Most of these phrases are used in works of art, films, and television programs. Also, some expressions will be useful to you if you decide to visit a country on business or go on a tourist trip to relax. To communicate with service personnel, taxi drivers, and sellers, you will need knowledge of English colloquial phrases.
How to learn conversational phrases?
Some sites simply list English popular expressions alphabetically, without classifying them by topic. In my opinion, it is more difficult to learn them this way. It is much easier to learn English idioms if you divide them by topic and situation where they are used: Greeting, Farewell, Politeness, Road, Emergencies and others. Therefore, on our website I made a thematic selection with translation.
Stable English expressions must be repeated every day, try to think in English, and often use them in communication. Also, to help you remember these phrases and words faster, look through or re-read them before going to bed. It is better to start with the simplest designs, gradually approaching more complex ones and increasing the pace. Step-by-step learning is the most effective.
English colloquial phrases, expressions and words are very concise. It’s up to you to decide which phrases to start learning with. I recommend basing your choice on which area you need to tighten up. It's better to learn with translation. You can start, for example, with greeting and farewell phrases:
- Of course, words like Hello (Hello), Goodbye (Goodbye), Hi (Hello) and Bye (Bye)- These are the legitimate leaders in frequency of use. You can't go anywhere without them. But in order to diversify your speech at least a little, I recommend using other expressions:
Phrase | Translation
|
Every avid tourist simply must visit England at least once. Everything here is steeped in history. In the largest city in Europe, London, a huge number of medieval buildings have been preserved to this day, each of which carries the memory of past centuries. Many people think that Great Britain is one country, but if you travel often, you should know that it includes 4 magnificent countries: Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. In each of them you can find something new and interesting for yourself.
Common phrases
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No | No | Know |
| Please | Please | Pliz |
| Thank you | Thanks | Sanx |
| Thanks a lot | Thank you | Sank u |
| could you … | could you... | where to go: |
| Everything is fine | it's all right | its o:l wright |
| Please accept my apologies | Please, accept my apologies | pl:z, ek’sept may e’polajis |
| young man… | young man... | Yian Meng |
| young woman… | young lady (miss) | yyan lady (mis) |
| sir | sir | that's it |
| Mr N. | mister N... | miste en |
| madam | madam | madam |
| excuse me for... | sorry for... | sorry fo |
| entrance | Entrance | Entrance |
| exit | Exit | Exit |
| no need to apologize | no harm done | know ham given |
| open / closed | Open/Closed | Open/Closed |
| prohibited | Forbidden | Fyobiden |
| Sorry | excuse me... | exclusive mi |
| let me address... | I beg your pardon... | ay run e: pa: don |
| Please forgive me | please forgive me | pl:z, fo’giv mi |
| sorry (after the act) | I am sorry | um sorry |
| sorry (before action) | excuse me | ix'kyu:z mi |
| Please! | you are welcome! | yu:a:welcome |
| no way (not worth it) | it's nothing (not at all) | its nasing (not et o:l) |
| thanks in advance | thank you in advance | senk yu:in edva:ns |
| I have to (want) to thank you! | I must (would like to) thank you | ah mast (ud like tu) senk yu |
| I am very grateful to you | thak you very much | senk u: very much |
| Thanks a lot for … | thanks a lot for… | senks e lot fo.. |
| thanks for … | thank you for… | Sank yu: fo |
| Pleased to meet you! | glad (nice) to meet you! | Glad (nice) tu mi:t yu |
| My name is… | my name is... | may name from |
| let me introduce you... | let me introduce you to... | let mi: intro’duc yu: tu |
| Let me introduce myself | may i introduce myself? | may ay intro'duc myself |
| say | tell | tel |
| help | help | help |
| show? | show? | show |
| Please… | please... | pl:z |
| bring | bring | bring |
| read | read | ri:d |
| give | give | giv |
| may I ask you? | may i ask you? | may ay ask u |
| Could I ask you … ? | may i ask you to...? | may ay ask yu:tu |
| won't you give me...? | will (would) you please, give me...? | wil (ud) yu: pliz, give me |
| do you mind...? | do you mind...? | du: yu mind... |
| Can I …? (let me …) | may i...? | may ai |
| Can I … ? | can i...? | ken ai |
| Yes, sure | of course (sure) | ov ko:z (shua) |
| Fine | all right | o:l wright |
| OK | O.K (=okay) | ok |
| I agree | i agree | ay e'gri |
| yes, you can | yes, you may (you can) | yes, yu:may (yu:ken) |
| I do not mind | i shouldn't (don't) mind | ah shud not (daunt) mind |
| I can't | i cannot (i can’t) | ai cannot (ai cant) |
| unfortunately (unfortunately), I can't | it’s a pity (unfortunately), i can’t | its e piti (an’fochenatli), ai kent |
| this is impossible | it's impossible | its im’posebl |
