Follow Ariannita through New York City as she asks about prices, directions, reservations, payment, and Wi-Fi. Listen for polite questions you can reuse on your own trip.
Read the full lesson summary
Learn 10 Phrases Before Traveling to the USA is a guided travel & getting around lesson for English learners who want to understand and use language in this real-life situation. The short description introduces the lesson; this expanded guide draws its details from the transcript and its phrase notes, so it focuses on what this particular video actually covers rather than a generic channel overview.
What the lesson covers
The lesson moves through Introducing the lesson and asking prices; Comparing ticket and food prices; Asking for a photograph; Finding someone who can help; Speaking another language; Finding a restroom and other places; Asking for the subway; and further related moments. Following that sequence helps learners connect each expression to what the speakers are doing, asking, or responding to, instead of memorizing vocabulary as a disconnected list. Listen for how the meaning changes with the situation and how the speaker's wording keeps the exchange moving.
Language to take away
How much is it? — Ask the price of an item, service, or activity. NeutralUse it when: Use it while shopping, ordering, or checking an activity's cost.When it may not fit: If you need a particular fare or quantity, name it: 'How much is one ticket?'Example: “Excuse me, how much is it for a day pass?”
all over the place — Varying widely or unpredictably; here, prices differ from place to place. informalUse it when: Use it when prices, plans, or information vary a lot.When it may not fit: In formal reports, give an exact range or figure.Example: “Hotel prices are all over the place during festival week.”
Can you take a picture of me? — Ask someone to photograph you. Polite when paired with 'excuse me' and 'thank you'.Use it when: Use it with a passerby or staff member when you want a photo.When it may not fit: Ask someone who is not occupied and respect a refusal.Example: “Could you take a picture of us in front of the museum?”
A way to use this lesson
Listen again for how Ariannita handles introducing the lesson and asking prices. Replay the relevant moment, then adapt the language to a real conversation you expect to have. Keep the original situation in mind: the goal is not simply to repeat a sentence, but to choose wording that suits the people, purpose, and tone of the exchange.
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Transcript
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Select an expression for its meaning · 0:00
Introducing the lesson and asking prices
Hey everyone! Welcome back to my YouTube channel. In today's video, I am in New York City (the city that never sleeps). Today I'm a tourist visiting the Big Apple and we'll learn some basic English phrases and practice some common tourist situations. So today I will teach you 10 English phrases you need to know when you travel to the United States. The first phrase is: "". People ask "How much is it?" while traveling to find out the cost of something they want to do or see. For example How much is one ticket for a bus ride? — Uh it depends on where you're going.
Try it: Listen again for how Ariannita handles introducing the lesson and asking prices.
Phrase cheat sheet
All phrases at a glance
Review each expression, hear it, save it, or jump to where it appears in the video.
28 phrases
Showing 28 of 28 phrases
How much is it?
Introducing the lesson and asking prices · expression
Ask the price of an item, service, or activity.
Tone and use: Neutral Use it while shopping, ordering, or checking an activity's cost.
May not fit: If you need a particular fare or quantity, name it: 'How much is one ticket?'
Example“Excuse me, how much is it for a day pass?”
all over the place
Comparing ticket and food prices · idiom
Varying widely or unpredictably; here, prices differ from place to place.
Tone and use: informal Use it when prices, plans, or information vary a lot.
May not fit: In formal reports, give an exact range or figure.
Example“Hotel prices are all over the place during festival week.”
Can you take a picture of me?
Asking for a photograph · expression
Ask someone to photograph you.
Tone and use: Polite when paired with 'excuse me' and 'thank you'. Use it with a passerby or staff member when you want a photo.
May not fit: Ask someone who is not occupied and respect a refusal.
Example“Could you take a picture of us in front of the museum?”
lifesaver
Finding someone who can help · expression
Something or someone that helps you out of a difficult situation.
Tone and use: informal Use it to express strong relief or gratitude for timely help.
