Shopping
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EN: Use 'Welcome to' followed by a place to greet someone arriving at a location.
Welcome to our home.
EN: In English-speaking countries, shopkeepers often greet customers immediately to create a friendly atmosphere, though customers may just reply with a smile or a quick 'Hi'.
EN: Use 'so much' after 'Thank you' to show you are very grateful.
Thank you so much for the gift.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common and polite to say 'Thank you' even for small gestures, like being greeted by a shop assistant.
EN: Use 'How can I...?' to offer help or ask for instructions in a polite way.
How can I open this box?
EN: In English-speaking countries, shop assistants almost always greet customers with this phrase or 'May I help you?' to show they are ready to assist.
EN: Use 'want to' followed by a verb to express a desire or intention to do an action.
I want to drink water.
EN: In Western retail culture, it is common to state your purpose directly when a shop assistant asks 'How can I help you?'.
EN: Use 'What + noun' at the beginning of a question to ask for specific information about a category.
What color do you like?
EN: In English-speaking countries, sizes are often labeled as Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), and Extra Large (XL).
EN: Use 'I need + [noun]' to express a requirement or something you must have.
I need a menu.
EN: In Western clothing stores, sizes are typically labeled as Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), and Extra Large (XL).
EN: Use 'What + noun' to ask for specific information about a category (like color, size, or time).
What food do you like?
EN: In a retail setting, 'OK' is a common way for staff to acknowledge a customer's statement before moving to the next helpful question.
EN: Use 'or' to connect two choices or options.
Do you want tea or coffee?
EN: Use 'Here is...' to point out or hand something to someone nearby.
Here is your coffee.
EN: In retail, staff use this phrase to present options to customers after they express a preference.
EN: Use 'It is + very + adjective' to describe the quality of a thing or an object.
It is very cold.
EN: In Western shopping culture, it is common and polite to express enthusiasm when you like an item. Saying 'Oh, it is very pretty!' shows the shopkeeper you are interested.
EN: When using the phrasal verb 'try on' with a pronoun like 'it', the pronoun must go in the middle.
I like these shoes. Can I try them on?
EN: In many Western clothing stores, it is common and encouraged to try on clothes before buying. Sales assistants will often offer this as soon as they see you interested in an item.
EN: Use 'Where is...?' to ask for the location of a single person or thing.
Where is the restroom?
EN: In many Western clothing stores, you can take items to the fitting room yourself, but it is polite to ask a staff member first or check if there is a limit on the number of items.
EN: Use 'over there' to point to a location that is far from both the speaker and the listener.
The bus stop is over there.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common and polite to use a hand gesture (pointing) when saying 'over there' to help the listener find the location.
EN: Use 'What is the...' to ask for specific information like price, name, or time.
What is the time?
EN: In many English-speaking retail environments, it is common to express enthusiasm ('I love this!') before asking for the price to build a friendly rapport with the shopkeeper.
EN: Use 'The price is + [amount]' to state how much something costs.
The price is ten dollars.
EN: In the US, the dollar sign ($) is written before the number, but when speaking, we say 'dollars' after the number.
EN: Use 'Is there...?' to ask if a single thing exists or is available.
Is there a menu?
EN: In many Western retail stores, prices are fixed, but it is common and polite to ask if there are any ongoing promotions or 'discounts' especially during holiday seasons.
EN: Use 'have' to show that a store or person possesses something or offers a service.
We have a special menu today.
EN: In English, '20% discount' means you pay 80% of the price. In Chinese-speaking cultures, this is often expressed as '8折' (80% of the original price).
EN: Use 'That is' (or 'That's') to point out or identify something you are looking at or have just discussed.
That is a beautiful car.
EN: In many English-speaking retail environments, expressing satisfaction with a price after a discount is a common way to signal that you are ready to complete the purchase.
EN: Use 'will' to express a decision made at the moment of speaking, such as when buying something in a shop.
I will take the blue shirt.
EN: In English-speaking retail environments, 'I will take this' is a standard way to signal to the clerk that you have finished choosing and are ready to purchase.
EN: Use 'Do you + verb' to ask a question about a general action or habit in the present.
Do you like coffee?
EN: In many English-speaking countries, 'by card' is a standard way to ask if someone is using a credit or debit card. It is often contrasted with 'in cash'.
EN: Use 'by' followed by a payment method (card, cash, check) to describe how you are paying.
I pay by cash.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, 'card' usually refers to either a credit card or a debit card. It is very common to use card payments even for small amounts.
EN: Use 'Here is...' to give something to someone or to point out where something is located.
Here is your coffee.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, it is common and polite to say 'Here you go' or 'Here is your...' when handing an item to a customer. The 'p' in 'receipt' is silent.
EN: Use 'Thank you' followed by a person's name to show politeness and build a personal connection.
Thank you, Maria!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is very common and polite to use a person's first name even if you just met them in a service setting like a store.
EN: Use 'Have a nice [time]' to wish someone well when saying goodbye.
Have a nice weekend!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, especially in retail, 'Have a nice day' is a standard way for staff to end an interaction with a customer.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits or looks good.
To use a credit or debit card to make a payment.
A polite way to say goodbye to someone.
A private room in a retail store where customers can try on clothes to check the fit and appearance.
To choose to purchase or buy a specific item.
A method of payment using a credit card or debit card rather than cash.