| I forbid you... | i forbid you to... | ah phobid yu: tu |
| in no case! | by no means! | bye know mi:nz |
| let me invite you... | may i invite you to… | may ah in'white yu: tu |
| to the theatre | the theater | zi si'ate |
| in a restaurant | restaurant | restaurant |
| to my place | my place | May Place |
| let's go (go) to... | let's go to... | Let's Go To |
| with pleasure | with pleasure! | Wise Pleasure |
| I don't mind | I don't mind | ay dount mind |
| it's a pity | it's a pity | its e petey |
| how do I understand you | how well i understand you | how wel ah anda'stand yu |
| don't worry, anything can happen | don't get upset, things do happen | dount get ap'set, sings do hepn |
| Don't worry | don't worry | dount wari |
| you did the right thing | you did it right | yu did it right |
| wait a minute)! | just a moment (a minute) | just a moment (a minute) |
| what is your name? | what is your name? | wot from e:name |
| My name is … | may name from | my name is... |
| How old are you? | how old are you? | how old a: yu |
| when were you born? | when were you born? | uen ve yu:bo:n |
| where are you from? | where are you from? | ua a: yu: from |
| I'm from … | i am from... | ay em from |
| where do you live? | where do you live? | ua do u: liv |
| I live in … | i live in... | ah liv in |
| what is your native language? | what is your native language? | wat from yo: native language |
| I speak- … | i speak... | ah sleep:k |
| English | english | English |
| Russians | Russian | Russian |
| French | French | French |
| Spanish | spanish | spanish |
| Italian | italian | Italian |
| I speak a little English (Russian) | i speak English (Russian) a little bit | ay spy:k English (Russian) e little bit |
Appeals
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello) | hello, hi | he'lou, hai |
| Good evening! | good evening! | gud and:vning |
| Good afternoon! | good afternoon! | gud a:ftanun |
| Good morning! | good morning! | good morning |
| how are you doing? | how are you? how are you getting on? | How are you? howa:yu gutting he |
| How are you? | how are you doing? how are things? | hau a: yu: duing? howa:singz |
| more or less | more or less | mo: o: les |
| not bad | not too bad | note tu: bad |
| everything is fine, thank you | I am very well, thank you | ay em very wel, senk u |
| I'm fine | I'm fine! | ay em fine |
| so-so | so-so | sou-sou |
| it can't get any worse | couldn't be worse | kudnt bi uyos |
| what's new? | what's new? what is the news? | whats new? what from the news? |
| best wishes! | all the best! | o:l the best |
| Goodbye! | good bye! | good bye |
| see you | see you... | si:yu |
| Tomorrow | tomorrow | tu'morou |
| on Monday | on Monday | he's a mandi |
At the station
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | what are the fares? | wot a: ze feas |
| one return ticket please | one single and one return ticket for tomorrow, please. | one single and one re'to ticketet fo: tu'morou, pli:z |
| two tickets for the train to ... leaving at six thirty in the evening, please | two tickets to …, please, for the six thirty p.m. train | tu tickets tu en, pli:z, fo: ze six se:ti pi em train |
| I want to book tickets in advance | i want to reserve tickets in advance | ay wont tu re'ze:v tikets in ed'va:ns |
| I have to go and buy a ticket for the train (plane, ship) | i must go and get a ticket for the train (plane, ship) | ay must go and get e ticketat fo: the train (plain, thorn) |
| where can I buy a train (plane, ship) ticket? | where can i book a ticket for the train (plane, ship)? | ua ken ay book e ticketat fo: ze train (plain, thorn) |
| I would like to pay immediately | I'd like to pay the fares in advance | id like tu pay ze feas in edva:ns |
| I would like a ticket... | i’d like a ticket to the … | id like e ticket tu ze: |
| in a non-smoking (smoking) car | nonsmoker (smoker) | nonsmoke (smoke) |
| in a compartment for two | slumber coach | slamba coach |
| I would like a lower place (lower shelf) | i'd like a lower berth | id like e lowa bes |
| How many pieces of luggage can I take with me for free? | how mane luggage pieces may i take free of charge? | how mani lagij pi:sis may ah take free: ov cha:j |
| where can I drop off my luggage? | where can i check my luggage? | ua ken ai chek may lagij |
| please take my luggage to... | please, take my luggage to… | plz:z, take may lagij tu |
| how to get to the platform? | how does one get to the platform? | how daz one get tu ze platfo:m |
| how long until the train departs? | how long is it till the train departure? | how lo: ng from it til ze train di'pa: cha |
| I want to buy plane tickets departing tomorrow to... | i want a ticket for tomorrow flight to… | ay wont e ticketat fo: tu’morou flight tu |
| what flights are there to... | what flights are there to…? | wot flights a: zea tu... |
| is there any direct flight until... the day after tomorrow? | is there any direct flight to … for the day after tomorrow? | from zea eni di'rekt flight tu en fo: ze day a:fta tu' morow |
| give me a seat by the window | give me, please a seat by a window | giv mi: pli:z e si:t bai e window |
