Ordering Food
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EN: Use 'Welcome to' followed by a place to greet someone arriving at a specific location.
Welcome to my home.
EN: In English-speaking countries, staff usually greet customers immediately upon entry to create a friendly atmosphere.
EN: Use 'very much' after 'Thank you' to show more gratitude.
Thank you very much for the water.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common to say 'Hi' and 'Thank you' even for small gestures, like being greeted at a restaurant. It builds a friendly atmosphere.
EN: Use 'Please' followed by a verb to make a polite request or command. This is called an imperative sentence.
Please open the door.
EN: In Western restaurants, it is common for a host or server to lead you to a specific table rather than you choosing one yourself.
EN: Use 'This + noun' to talk about something close to you. Use 'is' to connect the noun to a word that describes it (an adjective).
This coffee is hot.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common to give a small compliment when being seated at a restaurant to create a friendly atmosphere.
EN: Use 'Here is...' to show or give something to someone nearby.
Here is your key.
EN: In Western restaurants, servers usually hand you the menu immediately after you are seated as a sign of welcome.
EN: Use 'look' + adjective to describe the appearance of something or someone.
The pizza looks delicious.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common to give a small compliment like 'It looks great' when receiving food or a menu to show appreciation for the service.
EN: Use 'What is your...' to ask for information or an opinion about something belonging to the person you are talking to.
What is your favorite food?
EN: In Western restaurants, it is very common and polite to ask the server for a recommendation if you are unsure what to order.
EN: Use 'is' to describe a singular thing (the chicken pasta) with an adjective (popular).
The apple is very sweet.
EN: In Western restaurants, servers often recommend 'popular' dishes to help customers decide quickly, as it implies many people enjoy the taste.
EN: Use 'also' before an adjective or after the verb 'is' to add more information that is similar to what was said before.
The coffee is also hot.
EN: In English-speaking restaurants, servers often suggest a second option using 'also' to give the customer more choices without being pushy.
EN: Use 'have' to talk about medical conditions or physical states you are experiencing.
I have a cold.
EN: In Western countries, informing the server about allergies is very common and important for safety. Restaurants take this very seriously.
EN: Use 'cannot' (or 'can't') before a verb to show that you are unable to do something or are not allowed to do it.
I cannot drink milk.
EN: In many Western countries, food allergies (like nut allergies) are taken very seriously in restaurants. It is common and important to inform your server about them.
EN: Use 'at all' at the end of a negative sentence to add emphasis, meaning 'not even a little bit'.
I am not tired at all.
EN: In a restaurant setting, 'No problem at all' is a polite way for staff to reassure customers that their special requests (like allergies) are understood and can be handled easily.
EN: Use 'has no' to say that something does not contain a specific ingredient or item. It is a simple way to express 'zero' of something.
The soup has no salt.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, food allergies (especially nut allergies) are taken very seriously in restaurants. Staff will often double-check ingredients to ensure safety.
EN: Use 'I want + [noun]' to express a desire or choice in a simple way.
I want the soup.
EN: While 'I want' is grammatically correct, in many English-speaking restaurants, 'I would like' or 'I'll have' is considered more polite when ordering.
EN: Use 'And...' to add another item to your order, and end with 'please' to be polite.
And a cup of tea, please.
EN: In many Western restaurants, tap water is free and commonly served in a glass. Saying 'please' is essential when making requests to service staff.
EN: Use 'Here is...' to give or show something to someone who is close to you.
Here is your key.
EN: In restaurants, servers often say 'Here is your...' or 'Here you go' when placing food on the table to acknowledge the service.
EN: Using 'And' at the start of a short sentence is common in spoken English to add an item to a list or a sequence of actions.
And your change.
EN: In Western restaurants, servers often list items as they place them on the table to confirm the order is correct.
EN: Use 'look' + adjective to describe how something appears to you.
You look happy.
EN: In Western culture, it is polite to compliment the food when it is served, showing appreciation to the host or chef.
EN: Use the structure 'Subject + is + Adjective' to describe the quality or state of something.
The soup is hot.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is polite to verbally express your enjoyment of the food to the server or host using simple phrases like 'It's very good' or 'This is delicious.'
EN: Use 'I am happy' followed by another small sentence to explain why you feel that way. You don't need a special connecting word.
I am happy you are here.
EN: In Western restaurant culture, servers often express genuine happiness when a guest enjoys the food. It is a common polite response to a compliment.
EN: Use 'Can I have...?' to politely ask for something you want or need.
Can I have a menu, please?
EN: In the US, 'the check' is common, while in the UK, people usually say 'the bill'.
EN: Use 'Here is' followed by a singular noun to give or show something to someone nearby.
Here is your coffee.
EN: In American English, 'check' is used for the bill in a restaurant. In British English, people usually say 'the bill'.
EN: Use 'How much' to ask about the price of something.
How much is the coffee?
EN: In many English-speaking countries, it is common to ask for 'the check' or 'the bill' before asking 'How much is it?'
EN: Use 'It is' to state the price or cost of something. In English, we often use 'It' to refer to the total amount on a bill or check.
It is ten dollars.
EN: In the U.S., the price mentioned by a server usually does not include the tip. It is common to leave a 15-20% tip on top of the total amount.
EN: Use 'Here you go' when you are handing something to another person.
Here you go. Your coffee is ready.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is very common and polite to use a person's name after saying 'Thank you'. It makes the interaction feel more personal and friendly.
EN: Use 'Have a nice + [noun]' to wish someone well when saying goodbye.
Have a nice weekend!
EN: In English-speaking countries, 'Have a nice day' is a standard way to end a conversation in service industry settings (like restaurants or shops).
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
Used to emphasize that something is not a problem or that you are happy to help.
Used when you are giving something to someone.
A polite way to say goodbye to someone.
The written statement of the cost of the food and drinks consumed in a restaurant.