English Listening Practice: Daily Life Easy Conversations for Beginners | English Learning Podcast
English in Comfort
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EtXW3nnfPI

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0:00 Get comfortable with English and comfort. This is your English listening practice podcast to help you learn and improve naturally.
0:10 >> Hello learners. This is Emily >> and I'm Liam. >> Welcome back to English in Comfort, the place where you can learn English while
0:19 you relax, lie down, or even while you sleep. No pressure, no stress, just natural, real English you can use in your everyday situations.
0:32 >> And for today's situation, we're focusing on something we all need to do sometimes. We're going to talk about asking for a
0:41 favor. >> Asking for a favor. Yeah. So, what exactly is a favor? It's when you ask someone to do something for you. you
0:54 know, something nice. Maybe it's a small thing. Maybe it's a big thing. >> Of course, you're not ordering them. You're just asking
1:04 politely. >> Speaking of favors, um Liam, can I ask you a favor? >> Huh? What is it?
1:15 >> Well, you know, I really, really like this new car. It's so nice. Um, can you buy me that car?
1:24 >> A car? Emily, that's not a favor. That's That's too much. >> I know. I know. I'm just joking. Okay. So, first, let's listen to this
1:37 conversation. Don't worry if you don't understand every single thing. Just listen first and then we will break it down for you.
1:49 We will go through it and we will explain everything in the simplest way. >> Let's see how people ask for a favor in everyday situations.
2:03 >> Oh, >> what's wrong, Sarah? >> My phone. The battery just died. Completely dead. And I really need to
2:11 make a call. >> Oh, that's not good. Who do you need to call? >> I need to call my mom. She's waiting for
2:17 me. And I can't tell her I'll be late. >> Oh, I see. >> So, um, Tom, would it be possible for me to use your phone for a quick call?
2:28 >> My phone? Yeah, sure. No problem. Here. >> Oh, thank you so much. You're a lifesaver. I really appreciate it.
2:36 >> No worries at all. >> It will be very quick. >> Take your time. It's fine. >> Thanks again, Tom. This really helps me
2:44 out. >> Anytime, Sarah. All right. So, Sarah's phone died and she needed to make a call. The key part,
2:55 the really important part is how she asked Tom for help. >> Yeah. She didn't just say, "Give me your phone." That would be um a little rude,
3:07 right? >> That's right. She was very polite. She said, "Tom, would it be possible for me to use your phone for a quick call?"
3:18 Let's look at this phrase. Would it be possible? >> Would it be possible? It's like you're asking a question, but
3:27 it's a very soft question. You're not putting pressure on the other person. You're giving them a chance to say yes or no easily.
3:37 >> Yes. You're asking, "Is this thing possible for you to do?" You're showing that you understand. Maybe it's not possible. Maybe they're busy. Maybe they
3:48 don't want to. It's a nice gentle way to ask. >> You can use it for so many things like would it be possible to get a coffee?
4:00 Or would it be possible to meet tomorrow? >> But there are other ways to ask for a favor, too. We can use other phrases
4:09 that mean the same thing, just a little different. Can you give us other ways, Liam? >> Oh, yeah. Like
4:18 a really common one is could you possibly, >> right? Could you possibly? When you say
4:28 possibly, you're making it even more gentle. You're saying, is there even a small small possibility that you can do this for me?
4:37 Yeah. Like, could you possibly lend me a pen for a minute or could you possibly help me lift this box? You're being very, very polite.
4:51 Another one or another really good phrase is, "I was wondering if this one is very friendly and relaxed. It's like you're thinking out loud."
5:04 >> Yeah. You're saying, "I have this question in my mind. I was thinking about it." So, you're not just throwing the question at them.
5:15 You're preparing them. >> So, for example, you could say, "I was wondering if I could borrow your book." Or, "I was wondering if you have a
5:28 minute to talk." It's a nice smooth way to start. One more is do you mind? This one is also very simple but useful.
5:40 >> So you would say do you mind helping me with this? Or do you mind opening the door for me? >> So we have a few options. We have would
5:53 it be possible, could you possibly, or I was wondering if and do you mind? All of them are great for asking for a favor in a nice polite way.
6:05 >> We just talked about how to ask for a favor in a polite way. Now let's talk about the other side. How do you accept a favor?
