Daily Conversation

Improve your conversation skills in English immediately with these easy expressions. You'll make it easier for people to understand what you're saying, and your speech will flow more naturally, just by following the tips I give in this free lesson. 

Daily conversation ...
Chapter 4

I beg your pardon?

I don't speak any/

I speak a little...

I'm American          

Do you speak English/French/German?

Is there anyone who speaks...?

I beg your pardon? 

I (don't) understand. 

Do you understand me? 

Could you repeat that, please?

Could you speak more slowly, please?

What does that (word) mean?

Is that similar to/the same as...?

Could you write that down for me, please?

Could you spell that for me, please?

Telephone alphabet

Could you point that out in this phrase book, please?  

One moment, please.                      

I have to look it up.  

I can't find the word/the sentence.           

How do you say that in...?

How do you pronounce that - iComo se pronuncia?

May I introduce myself?   

My name's... 

I'm...  

What's your name?

May I introduce...? 

This is my wife/my husband/     

This is my daughter/my son/      

This is my girlfriend/

This is my father/mother

This is my boyfriend/girlfriend

How do you do        

Pleased to meet you           

Where are you from?        

I'm from the United States

What city do you live in?  

In..., It's near...        

Have you been here long?

A few days… 

How long are you staying here?

We're (probably) leaving tomorrow/ in two weeks

Where are you staying?    

In a hotel/an apartment   

On a camp site...
With friends/relatives.
Are you here on your own/with your family?

I'm on my own.

I'm with my partner/wife/husband

I'm with with my family   

I'm with with relatives..

I'm with with a friend/friends.

Are you married?

Do you have a steady boyfriend/girlfriend?

That's none of your business

I'm married/single/separated/divorced/a widow/widower

I live alone/with someone.

Do you have any children/grandchildren?

How old are you?   

How old is she/he?

I'm...

She's/he's...

What do you do for a  living?

I work in an office

I'm a student/teacher/a school principal          

I'm at school.

I'm unemployed.

I'm retired.     

I'm on a disability, pension.

I'm a housewife.

I you like your job?       

Most of the time - Casi siempre

I usually do, but I prefer vacations

Starting/ending a conversation

Could I ask you something?         

Excuse me – Perdone/pehrdohneh

Excuse me, could you help me?   

Yes, what's the problem?  

What can I do for you?      

Sorry, I don't have time now.       

Do you have a light?            

May I join you? -  iMe puedo sentar?/meh pwehdoh sehntahr?

Could you take a picture of me/us?

Press this button    

Leave me alone       

Get lost         

Go away or I'll scream  

Congratulations  
Happy birthday/many happy returns   

Condolences

Condolence is an expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death. Examples - "we offer our sincere condolences to his widow". It is an expression of sympathy and sorrow to someone who has suffered a loss, like the letter of condolence you send to a faraway friend who has lost a loved one. The noun condolence comes from the Late Latin word condole, meaning “to suffer together.”

Expressing Sympathy - When sending a sympathy card or note of condolence it is often difficult to know what to say or how to phrase your thoughts and feelings. We have compiled a list of appropriate and warm sympathy sayings to give you a guideline of what to write in a sympathy card. Feel free to combine phrases and write what feels natural and comfortable to you.  The most important thing to remember while writing this is that your sympathy message comes from the heart.  Your friend or loved one is going to appreciate that you are acknowledging their grief and honoring their loss.

We encourage your sympathy message to include a sentence or two sharing a memory of the deceased. Most people relate that receiving cards with personal memories helps them in their healing journey. They want to recall the wonderful and special memories of their loved one and when you share some special aspects of your relationship with the deceased, it brings warmth to their grieving heart. If you did not have a personal relationship with the deceased, don’t worry and don’t stretch to make up a memory.  Just know that your message of sympathy will be appreciated.

Please accept my condolences.

I'm very sorry for you.

You are in my thoughts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We are thinking of you.

We are thinking of you during this difficult time.

With deepest sympathy,

My sincere sympathy,

Our warmest condolences,

With heartfelt condolences,

Please accept my condolences,

We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of “name of deceased”.

