English course

Lesson 17 of 240

New here? This is lesson 17 of a free 240-lesson English course.

One cup, one bowl in English

Ana is at the Blue Plate counter. She wants coffee, and Dee is already pouring it.

Murray points at the oatmeal. He wants a bowl, and two glasses of water too.

By the end, you'll order a cup, a glass, and a bowl. You'll ask for some toast and any milk.

You'll also say just one when you want only one of a thing.

By the end of this lesson

Order a cup, a glass, or a bowl, and ask for some toast.

  • A cup of coffee.one coffee served in a cup
  • A glass of water.water to drink, in a glass
  • A bowl of oatmeal.hot cereal served in a bowl
  • Some toast, please.please bring me toast
  • Any milk?Do you have any milk?
  • Just one, please.only one of that thing

Scene — already pouring

Same morning at the Blue Plate. Ana stands at the counter. Dee already has the coffee pot in her hand.

Murray sits on two stools. He looks at the oatmeal, then at two empty glasses.

The jukebox by the door stays quiet.

Ana stands at the counter as Dee holds the coffee pot and Murray looks from the oatmeal to two empty glasses.

Learn — a cup, a glass, a bowl

Six short lines cover a cup, a glass, a bowl, some toast, and any milk.

You'll also say just one when you want only one of a thing.

  1. Ana slides one empty coffee cup forward while Dee holds the coffee pot behind the counter.

    A cup of coffee.

    one coffee served in a cup

    When to use it: Say this to order coffee in a cup.

    Learn it as one piece at the diner.

    Say it: Stress the first part of coffee.

  2. Murray reaches toward one of two empty drinking glasses.

    A glass of water.

    water to drink, in a glass

    When to use it: Say this to order water in a glass.

    Learn it as one piece for a drink.

  3. Murray looks down at the steaming oatmeal and reaches toward its bowl.

    A bowl of oatmeal.

    hot cereal served in a bowl

    When to use it: Say this to order hot cereal in a bowl.

    Learn it as one piece for breakfast.

    Say it: Stress the first part of oatmeal.

  4. Ana reaches toward a small plate of toast at the diner pass.

    Some toast, please.

    please bring me toast

    When to use it: Say this to ask for toast with a meal.

    Learn it as one piece with food.

  5. Dee lifts a small milk pitcher toward the customer side of the counter.

    Any milk?

    Do you have any milk?

    When to use it: Ask this to see if they have milk.

    Learn it as one piece with drinks.

  6. Ana nods toward Dee’s offered milk pitcher, accepting some milk.

    Just one, please.

    only one of that thing

    When to use it: Say this when you want only one.

    Learn it as one piece when you want one.

    Say it: Stress the word one.

Story — murray points

Watch Ana order at the counter. Dee is already pouring the coffee.

The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.

  1. The coffee pot is already in Dee's hand.
  2. AnaCould I get a cup of coffee?a polite way to ask for coffee in a cup
  3. DeeOne cup or two, hon?she asks if you want one cup or two
  4. AnaJust one, please.only one of that thing
  5. Murray points at the oatmeal with one hoof.
  6. MurrayA bowl of oatmeal.hot cereal served in a bowl
  7. He looks at two empty glasses.
  8. MurrayA glass of water. Two, I mean.water to drink, in a glass, and he wants two
  9. AnaSome toast, please. Any milk?please bring me toast, then she asks if they have milk
  10. DeeWe do, hon. Want some?She has milk and asks if you want some.
  11. AnaYes, please. Thank you.yes, and you want that thing, then thanks

Practice — one or two

Ten short tasks wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.

They stay small, so you can check each order.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

    What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    English

    A cup of coffee.Drop the Simple English here
    A glass of water.Drop the Simple English here
    A bowl of oatmeal.Drop the Simple English here
    Some toast, please.Drop the Simple English here

    Simple English

  3. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    You want toast. Dee waits for your order.

  4. What does it mean?

    What does it mean?

    Any milk?

  5. Fill the gap

    Fill the gap

    hot cereal served in a bowl

    A bowl of ____.

  6. Build the line

    Build the line

    water to drink, in a glass

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  7. Pick the reply

    Dee says:

    Pick the reply

    Want some milk?

    she asks if you want milk

    And you reply with:

  8. Swap the word

    Swap the word

    Dee holds two bowls. You want only one of them.

    Just ____, please.

  9. True or false?

    True or false?

    This line is a short goodbye.

  10. What do you say?

    What do you say?

    Dee sets down your cup. You are done ordering. Thank her.

Say it — say your order

Now you're Ana at the Blue Plate counter. 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.

  1. DeeWhat can I get you, hon?she asks what you want to eat or drink
  2. Ana (you)Order coffee in a cup.

    Order coffee in a cup.

    A cup of coffee.

    one coffee served in a cup

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

Every line from this lesson
EnglishSimple EnglishPlay
A cup of coffee.one coffee served in a cup
A glass of water.water to drink, in a glass
A bowl of oatmeal.hot cereal served in a bowl
Some toast, please.please bring me toast
Any milk?Do you have any milk?
Just one, please.only one of that thing
Next: lesson 18Tickets, books, people, pets

Save your progress — it’s free

Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.

Want the next lesson in your inbox?

Get the next lesson by email, one a day.

Where should we start?
Join the newsletter

Daily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.

Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Want to keep these orders handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.

A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your cup and bowl orders ready.

Open Yak Cards