Every line has a ▶ button — tap it to hear that line spoken, one word at a time.
Ben: Okay, Sunday night. Shopping list. What are we out of?
the shopping list · out of — the shopping list · "What are we out of?" = what do we have none of?
Mia: Milk, eggs, and we're running low on coffee.
running low on — running low on = almost finished, nearly none left · out of = none left
Ben: Adding coffee. Our usual, or the store brand?
the store brand — the supermarket's own brand: same product, plainer package, often 20-30 % cheaper · also "generic" · vs the "name brand"
Mia: Store brand. It's the same coffee, honestly. And put down bananas and a bag of spinach.
put down — put down = write it on the list · "add X to the list" works too
Ben: Got it. The weekly ad says chicken thighs are on sale, two ninety-nine a pound.
the weekly ad · on sale · a pound — the weekly ad = the store's sale flyer, on paper by the door or in the app · on sale = a lower price this week · a pound = 454 grams
Mia: Perfect, get two pounds. And we need paper towels and dish soap.
Ben: Do we have a coupon for the paper towels?
a coupon — a ticket that takes money off ONE item: paper (in the mail, in the ad) or digital (in the app) · one exact size, one date
Mia: There's a digital one in the app. Clip it before you go.
clip it — clip = tap the coupon in the store's app · it is saved to your rewards account and comes off at the register
Ben: Done. Anything for lunches?
Mia: Sandwich stuff. Turkey from the deli, half a pound, and a loaf of whole wheat.
the deli · half a pound · a loaf — the deli = the counter with sliced meats, cheese and salads · half a pound = 8 ounces, about 225 g · a loaf = one whole bread
Ben: And the reusable bags are by the door. Don't forget them, bags are ten cents now.
reusable bags · ten cents — reusable bags = the cloth bags you bring · in twelve states a paper bag costs 5-10 cents · California, 2026: no plastic at all, paper only
Mia: I never forget. You forget.
Ben: Once. One time.
Ben: Hey, it's me. I'm at the store. Do we need anything?
do we need anything? — the call everyone makes from the store · answers: "get…", "grab…", "skip it", "we're fine"
Mia: Let me look. Milk, we're almost out. Get a half gallon of two percent.
a half gallon · two percent — a gallon | a half gallon
Ben: They only have whole and skim in the half gallon.
whole · skim — US milk by fat: whole = full-fat · two percent and one percent = low-fat · skim = no fat · the cap colour changes by store
Mia: Then get a gallon of two percent. We'll use it.
a gallon — a gallon = 3.8 liters, the big jug · a half gallon = 1.9 liters · a quart = about a liter · a pint = about half a liter
Ben: Okay. Eggs?
Mia: A dozen, large. And check the date.
a dozen · check the date — a dozen = twelve · "check the date" = look at the best-by date on the carton
Ben: Large eggs are five forty-nine. That's crazy.
that's crazy — = that's far too expensive · the normal complaint about a price; also "that's ridiculous", "that's insane"
Mia: Skip them, then. We have four. What about avocados?
skip them — skip it / skip them = don't buy it this time · "we're fine" = we have enough
Ben: They're rock hard.
rock hard — rock hard = not ripe at all · ripe = ready to eat · overripe / mushy = too soft
Mia: Fine, no avocados. Grab a bag of the little tomatoes instead, and a bunch of cilantro.
grab · a bunch — grab = get it, quickly (the everyday word for "buy") · a bunch = herbs or bananas held together · a bag of, a head of lettuce, a carton of eggs
Ben: Got it. Anything else? I'm in the cereal aisle.
aisle — aisle (sounds like "I'll"; the s is silent) = the long space between two rows of shelves · aisle seven, the cereal aisle, the frozen aisle
Mia: Cereal is on the list already. That's it. Thank you!
Ben: See you in twenty.
Mia: Excuse me, where can I find the peanut butter?
where can I find…? — the most useful question in the store · also "Where's the…?", "Do you have…?", "Which aisle is the… in?"
Miguel: Aisle seven, on the left, next to the jelly. About halfway down.
aisle seven · halfway down — the answer you will get: an aisle number, a side, a place along it · halfway down = in the middle · at the far end / at the front
Mia: Thanks. And do you carry oat milk?
do you carry…? — carry = sell, stock · "we carry it" / "we don't carry that" · a store "carries" a product
Miguel: We do. It's not in the dairy case with the regular milk, though. It's on the end cap of aisle three.
the end cap · the dairy case — the end cap = the shelf at the END of an aisle, usually sale items and new things · the dairy case = the cold shelves: milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs
Mia: The end cap. Got it. One more thing. The pasta sauce that's on sale, the shelf is empty.
the shelf is empty — = sold out on the shelf · a sale item on Saturday is often gone by noon
Miguel: Let me check in the back.
in the back — the back = the storeroom behind the store · "I'll check in the back" = the best answer you can get
Mia: Thank you.
Miguel: Sorry, we're out. The truck comes Thursday.
we're out · the truck comes Thursday — we're out (of it) = we have none · out of stock · the truck = the delivery; stores get a few a week
Mia: But the sale ends today, doesn't it?
Miguel: It does. Ask at the service desk for a rain check. They'll give you the sale price when it's back in stock.
a rain check · back in stock — a slip from the service desk: the SALE price later · back in stock = available again · usually good for thirty days
Mia: A rain check. I didn't know that was a thing.
a thing — "a thing" = something that really exists, that people really do · "Is that a thing?" = do people really do that?