| Here "- where exactly | where is the... | ua from ze |
| Arrival Hall | arrivals | e'rivals |
| departure hall | departures | di'pa: hour |
| baggage check-in | luggage check-in | lagij chakin |
| reference | eyquiry office (information desk) | ink'uaeri office (infa'mation desk) |
| toilet | toilet | toilett |
| when does registration start | when does the check-in begin? | wen daz ze chek-in bi'gin |
| flight delayed two hours | the flight is delayed by two hours | ze flight from di'lade bye tu: auaz |
| where can I return my ticket? | where can i return my ticket? | UEA ken ai recho:n may ticket |
| where are boat tickets sold? | where are boat tickets sold? | UEA A: Boat Tickets Soldier |
| how much does it cost to travel by sea to... | what is the price of a passage to… | wot from ze price ov e passage tu... |
| I would like a first (second, third) class cabin for two | i’d like the first (second, third) class cabin for two | aid like ze fe:st (second, sed) cla:s cabin fo:tu |
At customs
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Passport control. | Passport control | Passport control |
| Here is my passport and customs declaration. | Here are my passport and custom declaration | Hie and May passport and custom declaration |
| This is my baggage. | Here is my luggage | Hie from mai luggidj |
| This is a private trip. | It is a private visit | It's from private visit |
| This is a business trip. | It is a business trip | It's a business trip |
| This is a tourist trip. | It is a tourist visit | It's from e tourist visit |
| I'm traveling as part of a tour group. | I travel with a group | I travel wiz e group |
| Excuse me, but I do not understand. | Excuse me, I don’t understand | Excuse mi, ay dont understand |
| I need a translator. | I need an interpreter | Ay nid en interpreter |
| Call the group leader. | Call for the head of the group | Col for the head of the group |
| They greet me. | I will be met | Ay tsil bi mat |
| Customs. | Custom | Custom |
| I have nothing to declare | I have nothing to declare | Ay hev natfin tu dekleya |
| These are items for personal use. | these are my personal items | D(Z)iz a may personal items |
| This is a gift. | This is a present | D(Z)is from e praznt |
| what should be mentioned in the customs declaration? | what is to be mentioned in the customs declaration? | wot from tu bi manshind in the customs decla'ration |
| where can I get my customs documents? | where can i get my customs papers? | UEA ken i get may customs paypass |
Walk around the city
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I'm looking for… | I'm seeking | Aim sikin... |
| my hotel | My hotel | My hotel |
| tourist office | Tourist office | Tourist office |
| pay phone | Street phone | Stree fawn |
| pharmacy | Chemists | Kemists |
| supermarket | Supermarket | Supemarket |
| Post office | Post office | |
| bank | Bank | Bank |
| Where is the nearest police station here? | Where is the nearest police office | Ware from ze nierest policy office |
| Where is the nearest... | Where is the nearest….? | Uer from ze nierest... ? |
| Metro station | Metro station | Matrow Station |
| Bus stop | Bus stop | Bass stop |
| Gas station | Petrol station | Patrol Station |
| Police | Police | Policy |
| Market | Market | Market |
| bakery | bakery | bakery |
| Square | Square | Skuea |
| Street | Street | Straight |
| how to get to the post office (police station)? | which is the way to the post-office (police station)? | wich from thee way to thee post office (pa'li:s station) |
| it's about a ten minute walk | it's about ten minutes walk | it from e'baut ten minits uo:k |
| it's far from here, it's better to go by bus (taxi, car) | it is far off. you had better take a bus (taxi, car) | it from fa: of, yu head beta take e bass (taxi, ka) |
Emergencies
In transport
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where can I get a taxi? | Where can I take a taxi? | vea ken ai take e taxi |
| Call a taxi, please | Call a taxi, please | Kal e taxi, please |
| How much does it cost to get to...? | What does it cost to go to? | Wot daz it cost tu go tu? |
| At this address please! | This address, please | D(Z)is edres, please |
| Take me... | Drive me... | Drive mi... |
| Take me to the airport. | Drive me to the airport | Drive me to the airport |
| Take me to the train station. | Drive me to the station | Drive My Two Station |
| Take me to the hotel... | Drive me to the hotel | Drive mi to the hotel |
| Take me to a good hotel. | Drive me to a good hotel | Drive mi tu e good hotel |
| Take me to an inexpensive hotel. | Drive to a cheap hotel | Drive mi tu e chip hotel |
| Take me to the city center. | Drive me to the city center | Drive mi that the city sente |
| Left | Left | Left |
| Right | Right | Wright |
| I need to go back. | I need to come back | Ay nid cam back |
| Stop here, please. | Stop here, please | Stop hee, please |
| How much do I owe you? | What does it cost? | What daz it cost? |
| Could you wait for me? | Could you wait for me, please? | Where is Uwait, please? |
