Speaking: Functional Language B1 - Lesson 1: Making Polite Requests, Suggestions & Offers

B1

Polite Requests

ការស្នើសុំ ការផ្តល់យោបល់ និងការផ្តល់ជូន

🎯 Objective / គោលបំណង:

Stop translating directly from Khmer. Use "Could" and "Would" to sound softer and more polite.

💬 Scenario: Office Coffee

Speaker A (Direct Translation) "Give me the coffee."

(Too rude for English speakers!)

Speaker B (Polite English) "Could you pass the coffee, please?"

Speaker A (Offer) "I want to help you carry it?"

(Grammar error. Sounds unsure.)

Speaker B (Polite Offer) "Would you like me to help you?"

The Politeness Scale

1. Making Requests ការស្នើសុំ

The longer the phrase, the more polite it is.

Direct: "Give me..." (Don't use)
Casual: "Can you...?"
Polite: "Could you...?" (Best for B1)
Formal: "Would you mind...?"

2. Making Suggestions ការផ្តល់យោបល់

Don't just say "We go." Use a structure.

"Let's go..." (Active/Direct)
"Why don't we go...?" (Collaborative)
"How about going...?" (Gentle)

3. Making Offers ការផ្តល់ជូន

When you want to help someone.

"I'll do that for you." (Instant Decision)
"Shall I open the window?" (Asking permission)
"Would you like me to help?" (Very polite)

Choose the Polite Option

Situation: You are asking your boss for a day off.

Select the best phrase:

A. "I want a day off tomorrow."

B. "Can I take a day off?"

C. "Could I possibly take a day off tomorrow?"

Situation: Your friend looks hungry.

Make a suggestion:

A. "How about getting some lunch?"

B. "We must eat."