Common

1. English

1.1. Thanks

Thanks.
Thanks a lot.

Thank you.
Thank you so/very much.

I really appreciate it.
Thanks! I really appreciate it.

Thank you for everything/your time/your help/the food.

Thanks for making time for this.

Thank you! This was so helpful.

Reply to "thanks"

You're welcome.
It's my pleasure.
My pleasure.
Any time.

No problem.
No worries.

1.2. Sorry

Sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm so/very sorry.

I'm sorry for/about that/doing that/being late.

Excuse me.
Oh, My bad.
Oh, no! That my bad.
That's on me.

Reply to "sorry"

It's ok.
Don't worry about it.

No problem.
No worries.

1.3. Yes & Agreeing

Yes. / Yeah. / Yep.
Right. / True. / Truth.
That's right. || That's true. || I guess that's true.
I agree.
I think so, too.
I believe so.
Absolutely. / Exactly. / Totally. / Completely.
For sure.
Well said.
Excellent point.
That's a great point.

1.4. No & Disagreeing

No.
Nope.
Nah.
Oh, no.
No, not really.
No, I don't...

I'm not so sure.
I think I disagree with that.
I don't think that's the case.
I see your point, but I disagree.
I see it a bit differently.
In my experience, it's a bit different.

What about ...?
Do you think it could be ...?
Do you have an example?
Could you tell me more about ...?

COnversations:

A: English is harder to learn than Chinese. B: In my experience, English was pretty easy. 
A: But the grammar is so weird!
B: I see what you mean, but it wasn’t that bad.

A: Dogs are the best pets in the world. 
B: What about cats?
A: They’re fine, but dogs are more friendly. 
B: I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

1.5. Care & Worry & Fear

• care
  • care about (feeling)
  • care for (action: to provide help, aid, or assistance)
  • I don't care about that (without interest)
  • I don't care for that (dislike)
  • interest
• worry
  • concern / concerned
  • worry / worried
  • nervous
  • anxious
  • apprehensive
• fear
  • v.
    • scare
    • frighten
    • terify
    • horrify
  • adj.
    • scared
    • frightened
    • terrified
    • horrified
    • afraid
    • tense
    • uneasy
    • panicked
    • frantic

Care about things

How is it going?
What's going on with xxx?
Where are we at with xxx?
Give me an update on xxx.

Care about people

How are you doing?
How are you adjusting?
Is everything going well?
Is there anything I can do to help with xxx?

Common Care

I care about xxx.
I'm interested in xxx.

I'm worried/concerned that xxx.
I'm worried/concerned about xxx.
I'm nervous/anxious/apprehensive about xxx.

I'm not worried/concerned about xxx.
I'm a little worried/concerned about xxx.

It terrifies me.
You scared me!

I'm scared.
I'm frightened of it.
I'm afriad of flying.
They were panicked by the news.

He's feeling tense today.
We all felt a little uneasy.

Conversations:

A: I’m a little worried about my resume. 
B: Why? What’s wrong?
A: I don’t think I have enough experience. 
B: Don’t worry about that! You’ll do great.

A: What’s going on with the new project?
B: It’s going well. 
A: Is there anything I can do to help?
B: Not right now, but I will let you know.

A: I’m worried about school tomorrow. 
B: Why? Do you have a test?
A: Yeah. Actually, I have three tests. 
B: Wow. That is concerning.

A: Why don’t you go on vacation?
B: I’m a little worried that I’ll lose my job. 
A: Really? I wouldn’t worry about that. 
B: Are you sure? Everyone is on edge lately.

1.6. Advice & Thoughts

• advice
• suggestion
• feedback
• opinion
• thought(s)
• have 5 minutes
• take 5 minutes
• a convenient time

Do you have 2 minutes to talk?
It should only take 5 minutes.
Do you have time to look at xxx before 5pm today?
Is there a convenient time today to talk about xxx?

Could I ask your advice on xxx?
Could you take a look at xxx for me?
I would love to get your thoughts on xxx.
Does that sound good to you?

