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English for waiters and waitresses

Greeting guests, taking orders, allergies, the bill and complaints: the English you use on the restaurant floor, from your first shift.

Start Waiter / waitress lessons21 lessons · 3 levels · 100 phrases

พูดเมื่อไหร่: ลูกค้าสั่งแกง

Spicy or not spicy?

เผ็ดหรือไม่เผ็ดคะ?

What you will learn

Know some English already? Take the Level 1 test first and skip what you know.

Level 1Lessons 1–5

First Shift

You can get through your first day at work in English.

  1. 1Hello and thank you
  2. 2Numbers and time
  3. 3Seating and the menu
  4. 4Allergies and spicy food
  5. 5Serving and the bill

Shift Test, Level 1 · badge

Level 2Lessons 6–11

Confident Day

You can handle a whole working day in English.

  1. 6Booking & tables
  2. 7Drinks
  3. 8Taking the order
  4. 9Food questions & allergies
  5. 10Payment & tips
  6. 11Handling complaints

Shift Test, Level 2 · badge

Level 3Lessons 12–21

Trusted Pro

Small talk, saying no politely, problems and the unexpected.

  1. 12When something goes wrong
  2. 13Customers and surprises
  3. 14Small talk
  4. 15Bills and tables, fast
  5. 16Saying no politely
  6. 17Recommending dishes
  7. 18What I did
  8. 19At the restaurant
  9. 20Bookings by phone
  10. 21Cultural notes

Shift Test, Level 3 · badge

Phrases you will say

How many people?

Are you ready to order?

Spicy or not spicy?

This has peanuts.

Here is the bill.

Today's special is grilled fish.

All 100 phrases, lesson by lesson

Every English phrase in these lessons. In the app, each one comes with a picture, audio and its meaning in your language.

Level 1First Shift

1Hello and thank you

  • Hello. Good morning.
  • Yes. No. OK.
  • Please. Thank you. Sorry.
  • I don't understand. Please say it again.

2Numbers and time

  • One moment, please.
  • One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
  • What time? At three o'clock.
  • Help! Call a doctor.

3Seating and the menu

  • How many people?
  • This way, please.
  • Here is the menu.
  • Are you ready to order?

4Allergies and spicy food

  • Any allergies?
  • Spicy or not spicy?
  • This has peanuts.
  • Careful, hot plate.

5Serving and the bill

  • Enjoy your meal.
  • Anything else?
  • Here is the bill.
  • Please come again.

Level 2Confident Day

6Booking & tables

  • Do you have a booking?
  • A table for four?
  • Inside or outside?
  • Please wait fifteen minutes.
  • Can you come at seven?

7Drinks

  • Something to drink?
  • Still or sparkling water?
  • With ice?
  • Orange, mango or watermelon?
  • More water?

8Taking the order

  • What would you like?
  • Rice or noodles?
  • Well done or medium?
  • So: two pad thai, one soup. Right?
  • About ten minutes.

9Food questions & allergies

  • This one is vegetarian.
  • This has shrimp. Is that OK?
  • I will tell the kitchen: less spicy.
  • No sugar? OK.
  • A small portion for the child?

10Payment & tips

  • The total is six hundred and fifty baht.
  • Together or separate?
  • Cash or card?
  • Here is your change.
  • Thank you for the tip.

11Handling complaints

  • Sorry, wrong dish. I will change it.
  • Sorry for the wait.
  • Is it cold? I will heat it.
  • I will take it off the bill.
  • Let me call the manager.

Level 3Trusted Pro

12When something goes wrong

  • Sorry, I spilled it. Let me clean it.
  • Sorry, the power is off. Please wait a moment.
  • Sorry, the fish is finished. The chicken is very good.
  • You left your phone. Here it is.
  • Sorry, the kitchen is busy. Ten more minutes.

13Customers and surprises

  • Are you OK? Do you need a doctor?
  • A high chair for the baby?
  • You broke a glass? No problem. I will clean it.
  • It's raining. Please move inside.
  • A birthday? We can bring a candle.

14Small talk

  • How are you today?
  • It is very hot today.
  • Did you have a good weekend?
  • It will rain later. Take an umbrella.
  • Have a nice weekend!

15Bills and tables, fast

  • Three mains and two drinks: one thousand four hundred and eighty baht.
  • Your change is five hundred and twenty baht.
  • Table twelve, by the window.
  • Your booking is at seven thirty.
  • Sorry, fourteen or forty?

16Saying no politely

  • Sorry, no outside food here.
  • Sorry, I can't give a discount. The price is fixed.
  • Sorry, the kitchen closes at ten.
  • Sorry, I can't give you my phone number.
  • Sorry, the chef can't change this dish.

17Recommending dishes

  • Today's special is grilled fish.
  • Would you like dessert?
  • This is good to share.
  • Coffee or tea after?
  • The set menu is cheaper.

18What I did

  • I told the kitchen: no peanuts.
  • I changed the dish.
  • I packed the food for you.
  • I cleaned the table.
  • I booked your table for Friday.

19At the restaurant

  • Sorry, I forgot your drink. Coming now.
  • I found your wallet under the table.
  • The chef is sick today. The menu is small.
  • We have a new menu this week.
  • Last time you had the green curry.

20Bookings by phone

  • Hello, Restaurant.
  • How many people? What time?
  • I will send you a message to confirm.
  • Running late? No problem, we keep your table.
  • Order for pick-up? Ready in twenty minutes.

21Cultural notes

  • I'm fine, thank you. And you?
  • Nice to meet you.
  • Thank you, that is very kind.
  • Excuse me.
  • No problem.

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