travel pronunciation in uk english

how to pronounce travel

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of travel is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

travel is pronounced in two syllables

press buttons with phonetic symbols to learn how to precisely pronounce each sound of travel

example pitch curve for pronunciation of travel

Test your pronunciation of travel.

press the "test" button to check how closely you can replicate the pitch of a native speaker in your pronunciation of travel

video examples of travel pronunciation

An example use of travel in a speech by a native speaker of british english:

“… I could see space travel being open to …”

meaning of travel

Travel is the act of moving from one place to another.

travel frequency in english - B1 level of CEFR

the word travel occurs in english on average 72.7 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for B1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.

topics travel can be related to

it is hard to perfectly classify words into specific topics since each word can have many context of its use, but our machine-learning models believe that travel can be often used in the following areas:

1) transport and travel;

words with pronunciation similar to travel

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Information

British english pronunciations, key to pronunciation.

Pronunciation Model

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence petal /ˈpɛtl/ but petally /ˈpɛtl̩i/ .

Other symbols

The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that the syllable is pronounced with primary stress. The symbol ˌ indicates secondary stress. Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within is optional.

The Third Edition of the  OED  gives British English pronunciations rooted largely in the model of Received Pronunciation’ (RP) developed by Professor Clive Upton for Oxford Dictionaries since the 1990s. In the following section, we provide an overview and definition of the term ‘RP’, but there are several key points which encapsulate our broad approach to OED British English pronunciation. Perhaps most importantly, RP for  OED  is not concerned with prescribing ‘correctness’, nor is it an intentionally ‘prestigious’ or class-linked variety but, as Upton describes in  The Routledge Dictionary of Pronunciation for Current English  (Upton & Kretzschmar 2017, hereafter  RDP ), ‘that accent which will be most widely acceptable, as well as most intelligible’ to native British English speakers, ‘and to which the speech of very many of them will in turn approximate closely’ (p.xiv). Both in the model and in the range of variant pronunciations provided,  OED  holds to the same principle as Jones (1917, p.viii-ix), who concisely explained:

‘I should like here to state that I have no intention of becoming either a reformer of pronunciation or a judge who decides what pronunciations are “good and what are “bad. The proper function of the phonetician is to observe and record accurately, to be, in fact, a kind of living phonograph. It may be as well to add that I am not one of those who believe in the desirability or the feasibility of setting up any one form of pronunciation as a standard for the English-speaking world.’

Upton’s model as described in  RDP  is similarly broad in this respect: ‘the criterion for inclusion being what is heard to be used by educated, non-regionally-marked speakers rather than what is “allowed by a preconceived model.’ With that in mind, for an  OED  user to fully appreciate the variety being described by  OED ’s British English pronunciation model, several points need to be made clear:

• the form of RP being described is still an ‘accent’. It is one variety of English pronunciation, not attempting to span all feasible ‘British’ pronunciations;
• regionally, it remains more prevalent in south-east England, but is found across Great Britain and the use of these forms will not immediately associate the speaker with being from any specific geographical location;
• the inclusion of systematic variants, e.g., both /bɑːθ/ and /baθ/ for  bath , are in part reflective of regional influence on the variety as a whole. ‘RP’ speakers may vary in this respect, and though there are tendencies for RP speakers from certain geographical roots to prefer one variant over another (legitimately covered by an RP which is not exclusively southern-British), a direct correspondence cannot entirely be claimed.

It is also vital to appreciate that transcriptions are phonological or ‘phonemic’, rather than phonetic per se . Although the adopted symbols for each sound attempt to reflect something of their phonetic (articulatory) nature in correspondence with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), they are inherently phonemes: the minimally  contrastive  speech sound units in a variety, highlighting where the substitution of one sound for another may make a difference to the meaning of the word. Each phoneme has a range of possible allophones (ways of realizing or articulating it) depending on context and/or speaker preference. Consequently, RP transcriptions should not be viewed as representing one individual’s pronunciation. Even though there will be a single sound file attached to each, the sound file demonstrates just one feasible way of realizing the string of phonemes which constitute the transcription.

Defining RP

The term RP is much debated. Many linguists argue that it is outdated, reflecting the prestigious standard of the socially and economically elite; a socially acceptable (i.e., ‘received’) form based on the speech of privately-educated men and their families (the ‘Public School Pronunciation’ described by Jones 1917). In his analysis and deconstruction of RP, Wells (1982) highlighted the variation within it, distinguishing between ‘mainstream RP’, ‘U-RP’ (‘upper crust’ RP), ‘adoptive RP’ (for speakers who did not acquire RP as children) and even ‘quasi-RP’ (varying from adoptive RP in certain allophonic respects), and ‘near-RP’ (not falling with the definition of RP but with few clearly regional features).