| What bus can I take to…? | what bus must i take to reach … question | wot bass mast ay take tu ri:h |
| how often do the buses go? | how often do the buses run? | how ofen do ze basiz ran |
| how much does it cost to get to... | what (how much) is the fare ti...? | wot (how mach) from ze fea tu |
| I need one ticket | I need one ticket | ay ni:d one ticket |
| please tell me where should I get off? | tell me, please, where i am to get off? | tel: mi pli: z ua ay em that get of |
At the hotel
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Registration (administrator). | Registration desk | Registration Desk |
| Do you have rooms available? | Do you have a room | Du yu hev e room |
| Single room? | Single room | Single room |
| Room for two? | Double room | Double room |
| I would like to reserve a room. | I want to order a room | Ay wont tu order e room |
| With a bathroom. | with bathroom | wiz buttroom |
| With shower. | with shower | uih shawe |
| Not very expensive. | not expensive | note expansive |
| For one night. | For one night | Four One Knight |
| For one week. | For a week | For e week |
| How much does a room cost per night per person? | How does it cost a night per a man | How daz it cost e night pyo men |
| I'll pay in cash. | I pay in cash | Ipay in cash |
| I need an iron. | I need an iron | Ai nid n iron |
| The light doesn't work. | Something wrong with light | Samtfing rong whiz light |
| Something happened to the shower. | Something wrong with shower | Samtphing rong wiz chaue |
| Something happened to the phone. | What's wrong with telephone? | Whats Rong Wis Telephone? |
| Please wake me up at 8 o'clock. | Wake me up, please at 8 o’clock | Wake mi up, pliz at eight oklok |
| Please order a taxi for ten o'clock. | Order a taxi, please for 10 o’clock | Order e taxi, please fo ten oklok |
Seasons of the day and year
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| time | time | half |
| Today | today | tu'day |
| yesterday | yesterday | Yestedi |
| Tomorrow | tomorrow | tu'morou |
| day before yesterday | the day before yestarday | ze day bifo: yestedi |
| day after tomorrow | the day after tomorrow | ze give a:fta tu morow |
| morning | morning | mo:ning |
| day | day | day |
| evening | evening | and:vning |
| night | night | knight |
| a week | week | ui:k |
| days of the week | days of the week | e dayz ov ze ui:k |
| Monday | monday | mandi |
| Tuesday | tuesday | tew:here |
| Wednesday | Wednesday | Wednesday |
| Thursday | thursday | here |
| Friday | friday | Friday |
| Saturday | saturday | setadi |
| Sunday | sunday | Sunday |
| month | month | mans |
| January | January | January |
| February | February | February |
| March | march | ma:h |
| April | April | April |
| May | may | May |
| June | june | ju:n |
| July | july | ju:lai |
| August | August | about:gest |
| September | September | sep'temba |
| October | octorber | ok'touba |
| november | november | no'vemba |
| December | December | de'semba |
| year | year | yeah |
| season | season | si:zon |
| winter | winter | u'inta |
| spring | spring | sprin |
| summer | summer | herself |
| autumn | autumn | o:tm |
| century, century | century | century |
| leap year | leap year | lee:p yeah |
| tonight | tonight | ta'night |
| It's noon | it is noon | it from nun |
| It's midnight | it is midnight | it from midnight |
| It's exactly six o'clock (am/pm) | it is six (a.m/p.m) sharp | it from six (hey em/pi em) sha:p |
| It's ten minutes past eight in the morning (evening) | it is ten minutes pas seven a.m (p.m) | it from ten minits pa:st seven hey em (pi em) |
| I don't have a watch | I haven't a watch | ay hevnt e woch |
| my watch is accurate | my watch is precise (keeps good time) | may watch from priceys (ki:ps good time) |
| according to my watch... | by my watch... | bye may watch |
| What time of year is it now? | what season is it now? | wot si:zn from it nau |
| winter in England is not as cold as in Russia | it’s not so cold in England as in Russia | its not so cold in england ez in russia |
| what is the weather today? | what is the weather today | wot iz ze ueza tu’day |
| today... weather | the weather is…today | ze ueza from ... today |
| good | fine | fine |
| clear | bright | bright |
| warm | warm | uo:m |
| solar | sunny | sled |
| wonderful | marvelous | ma:welas |
| rainy | rainy | Rainey |
| disgusting | nasty | Nastya |
| frosty | frosty | frosty |
| cold | cold | cold |
Numerals
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | zero | Zero (Nile) |
| 1 | one | One |
| 2 | two | That |
| 3 | three | Tfree |
| 4 | four | For |
| 5 | five | Five |
| 6 | six | Six |
| 7 | seven | Sevn |
| 8 | eight | Eyt |
| 9 | nine | Nine |
| 10 | ten | Ten |
| 11 | eleven | Ilevn |
| 12 | twelve | Tuelv |
| 13 | thirteen | Tfötin |
| 14 | fourteen | Fortin |
| 15 | fifteen | Fifteen |
| 16 | sixteen | Sistine |
| 17 | seventeen | Savntin |
| 18 | eighteen | Eitin |
| 19 | nineteen | Nineteen |
| 20 | twenty | Twenty |
| 21 | twenty one | Twenty One |
| 22 | twenty two | Twenty two |
| 30 | thirty thirty | Tfeti |
| 40 | fourty | Forti |
| 50 | fifty | Fifty |
| 60 | sixty | Sixty |
