English - Politeness

Lesson 5 of 139

Two people smile politely near a doorway while practicing English phrases like “After you” and “Thank you.”

Goal: Small words that make English feel friendly

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Welcome back! Today’s phrases are tiny, but they do big social work. A good “please” or “thank you” can open doors—sometimes real doors!

Level A1: In this lesson, you’ll practice polite everyday English for requests, thanks, apologies, and small problems. You’ll learn phrases like “Excuse me,” “Thank you,” “Could you ___, please?” and “Can you say that again, please?” Politeness is your friendly travel tool—keep it in your pocket.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Use “please” and “Could you ___, please?” to make polite requests.
  • Say thanks and respond with “You’re welcome.”
  • Use simple polite phrases for mistakes, help, permission, and going first.
  • Ask someone to repeat information in a clear A1-friendly way.
A friendly street scene shows everyday English politeness for asking help, saying sorry, and giving thanks.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Please, ___ .

Make a polite request

Meaning: Make a polite request

When to use: Use “Please, ___.” before a simple request or instruction.

Please, wait here.
A polite request to wait.
Please, sit down.
A polite request to sit.

Thank you.

Say thanks

Meaning: Say thanks

When to use: Use this when someone helps you, gives you something, or is kind.

Thank you.
You are grateful.
Thank you for your help.
You are grateful for help.

You're welcome.

Respond to thanks

Meaning: Respond to thanks

When to use: Use this after someone says “Thank you.”

Tip: Say “You're welcome,” not “You welcome.”

Anna: Thank you. David: You're welcome.
David politely responds to thanks.
You're welcome. I’m happy to help.
A friendly response after helping.

Excuse me.

Get attention politely

Meaning: Get attention politely

When to use: Use this before asking a stranger something, passing by, or interrupting softly.

Tip: Use “Excuse me” before you interrupt. Use “Sorry” after a mistake.

Excuse me. Is this seat free?
You politely ask for attention.
Excuse me. Could you help me, please?
You politely start a request for help.

Sorry

Apologize simply

Meaning: Apologize simply

When to use: Use this after a small mistake or problem.

Sorry. I’m late.
You apologize for being late.
Sorry. That was my mistake.
You apologize for a mistake.

Could you ___, please?

Make a polite question

Meaning: Make a polite question

When to use: Use this to ask someone to do something for you.

Tip: Do not forget the question mark in writing: “Could you ___, please?”

Could you open the door, please?
A polite request to open the door.
Could you help me, please?
A polite request for help.

Can you say that again, please?

Ask for repetition politely

Meaning: Ask for repetition politely

When to use: Use this when you did not hear or understand something.

Can you say that again, please?
You ask someone to repeat.
Sorry, can you say that again, please?
You ask again politely after missing the words.

Please help me.

Ask for help politely

Meaning: Ask for help politely

When to use: Use this when you need help now, in daily life or in an urgent situation.

Please help me.
You need help.
Please help me. I’m lost.
You need help because you are lost.

Sorry, I can't.

Soften a refusal or correction

Meaning: Soften a refusal or correction

When to use: Use this when you need to say no politely.

Sorry, I can't.
A polite way to refuse.
Sorry, I can't come today.
A polite refusal for today.

That's very kind of you.

Acknowledge a favor or kindness

Meaning: Acknowledge a favor or kindness

When to use: Use this when someone is very helpful or kind to you.

That’s very kind of you.
You appreciate someone’s kindness.
Thank you. That’s very kind of you.
You thank someone warmly.

It's okay.

reassuring someone after a minor problem

Meaning: Reassure someone after a minor problem

When to use: Use this when someone says sorry and the problem is not serious.

It’s okay.
You tell someone not to worry.
Sorry I’m late. It’s okay.
The delay is not a big problem.

Go ahead.

giving permission politely

Meaning: Give permission politely

When to use: Use this to let someone start, speak, enter, or continue.

Go ahead.
You allow someone to start.
Do you want to speak? Go ahead.
You invite someone to speak.

After you.

letting someone go first

Meaning: Let someone go first

When to use: Use this at a door, in a line, or in a shared space.

After you.
You let another person go first.
Anna opens the door and says, “After you.”
Anna politely lets David enter first.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna is at a busy station entrance. David helps her find the right way.

Anna and David talk politely at a station entrance, using English phrases for help, repetition, and kindness.

What does Anna need help with?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Excuse me. Could you help me, please?

Anna politely asks for help.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Of course. Go ahead.

David gives Anna permission to ask.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Could you tell me where the station exit is, please?

Anna asks a polite question.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

It’s on the left, after the big clock.

David gives directions.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Sorry, can you say that again, please?

Anna asks David to repeat.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

It’s okay. Go left after the big clock.

David reassures her and repeats.

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Thank you. That’s very kind of you.

Anna thanks David warmly.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

You’re welcome. After you.

David responds politely and lets Anna go first.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase asks someone to repeat something?

Which phrase is a polite response after someone says “Thank you”?

Which phrase politely says no?

Which phrase lets another person go first?

David picks up Anna’s dropped phone. Anna smiles and says: Thank you.

David picks up Anna’s dropped phone. Anna smiles and says: ___.

The bus driver speaks very quickly, and Anna does not hear the number. Anna asks: Can you say that again, please?

The bus driver speaks very quickly, and Anna does not hear the number. Anna asks: ___.

David asks, “Can I start now?” Anna says: Go ahead.

David asks, “Can I start now?” Anna says: ___.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Please, ___ .

Make a polite request

Say this phrase out loud:

Thank you.

Say thanks

Say this phrase out loud:

You're welcome.

Respond to thanks

Say this phrase out loud:

Excuse me.

Get attention politely

Say this phrase out loud:

Sorry

Apologize simply

Say this phrase out loud:

Could you ___, please?

Make a polite question

Say this phrase out loud:

Can you say that again, please?

Ask for repetition politely

Say this phrase out loud:

Please help me.

Ask for help politely

Say this phrase out loud:

Sorry, I can't.

Soften a refusal or correction

Say this phrase out loud:

That's very kind of you.

Acknowledge a favor or kindness

Say this phrase out loud:

It's okay.

Reassure someone after a minor problem

Say this phrase out loud:

Go ahead.

Give permission politely

Say this phrase out loud:

After you.

Let someone go first