In attempts to steer towards a broader and more contemporary conceptualization free of the more objectionable social connotations of ‘RP’, many alternative names have been proposed, including ‘Modern Received Pronunciation’, ‘Standard Southern British English’, ‘BBC English’ (see, e.g., Roach 2004), and ‘Non-Regional Pronunciation’. The last of these is described by Collins & Mees (2013, p.4) as reflecting ‘a more encompassing neutral type of modern British English but one which nevertheless lacks obvious local accent features’, one which allows ‘for the present-day range of variation to be heard from educated middle and younger generation speakers in England who have a pronunciation which cannot be pinned down to a specific area’. Yet another term experiencing some revival is that of ‘General British’ (GB), first proposed by Windsor Lewis (1972) but more recently adopted by Cruttenden (2014) and Carley, Mees & Collins (2018). Maidment’s (2016)  Speech Internet Dictionary  focuses its definition of GB on it being the ‘British accent whose varieties are least associated with any specific areas of Great Britain’ and notes it is the variety which is the ‘most frequent model employed in the teaching of British English as an additional language’. There is a locus of GB speakers in south-east England, but GB can readily be found in smaller numbers across Great Britain, including in Wales and Scotland (Cruttenden 2014), which offers some justification for referring to  OED ’s variety as British rather than English. It is the lack of specifically regional accent features which perhaps best characterizes the variety of British English represented in  OED .

All of these attempts to redefined and re-encapsulate this British variety have merit, but an alternative is to view RP as a more flexible concept which evolves with societal views of standard or regionally neutral forms. Upton’s view of RP followed the lead of A.C. Gimson in looking to a redefined, ‘diluted’ RP which is not so narrow in social and geographical representation (see Upton 2008, which is also a useful summary of much of the  OED  model). His description of vowel qualities reflects the symbols he adopted for  OED , for  The Oxford Dictionary of Pronunciation for Current English  (Upton, Kretzschmar & Konopka 2001, hereafter  CDP ), and its second edition  RDP  (Upton & Kretzschmar 2017).

Except for the final four keywords in the table above, the British vowels correspond to Upton 2008’s vowel qualities. Several choices are worthy of comment here. dress and trap reflect a general lowering of RP’s short front vowels, particularly the use of /a/ rather than /æ/ (as historically and even often contemporarily used, and the symbol chosen for OED ’s U.S. English model). bath words have been addressed briefly above, though Upton further details the increasing centralization and shortening of the /ɑː/ variant as well as the influence of otherwise RP speakers who diverge only in use of bath /a/ . Upton et al.’s justification for including both within CDP is that the variety is not exclusively southern-British, and explains that its inclusion fits the ‘diluted’ RP form being described. In this model, entries that would have traditionally been included in Wells’ cloth set are losing their more traditional /ɔː/ transcriptions as words such as  cross  and  soft  are now typically /ɒ/ for the vast majority of RP speakers. Upton adopts the broader central mid quality of /əː/ for nurse rather than the /ɜː/ common in many RP transcriptions.

For many RP speakers, square is not diphthongal as traditionally regarded but a tense monophthong in the region of the dress vowel. price begins with a quality between centralized front and centralized back, better reflected as /ʌɪ/ than the traditional and still widely-used /aɪ/ . Although retraction of the start quality is noted in mouth words too (as Cruttenden 2014, p.149 explains, ‘at a point between the back and front open positions, more fronted than the position for GB /ɑː/ ’), the extent of retraction from front is not necessarily very significant, and no alternative representation to /aʊ/ has gained widespread attraction. cure , traditionally and still not infrequently /ʊə/ , is joined by monophthongal /ɔː/ , leading to homophones such as  moor  and  more  for some RP speakers.

Supplementing the strong vowels are a range of weak vowel qualities. Weak vowels in RP have traditionally included /ɪ/ , /ə/ , and /ʊ/ . Word-final /ɪ/ in happy is now more often /i/ , though in non-utterance-final flowing speech may be less close and front, a possibility covered by the use of /ɪ/ in such cases (e.g.,  Betty Crocker ). It should not be assumed that the use of /ɪ/ here implies the same as a ‘trad-RP’ happy vowel.  CDP ’s novel approach to vowel qualities falling on the continuum between /ɪ/ and /ə/ and between /ə/ and /ʊ/ has been adopted into  OED , using the symbols /ᵻ/ and /ᵿ/ respectively.

Finally, the above table includes two accepted nasalized vowels in the British English model, /ã/ (as in  gratin ) and /ɒ̃/ (as in  bouillon ). Nasalized vowels are exclusively found within loan words that have not become fully naturalized in English, but where anglicization is evident and speakers are not code-switching. The common RP pronunciation retains a nod to its etymology in the form of a nasalized vowel quality (i.e., airflow directed through oral and nasal cavities simultaneously).