| 70 | seventy | Savnti |
| 80 | eighty | Ayti |
| 90 | ninety | Ninety |
| 100 | one hundred | E handred (One handred) |
| 101 | one hundred and one | E handread and one |
| 110 | one hundred and ten | E handread and ten |
| 200 | two hundred | Too Handred |
| 258 | two hundred fifty eight | Two Handred Fifty Eight |
| 300 | three hundred | Tfree handred |
| 400 | four hundred | Fo handred |
| 500 | five hundred | Five handread |
| 600 | six hundred | Six handred |
| 700 | seven hundred | Savn handred |
| 800 | eight hundred | Eight handred |
| 900 | nine hundred | Nine handred |
| 1 000 | one thousand | E tfousand (One tfousand) |
| 1 100 | one thousand and one hundred | Etfousand and handread |
| 2 000 | two thousand | Tu tfousand |
| 10 000 | ten thousand | tenthousand |
| 1 000 000 | one million | One million |
| 10 000 000 | ten million | Ten milien |
In the shop
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I would like to buy a suit for every day | i’d like to buy a suit for everyday wear | id like tu bye sue:t fo: evriday ua |
| what size is this sweater? | what size is this sweater | wot size from zis su'i: ta |
| I want to try on this dress | i want to try on this dress. | ay wont tu try on zis dres |
| linen | underwear | andauea |
| jeans | jeans | ji:nz |
| sweater | sweater | su'i: ta |
| skirt | skirt | sket |
| costume | costume | suit |
| dress | dress (frock) | dres (frock) |
| blouse | blouse | blouse |
| I want to buy … | i want to buy... | ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyuggy |
| Until what time is this store open? | how long do they keep this shop open? | how long do zey ki:p zis shop open |
| cash register | cash-desk | cash desk |
| Food | foodstuffs | fu:dstaffs |
| market | market | ma:whale |
| will you reduce the price? | will you reduce the price? | wil u: ri'dew: with the price |
| it's free | it is free of charge (for nothing); Gratis | it from fri:ov cha:j (fo:nosing); greatis |
| it's too expensive (cheap) | it is too dear (cheap) | it from tu: dia (chi:p) |
| by meters | by meters | bye mitas |
| it costs … | it costs... | it costs |
| by weight | by the pound | buy the pound |
| piece by piece | by the piece | bai ze pi:s |
| what's the price? | what does it cost? | wot daz it cost |
| this is for sale | it is sold... | it from soul |
| How much does it cost? | what is the price? | wot from the price |
| I need a black short sleeve t-shirt | i need a black T-shirt | ay ni:d e black ti shet |
| what sneakers would you suggest me? | what sport's shoes will you offer me? | wat spots shu:z wil yu:ofa mi |
| I want to choose... | i'd like to choose... | let's like that chu:z |
| soap | soap | soup |
| toothpaste | toothpaste | tu:space |
| shampoo | shampoo | champoo |
| Show me please … | show me, please... | show mi:pl:z |
| let's go shopping | let's go (do) shopping | let's go (doo) shopping |
| we don't have enough... | we are short of... | ui: a sho:t ov |
| We've run out (run out)... | we have run out of… | ui: have run out ov |
| meat | meat | mi:t |
| canned food | tinned food | tind fu:d |
| I need a piece of beef | i need a piece of beef | ay ni:d e pi:s ov bi:f |
| let's buy sausage and ham | let's buy some sausage and ham | let's buy himself society and ham |
| give me a dozen eggs please | give me please ten eggs | giv mi: pl:z ten egz |
| where can we buy fish? | where can we buy the fish? | UEA ken ui: buy the fish? |
| I need … | i need... | ay ni:d |
| head of cabbage | a head of cabbage | e head ov cabage |
| new potatoes | new potatoes | new pa'taytoes |
| I like fruits | i like fruits | ay like fruits |
| give me please … | give me please... | giv mi: pli:z |
| one loaf of rye bread | one loaf of rye (brown) bread | one loaf ov paradise (brown) brad |
| loaf of white bread | long loaf of white (wheat) bread | long loaf white (ui:t) brad |
| Is this bread fresh or stale? | is this bread new (fresh) or stale? | from zis brad new (fresh) about: style |
Cafes, bars, restaurants
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I want to book a table | i want to order a table | ah vont tu o:de:table |
| waiter | waiter | ve:ite: |
| Do you have any free tables? | do you have free tables? | do u have free: tables? |
| Accept my order | accept my order | May ode recipe: |
| Your signature dish | specialty of the house | specialty of the house |
| Beer | beer | bi:p |
| Wine | wine | vine |
| What year is the wine? | what year is the wine | vo:t ea: from the vine |
| Soup | soup | soup |
| Vermicelli | spaghetti | spaghetti |
| Pasta | macaronis | macaroni:s |
| Sandwich | sendvich | sandwich |
| Cheese / Sour cream (sour) | cheese / sour cream (sour) | chi:z / sour cream (sour) |
| Tea coffee | tea/coffee | ty:/kofi: |
| Instant coffee | instant coffee | saubl coffee: |
| Lettuce | ettuce | leta:s |
| I do not eat meat | i don't eat meat | ay to notes i:t mi:t |
| Check please (bill) | check please | what:k plz |
Our Russian-English phrasebook consists of common conversation topics:
Greetings are phrases with which you can start any conversation and simply greet someone you know.
