Browsing and General Inquiry
A customer is simply browsing without a specific book in mind but might ask the bookseller general questions about new arrivals, popular sections, or the store's arrangement.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
browsing
Looking around a store without planning to buy something right away; it's a casual way to explore items like books.
new arrivals
Recently added items to a store, like books that just came in; useful for asking about fresh stock in shops.
recommend
To suggest something good based on your opinion; often used when asking for advice, like 'Can you recommend a book?'
fiction
A type of book or story that is made up, not real; common in bookstores to describe novels and imaginative tales.
contemporary
Relating to modern times or current events; often used for books or art from recent years, like 'contemporary novels'.
donations
Gifts of items, like books, given to a store or charity; in used bookstores, it means books people give away for sale.
genres
Categories or types of books, such as mystery or romance; helpful for discussing what kind of stories you like.
cozy
Comfortable and warm in a friendly way; used to describe a pleasant atmosphere, like a small, inviting bookstore.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'm just browsing today.
This is a polite way to tell a shopkeeper you're looking around casually without needing help right away; use it to start a conversation in stores. It uses 'just' to soften the statement.
Are there any new arrivals that just came in?
A question to ask about recently added items; useful in shops to show interest in fresh stock. The structure is a yes/no question with 'any' for general inquiries.
We actually just put out a fresh batch of fiction this morning.
This describes adding new items recently; 'put out' means to display or stock, and 'fresh batch' implies a new group. Good for shopkeepers explaining inventory; use in service situations.
Do you have a science fiction or fantasy section?
Asking about a specific area in a store; 'or' connects alternatives. This pattern is practical for locating categories in bookstores or libraries.
It's towards the back, past the travel books, on the right.
Giving directions in a store; words like 'towards,' 'past,' and 'on the right' help describe locations. Useful for guiding someone without a map.
Thanks so much for the directions. It's a lovely store, very cozy.
Expressing gratitude and a compliment; 'thanks so much' is emphatic politeness, and 'cozy' adds warmth. Use this to end interactions positively in shops.
Feel free to ask if you have any more questions.
Inviting further help; 'feel free to' means 'you're welcome to' without pressure. Common in customer service to encourage questions; polite and open-ended.