Several consonant features warrant discussion here: ‘non-English’ sounds, glottal stops, /r/ , /j/ , nasal assimilation,  wh , and syllabic consonants. RP consonants are consistently described as a set of 24: six plosives ( /p, t, k, b, d, ɡ/ ), nine fricatives ( /f, v, θ, ð, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, h/ ), two affricates ( /tʃ, dʒ/ ), three nasals ( /m, n, ŋ/ ), and four approximants of which one is lateral ( /r, w, j/ and /l/ ). To these  OED  adds two other consonants which, like nasalized vowels, are routinely accepted in otherwise anglicized loans depending on the root. The voiceless velar fricative /x/ is preserved by many RP speakers in Irish and Scottish Gaelic loans such as  loch/lough , and the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative /ɬ/ may similarly appear in Welsh loans such as  penillion .

British English in  OED  is non-rhotic, so /r/ does not pattern as it does in, say, U.S. English. ‘Linking’ /r/ , i.e. ‘retained historical post-vocalic word-final /r/ occurring before a vowel in the following word’ (Upton 2008, p.249) or more broadly where there is an orthographic ‘r’ not pronounced when the word is pronounced in isolation, is routinely included in  OED . ‘Intrusive’ /r/ , where no ‘underlying’ /r/ or orthographic ‘r’ exists and which does not factor in traditional RP, is nonetheless commonplace and is represented by /(r)/ .

Coalescence of /tj/ , /dj/ , /sj/ , and /zj/ to /tʃ/ , /dʒ/ , /ʃ/ , and /ʒ/ respectively is represented by the inclusion of both forms, e.g.,  traduce  as both /trəˈdjuːs/ and /trəˈdʒuːs/ . Historical /lj/ and /sj/ syllable onsets, such as in  lucid  and  suit , are increasingly without /j/ in RP, and for this reason are either bracketed or presented as separate variants (in part with view to the sound files, which by default record all bracketed segments as articulated; separate entries permit the more common pronunciation to have its own sound file).

Segments that are frequently elided in natural speech are bracketed (e.g.  softness   /ˈsɒf(t)nəs/ ). Representation of assimilation (the tendency for certain consonants to assume features of neighbouring ones in particular contexts) is limited, as these are often predictable by rule (see, e.g., Roach 2009) and to do so would introduce considerable numbers of additional and potentially unnecessary variants. Consequently, despite  light bulb  being frequently [ˈlʌɪp bʌlb] and  handbag  being [ˈhambaɡ] , they remain /ˈlʌɪt bʌlb/ and /ˈhan(d)baɡ/ respectively. One form of assimilation that is explicitly recognized is the assimilation of /n/ to /ŋ/ , in words such as  ungallant . Factors of stress and the salience of any morpheme boundary are evaluated in determining between /n/ only, /ŋ/ only, or both.

The sequence  wh  in words such as  when  and  which  is historically more of a voiceless labial-velar fricative, often transcribed lexicographically as /hw/ . Though this remains a feature of Scottish English and a variable feature of U.S. English, it has dropped rapidly as a feature of RP, and all such  OED  entries are purely /w/ .

Syllabic consonants are extremely common in RP, though generally limited in British English to /n/ , /l/ and /m/ (very rarely /ŋ/ ).  OED  indicates these with a subscript diacritic syllabic marker, not shown if the only logical articulation would be to syllabify such a consonant, hence  little  as /ˈlɪtl/ (the final /l/ must be syllabic).

Prosodically, British English is described with one primary stress in each entry, barring some interjections which may have multiple primary stresses where more than one syllable is equally weighted (and monosyllables, where no stress mark is appropriate). Compared with some of the other  OED  Englishes, the primary stressed syllable often has considerably greater prominence than other syllables and so secondary stresses are less frequently marked (e.g., British English blackbird   /ˈblakbəːd/ is marked with a primary only, compared with U.S. /ˈblækˌbərd/ ). Affixes and combining forms do not have their ‘partial’ pronunciations transcribed, but instead supply a statement of their typical effect on primary stress placement. Adjectives are given their predicative stress pattern, rather than with attributive stress-shift (hence  overpaid  as in  the manager was  /ˌəʊvəˈpeɪd/ , not with the stress on the first syllable as in  the  /ˌəʊvəpeɪd ˈmanᵻdʒə/ ).

Exclusions and/or Audio-Only Features

The use of a glottal stop [ʔ] as an allophone of /t/ between vowels in RP is still not widespread (e.g.  butter  is usually [ˈbʌtə] not [ˈbʌʔə] ). However, the glottal stop is often found as a /t/ allophone before nonsyllabic consonants such as in  Gatwick ,  Rottweiler  (Upton 2008). There are can also be glottally – reinforced /p, t, k, tʃ/ sounds in which a glottal stop supports the closure in the oral cavity, as in  stop ,  wait, hike, much . Glottal closures may also support vowels in some contexts.  OED  does not represent glottal stops in transcriptions, even though they may even be present in the soundfiles, because they are not phonemically distinctive. That is, they never make a difference to the meaning of a word in and of themselves ( [ˈbʌʔə] and [ˈbʌtə] both always mean  butter , just as [ˈneɪtʃə] and [ˈneɪ ʔ tʃə] both mean  nature ), because glottal stops or glottal reinforcement simply contribute to the range of allophones of one of the English phonemes.

