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Gifted_With_Languages's avatar

Can you make a list of phrases or words that I can use in London(for every situation I would be in)?

Asked by Gifted_With_Languages (1143points) May 26th, 2013

Would you be so kind as to make a list of phrases or words that I can use in London(for every situation I would be in like for shopping, at the restaurant or at the hotel)?
What phrases or words am I going to hear and how shall I answer them for every situation?

Thank you very much.‎

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10 Answers

janbb's avatar

Please and thank you.

Gifted_With_Languages's avatar

@janbb : Can you tell me others ones? Please. Make a list of them. Thank you very much.

janbb's avatar

One quirk that may confuse you is that English people tend to say “Pardon?” when they haven’t heard or don’t understand what you are saying. They also use it sometimes the French way as in moving through a crowd – “Pardon.”

Have you studied English English or American English? Some of the words used are very different – such as “lift” for “elevator” and “torch” for “flashlight.”

To ask for what we in America would call the bathroom, you can either say, “Where are the toilets, please?” (as in French) or “Where is the loo?” Toilet paper is loo paper.

There is just so much to learn but that discovery process is part of the fun of traveling!

Gifted_With_Languages's avatar

@janbb : I have studied the both of them. But you haven’t answered my question yet.
Could you please make a list of useful phrases ? Once again, thank you so much.

Let me start…

Shopping :

-What is the price of this item?
-Is anything on sale?
-Do you accept check cards, or cash only?
-Do you have anything by ________ brand/label?
-Thank you.
-Please,...?

At the restaurant :

-Would you please explain this menu item for me?
-Do you have a fixed menu for lunch/dinner?
-What do you recommend? / What is the specialty? / Is there a special dish for today?
-Do you accept check cards?
-I would like a refill of my (drink), please.

In a hotel :

-I (/we) would like a room for the (night/weekend/week), please.
-We have a room reserved. The surname is ________.
-What is the front desk phone number?
-Do you have a restaurant?
-Is there a swimming pool?

And now, with you to play!

janbb's avatar

I think you are asking too much. Why not just pick up a traveler’s book of useful phrases? Many French-English dictionaries have such sections. Good luck!

Gifted_With_Languages's avatar

@janbb : That is a done thing.

gailcalled's avatar

^^^ I thought you spoke English really well, according to your profile?

CWOTUS's avatar

I don’t get it. You’ve already demonstrated more fluency with English than most American teenagers. You’ll do fine knowing what you already know and being willing to learn more. Have fun in London!

In any case, it’s just not possible to make a list “for every occasion” unless you plan to spend your time in restaurants ordering the same meal every time, in stores always asking for prices, and giving cab drivers orders to take you to the same place every time.

ucme's avatar

“It costs how much!?!”

the100thmonkey's avatar

The single word that you most need to study when dealing with British English is “fuck”.

At the very least, don’t be shocked when you hear it at least ten times a day.

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