6:18 >> Let's see. In the conversation, Sarah asked Tom, "Would it be possible for me to use your phone?" And Tom's answer was very quick and easy. He said, "Yeah,
6:29 sure. No problem." >> That's it. Yeah, sure. Is a super simple and friendly way to say yes. It sounds very natural, right? It's not a formal
6:41 yes, I will allow this. It's just relaxed. >> Exactly. And notice the way he added no problem. That's a key phrase. It means
6:55 this is not difficult for me. It's not a problem at all. I am happy to help you. >> Right? It makes the other person feel comfortable like oh thank you and you
7:09 can say no problem it was easy. >> So yeah sure no problem is a great common way to accept but there are other phrases we can use too. Another one is
7:24 simply of course. >> Of course. It might sound too simple, but it is a very common and polite way to say yes to a favor.
7:38 >> Yes. Like, why would I say no? If a friend asks to borrow a pen, you can say, "Of course." It shows you're happy to do it.
7:49 >> And what about glad to help? >> That's a lovely one. glad to help or I'd be happy to. These phrases show that you are not just
7:59 saying yes, but that you are happy about it. You feel good about helping the person. >> Yeah, it's very warm. Like, I'm not just
8:09 helping because I have to. I'm helping because I want to. So, if someone asks, "Do you mind helping me with this bag?" You can say, "Not at all. I'd be happy
8:22 to. >> There's also another very casual one which is just anytime. >> Anytime.
8:32 I love that one. It means you can ask me for a favor. Anytime. Not just now, but in the future, too. It's a very friendly and open way to
8:44 respond. So, when you want to say yes to a favor, you can use these simple phrases. Yeah, sure. No problem. Of course, glad
8:56 to help or anytime. So, we've learned how to ask for a favor and how to accept one. Now, let's see how Sarah thanked Tom in the
9:07 conversation. She says, "Oh, thank you so much. You're a lifesaver." A lifaver. That's a great expression. It means that
9:18 the person helped you in a very difficult or important situation. It's like they saved your life. Of course, your life wasn't really in
9:28 danger, but it feels that way because you were in a difficult situation with your dead phone battery, right? It's a way of saying you helped me so much and
9:40 I'm very, very grateful. You can use it for something simple, too, like if a friend brings you a coffee when you're super tired.
9:49 Oh, thank you. You're a lifaver. Sarah also said, "I really appreciate it." This is a fantastic phrase. When you say you appreciate something, you're
10:03 saying that you understand how valuable or important the person's help is. >> Yeah, I appreciate it. is a little more formal than just thanks, but still very
10:16 friendly, like thanks for helping me move. I really appreciate it. >> But of course, there are other simple
10:26 ways to say thank you, too. You don't always need a big phrase, >> like just a simple thanks a lot or thank you so much. The so much or a lot just
10:42 makes it feel bigger and more sincere. >> Or you can say that's so kind of you. This shows you think the person is a good person for helping.
10:54 Now let's look at the other side of the coin. What if someone asks you for a favor, but you can't do it? You have to decline. It's not easy to say no, right?
11:08 You don't want to be rude. You want to be polite. So, let's first listen to this conversation and see how it goes.
11:21 >> Hey, Tom. Do you have a minute? >> Yeah, sure. What's up? >> I was wondering if maybe you could help me with something tomorrow.
11:31 I need to move a really heavy bookcase and I could really use an extra hand. Oh, what time tomorrow? >> Just for like 10 minutes in the morning
11:42 around 10:00. >> Um, >> I'm so sorry, but I can't. I'd love to help you out, but I have a dentist
11:50 appointment at that exact time. I'm afraid I won't be back in time. >> Oh, okay. No problem at all. I totally understand.
12:01 >> I'm really sorry. Maybe I can help you later in the day if you still need it. That's so kind of you, but don't worry about it. Thanks for even thinking about
12:11 it. >> Okay, before we see how to say no, I want to quickly talk about this phrase
12:21 Sarah used in the conversation, Sarah asked Tom for a favor, and she said, "I could really use an extra hand." >> Ah, I could really use an extra hand.
12:34 That's a common phrase. It's a very simple and natural way to ask for help. It means you need help from another person because you only have two hands
12:45 yourself. >> Yeah. It doesn't mean you want to cut off their hand or anything. It just means you need their help. So, you can
12:55 use it when you're doing something difficult alone. >> Like if you're carrying a lot of bags, you could say, "Wow, these bags are so
13:03 heavy. I could really use an extra hand. Or if you're trying to move a table, this table is too big for one person. I could really use an extra hand.
13:17 >> It's just a common way to say, "Please help me." >> It really is. And we also heard Sarah use the phrase we talked about before.
13:29 She said, "I was wondering if maybe you could help me." >> Yeah. It just shows how common that phrase is.