British English Pronunciations throughout the OED’s History

Transcribed pronunciations were a feature of James Murray’s original  A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles  ( NED ), known from the 1890s onwards as the first edition of the  OED . To Murray, such transcriptions were an essential inclusion, since they sought to represent ‘the actual living form or forms of a word, that is,  the word itself , of which the current spelling is only a symbolization’ (Vol. I, p.xxiv). Pronunciations have consequently retained a special status in  OED , such that the aim is not to encompass an evolution of pronunciations nor prescribe pronunciations faithful to entries’ etymologies, but to give the current form(s) of each ‘living word’; ‘the  latest fact  in the form-history of the word’.

Pronunciations in  OED  are therefore reflective of the principle that language is first and foremost  spoken . And yet new words may be formed on orthographic bases, leading to challenges such as those Murray describes: ‘On several occasions, the Editor has applied directly to the introducer of a word, to know how he pronounces it, or means it to be pronounced, and has received the answer, that he has never thought of its pronunciation, does not presume to say how it ought to be pronounced, and leave it to people to pronounce as they like, or to the Dictionary to say what is the  right  pronunciation. This, of course, reverses the natural order of language, in which speech comes first, and writing is only its symbolization; for here the first thing is the written symbol addressed to the eye […], while, for ‘pronunciation’, anything passes muster which suffices to recall the written symbol in question, just as any reading of a mathematical formula passes muster, if it enables an auditor to write down the formula again.’ (Vol. I, p.xi)

The transcriptions of  NED  would not be fully recognizable to modern  OED  users. Murray’s attempt to represent all ‘simple’ sounds by one symbol apiece remains very much part of modern segmental phonetics and phonology, but accepted notation has evolved, largely in light of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which came along just too late for the beginnings of the dictionary’s publication in 1884 (the first version of the IPA was published in 1888). A key to  NED ’s pronunciations is reproduced  here . The Second Edition of  OED  converted Murray’s notation to a more IPA-based system (a key to these unrevised transcriptions can be found  here ), and the model for the Third Edition is broadened and reformulated as discussed above. Minor refinements continue to be introduced as the Dictionary evolves. Since OED does not set out to trace the pronunciation developments of each entry in great detail but primarily to provide current pronunciations, not every alteration is systematically noted. However, where there is a significant change between editions, editorial notes in the etymology of an entry record the earlier pronunciation.

Carley, P., Mees, I.M. & Collins, B. 2018.  English Phonetics and Pronunciation Practice . London: Routledge.

Collins, B. & Mees, I.M. 2013.  Practical Phonetics and Phonology . 3 rd  edn. Abingdon: Routledge.

Cruttenden, A. 2014.  Gimson’s Pronunciation of English . 8 th  edn. Abingdon: Routledge.

Jones, D. 1917.  English Pronouncing Dictionary . London: Dent.

Jones, D. 2011.  Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary . 18 th  edn. Edited by P. Roach, J. Setter, & J. Esling. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Maidment, J. 2016.  Speech Internet Dictionary  [Online Resource]. Accessed 17/06/20 at http://blogjam.name/sid/  

Roach, P. 2004. British English: Received Pronunciation.  Journal of the International Phonetic Association , 34(2), pp.239-245.

Roach, P. 2009.  English Phonetics and Phonology . 4 th  edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Upton, C. & Kretzschmar, W. 2017.  The Routledge Dictionary of Pronunciation for Current English.  Abingdon: Routledge.

Upton, C. 2008. Received Pronunciation.  In:  B. Kortmann & C. Upton, eds.  Varieties of English 1: the British Isles.  Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, pp.237-252.

Upton, C., Kretzschmar, W. & Konopka, R. 2001.  Oxford Dictionary of Pronunciation for Current English.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Wells, J. C. 2008.  Longman Pronouncing Dictionary . 3 rd  edn. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Wells, J.C. 1982.  Accents of English 2: The British Isles . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Windsor Lewis, J. 1972.  A Concise Pronouncing Dictionary of British and American English . London: Oxford University Press.

English for tourism: Essential UK travel phrases with examples

Travelling to the UK is a great way to practise your English. It’s also a lot of fun! In this study guide, we’ll teach you some of the best travel phrases, local expressions and slang to make the most of your trip. Ready? Let’s hit the road!

• British slang
• Being polite

What you will learn:

1.​ Greetings and expressions 2.​ Dining out 3.​ Transport and getting around 4.​ Essential British slang 5.​ How to be polite in English

1. Greetings and expressions

One of the first words you’ll hear after stepping off the plane is ‘hello’. However, Brits use many different expressions to greet one another, and these are often less formal. It is worth learning several different ways to greet and address “the locals” because they may use phrases that do not appear in your textbooks!