May not fit: Keep it figurative unless someone was literally rescued.
Example“That translation app was a lifesaver when I missed my train.”
Do you speak English?
Finding someone who can help · expression
Check whether someone can communicate in English.
Tone and use: Direct; an opening 'excuse me' softens it. Use it when you need help and are unsure which language to use.
May not fit: Don't assume everyone should speak English; try a polite greeting first.
Example“Excuse me, do you speak English? I need help finding the station.”
Excuse me
Finding someone who can help · tone
A polite way to get someone's attention before asking a question.
Tone and use: Polite; common in public interactions. Use it to open a brief request to a stranger or staff member.
Context: Ariannita uses it before approaching strangers for help.
May not fit: Avoid interrupting a private conversation unless necessary.
Example“Excuse me, could you tell me where the bus stop is?”
Where's the restroom?
Finding a restroom and other places · expression
Ask where a public toilet is.
Tone and use: Polite and conversational Use it in a restaurant, shop, station, or other public venue.
Context: 'Restroom' is a common, polite American English term in public places.
May not fit: In casual conversation, 'bathroom' is also common; follow venue signage.
Example“Excuse me, where's the restroom?”
all the way down
Finding a restroom and other places · expression
Continue to the far end of a hallway, street, or route.
Tone and use: Conversational directional phrase Use it when giving or confirming directions.
May not fit: Pair it with a clear landmark or turn if the route isn't obvious.
Example“Walk all the way down the hall, then turn left.”
not from around here
Asking for the subway · expression
Unfamiliar with this local area because you live elsewhere.
Tone and use: conversational Use it to explain why you need directions or local advice.
May not fit: If you only need a brief introduction, 'I'm visiting' may sound more natural.
Example“I'm not from around here—could you point me toward the station?”
Where is the nearest train station?
Asking for the subway · expression
Ask for the closest station from where you are.
Tone and use: Neutral; 'excuse me' makes it more courteous. Use it when looking for a train or subway nearby.
May not fit: If you need a particular line, name it too.
Example“Excuse me, where is the nearest train station?”
walking in
Checking whether reservations are needed · expression
Arriving at a restaurant without a reservation.
Tone and use: conversational Use it when asking whether a restaurant can seat you without a booking.
Context: A host may ask this to distinguish walk-in guests from people with bookings.
May not fit: 'Walk-in' describes a guest without a booking; it doesn't itself ask whether a table is free.
Example“Are you accepting walk-ins for lunch today?”
get stuck without a table
Checking whether reservations are needed · expression
End up unable to get a table when you want to eat.
Tone and use: conversational Use it to describe an unwanted result you could avoid by planning ahead.
May not fit: This is informal and emphasizes an unwanted outcome; 'be unable to get a table' is more neutral.
Example“Let's book ahead so we don't get stuck without a table.”
Do I need a reservation to eat here?
Checking whether reservations are needed · expression
Ask whether you should book a table before dining.
Tone and use: Polite, direct question Use it before entering a restaurant, especially at busy times.
May not fit: If you already booked, ask to check in for your reservation.
Example“Do I need a reservation to eat here tonight?”
Do you accept cash or card?
Asking about cash and cards · expression
Ask which payment methods a business accepts.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical Use it before paying when the accepted methods are unclear.
May not fit: If you have a preferred method, ask about that one specifically.
Example“Do you accept cash or card for the airport shuttle?”
Are you in line?
Asking who is in line · expression
Check whether someone is waiting in the queue ahead of you.
Tone and use: Polite if opened with 'excuse me' Use it when it is unclear where a queue starts or who is waiting.
Context: In the U.S., 'line' is the usual word for a queue.
May not fit: If the queue is clearly marked, join at the end.
Example“Excuse me, are you in line for the ticket counter?”
Go ahead
Asking who is in line · expression
Invite someone to proceed or take their turn.