Remember that we love and care about you.

With caring thoughts,

With loving memories of “name of deceased”,

Sent with love and remembrance,
Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow.

Our deepest condolences to you upon the passing of _______.

So sorry to hear of _______'s passing.

Please accept our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your loved one.

Words can't express how saddened we are to hear of your loss.

Our sincere sympathies to you and your family.

We pray the love of God enfolds you during this difficult time.

May your many memories of _______ help to sustain you at this most difficult time.

You are in our prayers during this difficult time in the loss of your dear _______.
It was with great sadness that we learned of _______'s passing; please accept our heartfelt condolences. 

You and your family are in my heart and mind. My condolences on the passing of your father.

It’s terrible to hear about your loss and I express my sincere sympathy to you and your family

I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. My condolences.

My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the peace that you seek.

May my condolences bring you comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of this loss.

I offer you my thoughts, prayers and well-wishes during this dark time in your life.

I/We am/are deeply saddened by the loss of your (insert relationship of bereaved to deceased here). He/she will be truly missed and I/we will include him/her in my/our daily prayers.

We/I are/am deeply saddened by the news of (Name of deceased) passing. Our/My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Please accept my/our condolences, he/she will not be forgotten.

A chat about the weather

It's so hot/cold today!        

Nice weather, isn't it?        

What a wind/storm!

All that rain/snow!

All that fog!

Has the weather been like this for long here?

Is it always this hot/cold here?

Is it always this dry/wet here?

Hobbies

Do you have any  hobbies?

I like painting/reading/photography

I like music.

I like playing the guitar/piano

I like going to the movies

I like travellings.

playing sports/fishing/walking

Being the host(ess)

Can I offer you a drink?.

What would you like to drink?

Something non-alcoholic, please.

Would you like a cigarette?

I don't smoke.           

Invitation

Are you doing anything tonight?

Do you have any plans for today/this

Afternoon/tonight?           

Would you like to go out with me?        

Would you like to go dancing with me?

Would you like to have lunch/dinner with me?

Would you like to come to the beach with me?

Would you like to come into town with us?     

Would you like to come and see some friends with us?        

Shall we dance? - iBailamos?/baylahmohs?

sit at the bar?          

get something to drink?

go for a walk/drive?           

Yes, all right - Si, vamos /see bahmohs

Good idea - Buena idea/bwehnah eedehah

No (thank you)

Maybe later  

I don’t feel like it    

I don't have time    

I already have a date          

I'm not very good at dancing/volleyball/swimming   

Paying a compliment

You look wonderful! - jTe ves muy bienl/teh behs mwee byehn!
I like your car! - jQue bonito coche!/keh bohneetoh kohchehl

I like your ski outfit!          

You're a nice boy/girl        

What a sweet child!

You're a wonderful dancer! - Bailas muy bien/bahylahs mwee byehn

You're a wonderful cook!- Cocinas muy bien/kohseenahs mwee byehn

You're a terrific soccer player! - Juegas muy bien al futbol/hwehgahs mwee byehn ahl footbohl

Intimate comments/questions

I like being with you. - Me gusta estar contigo/meh goostah ehstahr kohnteegoh

I've missed you so much. - Te extrane mucho/teh ehkstrahnyeh moochoh

I dreamt about you. - Son6 contigo/sohnyeh kohnteegoh

I think about you all day. Pienso todo el dia en ti/pyehnsoh tohdoh ehl deeah ehn tee

You have such a sweet smile. Tienes una sonrisa muy bonita/tyehnehs oonah sohnreesah mwee bohneetah

You have such beautiful eyes. Tienes unos ojos muy bonitos/tyehnehs oonohs ohhohs mwee bohneetohs

I'm in love with you. - Estoy enamorado/enamorada de ti – ehstoy ehnahmohrahdoh/ ehnahmohrahdah deh tee

I'm in love with you too. -Yo tambien de ti/yoh tahmbyehn deh tee

I love you. Te quiero/teh kyehroh

I love you too. - Yo tambien a ti/yoh tahmbyehn ah tee

I don't feel as strongly about you. -Yo no siento lo mismo por ti/yoh noh syehntoh loh meesmoh pohr tee