Do you remember xxx?
We have talked about this before.
Did you get it? 
Got it?

Conversations:

A: Hi! Do you have 2 minutes to talk?
B: Sure. What’s up?
A: I’d love to get your opinion on this shirt. 
B: It looks great! I have no feedback. 

A: Do you have 5 minutes today to talk about the PPT?
B: I have time right now. 
A: Great. What do you think?
B: I think it’s pretty good, but…

A: (…) What do you think I should do?
B: I think you should follow your heart. 
A: Thank you. That’s really helpful. 
B: You’re welcome. 

A: (…) Does that sound good to you?
B: It does. I think it’s a great idea. 
A: OK! Thank you so much for your time. 
B: Anytime. Good luck!

1.7. Criticism & Blame

Criticism

• direct
  • terrible
  • unacceptable
  • not good enough
  • not cutting it
  • not up to (standards)
• constructive
  • could be better
  • room for imporvement
  • need work
  • need improvement

His attitude was terrible.
This PPT is not up to our standards.

You did pretty good on the homework this year, but your test scores could have been better. I can see that you're trying hard!

Blame

• blame
• fault / mistake
• responsiblity
• point fingers/(the finger)

Where is the problem?
Whose fault is this?
Who is to blame?

It's my fault.
It was my mistake.
It's my responsibility.
That's on me.
My bad.
The blame is with me.

It wasn't me.
We can't blame him for that.
He wasn't the problem.

Let's not point fingers.
Let's not play the blame game.
Let's focus on solutions, not problems.

Conversations

A: Your work is unacceptable!
B: I’m sorry to hear that. Do you have any suggestions for how I can improve?
A: I’ll make a performance improvement plan.

A: Whose fault is this?
B: It’s my fault. I’m sorry. 
A: That’s ok. Just don’t let it happen again. 
B: Thank you. I won’t.

A: I think this is Carl’s fault. 
B: Let’s not point fingers. 
A: But we need to find the problem!
B: Let’s focus on solutions, not problems.

1.8. Reply

Not yet.
Really?
Wow!
I don't know.
Amazing! 
Congrats! 

1.9. Making requests

• requests
  • Could you ...?
  • Could you please ...?
  • Would you be able to ...?
  • Could I trouble you to ...?
  • Would you mind ...?
• permission
  • Could I ...?
  • Excuse me, could I ...?
  • Would it be OK if I ...?
  • Are you using this?
  • Is anyone using this?
• response to requests and permission
  • Positive
    • Sure.
    • Of course.
    • I'd love to.
    • It would be my pleasure.
  • Negative
    • I'm sorry, I can't.
    • I won't be able to.
    • I'm afraid I have a conflict.
    • Next time!

A: Would you mind closing the window?
B: Just a minute. I’m finishing something up. 
A: In that case, I’ll get it. 
B: Ok. Sorry for the trouble!

A: Is anyone using that chair?
B: Yes. We’re waiting for someone. 
A: Oh, OK! Sorry. 
B: No problem! I think that one is free.

A: Would you be able to be in the meeting?
B: I’m afraid I can’t. I have a conflict. A: In that case, we might reschedule. 
B: Ok. I’m usually free on Tuesdays.

1.10. Praise & Encourage & Comfort

• praising
  • well done!
  • good job!
  • great job!
  • Amazing!
  • Keep it up!
  • Let's go!
  • Bravo!
  • adj.
    • impressive
    • remarkable
    • admirable
    • laudable
    • commendable
  • adj. start at "ex-"
    • excellent (v. excel)
    • exceptional (n. exception)
    • extraordinary (adj. ordinary)
    • exemplary (n. example)
  • adj. with hyphenated
    • first-rate
    • first-class
    • top-notch
    • A-1
• encouraging
  • I believe in you.
  • I know you can do it.
  • If anyone can do it, you can.
  • You've got this.
  • You'll do great.
  • I'll behind you all the way.
• comforting
  • I'm here for you.
  • Don't take it personally.
  • Don't be so hard on yourself.
  • It happens to the best of us.
  • There are plenty of fish in the sea.

