Customs & Immigration
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EN: Use 'Welcome to' followed by a place (like a country, city, or home) to greet someone arriving there.
Welcome to our office.
EN: In immigration or customs settings, 'the country' refers to the nation you are currently entering. It is a standard professional greeting used by officers.
EN: Use 'very much' after 'thank you' to show stronger gratitude.
Thank you very much for the gift.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common to use 'Thank you very much' in formal situations like airport customs to show respect to officials.
EN: Use 'May I...?' to ask for permission in a polite and formal way.
May I open the window?
EN: In customs and immigration, officers use formal language. 'May I' is the standard way to request documents from travelers.
EN: Use 'Here it is' when you are handing one single item to someone. If you are handing over multiple items, use 'Here they are'.
Here it is. My passport.
EN: In Western culture, it is considered polite to make eye contact and smile slightly when saying 'Here it is' while handing over documents to an official.
EN: Use 'What is the purpose of...' to ask for the reason why someone is doing something or going somewhere.
What is the purpose of your phone call?
EN: In immigration settings, officers use formal and direct language. 'Purpose of visit' is the standard phrase used worldwide to ask if you are traveling for tourism, work, or study.
EN: Use 'I am here for + [noun]' to explain the reason for your visit or presence in a place.
I am here for a meeting.
EN: When entering a country, immigration officers expect a clear and concise reason for your visit. 'Vacation' or 'Sightseeing' are the most common terms for tourists.
EN: Use 'How long' to ask about the duration or length of time for an activity.
How long will the movie last?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'That sounds nice' is a common polite filler to show you are listening and being friendly before asking a follow-up question.
EN: Use 'will' + 'verb' to talk about future plans or intentions.
I will call you tomorrow.
EN: In immigration contexts, it is important to be specific about your length of stay to avoid confusion.
EN: Use 'will' to ask about future plans or arrangements.
Where will you eat dinner?
EN: Immigration officers ask this to ensure you have a planned place to stay, which is a standard security procedure.
EN: Use 'will' + 'base verb' to talk about future plans or intentions.
I will eat dinner at seven o'clock.
EN: In English, 'downtown' is often used as an adverb, so you don't need to say 'in the' downtown. You can just say 'downtown' after the location.
EN: Use 'anything' in questions when asking if something exists, even if you don't know what it is.
Do you have anything to eat?
EN: In customs, 'declare' refers to the legal requirement to report specific items like food, alcohol, or large sums of cash to avoid fines.
EN: Use 'What does [word] mean?' to ask for the definition of a word you don't understand.
What does 'prohibited' mean?
EN: In customs, 'declare' refers to the legal act of informing officials about items you are bringing into the country. It is better to ask for clarification than to make a mistake.
EN: Use 'For example' to introduce specific items that belong to a general group mentioned before.
I like fruit. For example, apples and bananas.
EN: In customs declarations, 'special items' usually refer to restricted or taxable goods. It is important to be honest to avoid fines.
EN: Use 'some' with positive sentences to talk about an unspecified amount of things you can count (like chocolates) or cannot count (like tea).
I have some water in my bag.
EN: When passing through customs, it is important to be honest about food items. Even common snacks like chocolate are worth mentioning if you are unsure of the local rules.
EN: Use 'Those are not' to say that multiple things are not a certain way or are not specific items.
Those are not my keys.
EN: In customs declarations, 'fine' means the items are allowed and no further action is needed. 'Prohibited items' refers to things that are legally forbidden from entering a country to protect its environment or economy.
EN: Use 'What + noun' to ask for specific information about a category of things.
What colors do you like?
EN: In customs and airport contexts, 'prohibited' is a formal word used to describe things you are legally not allowed to bring into a country.
EN: Use 'cannot' to talk about things that are not allowed or are against the rules.
You cannot smoke in the airport.
EN: Most countries have strict rules about bringing food across borders to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Always check customs regulations before traveling.
EN: Use 'any' in negative sentences to mean 'none at all'. It is often followed by 'of' when referring to a specific group of things.
I don't have any of the books.
EN: In English, 'I see' is a very common way to show you understand information, similar to 'I understand' but more casual.
EN: Use 'look' + adjective to describe how something appears or seems based on what you see.
The cake looks delicious.
EN: In Western culture, service workers (like customs officers or hotel staff) often end interactions with a friendly wish like 'Enjoy your stay' or 'Have a nice day' to show politeness.
EN: Use 'Thank you for + [noun]' to express gratitude for a specific thing or action.
Thank you for the gift.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, adding 'so much' or 'very much' is a common way to show extra politeness and sincerity, especially after receiving assistance from service staff or strangers.
EN: Use 'Have a + adjective + time' to wish someone a specific kind of experience. It is a common way to say goodbye.
Have a great day!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'You are welcome' is the most standard and polite response to 'Thank you' in professional or semi-formal settings like customs or hotels.
EN: Using 'I will' as a short response to a wish or instruction means you agree to do what was suggested (in this case, having a wonderful time).
Have a safe trip! - I will.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common to repeat a 'thank you' at the very end of an interaction, especially after receiving help or a service, to show extra politeness.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
The reason why someone is traveling to a specific country.
A formal question asking if you are carrying goods that must be taxed or are restricted.
To remain in a place for a specific duration of time.
To appear satisfactory or acceptable.
To officially state that you are carrying goods that may be subject to tax or legal restrictions when entering a country.
Specific categories of goods that are legally forbidden from being brought into a country by travelers.