I already have a boyfriend/girlfriend. - Ya tengo novio/a - yah tehngoh nohbyoh/ah

I'm not ready for that. - Yo no estoy preparado(a)/yoh noh ehstoy prehpahrahdoh/ah

This is going too fast. - Vamos demasiado rapido /bahmohs dehmahsyahdoh rahpeedoh

Take your hands off me. -  No me toque(s)/noh meh tohkeh(s)

Okay, no problem - No importa/noh eempohrtah

Will you stay with me tonight? - Te quedas a dormir?/tonight? teh kehdahs ah dohrmeer?

I'd like to go to bed. - Me gustaria acostarme contigo

Only if we use a condom.

We have to be careful about AIDS.

That's what they all say.      

We shouldn't take any risks.

Do you have a condom? 

No? In that case we won't do it.

Arrangements

When will I see you again?

Are you free over the weekend?

What shall we do?  

Where shall we meet?       

Will you pick me/us up?   

Shall I pick you up?

I have to be home by...      

I don't want to see you anymore.

Saving good

Can I take you home?        

Can I write/call you?         

Will you write/call me?    

Can I have your ...

address/phone number?

Thanks for everything.        

It was very nice.        

Say hello to...           

All the best  

I hope we meet again soon.

This is our address.

If you're ever in the U.S.

You'd be more than welcome.

Chapter 4/Eating out

In Latin American countries people usually have three meals:

El desayuno (breakfast) approximately between 7 and 9am. Breakfast is light and consists of cafe con leche (white coffee), croissants or pan tostado (toast).

El almuerzo (lunch) approx. between 12 and 2pm. Lunch always includes a hot dish and is the most important meal of the day. Office workers and schoolchildren still lunch at home. It usually consists of four courses: starter (which can be a plate of greens), main course. dessert, and fruit.

La cena (dinner) between 8 and 10pm. Dinner is usually a light, hot meal, taken with the family.

At around 5pm, a snack  (la merienda, called 'once' in Chile) is often served.

Contents
On arrival  

Ordering    

The bill       

Complaints           

Paying a compliment    

The menu   
Alphabetical list of drinks and dishes

On arrival

I'd like to reserve a table for seven o'clock, please.

I'd like a table for two, please.

We've/we haven't reserved.

Is the restaurant open yet?

What time does the restaurant open/close?

Can we wait for a table?

Do we have to wait long?

Is this seat taken?  

Could we sit here/there?

Do you have a reservation?

What name, please?

This way, please.

This table is reserved.

We'll have a table free in fifteen minutes.

Would you like to wait (at the bar)?

Can we sit by the window?

Can we eat outside?

Do you have another chair for us?

Do you have a highchair?

Is there an outlett for this bottle-warmer?

Could you warm up this bottle/jar for me?

Not too hot, please.

Is there somewhere I can change the baby's diaper?

Where are the bathrooms?

Ordering

eat/a drink Could I have a quick  meal?

We don't have much time.

We'd like to have a drink first.

Could we see the…

Do you have a menu in English?

Do you have a dish of the day?

We haven't made a choice yet

What do you recommend?

What are the specialities of the region/the house?

I like strawberries/olives. 

I don't like meat/fish/... - No me gusta el pescado/la came/... - noh meh goostah ehl pehskahdoh/lah kahrneh/...

What's this? - Que es esto?/keh ehs ehstoh?

Does it have...in it? - Tiene...?/tyehneh...?

What does it taste like?     

Is this a hot or a cold dish?          

Is this sweet?           

Is this spicy?

Do you have anything else, please?        

I'm on a salt-free diet        

I can't eat pork - No puedo comer carne de cerdo/noh pwehdoh kohmehr kahrneh deh sehrdoh

I can't eat sugar.      

I can't eat fatty foods.         

I can't eat (hot) spices.         

! I'll/we'll have what those people are having.   

I'd like...- Para mi.../pahrah mee...

Would you like a drink first?

Have you decided?

What would you like to eat?

Enjoy your meal.

Would you like your steak rare, medium or well done?

