay at a hotel.
Shopping & Money
Stores, markets, prices, and paying.
Buying Clothes
These phrases will help you communicate effectively with shop assistants when you are buying clothes.
Prices & Bargaining
Use these phrases when you are shopping and need to ask about prices or negotiate a better deal.
Returns & Exchanges
Use these phrases when you need to return or exchange a faulty or wrong item at a store.
At the Electronics Store
Use these phrases when you shop for devices and ask for advice in an electronics store.
Souvenirs & Gifts
Use these expressions when you want to buy local gifts for your friends or family.
Health & Pharmacy
Doctors, pharmacies, and describing symptoms.
At the Pharmacy
Making a Doctor Appointment
Use these phrases when you need to book an appointment with a local doctor because you feel unwell.
Describing Symptoms
Use these phrases when you need to explain your health problems to a doctor or pharmacist.
At the Dentist
Use these phrases when you visit a dentist and need to explain a tooth problem.
At the Hospital / ER
Use these phrases when you need to register and explain your emergency at a hospital.
At the Optician
Use these English phrases when you visit the optician to get your eyes tested or buy new glasses.
Getting a Test or Vaccine
Use these phrases when you need to book a health test or receive a vaccine at a clinic.
Banking & Daily Admin
Banks, post office, phone, and internet.
Opening a Bank Account
Use these essential English phrases when you visit a bank to open a new account.
Exchanging Money
Use these essential phrases when you need to exchange your cash at a bank or airport.
At the Post Office
Use these phrases when you need to send letters and packages at a local post office.
Getting a Phone / SIM Card
Use these phrases when you need to buy a SIM card for your phone.
Residency & ID Registration
Use these phrases when you register your new address and apply for a residency card.
Filing a Complaint
Use these phrases when you need to complain about mistakes on your bank account.
Getting a Library Card
Use these phrases when you need to register for a library card and understand the local rules.
Renting & Housing
Finding a place, utilities, and repairs.
Viewing an Apartment
Use these helpful phrases when you are looking at a new apartment with a landlord.
Renting & the Lease
Use these phrases when you are renting a new home and signing the contract.
Setting Up Utilities
Use these phrases when you are moving house and need to connect your utilities.
Repairs & Maintenance
Use these phrases when you need to report a maintenance problem to your landlord or property manager.
Talking to Neighbors
These simple phrases will help you communicate politely when you need to speak with your neighbors.
Trash & Recycling Rules
Use these phrases when you need to discuss trash and recycling rules with your caretaker.
Furnishing Your Place
Use these phrases when you are shopping for furniture to decorate your new apartment.
Everyday Services
Hairdresser, laundry, gym, and appointments.
At the Hairdresser
You can use these phrases when you visit a hairdresser to get your hair cut and styled.
Laundry & Dry Cleaning
Use these phrases when you visit a laundry or dry cleaner to clean your dirty clothes.
Joining a Gym
Use these phrases when you want to ask about membership options and join a local gym.
Booking an Appointment
Use these phrases when you need to book, change, or cancel a meeting with a service provider.
At the Mechanic
Use these phrases when you need to discuss car repairs with a mechanic.
Phone & Device Repair
Use these phrases when you visit a shop to repair your damaged mobile phone.
Spa, Nails & Massage
Use these phrases when you want to book treatments or discuss details at a beauty salon.
Tailor & Alterations
Use these phrases when you visit a tailor to alter or repair your everyday clothes.
Emergencies & Safety
Getting help fast when something goes wrong.
Calling Emergency Services
Use these phrases when you need to contact emergency services during an urgent situation.
A Medical Emergency
Use these intermediate phrases when you must manage a serious medical emergency.
Lost or Stolen Items
Use these phrases if you have lost your personal items or someone has stolen them.
Car Accident or Breakdown
You can use these practical phrases if your car has broken down or if you have an accident.
Reporting a Crime
You should use these phrases when you need to report a theft to the local police.
Fire & Evacuation
Use these phrases when you need to escape a building during a fire emergency.
Work & Study
Interviews, the workplace, and enrolling in courses.
A Job Interview
Use these phrases during a job interview to talk about your experience and ask important questions.
Your First Day at Work
Use these useful phrases when you start your new job to communicate politely with colleagues.
In Meetings
Use these phrases when you need to participate in business meetings and share your progress with colleagues.
Enrolling in a Course
Use these phrases when you visit a school to sign up for a new English class.
Asking for Time Off
Use these phrases when you need to ask your boss for time off from work.
Work Email & Phone Calls
Use these phrases when you need to write emails or talk on the phone at work.
University Admin
Use these phrases when you visit the university registrar to manage your academic studies and payments.
At a Networking Event
Use these intermediate English phrases when you attend professional events and meet new business contacts.