New York City

Use itA safe opening with staff, strangers, or anyone you meet.

Use itNormal in most everyday New York interactions, including many service encounters.

Use itA warm opening at a hotel, café, meeting, or shop.

Use itUse as an evening greeting; goodbye is more natural when leaving.

Use itAdd it to requests, especially when the city feels hurried.

Use itUseful after directions, service, or any small kindness.

Use itVery common in quick everyday exchanges.

Use itA standard response when someone thanks you.

Use itSay this before a question or when moving through a crowd.

Use itNatural after a small bump, delay, or misunderstanding.

Use itUseful with street offers, samples, and extra services.

Use itFollow with a request to repeat or slow down.

Use itA polite request when speech is fast or the surroundings are loud.

Use itClear and respectful when you are learning English.

Use itHelpful for names, addresses, directions, or confirmation numbers.

Use itUse when you hear unfamiliar language or slang.

Use itOften functions as a greeting; a short positive reply is normal with strangers.

Use itA natural answer to how are you?

Use itFriendly after a conversation has begun.

Use itAdd your name at the end.

Use itUse after exchanging names.

Use itCommon travel small talk; let the other person decide how much to share.

Use itAdd your city or country.

Use itAn easy conversation starter with locals or staff.

Use itAsk about food, neighborhoods, shops, shows, or routes.

Use itA warm response after receiving useful advice.

Use itCommon when leaving a shop, café, hotel, or conversation.

Use itNatural with someone you have spoken with for a while.

Use itShow your map if station names are difficult to hear.

Use itUseful in Manhattan; signs may instead name a borough or final stop.

Use itUseful in Manhattan; confirm the train's listed destination too.

Use itAdd the station name before boarding.

Use itLocal and express patterns can vary by line and time, so check live MTA information too.

Use itGive the destination or show it on a map.

Use itAsk after naming your destination.

Use itUseful if the announcement or display is unclear.

Use itUseful at an OMNY reader, bus, or other transport service.

Use itAsk staff and check current MTA accessibility information before relying on a route.

Use itElevator status can change; check live information as well.

Use itHelpful when verbal directions include many street names.

Use itAsk for minutes or blocks too, because walking pace varies.

Use itNew Yorkers often locate an address by its nearest avenue or cross street.

Use itUse with a taxi or ride-hail driver when it is safe and permitted to stop.

Use itUseful before a taxi or ride; traffic conditions change quickly.

Use itChange the number to match your group.

Use itAdd the booking name.

Use itUseful at a seated restaurant or bar.

Use itA natural way to ask a server or counter staff for a signature item.

Use itAdd the dish or drink; this sounds natural in American restaurants.

Use itAsk before ordering; kitchens may not be able to change every dish.

Use itConfirm individual ingredients when needed; definitions can vary.

Use itAsk about specific ingredients if the distinction matters.

Use itName the allergen clearly and show a written allergy card.

!Do not rely on this sentence alone for a severe allergy; speak directly with the restaurant.

Use itName the exact nut when possible and ask about cross-contact if relevant.

Use itA normal request at a sit-down restaurant.

Use itUse when ordering or asking for leftovers to be packed.

Use itAsk before payment; restaurant policies vary.

Use itIn American English, check is the usual restaurant word for the bill.

Use itA standard question when a price is not clear.

Use itA friendly response when a salesperson approaches.

Use itShow the item and name or point to the size.

Use itA common clothing or merchandise question.

Use itAsk staff before entering a fitting room.

Use itUseful in a large store or market.

Use itAsk before checkout at a small shop, stand, or market.

Use itUseful for checking prices, fees, or business expenses.

Use itAsk before buying, especially for electronics or final-sale items.

Use itCheck the bill or receipt before adding another tip.

Use itAdd the surname used for the booking.

Use itA simple arrival question at reception.

Use itConfirm the hotel's own checkout time.

Use itAsk at reception or look for written instructions.

Use itShow the card at reception and have identification available.

Use itAsk housekeeping or reception.

Use itA concise maintenance report.

Use itShow or describe the room issue.

Use itAsk about storage before check-in or after checkout.

Use itRequest early; availability is not guaranteed in a busy city.

Use itCall out loudly only when you need urgent help.

Use itUse at the start of a call or when asking someone to assist.

Use itUse for fire, police, or medical emergencies; verified through NYC.gov on 8 August 2026.

Use itNYC.gov says interpretation is available for most languages on 911 and 311 calls.

Use itA direct request when seeking help.

Use itAsk staff or emergency personnel; do not use a phrasebook as a substitute for urgent services.

Use itTell hotel staff, transport staff, or the appropriate authorities and contact your consulate.

Use itUseful with venue, hotel, transit, or lost-property staff.

Use itSay clearly and move toward staff or other help when possible.

Use itUse with staff, a public official, or emergency services.

Use itA common relaxed greeting; a brief answer is enough.

Use itVery casual among peers; it often needs only a short reply.

Use itTone and context decide whether this answers a greeting or politely declines an offer.

Use itAn easygoing way to accept a suggestion.

Use itUseful when arranging where or when to meet.

Use itA relaxed reassurance after a small apology or request.

Use itA very informal apology for a minor mistake.

!Use a fuller apology when the matter is serious.

Use itAmong peers, this usually means you are interested.

!It is informal and can be confusing outside a clear social context.

Use itEnthusiastic approval for food, news, a place, or an idea.

Use itAn informal expression of surprise among peers.

Use itA compact check-in whose meaning depends on the situation.

!Use are you okay? when clarity matters.

Use itA low-pressure social invitation; grab suggests something informal.

Use itUseful when playful intent was not clear.

Use itA very common all-purpose goodbye in shops and quick exchanges.

Use itUseful at a restaurant, market, or small business; some New York businesses may be cashless where permitted.

Use itIn the US, sales tax is often added at checkout rather than shown in the listed price.

Use itAsk before offering a large bill; a small business may not have enough change.

Use itOrdinary retail prices are usually fixed; ask about advertised discounts rather than bargaining.

Use itKeep the conversation discreet and contact your bank separately if needed.

Use itPoint to the exact line on the itemized bill or receipt and ask before leaving.