Would you like a dessert/coffee?

We're not having a  starter.

The child will share what we're having.

Could I have some more bread, please?

Could I have a bottle of water/wine...

Could I have another helping of... 

Could I have some salt and pepper...

Could I have a napkin.       

Could I have a spoon.

Could I have an ashtray .

Could I have some matches...

Could I have some toothpicks.

Could I have a glass of water ...

Could I have a straw (for the child).

Enjoy your meal!

You too!        

Cheers!         

The next round's on me    

Could we have a doggy bag, please?

The bill

Settling the bill

How much is this dish?

Could I have the bill, please?

All together.

Everyone pays separately.

Could we have the menu again, please? - Podri'a traernos otra vez la carta?/pohdreeah trahehrnohs ohtrah behs lah kahrtah?

The...is not on the bill -  Olvido apuntar el/la.../olbeedoh' ahpoontahr ehl/lah...

Complaints

It's taking a very long time - Estan tardando mucho/ehstahn tahrdahndoh moochoh

We've been here an hour already -  Ya llevamos una hora aqui/yah lyebahmohs oonah ohrah ahkee

This must be a mistake - Esto tiene que ser una equivocation/ehstoh tyehneh keh sehr oonah ehkeebohkahsyohn

This is not what I ordered - Esto no es lo que pedi/ehstoh noh ehs loh keh pehdee

I ordered... - Pedi.../pehdee

There's a dish missing -  Falta un plato/fahltah oon plahtoh

This is broken/not clean - Esto esta roto/no esta limpio/ehstoh ehstah rohtoh/noh ehstah leempyoh

The food's cold - La comida esta fria/lah kohmeedah ehstah freeah

The food's not fresh  - La comida no es fresca/lah kohmeedah noh ehs frehskah

The food's too salty/sweet/spicy - La comida esta muy salada/dulce/picante - lah kohmeedah ehstah mwee sahlahdah/doolseh/peekahnteh

The meat's not done - La came esta cruda/lah kahrneh ehstah kroodah

The meat's overdone -  La came esta muy cocida/lah kahrneh ehstah mwee kohseedah

The meat's tough - La carne esta dura/lah kahrneh ehstah doorah

The meat's off - La carne esta podrida/lah kahrneh ehstah pohdreedah

Could I have something else instead of this? - Me podria traer otra cosa en lugar de/esto? - meh pohdreeah trahehr ohtrah kohsah ehn loogahr deh ehstoh?

The bill/this amount is not right -  La cuenta/este precio esta mal/lah kwehntah/ehsteh prehsyoh ehstah mahl

We didn't have this - Esto no lo hemos comido/bebido/ehstoh noh loh ehmohs kohmeedoh/behbeedoh

There's no toiletpaper in the restroom - No hay papel en el bano/noh ay pahpehl ehn ehl bahnyoh

Do you have a complaints book? - Tienen libro de quejas?/tyehnen leebroh deh kehhas?

Will you call the manager, please? - Haga el favor de llamar al jefe/ahgah ehl fahbohr deh lyamahr ahl hehfeh

Paying a compliment

That was a wonderful meal. - Comimos muy bien/kohmeemohs mwee byehn

My food was excellent. - La comida ha estado exquisite/lah kohmeedah ah ehstahdoh ehxkeeseetah

The food/meal in particular was delicious. - Sobre todo nos gusto el/la.../sohbreh tohdoh nohs goostoh ehl/lah...