Standard phrases – while traveling, you will often have to ask passers-by for help, this topic will help you in communicating with local residents. Here are common words and phrases that are most often used in the lexicon.
Station - all the necessary phrases and words that you have to use at train stations.
Passport control - words that will be useful to you during passport control.
Orientation in the city – when walking through any of the English cities, you can get lost. This theme will help you get where you need to go or find a place or establishment that interests you.
Transport – translation and pronunciation of words and phrases that will be useful to you on public transport, or to find the nearest stop.
Hotel – not every hotel understands Russian. Therefore, for smooth check-in at the hotel and further comfortable stay in it, this section will be useful to you.
Emergencies – there are also unpleasant moments during vacation, and it is at such moments that this topic will help you out. You can call for help, call an ambulance or the police, etc.
Dates and times - in order to be on time always and everywhere, you must know what time it is, but if you have forgotten your watch, this topic will help you find out the time from passers-by. There is also a translation of months and days of weeks.
Shopping – all the necessary phrases for shopping. Here is a translation of words that will help you with buying products at the market or purchasing clothes in the most sophisticated boutiques.
Restaurant – while walking around the city, you get hungry and decide to have a snack in a restaurant? But if you don't know English, you won't be able to order even a cup of coffee. This topic includes translation of phrases with which you can comfortably spend time in a restaurant without feeling any language barrier.
Numbers and figures are a very important and frequently used topic. Without knowing how to pronounce numbers in English, you will not be able to pay for purchases, find out the schedule of certain events, and so on. This theme fixes a similar problem.
It would seem that there is nothing simpler than asking a simple phrase "How are you?" and start a simple conversation about nothing (small talk). But how many times does this very phrase and its variations put an ignorant person into a stupor, because, firstly, with one phrase How are you native speakers do not get by, and secondly, it is used in America completely differently than, say, in Slavic countries. Let's try to understand this difficult issue by looking at the ten most common expressions.
Greetings to you Hi, Hello and Hey We will devote a separate article, but for now I would like to draw your attention to the second phrase, its meaning, translation and use. It is also important to remember the standard responses to such statements and not to forget that it is not necessary to respond to some of them at all, just as it is not necessary talk for a few minutes about what is really happening in your life.
- Hello! How are you? The simplest phrase to which we standardly respond is I"m fine, I"m good, I"m OK or, if everything is not so good, I"m hanging in there. By the way, it is better to use the last phrase when communicating with friends. A random passerby on the street will be a little puzzled and feel awkward (since there is no time to continue the conversation, and it is not entirely convenient to talk about problems with a stranger). In the colloquial version it is also possible to omit the subject and predicate (contrary to strict rules English grammar).
- Hi! How"re you doing? Similar to No. 1, only in response, in addition to the listed options, you can also say I am (doing) well. Another answer option is I"m doing just fine. Or as they say in New Orleans, I"m aaaal-right.
- Hey! What's going on? This option is more conversational, the standard answer to it is Not much. By the way, some Russian tourists like to answer the first two remarks, in Russian, I"m normal, with the meaning "I'm fine." I propose to replace such an ambiguous phrase (as if you might be “abnormal”) with the simple “I”m OK.
- Hello! How are you feeling? This phrase is usually used when you know that a person did not feel very well, and you can answer it either I "m hanging in there (if not quite yet), So far so good (ok for now) or standard phrases, indicated in No. 1.
- Hi! What's up? This is also a colloquial phrase, akin to number 3, only it contains more slang, so do not address it to your bosses, teachers or officials. The standard answer is Not much.
