Speaking: Interactive Communication A1 - Lesson 5: Using "Please" and "Thank you"

Speaking: Interactive Communication A1

Using "Please" and "Thank you"

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will know when and how to use the polite words "please" and "thank you" in everyday situations.

Polite Conversation Examples 🙏

"Please" and "thank you" are like magic words in English. Using them shows respect and makes interactions smooth and friendly.

Situation 1: Ordering at a Café (Click 🔊)

You: Hello. One iced coffee, please.

Staff: Okay. Here you are.

You: Thank you.

Situation 2: Asking for Help (Click 🔊)

You: Excuse me. Can you help me, please?

Teacher: Of course. What's the problem?

...

You: Ah, okay. Thank you very much.

Teacher: You're welcome.

The Rules of Politeness

• Rule 1: Use PLEASE when you ASK.

  Use "please" when you make a request. It can go at the end of the sentence (most common) or the beginning.

  • "One ticket to Phnom Penh, please."
  • "Please pass me the water."
• Rule 2: Use THANK YOU when you RECEIVE.

  Use "thank you" when someone gives you something, helps you, or says something nice.

  • When someone gives you your change → "Thank you."
  • When someone holds a door open for you → "Thank you."
• Rule 3: How to REPLY to "Thank you".

  When someone thanks you, it is polite to reply.

  • Standard / Formal: "You're welcome."
  • Informal / Friendly: "No problem." or "It's okay."

Tips for Sounding Natural

🗣️ The Sound of Politeness

How you say these words matters. Use a warm, friendly tone and falling intonation (↘). Click 🔊 to hear.

• Please: Has a long 'ee' sound and ends with a 'z' sound (pl-ee-z).
• Thank you: Use a soft 'th' sound (/θ/) at the beginning, not a 't' sound.

Practice Being Polite 🎯

Activity 1: What Do You Say? (Self-Check)

For each situation, what is the polite thing to say? Think, then click "Show Answer".

1. You want to buy a bottle of water.
   Show Answer

   "One bottle of water, please."

2. The driver of your tuk-tuk gives you your change.
   Show Answer

   "Thank you."

3. You help a friend. They say "Thank you!".
   Show Answer

   "You're welcome." or "No problem."

Activity 2: Role-Play at a Restaurant

Work with a partner or practice alone. One person is the customer, one is the staff. The customer orders one food and one drink using "please". The staff brings the items. The customer says "thank you". Then switch roles. Click 🔊 to hear example lines.

Customer: "One beef lok lak and one iced tea, please."

Staff: "Okay. Here you are."

Customer: "Thank you."

Key Politeness Phrases

• Please | សូម
  The magic word for making a polite request.
• Thank you / Thanks | អរគុណ
  The magic word to show you are grateful. "Thanks" is more informal.
• Thank you very much | អរគុណច្រើន
  A stronger way to say thank you.
• You're welcome | មិនអីទេ
  The standard, polite reply to "thank you".
• No problem / It's okay | គ្មាន​បញ្ហា / មិនអីទេ
  Common, informal replies to "thank you".

Your Politeness Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to use these magic words as much as possible.

1. Say "please" at least three times when you ask for something.
2. Say "thank you" at least five times when you receive something or someone helps you.