Dealing with a Disruption/Seeking Information
The bus/train has unexpectedly stopped or is delayed. You want to ask a nearby passenger if they know what's happening or how long the delay might be.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
delay
A delay means something is late or taking longer than expected, like a bus stopping unexpectedly. Use it when talking about transportation issues.
connection
A connection refers to transferring from one vehicle to another, like from a bus to a train. It's common in travel conversations to express worry about missing it.
medical emergency
This is a sudden health problem that needs immediate help, like an accident. Use it to describe serious reasons for delays in public transport.
unforeseen
Unforeseen means unexpected or not planned for. It's useful for describing surprises, like sudden delays, in polite discussions.
indefinite
Indefinite means without a clear end time or limit. Say this when something like a delay has no specific duration.
frustrating
Frustrating describes something that makes you annoyed or upset because it's difficult. It's a common word for expressing feelings about delays or problems.
make up time
To make up time means to go faster to recover lost time. Use it when hoping a vehicle will speed up after a delay.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, do you happen to know why we've stopped?
This is a polite way to ask for information from a stranger. 'Do you happen to know' softens the question, making it less direct. Use it to start small talk on public transport without being rude.
I'm not entirely sure, but it feels longer than usual.
This expresses uncertainty while giving an opinion. 'Not entirely sure' is a hedge phrase for intermediate politeness. Useful for responding when you don't know the exact answer in casual chats.
I'm trying to get to the train station, and I'm worried I might miss my connection.
This shares personal plans and concerns. The structure uses 'and' to connect ideas, showing cause and effect. It's practical for explaining why a delay affects you during commutes.
It says there's a medical emergency up ahead causing the delay.
This reports information from an app or source. 'Up ahead' means in front, and 'causing the delay' explains the reason. Use it to share updates clearly in group situations like on a bus.
Any idea how long they're expecting it to last?
A casual way to ask for an estimate. 'Any idea' is informal and friendly, while 'they're expecting' refers to authorities. Great for seeking more details without pressure.
It's really frustrating when this happens.
This expresses shared annoyance. The present simple 'happens' generalizes the situation. Use it to build rapport by agreeing on common problems like delays.
Thanks for checking the app, that's really helpful.
This shows gratitude politely. 'That's really helpful' emphasizes appreciation. Always use thanks in conversations to end positively and maintain good manners.