Survival Phrases

Use these phrases to say hello and talk about yourself when you meet someone for the first time.

Use these phrases to make light conversation with co-workers, neighbors, and new friends.

Use these phrases to end a conversation and leave politely.

Use these everyday phrases to say thank you, say sorry, and get someone's attention politely.

Use these phrases to ask about someone's free time, invite them out, and agree on a time and place to meet.

Use these phrases to congratulate people on their successes and celebrate special events with friends or colleagues.

Use these phrases to talk about your family and ask other people about theirs.

Use these phrases to politely say no to an invitation or an offer.

Use these phrases to call a restaurant to book a table or ask about their menu.

Use these phrases to order food and ask for recommendations at a restaurant.

Use these phrases to order a drink, choose your milk, and pay at a café counter.

Use these phrases to tell restaurant staff about your food allergies or special diet.

Use these phrases when you are ready to pay for your food and drink at a restaurant.

Use these simple phrases to order drinks and pay at a bar.

Here are some useful phrases for ordering food to your home or taking it with you from a restaurant.

Use these simple phrases to order food, choose sizes, and pay at a fast-food restaurant.

Use these simple phrases to order bread, pastries, meat, or cheese at a bakery or deli.

Use these phrases to order food and pay at a street stall.

Use these phrases when you arrive at the airport check-in desk.

Use these phrases when you go through airport security and follow the officer's instructions.

Use these phrases when you talk to an immigration or customs officer at the airport.

Use these phrases when you buy train tickets at the station and ask about times, platforms, and delays.

Use these phrases when you travel by bus or train.

Use these phrases to tell a taxi or rideshare driver where to go, give instructions, and pay for your trip.

Use these phrases to ask for help finding places and to understand directions on the street.

Use these phrases when you travel by plane and need help from the crew or other passengers.

Use these phrases when you visit a tourist office to get maps, find top sights, and plan your trip.

Use these everyday phrases when you arrive at your hotel to get your room and ask important questions.

Use these phrases when you need information from hotel staff.

Use these phrases when you leave a hotel and pay your bill.

Use these phrases to ask for a room, check the price, and change your dates at a hotel.

Use these phrases to communicate with your host when you stay at a short-term rental.

Use these phrases to check in, follow the rules, and make new friends at a hostel.

Use these phrases when you are shopping for clothes and need to ask about sizes, colors, or trying things on.

Use these phrases when you are shopping for fresh food at a market or grocery store.

Use these phrases when you shop at a market and want to negotiate a lower price.

Use these phrases when you are paying for your groceries at the supermarket.

Use these phrases to ask questions, compare products, and buy things at an electronics store.

Use these phrases to ask for recommendations, check prices, and buy gifts in a souvenir shop.

Use these phrases to ask staff about items, sizes, and stock when you are shopping.

Use these phrases in a shoe store to ask for your size, try shoes on, and talk about the fit.

Use these simple phrases when you buy medicine or ask a pharmacist for help.

Use these phrases to call a clinic, talk to the staff, and get a time to see a doctor.

Use these phrases when you have an emergency and need to see a doctor at the hospital.

Use these phrases when you visit an optician to test your eyes or get new glasses.

Use these phrases to find cash machines, ask about fees, and get help with your card.

Use these phrases when you need to buy or sell foreign currency at a bank or exchange office.

Use these phrases when you want to buy a mobile phone plan or SIM card in a new country.

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

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

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

Use these phrases when you visit a new gym.

Use these phrases to make, change, or cancel your visits and meetings.

Use these phrases when you need to fix your phone or tablet at a repair shop.

Use these simple phrases when you visit a spa or nail salon.

Use these phrases when you visit a tailor for clothes alterations.

Use these phrases to call for help and explain your emergency clearly.

Use these phrases when you need help, are lost, or do not understand someone in an emergency.

Use these phrases to stay safe during a fire or evacuation.

Use these phrases on your first day at work.

Use these common phrases to ask questions and sign up for a new class.

Use these phrases to ask your boss for time away from work for a trip or when you are sick.