HELLO / GOODBYE

‘Hi / Hey / Hiya / Ay-up’ are informal ways of saying ‘hello’. These can be used in casual situations, such as when entering a cafe or greeting someone you already know. They are suitable for men and women of any age. It is not considered rude to use the word ‘hi’ to a stranger, despite it being informal.

‘Good morning’ and ‘Good afternoon’ are more formal variations of ‘hello’. You can say ‘good morning’ up until 12.00 (noon), then it is ‘afternoon’. These are often made informal by leaving out the word ‘good’. For example, ‘morning!’ or ‘evening!’. Following the same pattern, ‘goodnight’ can also mean ‘goodbye’, but is usually shortened to just ‘night’. If you want to be funny, you can use the famous children’s rhyme: “Goodnight…and don’t let the bedbugs bite”.

‘See ya / See you later / Bye / Cheerio / Ta-tar’ are all casual ways of saying ‘goodbye’. You can say these to your colleagues, friends or family, but avoid using them in more formal conversations.

HOW’RE YOU?

‘How’re you?’ is a popular English phrase that often follows ‘hello’. A common reply would be ‘Fine, thanks!’, ‘Not bad, thanks! or ‘Good, cheers!’ (more informal). Sometimes this phrase can be used with people you do not know in public situations, for example, with a member of staff at a pub or cafe. In some cultures, you can expect to hear all about a person’s problems if you ask how they are doing, but in the UK this is usually just a polite addition to ‘hello’.

Formal: Thank you Neutral: Thanks Informal: Cheers, ta

You may know the word ‘cheers’ in the context of drinking alcohol, but it can also be used as a casual way of saying ‘thanks’. It is quite an impersonal word and can be used after receiving directions from a stranger, or if your friend lends you a small sum of money. However, it wouldn’t be the appropriate expression of thanks if you’d just received a Christmas present from your mother. Think of ‘cheers’ as a light version of ‘thank you’ for everyday use.

When you’re on a bus and are close to your destination, you will need to press a red “stop” button to tell the driver that you wish to get off. As you’re stepping off the bus you can thank the driver for your trip by saying: ‘Cheers, mate’. You will hear local Brits doing this a lot in the UK.

MATE / HONEY / PET / DUCK / LOVE / BABE (INFORMAL)

These are all common forms of address and terms of endearment in Britain. ‘Mate’ is used everywhere, but the others are usually associated with particular regions of the UK. For example, ‘duck’ or ‘love’ are commonly used in the north of England and ‘pet’ is used further north still and around Newcastle. ‘Babe’ is more popular in the south, where the word ‘geezer’ can also be used instead of ‘mate’ (for a man).

Although these words are commonly used in Britain, they are unlikely to be in your textbooks because they are informal and region-specific. It is fine to use these terms when speaking to family, friends or even with the staff of shops and cafes. However, you should avoid using them in formal or work situations because this can seem rude or sarcastic.

As you probably know, Brits are famous for saying ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ all the time! Politeness is an important part of UK culture, and this is reflected in the language. ‘Sorry’ is a formal apology that can be used in many situations – for example, if you bump into somebody (which, if you’re in London you will do a lot!). It can also be used in the same way as ‘Pardon’. For example, if you haven’t heard what someone has said, you can say: ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch that’ or just ‘Sorry?’. This is politer than saying ‘What?’, which can be seen as rude.

‘Soz’ is the informal or slang version of ‘sorry’. You can use this when you’re talking to friends or family members, but not in formal situations or with people you do not know.

2. Dining out

Britain’s multiculturalism means its food scene has expanded greatly over the years. From traditional fish & chips to Chinese takeaways – the UK has it all! These phrases will come in handy when you’re grabbing a bite to eat in London or elsewhere in Britain.

FISH’N’CHIPS

If you want to try some typical British cuisine and find yourself at the local fish and chip shop, you might be asked: ‘Do you want them opened or wrapped?’. This is a common way of asking whether you would like to eat your food now or later. Say ‘Open, please!’ if you plan to eat while you walk or perhaps in a park nearby. Say ‘Wrapped, please!’ if you would prefer to eat back at your hotel or apartment. Fish and chip shops usually serve their food with small plastic or wooden forks. If you are not given one of these with your food, you can say: ‘Can I have a fork please, mate?’.

SITTING IN / TAKING AWAY

Some coffee shops and small cafes have two price lists; one for customers sitting or eating in, and another for those ordering food or drinks to take away. It’s usually a bit more expensive to sit in because you can then use the facilities (toilet, wifi, etc.). If you want to have your drink inside the cafe, you can say: ‘Can I have a coffee to sit in, please?’. However, if you’re on the move and just need a quick pick-me-up in the form of caffeine, then you can say; ‘Can I have a large cappuccino to take away, please?’. You may also hear Brits using American versions of these phrases, like: ‘A medium latte to go, please!’ or ‘Can I get this pizza to take out, please?’ (British English: ‘to take away’).

