English can feel huge at first, but most daily interactions are built from a small group of simple, powerful words. This guide helps you learn them naturally and start speaking confidently.
How to Use This List
You’ll see:
- The word or phrase
- A simple meaning
- When you’d use it
- Example sentences
No grammar headaches. No complicated theory. Just useful, real-life English.
1. Essential Greetings and Basic Phrases
Start strong with the foundation of every conversation.
| English Phrase | Meaning | When You’d Use It |
| Hello | Standard greeting | Anytime |
| Hi | Casual greeting | Friends, daily life |
| Hey | Very casual | Friends |
| Good morning | Morning greeting | Before noon |
| Good afternoon | Afternoon greeting | 12–5 pm |
| Good evening | Evening greeting | After 5 pm |
| Nice to meet you | Formal introduction | Meeting someone |
| How are you? | Simple check-in | Daily conversations |
| I’m fine, thanks | Basic reply | Anytime |
| What’s up? | Casual check-in | Friends |
Examples
- “Good morning! How are you today?”
- “Nice to meet you. I’m Alex.”
- “Hey! What’s up?”
2. Must-Know Polite English Phrases
Politeness makes conversations smoother in English-speaking cultures.
| Phrase | Meaning | When You’d Use It |
| Please | Polite request | Asking for anything |
| Thank you | Showing gratitude | Always |
| Thanks | Casual gratitude | Friends |
| You’re welcome | Polite response | After being thanked |
| Excuse me | Polite interruption | Asking questions |
| Sorry | Apology | Mistakes, small issues |
| No problem | Accepting apology | Friendly reply |
| My pleasure | Very polite | Service, hospitality |
| May I…? | Polite question starter | Formal situations |
| Could you…? | Soft request | Requests |
Examples
- “Excuse me, could you help me?”
- “Thank you!” — “You’re welcome.”
- “Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
3. Useful English Question Words
These help you ask anything clearly.
| Word | Meaning |
| Who | Person |
| What | Thing |
| When | Time |
| Where | Place |
| Why | Reason |
| How | Method |
| Which | Choice |
| How much | Price/amount |
| How many | Countable things |
| What time | Time-specific |
Examples
- “Where is the station?”
- “How much is this?”
- “Which one do you prefer?”
4. Everyday English Verbs You’ll Use Constantly
These 10 verbs appear everywhere.
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
| Be | To exist / describe | “I am happy.” |
| Have | Possession | “I have a car.” |
| Go | Move or travel | “I go to work.” |
| Do | Action | “What are you doing?” |
| Get | Receive / obtain | “I got your message.” |
| Make | Create | “I made dinner.” |
| Want | Desire | “I want coffee.” |
| Need | Necessity | “I need help.” |
| Know | Understand | “I know him.” |
| Like | Preference | “I like pizza.” |
Yak Tip
These verbs are the “superstars” of English. You’ll hear them everywhere.
5. Numbers, Time, and Basic Info Words
Quick essentials for communication.
| Word | Meaning |
| One | 1 |
| Two | 2 |
| Three | 3 |
| Today | This day |
| Tomorrow | Next day |
| Yesterday | Previous day |
| Now | Current moment |
| Later | Future moment |
| Early | Before expected |
| Late | After expected |
Examples
- “I’ll call you later.”
- “I was late because of traffic.”
6. Basic Directions and Movement Phrases
Perfect for travel, taxis, and navigation.
| Phrase | Meaning |
| Left | Direction |
| Right | Direction |
| Straight | Forward |
| Stop | Don’t move |
| Go ahead | Continue |
| Over there | Not far |
| Nearby | Close |
| Far | Long distance |
| Turn left | Change direction |
| Turn right | Change direction |
Example Dialog
“Excuse me, where is the bank?”
“Go straight, then turn left.”
7. Everyday Objects and Common Nouns
Words you’ll see everywhere.
| Word | Meaning |
| Phone | Mobile device |
| Bag | Something you carry |
| Water | Drink |
| Food | What you eat |
| Money | Currency |
| Ticket | Entry or travel pass |
| Room | Space inside a building |
| Table | Flat surface |
| Chair | Something to sit on |
| Door | Entrance |
Examples
- “I left my phone on the table.”
- “Do you have water?”
