New here? This is lesson 205 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Post office and bank in English
Ana has two errands downtown today. First she takes a box to the post office. Then she walks to the bank with two checks.
You'll learn how to send a package, ask how long it takes, deposit money, check a balance, cash a check, and ask about photo ID.
I'd like is the polite start. Can I is a little more casual. A photo ID is a driver's license or a passport, not a Ventra card.
By the end of this lesson
Send a package, cash a check, or ask about an account.
- I'd like to send this package.I want to mail this box.
- How long will it take to get there?When should it arrive?
- I'd like to deposit this.I want to put this money in my account.
- Can I check my balance?Can you tell me how much is in my account?
- Do I need a photo ID?Do I have to show my identity card?
- I'd like to cash this check.I want this check turned into cash.
Scene — a box and a check
Ana stands in line at a downtown post office with a small box in her teal tote. A clerk waits behind the counter.
After that, she walks to a bank a few doors down. She has two checks in her bag and almost pulls out her Ventra card when they ask for ID.
Learn — package, deposit, and cash
Six lines cover the post office and the bank.
You'll send a package, ask about time, then deposit, cash a check, and check a balance.
I'd like to send this package.
I want to mail this box.
When to use it: Say this at the post office when you have a box to mail.
I'd like is one piece, and it is more polite than I want.
Say it: The to in I'd like to often sounds like tuh.
How long will it take to get there?
When should it arrive?
When to use it: Ask this after you hand over a package.
This asks about waiting time, not the clock time.
Say it: Get and there can link.
I'd like to deposit this.
I want to put this money in my account.
When to use it: Say this at the bank when you put money in your account.
You will hear I wanna, but do not say it as this line.
Can I check my balance?
Can you tell me how much is in my account?
When to use it: Ask this when you want to know how much money you have.
Can I is a little more casual than I'd like.
Say it: Balance has stress on the first part.
Do I need a photo ID?
Do I have to show my identity card?
When to use it: Ask this if you are not sure you must show who you are.
Photo ID is a license or a passport, not a transit card.
I'd like to cash this check.
I want this check turned into cash.
When to use it: Say this at the bank when you want cash from a check.
Cash this check means you want paper money, not a deposit.
Story — the wrong card
Watch Ana at the post office, then at the bank. She almost hands over the wrong card.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- A clerk looks up from the counter. Ana holds a small box.
- ClerkNext, please.the clerk is ready for the next person
AnaI'd like to send this package.I want to mail this box.- ClerkSure. Where's it headed?the clerk agrees and asks where the box is going
- AnaLogan Square. How long will it take to get there?She names the place, then asks when it should arrive.
- ClerkWell, a few days, if it stays in the city.it should arrive in a few days inside Chicago
- AnaThank you.you say this when someone helps you
- ClerkYou're all set. Have a good one.the job is done, plus a casual goodbye
- Ana walks a few doors down to a bank. She takes one check from her tote.
- ClerkHi. What can I do for you today?a friendly offer of help
- AnaSo, I'd like to deposit this.I want to put this money in my account.
- ClerkOkay. I can put that in for you.the clerk will put the money in her account
- AnaCan I check my balance?Can you tell me how much is in my account?
- ClerkSure. I'll need to see some ID first.the clerk will look, but wants to see who she is
- AnaDo I need a photo ID?Do I have to show my identity card?
- ClerkYeah. A license or a passport works.a driver's license or a passport is enough
- Ana reaches into her tote. She almost hands over her Ventra card.
- AnaWait. That's my Ventra.She almost gave the clerk her transit card.
- ClerkThat's not a photo ID. I need a license or a passport.the transit card is not enough; she must show a license or a passport
- AnaSorry. Here's my license. I have it with me.She brought her license today, not the transit card.
- ClerkThat's the one. Anything else today?the clerk accepts the license and asks if she needs more help
- She pulls a second check from her tote.
- AnaI'd like to cash this check.I want this check turned into cash.
- ClerkSign the back, and I'll count it out.write your name on the back, then you get cash
Practice — post office or bank
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
I'd like to send this package.Drop the Simple English hereI'd like to deposit this.Drop the Simple English hereCan I check my balance?Drop the Simple English hereI'd like to cash this check.Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
You just handed a box to the clerk at the post office. You want to know the waiting time.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Do I need a photo ID?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Can you tell me how much is in my account?
Can I check my ____?
Build the line
Build the line
I want this check turned into cash.
.
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Clerk says:
Pick the reply
Hi. What can I do for you?
a friendly offer of help at the bank
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
The clerk asks for ID. You want to know if you must show a license or a passport.
Do I need a ____ ID?
True or false?
True or false?
This line means the thing is still at your house.
Pick the reply
Clerk says:
Pick the reply
Your package is all set. Have a good one.
the clerk at the post office is done, plus a casual goodbye
And you reply with:
Say it — say it at the counter
Now you're Ana at the post office, then at the bank. 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.
- ClerkNext, please.the clerk is ready for you
- Ana (you)Ask to mail the box in your hands.
Ask to mail the box in your hands.
I'd like to send this package.
I want to mail this box.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| I'd like to send this package. | I want to mail this box. | |
| How long will it take to get there? | When should it arrive? | |
| I'd like to deposit this. | I want to put this money in my account. | |
| Can I check my balance? | Can you tell me how much is in my account? | |
| Do I need a photo ID? | Do I have to show my identity card? | |
| I'd like to cash this check. | I want this check turned into cash. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Need these bank and post office lines later? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps these lines ready for the counter.
Open Yak Cards