TABLE SERVICE

If you enter a cafe and are greeted with a sign saying “Waiter service” (or “Table Service”), you should find a table, sit down and wait to be served. Being “waited on” means the staff will bring your food directly to you, so you don’t have to go to the counter to order. This is a common practice in most restaurants and some cafes, but not in fast food chains. Pubs can go either way, but many will expect you to order at the bar where you can also buy drinks. If in doubt, look on the front of the menu for information or ask a member of staff: ‘Excuse me, should I order at the bar or will someone come over?’.

ORDERING FOOD

When ordering food in English, you need to make sure you are using polite constructions. For example, ‘I would like…’ or ‘Could I please have…’ instead of ‘I want…’. If you sit down for 5 minutes and just listen to how locals communicate with staff at restaurants and cafes, then you will have a better understanding of the usual exchanges. Take a look at the table below for some common vocabulary and phrases:

You’ll notice that Brits use the word ‘please’ at the end of requests and some questions. It is important that you also make an effort to do this when speaking English so that you do not appear rude. Customer service in the UK is usually good so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance from staff. In London, many non-natives work in restaurants and cafes so you won’t always be communicating with Brits.

PAYING FOR MEALS

Splitting the bill.

When you have finished your meal, call the waiter or waitress over to your table with a raised hand or by making eye contact and lifting your head. You can ask: ‘Can we have the bill, please?’. If you are sharing the cost of the meal, use one of the following phrases: ‘Can we split it between us, please?’ or ‘Can we pay separately, please?’. You will then need to chip in your share of the cash or say how much money should be charged to each card.

Cards and contactless payments

Most places will have a card machine. However, some small cafes may only accept cash, in which case there should be a sign clearly stating this. It’s a good idea to carry some cash with you, but to make most of your purchases by card. If you are unsure of the possible payment methods, you can ask: ‘Do you accept cards?’ or ‘Do you take card?’ (more informal).

The most convenient way to pay for things nowadays is with a “contactless” card or with Apple Pay. If you use a smart phone, you can connect your debit or credit card to your mobile and pay for low value items with one easy tap. Paying with “contactless” enables a quick transaction. All you have to do is hold your card over the card machine, rather than using the old fashioned chip and PIN method. If you have a small wifi icon on your bank card, then your card is “contactless”. Before you pay for your food and drink with a card machine, you can ask: ‘Is it contactless?’.

Tips and service charges

It’s usual in the UK to leave a tip when you pay for a meal. This is about 10-15% in London, but may be a little less elsewhere in the country. If you have really enjoyed your meal and the service has been great, then you may wish to leave a more generous tip. Leaving no tip is generally considered rude or can be taken as a sign you are disappointed with the food or service. Before you leave a tip, make sure that the cafe or restaurant hasn’t already included a service charge on your bill (usually about 12.5%).

In pubs, you can tip the bar staff by saying: ‘Have a drink on me!’. Most of the time, they will pocket the cost of one standard drink rather than consuming alcohol at work (but there are exceptions!). You can also tip your taxi driver by saying: ‘Keep the change, mate!’ or ‘Let’s just call it a tenner!’ (£10).

Put it on my tab!

If you’re in an old pub in London, you may hear some “regulars” (locals who often visit the place) ordering drinks and then asking the bar staff to “put it on my tab”. A tab is the total of your drinks at the end of the evening. If you’re going out with a large group and know that you will all be ordering more than one drink, then it might be worth “opening up a tab”. At the end of the night you can ask to “pay off your tab”, which will be the total cost of all your drinks. Most pubs will ask for a bank card to keep behind the bar as a deposit on your tab.

For more useful travel phrases about dining out, take a look at this mini guide from the BBC Learning English website .  

3. Transport and getting around

Now that most of us have Google Maps on our phones, asking for directions may seem a little old fashioned. However, you may wish to learn some phrases to help you get around and use public transport in the UK. If you’re lost or just want to know the fastest way to get to the best sights, then locals may know some secrets that don’t show up in Google search results! You’ll find that most Brits you meet are more than happy to point you in the right direction and offer some friendly advice.

If you want to get to know a city, explore it on foot! This will give you a chance to see all the local places as they are enjoyed by its residents. You might even discover some “hidden gems” off the beaten track (away from other tourists). Take a look at these travel phrases to help you navigate the streets:

Brits often use the words ‘up’ and ‘down’ when giving directions. For example, ‘up the road’ or ‘down the street’. This can be confusing because the speaker doesn’t always mean ‘uphill’ or ‘downhill’. If you hear these words, you should take them to mean ‘along’ and pay attention to the direction shown by the speaker.

Public transport in most big cities offers an affordable way of getting from A to B. Start by asking: ‘Where’s the nearest bus stop?’ or ‘Where’s the bus station?’ (for coaches to other cities too). Pick up a bus timetable from a stand or tourist information centre so you know the route. On London buses, you can pay using a contactless bank card or with a Visitor Oyster Card . If you are planning a longer stay, you can buy a travel card that is valid for 7 days. A single standard ticket costs £1.50, though prices tend to increase year on year.