Tone and use: Friendly and conversational Use it when letting someone move forward ahead of you.
May not fit: Clarify who is next if the queue order is uncertain.
Example“You can go ahead—I'm still waiting for my friend.”
follow up
Asking about Wi-Fi · phrasal verb
Ask an additional question or take a next step after an initial answer.
Tone and use: neutral Use it when the first answer does not give all the details you need.
May not fit: In formal writing, state the next action explicitly.
Example“If they have Wi-Fi, follow up by asking for the password.”
Do you have Wi-Fi?
Asking about Wi-Fi · expression
Ask whether a place offers wireless internet.
Tone and use: Neutral, everyday request Use it at a hotel, café, or venue where you need internet access.
May not fit: Ask separately if you need to know whether access is free.
Example“Do you have Wi-Fi in the guest rooms?”
What's the Wi-Fi password?
Asking about Wi-Fi · expression
Ask for the password to connect to the venue's Wi-Fi.
Tone and use: Conversational; 'please' softens it. Use it after confirming the venue offers Wi-Fi.
May not fit: Don't ask for a private network password not offered to guests.
Example“Could I have the Wi-Fi password, please?”
make the most of their time
Making polite requests · expression
Use the time available as effectively or enjoyably as possible.
Tone and use: neutral Use it when someone has limited time and wants the fullest value from it.
May not fit: It may sound overly purposeful when someone simply wants to relax.
Example“We only have two days in New York, so let's make the most of our time.”
to stay or to go
Making polite requests · expression
Whether you will eat or drink at the shop or take the order away.
Tone and use: standard in American food service Use it when ordering food or answering a server's question.
Context: American cafés often ask this when taking an order.
May not fit: This applies to food or drinks, not most other purchases.
Example“The barista asked, 'To stay or to go?' and I said, 'To go, please.'”
Can I get
Making polite requests · expression
A flexible way to request food, a drink, or a service.
Tone and use: Friendly; common in American restaurants and shops Use it to order a specific item: 'Can I get a coffee, please?'.
Context: In the U.S., this is a routine way to place an order; 'please' adds courtesy.
May not fit: In formal writing, use a more specific request.
Example“Can I get a window seat, please?”
come in handy
Planning around opening hours · idiom
Be useful at the moment you need it.
Tone and use: conversational Use it when a skill, object, or bit of information proves practically useful.
May not fit: It's conversational; 'prove useful' is more formal.
Example“A transit map can come in handy when your phone loses signal.”
What time does this store close?
Planning around opening hours · expression
Ask when a shop stops serving customers for the day.
Tone and use: Neutral and practical Use it to plan a visit or see whether you have time to shop.
May not fit: Ask about the specific day if hours vary.
Example“What time does the museum shop close on Sundays?”
Do you work here?
Finding staff and souvenirs · expression
Check whether someone is staff and can help you.
Tone and use: Direct but ordinary; 'excuse me' softens it. Use it when you need help and can't tell whether someone works at the venue.
May not fit: Ask politely and accept their answer.
Example“Excuse me, do you work here? I'm looking for the fitting rooms.”
I'm looking for...
Finding staff and souvenirs · expression
Introduce the place or item you are trying to find.
Tone and use: Neutral and useful Use it to ask staff or passersby for help locating something.
May not fit: Name the item or place after the phrase.
Example“I'm looking for the airport bus stop.”
go a long way
Trying on clothes and thanking people · idiom
Have a strong positive effect, even if the action seems small.
Tone and use: neutral Use it to say a small action can make a meaningful difference.
May not fit: This is figurative here, not about physical distance.
Example“A sincere thank-you can go a long way with a busy colleague.”
Can I try this on?
Trying on clothes and thanking people · expression
Ask permission to try on clothing.
Tone and use: Polite and common in shops Use it before taking clothing to a fitting room.
May not fit: For non-clothing, ask whether you can test or try it instead.
Example“Can I try this jacket on in the fitting room?”