Language Learners

2 female friends hugging at tram stop with tram approaching

Spanish word of the week: despedir

despedir VERB (1ST PERSON, despido) to say goodbye to When a friend leaves, Spanish-speaking people usually want to say goodbye to them properly. That’s when the word despedir comes in: Salgo a la calle para despedirte. I’ll come out so say goodbye to you. You can translate… Read More
a woman wearing a large backpack buying a ticket at a station

Asking for things when travelling in English

Our last article gave example phrases you could use when asking for information while travelling. We’ll now give examples you can use when asking for things, such as seats or receipts. To ask for something, use Can I have … ? or Could I have … ?. Read More
mix of 5 men and women with hands up to their faces to indicate confusion

Spanish word of the week: pensar

pensar VERB to think; to think about, to think over Pensar is used as often in Spanish as to think is in English. For instance, if you want to ask someone’s opinion: ¿Piensas que vale la pena? Do you think it’s worth it? (Remember, the -e… Read More
a man showing another man something on his phone

Asking for information when travelling, in English

Our previous article gave you examples of how you could make travel suggestions. We’re now going to show you some phrases you can use when asking for information. You may need to go to a particular place or building when you are travelling. Use Is there … ? to ask… Read More
Tut mir leid! written on a wooden board

Apologizing and attracting someone’s attention in German

Most of us know when we have to say sorry, but when we’re not speaking our own language, it’s important to know how to do it. In German, different circumstances call for different words and expressions for apologizing. The most common way of saying I’m sorry is Es tut… Read More
MI SCUSI written on yellow paper

How to apologize and attract someone’s attention in Italian

Most of us know when we have to say sorry, but when we’re not speaking our own language, it’s important to know how to do it. In Italian, different circumstances call for different words and expressions for apologizing. The most common way of saying I’m sorry is… Read More
keyboard with a post-it note with GRACIAS written on it

Learning Spanish: Common courtesies

Whether you’re visiting a Spanish-speaking country or even planning to live there, you’ll want to be able to chat to people and get to know them better. The nuts and bolts of conversations revolve around common courtesies. As in English, in Spanish there are several ways you can ask someone… Read More
2 men greeting each other in the street

Ça va ? Asking after others

If you’re catching up with a French-speaking friend, old or new, you’ll probably want to ask them how they are, and vice versa. As with English, there are several ways of asking after somebody in French, and a variety of ways to reply as well. One important thing to bear… Read More
a man pointing to something on a woman's phone

Making suggestions when travelling, in English

The last article gave you a few words and phrases you could use when making plans for travelling. We’re now going to expand on this by looking at useful phrases you can use when making suggestions. If two or more people are trying to decide what to do when travelling,… Read More

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