13:39 >> Okay, now the tricky part. We need to talk about how Tom said no. >> Yeah, it's not easy to say no, right? You don't want to be rude. Tom said,
13:51 "I'm so sorry, but I can't. I'd love to help you out, but I have a dentist appointment. >> That's such a great way to decline.
14:01 He started with an apology. I'm so sorry. This shows that he feels bad that he can't help. It's not that he doesn't
14:11 want to. >> Then he used the phrase, "I'd love to, but this is maybe the most important part. You're telling the person, "My
14:22 desire is to help you." And then the butt explains why you can't, >> right? It makes your no feel much softer. You're showing your good
14:33 intentions. And then you can give your reason. Tom said, "I have a dentist appointment." You don't have to give a long explanation. A short, honest reason
14:45 is best. What are some other ways to say no politely? >> Well, another good one could be,
14:54 "Unfortunately, I'm not able to." >> Unfortunately, I'm not able to. >> It's a bit more formal, but it's very polite. You can say, "Unfortunately,
15:08 I'm not able to. I have to work late tonight." Or you can say, "I wish I could, but I have to work late tonight." That's a good one, too.
15:23 I wish I could, but my car is in the shop right now. >> And one more, a very simple one is just saying, "I'm afraid I can't."
15:35 Tom said, "I'm afraid I won't be back in time." >> Yes. I'm afraid means I'm worried about the
15:46 fact that I have to say no to you. So, Emily, we talked about accepting favors, but what if you want to say yes, but you want something back?
16:02 >> Ah, you mean negotiating a favor? Yeah, that's something we do sometimes, especially with friends. It's like a trade. You do a favor for me and I do a
16:14 favor for you, >> right? It's an exchange. Like, if you help me move my heavy furniture, I'll help you fix your computer. A trade. But
16:26 sometimes, doesn't that feel a little weird or rude? >> It can. Yeah. If a stranger asks, "Can I use your phone?" and you say yes, you
16:39 wouldn't say great. Now, can you also buy me a coffee? That would be rude. >> Exactly.
16:49 It's a very natural thing to do with people you are very close to. >> Let's listen to this conversation.
17:00 >> Hey Sarah, do you have a second? >> Yeah. What's up? You look a little stressed. >> I am. Um, I have a big favor to ask. I
17:10 know this is super short notice, but my best friend's wedding is tomorrow, and I totally forgot about my shift. >> Would you be able to cover my shift for
17:19 me? >> Oh, wow. Tomorrow? That's really fast notice. >> I know, I know. I'm really sorry. I just
17:27 I really have to be there. It's a very big deal for him. Hm. Well, I could, but I really have something important on Friday. So, I'll
17:40 cover your shift. If you cover my shift on Friday for me, we can just switch shifts. Oh, you want to switch? That would be
17:50 amazing. Yeah, of course. I can definitely do that. Friday works perfectly for me. >> Great. So, it's a deal then. I'll take
18:01 your shift tomorrow and you take my shift on Friday. >> Yes. Thank you so much, Sarah. You're a lifesaver. I really owe you one.
18:12 >> No problem at all, Tom. Have fun at the wedding. >> See how Sarah was so smart? She didn't just say yes to Tom's favor.
18:25 She made a deal with him. She negotiated. Yes, she did. She said, "I'll cover your shift if you cover my shift on Friday."
18:36 That phrase is key. I'll do this if you do that. >> It's a very clear way to make a deal. It's like you're saying, "My help is
18:48 conditional. It depends on the other person's help." And you can use that same structure for other situations, too. Like, I'll help you with your
19:00 homework if you help me with my video game. >> Yes. Or, I'll lend you my car if you fill it with gas. It's very simple and
19:12 direct. >> But there are other phrases you can use to offer a deal, too. Like, how about we trade? or would you be willing to
19:24 >> like would you be willing to help me clean the kitchen if I cook dinner for you? >> Or you can also say something like I can
19:34 do that, but could you? Like, I can help you move your couch, but could you help me move my table later?
19:45 And another way, what if I lend you my jacket and you lend me your sweater? >> Yeah, that's also a super casual,
19:54 friendly way to do it. All right, I guess that's all for today. Thank you so much for listening and for letting us be a part of your English
20:07 learning journey. We really appreciate it. >> We do. So, we have a question for you from
20:15 today's video. We talked a lot about favors. What is one favor that you would like to ask us? Maybe a small one or even a big one. Share your answer with
20:28 us in the comments. We'd love to hear from you. And if you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more English listening and speaking practice, daily
20:38 conversations, English tips, and so much more. >> Keep practicing, keep improving, and take care, everyone.