The Menu

English/Spanish

Aperitif - aperitivo

Aves – poultry

Sugar – azucar

alcoholic beverages - bebidas alcoholicas

hot beverages - bebidas calientes

wine list - carta de vinos

cocktails – cocteles

cover charge - cubierto

hors d'oeuvres - entremeses variados

seafood - mariscos

pastry - pasteleria

fish - pescados

hot dishes - platos calientes

combined dishes - platos combinados

dish of the day - plato del dia

cold dishes - platos frlos

main courses - platos principales

regional specialities - regional specialities

sweets/dessert - sweets/dessert

starters - primeros platos

portions - raciones

tip included - servicio incluido

soups - sopas

tapas – tapas

game - venado

vegetables - verduras

Alphabetical list of drinks and dishes

English/Spanish

olive - aceituna

avocado - aguacate/palta

garlic - ajo

meat balls - albondigas

artichoke - alcachofa/alcaucil

clams - almejas

almonds - almendras

frog's legs - ancas de rana

anchovy - anchoa/boquerbn

eel - anguila

aniseed - anls

celery - apio

herring - arenque

rice - arroz

roast, roasted - asado

tuna - atun/bonito

hazelnut - avellana

cod - bacalao

barbecued meat - barbacoa asado

…milk shake - licuado/batido de...

eggplant - berenjena

steak - biftec/bife/bistec

sponge cake - bizcocho

egg - blanquillo/huevo

beef - buey/vaca

kid - cabrito

coffee (black/white) - cafe (solo/con leche)

squid (cooked in their ink) - calamares (en su tinta)

broth - caldo

tripe - callos

crab - cangrejo

snails -caracoles

meat - carne

carp - carpa

chestnut - castana

onion – cebolla

pork - cerdo/puerco

cherries - cerezas

beer - cerveza

marinated raw seafood - ceviche

chili pepper – chile

chorizo (paprika flavoured salami sausage) – chorizo

sauerkraut - chucrut

chop (meat) - chuleta/costilla

fritters - churros

venison - ciervo

Dublin Bay prawns - cigalas

Plum – ciruela

roast suckling pig - asado cochinillo

boiled - cocido

quail - codorniz

cabbage - col/berz a/repollo

Brussels sprouts - coles repollitos de Bruselas

cauliflower - coliflor

brandy - conac

rabbit - conejo

ice cream - copa helada/helado

lamb - cordero

cream - crema/nata

sweetbreads - criadillas/mollejas

Spanish/English

crudo -raw

cuba libre - rum and coke

datil - date

dulce - sweet

enchiladas - stuffed tortillas

en escabeche - pickled

endibia - chicory/endive

ensalada (mixta) - mixed salad

ensaladilla rusa - Russian salad

escalope - escalope

esparragos - asparagus

especias - spices

espinaca - spinach

fideos - noodles

filete - fillet

flan -cream caramel

frambuesa - raspberry

fresa/frutilla - strawberry

frito - fried

fruta (del tiempo) - seasonal fruit

galleta - cracker (saltine)

gambas/camarones - prawns

garbanzos - chick peas

gazpacho andaluz - gazpacho (cold soup)

granizado de limon/cafe - iced drink (lemon/coffee)

grosellas - red/black currants

guacamole-  avocado dip

guisado - stew

guisantes/arvejas - peas

habas - broad beans

harina - flour

higado de ganso - goose liver

higo - fig

huevos al plato/duros/revueltos - fried/hard boiled/scrambled eggs

jamon de York/serrano - ham (cooked/Parma style)

jerez (seco, dulce) - sherry (dry, sweet)

jugo - fruit juice

langosta - lobster

langostino - crayfish

leche - milk

lechuga - lettuce

legumbres – vegetables (legumes)

lengua - tongue

remolacha - beetroot

rinones - kidneys

rodaballo - turbot

romana (a la) - deep fried

vino rosado - rose wine

salchicha  - sausage

salchichon/salame - salami

salmon - salmon

salmon ahumado - smoked salmon

salmonete - red mullet

sandia - water melon

Sandwich - sandwich

sangria - sangria

sardinas - sardines

setas/champinones - mushrooms

solomillo/lomo de buey/vaca - fillet of beef

Sopa – soup

Taco - stuffed maize/corn

stuffed maize/corn - pancake

tarta helada - ice cream cake

Tequila - tequila

ternera – veal

tinto - red wine

tocino - bacon

tortilla - maize/corn pancake

tortilla espanola - Spanish omelette (potato)

tortilla francesa - plain omelette

tortitas - waffles

trucha - trout

trufas - truffles

turrbn - nougat

uvas - grapes

vainitas/chauchas - French beans

verduras - green vegetables

vmagre - vinegar

zanahorias - carrots

jugo de naranja - orange juice