8. Shopping and Restaurant English
Extremely useful for daily life.
| Phrase | Meaning | When You’d Use It |
| I’d like… | Ordering politely | Restaurants |
| Can I have…? | Request | Food, stores |
| How much is this? | Price question | Shopping |
| Do you have…? | Asking availability | Stores |
| I’m just looking | Browsing | Shops |
| Check please | Ask for bill | Restaurant |
| To go | Take-out food | Cafes |
| Eat in | Staying | Restaurants |
| This one | Pointing | When unsure |
| That one | Pointing further | Choosing items |
Examples
- “Can I have a coffee to go?”
- “How much is this shirt?”
9. Travel and Transportation English
Perfect for airports, hotels, and taxis.
| Phrase | Meaning |
| I have a reservation | Hotel or restaurant booking |
| Check in | Register at hotel/airport |
| Check out | Leave hotel |
| Boarding pass | Airport document |
| Gate number | Airport departure gate |
| One-way ticket | Single trip |
| Round trip | Return trip |
| Luggage/baggage | Bags |
| Taxi please | Request transportation |
| How long does it take? | Travel time question |
Example
“How long does it take to get to the airport?”
10. Daily Social Interaction Phrases
These help you sound natural and friendly.
| Phrase | Meaning | When |
| How’s it going? | Casual check-in | Friends |
| Long time no see! | Haven’t met recently | Social |
| Take care | Friendly goodbye | Anyone |
| See you later | Casual goodbye | Daily life |
| Have a good day | Friendly wish | Anytime |
| Sounds good! | Agreement | Plans |
| That’s great! | Positive reaction | Good news |
| No worries | Casual acceptance | Small mistakes |
| Really? | Surprise | Conversations |
| I see | Understanding | When learning something |
Examples
- “See you later!”
- “Sounds good to me.”
11. Feelings and Describing Yourself
Useful for conversations.
| Word | Meaning |
| Happy | Positive emotion |
| Sad | Negative emotion |
| Tired | Needing rest |
| Hungry | Wanting food |
| Busy | Having many tasks |
| Free | Available |
| Good | Positive |
| Bad | Negative |
| Okay | Neutral |
| Excited | Happy and energetic |
Examples
- “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”
- “I’m excited for the weekend!”
12. Small Talk Essentials
English speakers love small talk. These are the basics.
| Phrase | Meaning | When |
| It’s nice today | Weather comment | Casual talk |
| Where are you from? | Ask origin | Getting to know someone |
| What do you do? | Job question | Adults |
| Do you like it here? | Place question | Travel |
| That’s interesting | Reaction | Conversations |
| Really nice place | Compliment | Travel |
| I agree | Agreement | Discussions |
| I’m not sure | Soft disagreement | Polite |
| Maybe | Uncertain | Neutral |
| Let me think | Pausing | Conversations |
Examples
- “Where are you from?”
- “I agree with you.”
13. Essential “Survival English” Phrases
These help in urgent or confusing moments.
| Phrase | Meaning | When |
| I need help | Request assistance | Emergencies |
| Can you repeat that? | Ask again | Listening |
| I don’t understand | Clarification | Learning |
| Slower, please | Pace request | Conversations |
| Where is the bathroom? | Location question | Important |
| Call the police | Emergency | Serious cases |
| I’m lost | Need directions | Travel |
| My phone is dead | Battery failure | Daily life |
| I’m looking for… | Search | Shops |
| Can you show me? | Visual help | Hard instructions |
Examples
- “I’m lost. Can you show me the way?”
14. Useful Connectors for Speaking More Naturally
These mini-words connect ideas.
| Word | Meaning |
| And | Add information |
| But | Contrast |
| Or | Choice |
| Because | Reason |
| So | Result |
| Then | Next step |
| Also | Additional point |
| Maybe | Possibility |
| Really | Emphasis |
| Very | Stronger meaning |
Examples
- “I was tired, so I went home.”
- “Maybe we can try again tomorrow.”
Yak’s Final Chewables
These 100 English words and phrases are your starter toolkit. With them, you can greet people, order food, ask questions, get directions, make friends, and survive almost any daily conversation. English becomes easier the more you use it, so try practicing a little every day. Even yaks learn new words by repeating them while chewing grass. Very effective method.