Discussing the Weather
Engaging in casual small talk about the current weather conditions, such as rain, heat, or cold, as a common icebreaker.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
coming down
This idiom means raining heavily. Use it in casual talk about sudden or strong rain, like 'It's really coming down outside.'
on and off
This means happening sometimes but not continuously, like rain starting and stopping. It's useful for describing intermittent weather.
relief
This noun means a feeling of comfort when something worrying ends. Say 'That's a relief' to express gladness about good news.
count on
This phrasal verb means to rely on or expect something to happen. Use it like 'You can count on it being busy' for predictable situations.
clear up
This phrasal verb means the weather improves and stops raining. It's common in small talk: 'I hope it clears up soon.'
humid
This adjective describes moist or damp air that feels sticky. Use it for uncomfortable hot weather: 'It's too humid today.'
bearable
This adjective means tolerable or not too bad. Compare weather like 'The cold is more bearable than the heat.'
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Wow, it really started coming down, didn't it?
This is a casual way to comment on sudden heavy rain, using 'didn't it?' as a tag question to invite agreement. It's great for starting weather small talk and shows surprise.
Tell me about it!
This idiom expresses strong agreement with someone's complaint. Use it in conversations to show you feel the same, like about bad weather or traffic. It's informal and common in American English.
Good thing traffic hasn't gotten too bad yet.
This uses 'good thing' to mean 'it's fortunate that,' with present perfect 'hasn't gotten' for recent changes. It's useful for expressing relief in situations like driving in rain.
You can usually count on traffic getting terrible in the rain.
This sentence uses 'count on' for expectation and gerund 'getting' after it. It's a general statement about predictable problems, helpful for discussing common experiences like city traffic.
Hopefully, it'll clear up soon.
'Hopefully' expresses hope, and 'it'll' is short for 'it will.' This is a polite way to wish for better weather, common in casual chats to stay positive.
This is much more bearable.
This comparative sentence uses 'much more' to contrast current comfort with past discomfort. Use it to agree on weather improvements, showing comparison in small talk.