To stop a bus, you must be standing at a bus stop. Put out your arm to tell the driver you wish to get on. When you get on the bus, request your ticket with: ‘Can I have a single to X, please?’. If you don’t know the route, you can ask: ‘Can you please let me know when it’s time to get off?’. It may be best to sit downstairs closer to the driver on a double-decker bus, if you need help finding your stop. When you reach your destination, you can either say ‘Next stop, please mate!’ or ring the bell by pressing one of the red “Stop” buttons. On some buses you will then see an illuminated sign saying “Bus Stopping”.

For more information about bus travel in London, see this short guide .

UNDERGROUND

London’s iconic “Tube” (or underground) is a great way of getting around the capital. It is the only real underground system in the UK, although some other cities have trams or over-ground trains they call “The Metro”. The Tube is the oldest underground system in the world and you will notice that its tunnels are small and its trains are often tight on space (especially at rush hour!). Navigating the Tube can be a nightmare for tourists so it’s best to pick up a map at the entrance to any station and then plan your route in advance. This Guide to the London Underground provides all of the information you need.

Most people buy tickets from a machine, but each station still has a small ticket office with a member of staff to assist you. If you are confused by the machines, queue up and use this option. You may find the following exchanges of use:

Have you seen the t-shirts with the phrase “Mind the gap”? This expression is famous and you’ll notice it a lot when using The Tube. It means: be careful of the space between the train and the platform – don’t fall down!

BLACK CABS (TAXIS)

Another London icon is the famous “black cab” (or taxi). Today, cheaper alternatives (like Uber) do exist and you can even order taxis using a mobile app with GPS. However, a trip to the British capital wouldn’t be complete without at least a short ride in a black cab! Cab drivers (or “cabbies”) are renowned for their banter (humorous small talk) and extensive knowledge of the city’s streets.

You can hail a cab from the roadside if its yellow/orange light is on. To do this, put your arm out and wave to the driver. Get into the cab and give the cabbie your destination: ‘The Hilltop Hotel via Piccadilly, please mate!’. The word ‘via’ is used to explain which route you wish to take and whether multiple stops are required. If you don’t have any cash on you, then you can ask: ‘Can we stop at a cash machine on the way, please?’.

Cabs can be very expensive, especially in London. Watch the meter to see the current fare. When you get into the taxi, the meter will not start on zero because a minimum charge is added immediately. Many taxis now accept cards so ask the driver if you wish to use this method of payment.

For more practice, check out this short series from the British Council about travel in London .  

4. Essential British slang

If you want to take your English a step further, why not learn some informal words and expressions used by the locals? These will help you to understand more of the conversations taking place around you. Using slang can also be a lot of fun, but make sure you know how and when to use it properly! Check out this short list of 10 UK slang words that will make you sound more like a Brit:

If you would like to learn more about this topic, take a look at this list of British English slang terms .

5. How to be polite in English

Brits are famous for being polite, but this means they just use the right words and expressions to suit the situation. Anyone can learn to sound polite in English by using set phrases and a less direct style of communication. Let’s look at some examples:

MODAL VERBS

Use additional modal verbs instead of just saying ‘give me…’ or ‘I want…’. For example, say: ‘I would like…’, ‘May I have…’, and ‘Could/can I borrow…’. These phrases sound less like demands and more like polite requests. You can also add the word ‘please’ if you want to be very polite: ‘Could I please have…’.

ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION

If you don’t understand someone, it’s fine to ask them to repeat what they have said. To do this politely, say: ‘Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that!’, ‘Could you repeat that, please?’ or ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.’. It may also be a good idea to ask the person to speak more slowly: ‘Could you speak a little slower, please?’ or ‘My English isn’t great. Would you mind speaking a bit slower, please?’.

SAYING SORRY

Brits often say ‘sorry’ even when they are not to blame! For example, if a person bumps into someone else in the street, BOTH Brits will apologise (not just the one who was at fault). This can be very confusing if you are a visitor to the UK. In this situation, the second ‘sorry’ just means ‘It’s fine – no problem’. By saying ‘sorry’ in this context, you are not pointing the finger of blame at the other person.

Being apologetic is another important feature of British communication. This means you will hear Brits using the following phrases a lot: ‘I’m sorry about…’, ‘Terribly sorry about…’, ‘Sorry, I’m late!’, ‘I’m afraid that…’, ‘Forgive me for…’I shouldn’t have…’. Listen carefully to how the local Brits speak with each other and then try some of these phrases yourself.

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

Brits use the words ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ more frequently than most other nationalities. This means that visitors to the UK can seem rude if they forget to say these words with the same frequency. All polite requests should include ‘please’ and you should thank other people each time they do something for you. For example, take a look at this short exchange between a customer and a shop assistant:

– Can I have a National Lottery scratch card, please? – That’ll be £2.50, please. – Here you go. – Thanks. That’s 50p change. – Ta, mate. Thanks!

