30 Essential English Phrases for Your First Trip to London

Works anywhere: in a shop, in the pub, on the phone. Hi is simpler and more casual.

In everyday speech the shorter bye or see you is more common.

The British say thank you often: to the cashier, the waiter, the bus driver. Shorter: thanks or cheers.

Where's the toilet? In Britain this is the everyday word; signs also say toilets and WC, and in conversation people say loo. The American restroom will be understood too.

In conversation you often hear yeah. To accept an offer, say yes, please.

A refusal is politer with thanks: no, thank you or no, thanks.

A cry for help. The emergency number in Britain is 999; 112 works too. The calm request is can you help me?, phrase 25.

Add it to any request: a coffee, please. A request without please sounds abrupt in English.

An apology for a small slip; the British say it a great deal. Sorry? with a rising tone means "Sorry, what did you say?"

Used to stop a passer-by before asking a question: excuse me, where is the station? Also used to get past in a crowd or on the Tube.

Where is...? or, shorter, where's...? asks where a place is: where's the station?

The negative is I don't understand.

If you missed what was said, ask for it again: phrase 26.

The reply to thank you. Nobody answers thanks with please. In London you will also often hear no problem.

How much is it? asks the price. For things that are counted, say how many: how many tickets?

Could we have the bill, please? In the US it is the check, and bill there also means a banknote, which the British call a note.

Where's the nearest pharmacy? In Britain a pharmacy is often called a chemist's. The pharmacist can recommend medicine for minor ailments.

Still water has no bubbles, sparkling water does. London tap water is safe to drink, and cafés will give it free: ask for tap water, please.

A greeting until noon. Later it is good afternoon, then good evening; good night is only for leaving or bedtime.

Stress the first syllable. People also say I'm allergic to.... In Britain, food businesses must say on request which major allergens a dish contains.

In the sentence card is short for bank card. Almost everywhere in London takes cards. The cashier may ask contactless?, meaning whether you will pay by tapping your card.

Swap two for three or four. In an ordinary pub you find a table yourself, then order and pay at the bar.

Metro is understood, but the London Underground is called the Tube; signs say Underground and show a red circle with a blue bar.

On London's Tube and buses you need not buy a ticket: you can touch a contactless bank card on the reader instead. Buses do not take cash.

The calm way to ask for help: in the street, in a shop, at a station. In danger, shout help!, phrase 7.

Again means once more; stress the second syllable. Shorter: sorry? with a rising tone, as in phrase 9.

Said to a taxi driver. A London black cab can be hailed in the street when its yellow TAXI sign is lit.

If a life is at risk, call 999 or 112. If it is not urgent, in England 111 will tell you where to go.

It's is short for it is. Praise for a dish at a café or a friend's table.

I would like is the polite way to ask; in speech it is usually I'd like. To avoid heat: not spicy, please.