The moment

Amara just moved from Nairobi to New York, and Wei works at the front desk of her building. Three short exchanges over one week: a hot morning, a question about the forecast, and a first cold day when Amara gets the numbers wrong. Listen, then take one side. The last exchange uses Fahrenheit, so keep 32, 50 and 70 in your head.

The conversation

WeiAmara
  1. Wei
  2. Amara
  3. Wei
  4. Amara
  5. Amara
  6. Wei
  7. Amara
  8. Wei
  9. Amara
  10. Wei
  11. Amara
  12. Wei

Words to know

friendly weather small talk that wants agreement

here, reach a number

the forecast shows rain on Sunday

friendly advice for a sunny day

a friendly joke about something typical of a place

Check yourself

1Why does Amara think 45 degrees sounds warm?
2Why does Amara choose Saturday for the park?
3What does Wei mean by "Welcome to fall in New York"?

Practice · 3 min

Round one: repeat every line. Round two: mute Amara and answer Wei in your own words, with the real weather where you are today. Round three: mute Wei and give the forecast. When a number comes up, say it in both scales before you move on.

  1. WeiMorning. Hot one today, huh?
  2. AmaraSo hot. And so humid.
  3. WeiIt's supposed to hit ninety-five.
  4. AmaraI'm staying inside with the air conditioning.
  5. AmaraIs it going to rain this weekend?
  6. WeiI heard Saturday's nice, but Sunday looks wet.
  7. AmaraThen the park is on Saturday.
  8. WeiGood plan. Take sunscreen.
  9. AmaraThe app says 45. That sounds warm.
  10. WeiActually, that's Fahrenheit. About seven Celsius.
  11. AmaraSeven? I'm getting my coat.
  12. WeiAnd a hat. Welcome to fall in New York.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.