Initial Observation and Identification of Desired Seat
Before making a request, the person identifies a vacant or potentially swappable seat that would be more convenient (e.g., next to a companion, aisle seat, window seat).
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
aisle seat
A seat next to the walkway in a plane, bus, or theater, which is easy to get in and out of.
taken
Means a seat is already occupied by someone; the opposite of available.
free
In this context, it means available or not occupied, like an empty seat.
ideal
Means perfect or the best choice for a situation, often used to describe something suitable.
prefer
To like one thing more than another; used to express personal choice, like preferring an aisle seat.
mind
In questions like 'Would you mind?', it politely asks if something bothers someone.
window seat
A seat next to the window in public transport or theaters, good for viewing outside.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, is this seat taken?
This is a polite way to check if a seat is available. Use it when approaching someone on public transport. 'Excuse me' softens the request, and 'taken' means occupied.
No, it's free.
A simple response confirming a seat is available. 'Free' here means not occupied. Useful for quick, friendly replies in everyday situations.
Are you looking for a specific seat?
This question shows interest and helps understand the person's needs. 'Specific' means particular or exact. It's polite in service or helpful conversations.
My friend is sitting a few rows back, and I was hoping to find an aisle seat closer to them.
Explains the reason for wanting a seat change. 'Hoping to find' expresses desire politely. Use this to give context when requesting a switch, making it more persuasive.
Would you mind if I took this seat?
A polite way to ask permission to use something. The structure 'Would you mind if...' is conditional and indirect, ideal for requests to avoid seeming demanding.
Perhaps you could take the window seat directly across from this aisle.
Suggests an alternative politely. 'Perhaps' softens the suggestion, and 'could' is a modal verb for possibility. Useful for proposing swaps without pressure.