New here? This is lesson 81 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Getting a table in English
After work, Tasha takes Ana downtown to try a busy restaurant. The host stand is full, and they need a table for two.
Ana will ask for a table, check if one is free, and ask how long the wait is.
You'll also give a name for a booking, ask to sit outside, and ask for water.
If the wait is too long, you can leave. They walk back to the Blue Plate instead.
By the end of this lesson
Ask for a table, a booking, and for the wait.
- A table for ___, please.We need seats for this many people.
- Do you have a table available?Is there a free table now?
- How long is the wait?How many minutes until we can sit?
- We have a reservation under ___.We booked a table under this name.
- Can we sit outside?May we use a table on the sidewalk?
- Could we have some water, please?Please bring water for the table.
Scene — the host stand
It is early evening downtown. Ana and Tasha stand at a host stand. A line of people wait by the door.
The sidewalk tables are full. Tasha checks the time after a long day at the bakery.
If this place is too busy, the Blue Plate on Larch Street is only a Blue Line ride away.
Learn — a table and the wait
Six lines help you ask for a table, a booking, and the wait.
You'll also ask to sit outside and ask for water.
A table for ___, please.
We need seats for this many people.
When to use it: Say this at the door when you need seats.
Put a number in the open space, like two or three.
Do you have a table available?
Is there a free table now?
When to use it: Ask this when you did not book a table.
Available here means a table is free now.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
How long is the wait?
How many minutes until we can sit?
When to use it: Ask this after they say the place is busy.
The wait is the time until you can sit.
We have a reservation under ___.
We booked a table under this name.
When to use it: Say this when you already booked a table.
Put a name in the open space, often a last name.
Say it: The stress is on the third part.
Can we sit outside?
May we use a table on the sidewalk?
When to use it: Ask this if you see tables on the sidewalk.
Can we is a casual way to ask for a yes.
Could we have some water, please?
Please bring water for the table.
When to use it: Say this after you sit, to ask for water.
Could we is a polite way to ask for something.
Say it: Could sounds softer than can.
Story — forty minutes
Watch Ana and Tasha at a busy host stand downtown. The wait is long, so they leave.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- They stop at a busy host stand downtown.
AnaExcuse me.you say this to get someone's attention- ServerHi. How many?a friendly hello, then he asks the number of people
TashaA table for two, please.We need seats for this many people.- ServerDo you have a reservation?He asks if they already booked a table.
- AnaWe have a reservation under Tasha.We booked a table under this name.
- TashaAna, no. We didn't book.Tasha says they did not book a table, so Ana was wrong.
- AnaDo you have a table available?Is there a free table now?
- ServerI can put you on the list.He can add you to the people waiting.
- AnaHow long is the wait?How many minutes until we can sit?
- ServerForty minutes, maybe more.You may sit in forty minutes or later.
- Ana looks at her feet.
- AnaSo my feet wait forty minutes too?She thinks the wait is about her feet.
- TashaJust the time until we sit.She explains the wait in simple words.
- AnaCan we sit outside?May we use a table on the sidewalk?
- ServerSorry. Those are full too.The sidewalk tables are not free either.
- They walk back to the Blue Plate. Dee has the coffee pot.
DeeHave a seat, hon.please sit down- AnaCould we have some water, please?Please bring water for the table.
Practice — ask then sit
Ten quick exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round moves fast.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
A table for ___, please.Drop the Simple English hereDo you have a table available?Drop the Simple English hereHow long is the wait?Drop the Simple English hereCan we sit outside?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
The host asks how many. You need two seats. You did not book a table.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
How long is the wait?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Please bring water for the table.
Could we have some ____, please?
Build the line
Build the line
May we use a table on the sidewalk?
?
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Server says:
Pick the reply
What's the name?
This asks which name you used to book.
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
The host says the restaurant is busy. You want to know the time until you sit.
How long is the ____?
What do you say?
What do you say?
You are at the host stand. You need the host to look at you.
True or false?
True or false?
This line tells you to stand and wait.
Say it — say it at the door
Imagine a different night. You booked a table this time. You're Ana at the host stand with Tasha. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- ServerHi. How many?a friendly hello, then he asks the number of people
- Ana (you)You need seats for two people.
You need seats for two people.
A table for ___, please.
We need seats for this many people.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| A table for ___, please. | We need seats for this many people. | |
| Do you have a table available? | Is there a free table now? | |
| How long is the wait? | How many minutes until we can sit? | |
| We have a reservation under ___. | We booked a table under this name. | |
| Can we sit outside? | May we use a table on the sidewalk? | |
| Could we have some water, please? | Please bring water for the table. |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these table lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your table lines ready for the door.
Open Yak Cards