Buying something at a street kiosk in English
Hi, how are you today?
“Hello, how are you today?”
When: The first thing you say at any kiosk, cart or counter
The moment
You stop at a small newsstand kiosk on a Manhattan corner. Greet the vendor, ask the price of a bottle of water and a pack of gum, buy one, thank him, and say goodbye.
A1 · Unit 1 · First words · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Open with a friendly hello
Start every small shop visit with a quick hello. "Hi, how are you?" is friendly and normal. Keep your answer short when the vendor asks back.
Hi, how are you today?
“Hello, how are you today?”
When to use it: The first thing you say at any kiosk, cart or counter
What you’ll hear back: Doing good, thanks. What can I get you? (I'm fine. What do you want to buy?)
Price, then buy
Ask the price of each thing: "How much is the water?" Then choose one with "I'll take...". Finish with thanks and a goodbye.
I'll take the water, please.
“I want the water, please.”
When to use it: After you know the prices and you decide to buy
What you’ll hear back: Sure thing, that's two fifty. (Okay, it costs $2.50.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| How much is the gum? | HOW-much iz-thuh GUM | What is the price of the gum? |
And how much is the gum? Also, what does the gum cost? Tip: Kiosk prices usually include tax; supermarkets add tax at the register. | ||
| Here you go | HEER-yuh GO | Take this. (when you give something) |
Here you go, three dollars. Take this, it's three dollars. Tip: Say it as you hand over money; cashiers say it back. | ||
| Keep the change | KEEP thuh CHAYNJ | You can keep the extra money. |
Thanks so much, keep the change! Thank you, you can keep the extra coins. Tip: A small kind gesture; tipping isn't expected at kiosks. | ||
Your objective
Greet the vendor, ask what two things cost, buy one of them, then say thank you and goodbye.
- a greeting
- two prices
- thanks and a goodbye
Lines that get it done
- Hi, how are you today?
- And how much is the gum? · Also, what does the gum cost?
- Thanks so much, keep the change! · Thank you, you can keep the extra coins.
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You walk up to the kiosk. What do you say first?
- Hi, how are you today?
- Keep the change.
- Have a good one!
- Oh, sorry about that!
Show the answer
Hi, how are you today?
Start with a friendly hello. The others are for paying, leaving or saying sorry.
2. The vendor says "Water's two fifty, gum's a buck." What does "a buck" mean?
- One cent
- One dollar
- Ten dollars
- It is free
Show the answer
One dollar
"A buck" is common slang for one dollar, so the gum costs $1.
3. You paid and got your water. What is a good way to finish?
- How much is this?
- Thanks so much, have a good one!
- Excuse me, do you have a second?
- Nice to meet you.
Show the answer
Thanks so much, have a good one!
Say thank you and a friendly goodbye when you leave the kiosk.