Buying Tickets at the Counter
A customer approaches the ticket counter to purchase movie tickets directly from a staff member, inquiring about showtimes, seat availability, and prices.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
showtimes
The specific times when a movie starts playing in the theater. Use it when asking about movie schedules.
showing
A single screening or performance of a movie at a particular time. It's useful for talking about specific movie sessions.
seats
The chairs or places to sit in a movie theater. Common when discussing where to sit during a film.
available
Something that is free or ready to be used, like empty seats. Ask if seats are available to check if you can book them.
aisle seats
Seats located next to the walkway in a row, making it easy to get in and out. Prefer them if you want easy access.
cash
Physical money, like bills and coins. Use it when paying with money instead of a card at a ticket counter.
card
A credit or debit card used for electronic payments. Common in modern transactions for buying tickets.
enjoy
To have a good time or take pleasure in something, like watching a movie. It's a polite way to wish someone well.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'd like to buy two tickets for this evening.
This is a polite way to request purchasing items. 'I'd like' is a contraction of 'I would like,' used for polite requests. Useful when starting a purchase in a store or theater.
What movies are playing and what are the showtimes?
A question to inquire about current films and their start times. 'Are playing' uses present continuous for ongoing events. Great for getting information at a cinema counter.
Are there still good seats available for the 7:30 PM showing?
Asks if quality seats are free for a specific time. 'Still' implies checking remaining options. Useful for confirming availability before buying.
Would you prefer aisle seats or closer to the middle?
Offers choices politely with 'would you prefer,' a conditional for suggestions. Helps in service situations to understand customer needs.
How much are the tickets?
A direct question about price. Simple and essential for any buying scenario. Use it after deciding on items to know the cost.
They are $15 per ticket, so $30 for two.
Explains pricing with 'per' meaning for each, and 'so' for calculation. Practical for totaling costs in sales, showing math in context.
Will that be cash or card?
Asks for payment method using future 'will' for prediction. Common in retail to confirm how to pay, making transactions smooth.
Enjoy the movie!
A friendly farewell wishing pleasure. Imperative form for commands or wishes. Use it to end service interactions positively.