When you travel, you share space with strangers all day: the seat on a train, a bench in a park, the line for a museum. Most of these moments need only one sentence, and a polite one makes the next hour better for both of you. Sometimes that sentence turns into a real conversation. Sometimes it doesn't, and that's fine too.
The lines here are for small, practical contact: asking about a seat, asking for a quick favor, offering help. Start with "Excuse me," keep it short, and read the other person's face. A smile and a short answer means "happy to help." Headphones and a short answer mean "that's enough."
Phrases
asks if you can sit in an empty seat
a slightly warmer version; "no" means you can
asks for space politely
the classic tourist favor
asks a stranger for a small piece of information
checks you're waiting in the right place
offers help, for a heavy bag or a door
lets someone go first, through a door or into a line
tells someone they can do it or go first
a soft start before a question
thanks someone for a favor
a friendly way to end a short talk with a traveler
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.