You have a remarkable sense of humor.
Your hard work is admirable.
That was a commendable performance.

You are an excellent friend.
Your cooking is exceptional.
You have this extraordinary kindness.

 You're a first-rate student.
 Your cookies are top-notch.
 Your English is A-1.

2. German

Ja. – Yes.
Nein. – No.
Okay. – Okay.
aus dem Englischen
Entschuldigung! – Sorry!
Danke. – Thanks./Thank you.
alternativ: Danke schön./Danke sehr.
Vielen Dank. – Many thanks./Thank you very much.
Bitte. – You're welcome.
Gerne. – With pleasure.
Gern geschehen. – Anytime!
Kein Problem. – No problem!
Das macht nichts! – It doesn't matter!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch! – Congratulations!
Viel Glück! – Good luck!
Ich freue mich! – I'm glad.
Das ist toll! – That's great!
Achtung! – Caution!
Auf keinen Fall! – No way!
Das geht leider nicht. – Unfortunately, it's not possible.



Entschuldigung, kannst du mir helfen? – Excuse me, can you help me?
(informal)
Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen? – Excuse me, can you help me?
(formal)
Ja, natürlich. – Yes, of course.
Vielen Dank. – Thank you very much.
Ich habe eine Frage. – I have a question.
Wissen Sie, wo das ist? – Do you know where it is? (formal)
Leider nicht. – Unfortunately not.
Ich spreche kein Deutsch. – I don’t speak German.
Ich verstehe das nicht. – I don't understand that.
Was bedeutet das? – What does that mean?
Wie bitte? – I beg your pardon?
Können Sie das wiederholen bitte? – Could you please repeat that? (formal)
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? – Could you please speak more slowly?
(formal)
Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Englisch? – Excuse me, do you speak English?
(formal)
Entschuldigung, wo ist die Information? – Excuse me, where is the
information desk?


miteinander reden – to talk to each other
(redet, redete, hat geredet)
Was hast du gesagt? – What did you say? (informal)
Was ist deine Meinung? – What’s your opinion? (informal)
Ich finde das gut. – I think that's good.
das Gespräch, die Gespräche – conversation
(jemandem/etwas) zu|stimmen – to agree
(stimmt zu, stimmte zu, hat zugestimmt)
(jemanden/etwas) ab|lehnen – to disagree
(lehnt ab, lehnte ab, hat abgelehnt)
sich streiten – to argue
(streitet, stritt, hat gestritten)
diskutieren – to discuss
(diskutiert, diskutierte, hat diskutiert)
(mit jemandem) telefonieren – to phone someone
(telefoniert, telefonierte, hat telefoniert)

Ich rufe dich morgen an. – I'll call you tomorrow. (informal)
(jemandem etwas) mailen – to email
(mailt, mailte, hat gemailt, aus dem Englischen)

Ich schreibe dir eine Mail. – I'll write you an email. (informal)
Hast du meine Mail bekommen? – Did you get my email? (informal)


der Termin, die Termine – appointment
Ich hatte einen Termin. – I had an appointment.
Ich muss den Termin leider absagen. – I unfortunately have to cancel the
appointment.
Ich kann leider nicht kommen. – Unfortunately, I can't come.
Ich schaffe es leider nicht. – Unfortunately, I can't make it.
Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen. – Something came up.
Ich bin krank. – I'm sick.
Ich habe einen wichtigen Termin. – I have an important appointment.
Ich habe den Bus verpasst. – I missed the bus.
Ich komme etwas später. – I'm coming a bit later.
Es tut mir leid. – I'm sorry.
Können wir das verschieben? – Can we change our plans?
Das ist schade. – That's too bad.
Das macht nichts. – It doesn't matter.
Wir machen einen neuen Termin. – We'll arrange a new appointment.