SENSE OF HUMOUR

One stereotype of the British is that they have an eccentric sense of humour. It’s certainly true that humour plays an important role in UK culture. Visitors often complain that they never know when Brits are being serious and when they are “having a laugh” (joking)! If in doubt, it’s best to assume the other person is probably joking. Brits hate confrontation, especially in public. Therefore, in uncomfortable situations, you are likely to see them making jokes to lighten the mood.

For more information about etiquette in the UK, check out this post on how to be polite in English .

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Transcription and pronunciation of the word " travel " in British and American variants. Detailed translation and examples.

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40 Basic Vocabulary Words and Common Phrases for Travel in English

Embarking on a journey to a foreign country can be both exciting and a bit daunting, especially when language barriers come into play. But fear not, we’ve got you covered! This page is dedicated to all the globetrotters out there who are keen on enhancing their English language skills specifically for travel.

We’ve curated a list of 40 essential English words and phrases that will prove to be your best companions on your travels.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first overseas trip, mastering these words and phrases will not only boost your confidence but also enrich your travel experiences. So, let’s dive in and start preparing for your next adventure with our comprehensive travel vocabulary guide. Happy learning and safe travels!

40 essential English words and phrases for travel

• Passport – “Don’t forget to bring your passport to the airport.”
• Luggage – “Please make sure your luggage is not left unattended.”
• Reservation – “I have a reservation under the name Smith.”
• Itinerary – “Our itinerary includes stops in Rome, Paris, and London.”
• Destination – “Our final destination is Sydney.”
• Accommodation – “I’ve booked accommodation for three nights in the city center.”
• Sightseeing – “We’re going sightseeing in the old town tomorrow.”
• Currency – “What’s the local currency in Japan?”
• Boarding Pass – “Please have your boarding pass and identification ready.”
• Departure – “Our departure time is 6:00 PM.”
• Arrival – “Our estimated arrival time is 8:00 PM.”
• Customs – “You’ll need to declare any items at customs.”
• Visa – “Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?”
• Tourist – “As a tourist, I love exploring new places.”
• Landmark – “The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark in Paris.”
• Guidebook – “I bought a guidebook to learn more about the city’s history.”
• Souvenir – “I bought a souvenir from each city we visited.”
• Jet Lag – “I’m feeling a bit of jet lag after the long flight.”
• Travel Agency – “The travel agency arranged all of our accommodations.”
• Backpack – “I prefer to travel with a backpack instead of a suitcase.”
• Could you help me, please? – When you need assistance.
• How much does this cost? – When you want to know the price of something.
• Where is the nearest…? – When you’re looking for something specific, like a bathroom or a subway station.
• I would like to book… – When you want to make a reservation.
• Do you speak English? – When you need to find someone who speaks English.
• I’m lost. Can you help me? – When you need directions.
• Can I have the menu, please? – When you’re at a restaurant and want to see the menu.
• I’m allergic to… – When you need to inform someone of your allergies.
• Can I have the bill, please? – When you’re ready to pay at a restaurant.
• What time does it open/close? – When you want to know the operating hours of a place.
• Can I have a ticket to…, please? – When you’re buying a ticket.
• Where can I catch the bus/train? – When you need to find the bus or train station.
• Is it far from here? – When you want to know the distance to a place.
• Can you recommend a good…? – When you’re looking for recommendations.
• Do you accept credit cards? – When you want to know if you can pay with a credit card.
• What’s the Wi-Fi password? – When you need to connect to the internet.
• I’d like to go to… – When you’re telling a taxi driver your destination.
• Is there a pharmacy nearby? – When you need to find a pharmacy.
• Can I try this on? – When you’re shopping for clothes and want to try something on.
• Could you take a picture of us, please? – When you want someone to take a photo of you and your group.

Wrapping Up Our English Travel Vocabulary Journey

And there you have it! We’ve journeyed through 40 essential English words and phrases that will help make your travels smoother and more enjoyable. Remember, language is a powerful tool that can open doors to understanding new cultures, making new friends, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Don’t worry if you can’t memorize all the words and phrases at once. The beauty of language learning is that it’s a continuous process. Keep practicing, and soon these words will become second nature to you.

But why stop at 40? If you’re eager to expand your travel vocabulary even further, we have an exciting offer for you. Follow us on Instagram and send us a direct message to get your hands on our comprehensive eBook (write “Travel eBook”), which features 200 essential English words and phrases for travel, plus 2 special bonuses!

We hope this guide will be a valuable resource for your travel adventures. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities, tranquil countryside, or exotic beaches, these phrases will help you navigate your way with confidence.

Thank you for joining us on this linguistic journey. We wish you all the best in your English learning and your future travels. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, or in this case, a single word. Happy travels and happy learning!

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Meaning of travel in Essential English Dictionary

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(Definition of travel from the Cambridge Essential Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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