- Hey! How"ve you been? A similar phrase to numbers 1 and 2, but for people with an advanced level of grammar. If perfect forms are still a dark forest for you, I suggest signing up for a free course on English tenses on the OnlinEnglish platform to quickly and effectively eliminate illiteracy ( see form below).
- Hello! What's happening? Very similar greeting to numbers 3 and 5, the answers are similar.
- Hey! How"s it going? Also a colloquial phrase, and there is a standard answer to it - It"s going. Very similar to our dialogue: “How are you?” "They're coming."
- Hi! What"re you up to? See 3 and 5.
- Hello! Are you staying out of trouble? This phrase leaves everyone in shock. What does "trouble" have to do with it? In fact, this is just a humorous greeting for close friends and children. The answer is yes/I"m trying/so far so good/I haven"t had any complaints.
Today we will talk about different ways to ask "How are you?" in English. The English language has a large number of such phrases. Today we will study the most frequently used of them.
How to ask “How are you?” in English
How are you?
How are you The most used, common phrase in English.
How are you doing?
How are you doing?
How is it going?
How are you doing? Used with people you already know quite well.
What's going on? What's going on? This means what's going on in your life right now. Also used in situations when you are surprised by what's happening at the moment and ask: What's going on in here? - What's going on here? What's happening? What's going on? Similar to the phrase “What;s going on?” How have you been?
How are you doing? This question implies how you were doing before we communicated.
What have you been up to?
What did you do?
In the question, we ask what the person was doing while we didn’t see him. To be up to (phrasal verb) - to undertake, intend. Are you well? Are you okay?
What's up? How are you? Informal expression. Used among close friends.
What's new? What's new?
How are you feeling?
How do you feel? This question is not always appropriate. Most often it is asked to a person who has experienced something or who may have health problems. How's life? How's life?
Very well, thanks. Very good thanks.
Pretty good. Pretty good (not bad).
Ok.
Fine.
Great!
Great!
Not bad.
Not bad.
So-so.
What's up? How are you? Informal expression. Used among close friends.
So-so.
I"ve been better. It could have been better.
Not so good.
Not very good.
- I"m hanging in there. I'm holding on. Conversational form. It means that things are going badly, but I'm holding on.
- How"s it hanging? How are you? Found in spoken English.
- And finally, let's look at the answers to questions such as: what's going on? what's happening? what's new?
- The ability to gain time in a conversation is necessary not only for politicians. For those who have just started learning a foreign language? this is also very important, and here filler words will come to the rescue, as well as expressions that will allow you to fill the pause and think about your next statement. Don't be afraid of cliched phrases - our language consists of them.
Useful English Expressions: Filling in Pauses
Well is an analogue of our “good” or “well”. Just “well” not in the motivating sense of “come on!” - in this meaning we use it at the end of a sentence, and at the beginning of a phrase - when we need to “play for time.” For example: “Well, tell me more about your plans.” - “Well, tell me more about your plans.” Another translation option for this word is “in any case.” For example: “Well, I am not good so good speaker.” - “In any case, I’m not such a good speaker.”
Anyway - the translation options are the same as for well, but the use of anyway is typical for people from the USA. Example: “Anyway, John divorced” - “In general, John got divorced.”
- As far as - regarding that, relatively, regarding, how much, etc. For example: “As far as I remember you are planning to leave that job.” - “As far as I understand, you are going to leave this job.”
- By the way or a popular abbreviation of this phrase on social networks is btw. Translated as “by the way”, “by the way”. For example: “By the way, my boyfriend also likes motorcycling.” - “By the way, my boyfriend also loves motorcycles.”
- After all - finally, in the end, after all, be that as it may, so be it. For example: She made a right choice after all. - Still, she made the right choice.
- Moreover - moreover. For example: Moreover, I don’t believe him. - Moreover, I don’t believe him.
Phrases for travel
How to learn English for traveling without spending a lot of time? It’s not hard to find a phrasebook, but what’s the best way to work with it? It is enough to remember a few template phrases, individual words in which can be easily replaced or used in other sentences - and you will already have a good active dictionary.
For example: I don"t understand English. - I don’t understand English.
Let's add a short word well (good).
I don"t understand English well. - I don’t understand English well.
Instead of simple well, you can use the popular expression very well (very good). We get:
I don"t understand English very well. - I don’t understand English very well.
Having analyzed these examples, you have already realized that “I don"t” means “I don’t”, and instead of “understand” you can substitute any verb in the initial form from the dictionary. Of course, it would be advisable to know that “I don"t” means “ I don’t” is only for the present tense, that is, with its help you can only say “I don’t do”, but you cannot say “I didn’t do.” But all this can be clarified quite easily with the help of a high-quality grammar reference book. Having a good vocabulary is important to navigate your travels, but grammar can wait. Your mistakes will be forgiven. It is indeed very convenient to implement a set of expressions that are understandable and useful to you by analyzing the sentences according to the diagram above. For example, try playing with the following phrases. Each of them will definitely come in handy while traveling:
How can I get to the airport?
