How to say please, thank you and sorry in English
Excuse me, do you have a second?
“Excuse me, can you help me for a moment?”
When: Stopping someone on the street, in a store or in the subway
The moment
You are lost near Times Square and need help from a stranger, then you bump into someone in a busy deli. Get attention politely, say thank you, and say sorry when you need to.
A1 · Unit 1 · First words
The lines
Getting a stranger's attention
Start with "Excuse me" before you ask a stranger anything. Then ask for a moment: "Excuse me, do you have a second?" People in New York are busy, but this makes them stop.
Excuse me, do you have a second?
“Excuse me, can you help me for a moment?”
When to use it: Stopping someone on the street, in a store or in the subway
What you’ll hear back: Sure, what's up? (Yes, how can I help?)
Saying thank you
"Thank you so much!" is warmer than just "Thanks". Americans say thank you a lot, even for small things. The other person answers "You're welcome" or "No problem".
Thank you so much!
“Thank you very much!”
When to use it: After someone helps you, gives you directions or holds a door
What you’ll hear back: No problem! (It was easy, you're welcome.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| You're welcome | yer WEL-kum | It was my pleasure to help. |
"Thanks for the help." "You're welcome!" "Thank you for helping." "I was happy to help!" Tip: Casual versions: "No problem", "Sure", or "No worries". | ||
| Oh, sorry about that! | OH, SAH-ree uh-BOW-that | I made a small mistake; I feel bad. |
Oh, sorry about that! Are you okay? Oops, my mistake! Are you all right? Tip: Say it fast after bumping someone; Americans apologize for tiny accidents. | ||
| Can I get a water, please? | kan-ai GEH-duh WAH-der, PLEEZ | I want a water. (polite request) |
Hi, can I get a water, please? Hello, please give me a water. Tip: "Can I get..." is normal and polite when ordering in the US. | ||
Your objective
Get someone’s attention politely, ask them for help with one thing, and thank them.
- excuse me
- what you need
- thank you
Lines that get it done
- Excuse me, do you have a second?
- Hi, can I get a water, please? · Hello, please give me a water.
- Thank you so much!
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You need directions from a woman on the street. What do you say first?
- Excuse me, do you have a second?
- Hey you, come here.
- Sorry about that!
- You're welcome.
Show the answer
Excuse me, do you have a second?
"Excuse me" politely gets a stranger's attention before you ask for help.
2. You say "Thank you so much!" and the man says "No worries." What does he mean?
- He is worried about you.
- You're welcome, it was no trouble.
- He did not understand you.
- He wants you to say sorry.
Show the answer
You're welcome, it was no trouble.
"No worries" and "No problem" are casual ways to say "You're welcome".
3. You step on someone's foot in a crowded deli. What do you say?
- Excuse me, do you have a second?
- You're welcome!
- Oh, sorry about that!
- Can I get a water, please?
Show the answer
Oh, sorry about that!
For a small accident, a quick "Oh, sorry about that!" is the natural thing to say.