Needing the Time in a Café
You're enjoying a coffee and realize your phone battery is dead. You need to know the time to catch your train, so you ask a staff member or another customer.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
bother
To disturb or annoy someone; used politely to apologize for interrupting, like 'Sorry to bother you' when asking for help.
happen to know
A polite way to ask if someone knows something by chance; it's indirect and courteous, common in casual conversations.
check
To look at something quickly to find information, like checking a watch or clock for the time.
died
When a battery runs out of power, especially for devices like phones; informal way to say 'it stopped working because of no power.'
catch
To get on a vehicle like a train or bus in time; used in phrases like 'catch a train' meaning to board it before it leaves.
half an hour
Thirty minutes; a common way to express time durations, like 'in half an hour' meaning after 30 minutes.
get going
To start leaving or hurry away; informal expression for when you need to depart soon.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm so sorry to bother you, but do you happen to know the time?
This is a polite way to ask for the time when interrupting someone; it uses 'excuse me' to get attention, apologizes with 'sorry to bother,' and 'happen to know' makes it indirect and courteous. Useful for starting conversations in public places.
No bother at all! Let me check... It's 3:15 PM.
A friendly response to reassure the asker; 'No bother at all' means it's not a problem, and 'let me check' shows willingness to help. 'PM' means after noon. Great for responding positively in service situations.
Oh, 3:15. Perfect! My phone died and I need to catch a train. Thank you so much!
This shows gratitude and explains the reason; repeating the time confirms understanding, 'perfect' expresses relief. Useful for thanking after getting information and giving context briefly.
You're welcome! Glad I could help. Is your train soon?
Standard polite reply to thanks; 'You're welcome' is common, 'glad I could help' shows positivity. Follow-up question keeps conversation natural. Use this to continue politely after helping.
Yes, in about half an hour. I should probably get going. Thanks again!
Answers a question and ends the talk; 'in about half an hour' estimates time, 'should probably get going' suggests leaving. Repeat thanks to be polite. Ideal for wrapping up when in a hurry.
No problem! Have a good trip.
Casual farewell; 'No problem' means it's fine, 'have a good trip' wishes well for travel. Use this to end positively after offering help, especially in travel contexts.