(The verb get is one of the most commonly used, its main meaning is “to receive”).
May I (Can I) pay by credit card?
(In this sentence, the words credit card can easily be replaced by the short word cash).
Could you (Could you) help me a little (help me a little)?
(Similarly. The word help is very easy to replace with another verb.)
Where is (Where is/is) the supermarket (this supermarket)?
Look carefully at the first parts of these sentences (can I, how can I, where is, etc.). Using them, you can easily learn spoken English for tourists. Phrases, for example, could be:
Could you tell me…. - Could you tell me…
Where is the ticket office/shop/hospital? - Where is the ticket office/shop/hospital?
May I come in/help you/ask you/have another pastry? - Can I come in/help you/ask you/take another cake? (the word may has a connotation of permission “may”, “permit”).
The most common expressions and phrases
The following colloquial phrases in English cannot be ignored; they can be found in everyday life, in every film or literary work. They are repeated so often that it is impossible not to remember them. They are all quite general and can be used in a variety of situations. So:
Polite phrases
Conventional textbooks and English language courses, as a rule, provide good knowledge of grammar and allow you to expand your vocabulary, but with their help it is impossible to learn spoken phrases in English. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to them, because for most students they are the main difficulty when traveling to When studying the most popular colloquial expressions, you should immediately understand whether they belong to formal language, informal language or slang. Let's look at examples:
The first thing to start with is the question “How are you?”
"How are you?" - has a rather formal connotation. This is not so much a question “How are you?”, but an expression of attention, a greeting and a way to start a conversation. The standard answer to this expression, which you will never go wrong with, no matter how things really go for you: I’m fine, thank you. There are other options, it’s better to start them with “I’m” (I’m good/very well). Answers like “so-so” (So-so or Fifty-fifty) will be perceived as your desire to continue the conversation and are no longer so formal.
For the next three phrases, examples of direct translation are given, but they have the same general meaning - “How are you?” They are more casual than "How are you?"
“How”re you doing?” - “How are you doing right now?”
"How"s it going?" - "How is it going?"
"How"s everything?” - “How is everything?”
"How is life?" - "What's up?"
"How are things?" - “How are things?”
Another popular way to ask “How are you?” - this is the famous expression “What's up?” It literally translates to “What’s new?” This phrase is informal and works well when communicating with friends.
How to express gratitude and end a conversation
This is a must for anyone who wants to learn English for travel. A phrasebook of almost any author offers this option - “Thank you”. However, you can hear “Thanks” much more often. You may also be told "Cheers" or "Ta" (especially in the UK).
"Have a nice day!" - “Have a great day!” With this phrase you can end a conversation, letter, or chat. It is perfect for communicating with unfamiliar people. You can also use more informal expressions, such as "take care", "see ya!" (classically spelled “see you”, meaning “see you later”).
Popular abbreviations
In spoken English the following are often used:
- gonna instead of going to (getting ready to do something);
- wanna instead of want to (want);
- shoulda instead of shoud have (“should have done”, after shoulda you need to use the past participle);
- coulda instead of could have (“could”, after coulda the past participle is also used).
And now these phrases with translation in examples:
I wanna be a model. - I want to be a model.
You shoulda been there yesterday. - You should have been there yesterday.
I'm gonna visit Prague. - I'm going to visit Prague.
You coulda helped me. - You could help me.
Popular English expressions for keeping a conversation going
How to agree or object, communicate your opinion or express your attitude to the subject of conversation?
Let's start with the simplest: really? This short question, which translates as “really?”, will let the interlocutor understand that you question what he says, are waiting for clarification and are ready to listen to him again. You are right/wrong will allow you to clearly express your opinion (You are right/wrong). To start your thought, it is enough to say: I suppose... - I suppose.... To agree or disagree with the interlocutor: I (don’t) agree with you. - I disagree with you.
How to learn spoken phrases in English? The most important thing for those planning to travel is the skill of listening. Put your textbooks aside. Of the four skills that characterize knowledge of the English language - listening, reading, grammar and speaking - it is the first that is important to you. By training your listening comprehension abilities, you prepare to become a good speaker. Remember how children learn to speak. First - understanding, that is, a passive process, then - speaking. So listen as much as possible. These could be conversations between other people, movies, radio, talk shows, and so on. Don't just watch movies, but do work. It is highly advisable to watch films with subtitles. Write down in English the words that appear in the film. Analyze them, check their meaning in the dictionary. Then watch the film in a relaxed manner, paying attention to the other words. It doesn’t matter what result you achieved or whether you remembered anything. Move on to the next movie and follow the same pattern. After a while, try looking at your notes. You will be surprised that much of it is already clear and familiar to you. This way, without particularly straining and having fun, you can gain a good vocabulary.