Miguel: Most people don't. Anything else?
Mia: No, that's everything. Thanks a lot.
Miguel: You bet.
you bet — = you're welcome (casual, friendly) · also "no problem", "sure thing", "any time"
Mia: How do I know if an avocado is ripe?
ripe — = ready to eat · press the top: if it gives a little, it's ripe
Miguel: Press the top gently. If it gives a little, it's ready. If it's hard, give it two days on the counter.
gives a little · on the counter — gives = is a little soft when you press it · on the counter = at room temperature, not in the fridge · unripe fruit ripens on the counter
Mia: This one gives. Are they sold by the pound or each?
by the pound or each — by the pound = you pay by weight: apples, grapes · each = one price per piece: avocados, lemons · the sign says which
Miguel: Each. A dollar twenty-five. The apples are by the pound, though. There's a scale right there if you want to check.
a scale — the scale · weigh it yourself: the price is per pound
Mia: Great. And are these bags for the produce?
produce — PRO-duce (stress on the first part) = fresh fruit and vegetables · the produce section · "the produce guy" · the verb pro-DUCE is a different word
Miguel: Yep, tear one off the roll. You don't have to bag bananas.
tear one off · bag — tear one off = pull one bag off the roll · to bag = to put in a bag · the thin clear bags are for loose produce; bananas and a single lemon go as they are
Mia: What's the difference between these apples? These are two dollars more.
Miguel: Those are organic. See the sticker? Organic codes start with a nine.
organic · start with a nine — organic = grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers · the sticker: 4 digits = regular, 4011 = banana · 5 digits starting with 9 = organic: 94011
Mia: Oh, that's a good trick. Is anything on sale today?
Miguel: Strawberries, two for five. But the sale price is with the card.
two for five · with the card — two for five = two for five dollars (one is still full price at some stores; ask) · with the card = only with the store's free rewards card
Mia: I don't have the card yet.
Miguel: Sign up at the service desk, it takes a minute. And grab the ones in the back, they're fresher.
the ones in the back — stores put the OLDEST stock at the front; the newest is behind it · the same for milk and yogurt in the dairy case
Mia: The back. Got it. Thank you!
Ben: Which one is cheaper, the big box or the two small ones?
Mia: Look at the unit price. On the shelf tag, the small print. Eighteen cents an ounce, versus twenty-two.
the unit price · the shelf tag · an ounce — the shelf tag: the item price big, the unit price small · unit price = per ounce, per pound or per count · an ounce = 28 g; 16 ounces = a pound
Ben: So the big box wins. Family size, here we go.
family size — the biggest package · also "value size", "party size", "bulk" · usually the cheapest per ounce, but check the unit price
Mia: And this cereal is buy one, get one free.
buy one, get one free — you pay for one, the second is free · a sign may say "BOGO" or "B1G1" · you must take two, and often the card is needed
Ben: Only with the card. Do you have it on your phone?
Mia: I do now. Grab two.
Ben: Yogurt. Best by the twentieth. That's three days.
best by — best by / best if used by = the QUALITY date; usually still fine after · use by = the last day recommended · sell by = for the store, not for you
Mia: That's fine, we'll eat it by then. Get the store brand, it's a dollar less.
Ben: Name brand's on sale, though. Same price.
name brand — name brand = the famous brand, advertised · store brand = the supermarket's own · on sale, the name brand can cost the same or less
Mia: Then name brand. Oh, and low sodium for the soup, your doctor said.
low sodium — sodium = salt on a US label · low sodium, reduced sodium, no salt added · the same words for sugar and fat: low-fat, sugar-free
Ben: My doctor said a lot of things.
Mia: And the bread. Whole wheat, the sliced one.
Ben: Limit two on the coffee. We're getting two.
limit two — limit two = only two at the sale price per customer · after that, full price · the sign says "limit 2" or "while supplies last"
Denise: Forty-two! Who has forty-two?
take a number — at the deli you TAKE A NUMBER from the red dispenser and wait for it to be called · the board shows "now serving" · say "That's me"
Mia: That's me. Hi. Can I get half a pound of turkey breast, sliced thin?
half a pound · sliced thin — half a pound · sliced thin
Denise: Sure. The oven roasted or the smoked?
Mia: Oven roasted. And could I try the smoked first?
could I try…? — = can I taste a piece? · a sample is free at the deli and the cheese counter · also "Can I get a sample?"
Denise: Of course. Here you go.
Mia: Mm. That's good. Okay, a quarter pound of the smoked too.
a quarter pound — deli weights: a quarter pound = 4 oz = 113 g · half a pound = 8 oz = 225 g · a pound = 16 oz = 454 g · "a third of a pound" works too
Denise: You got it. And some cheese to go with that? The Swiss is on sale.
to go with that — to go with = to eat together with · the counter's up-sell; "No, thanks" is fine
Mia: Sure, half a pound of Swiss, sliced. And a pound of the potato salad.
Denise: Turkey's a little over, point five six. Is that okay?
a little over — a little over = a bit more than you asked for; you pay by the weight on the scale · point five six = 0.56 lb · "That's fine" or "Take one slice off"
Mia: That's fine.
Denise: Here's your turkey, your Swiss, and the potato salad. The stickers have the price; they scan at the register.
the stickers have the price — the deli prints a sticker with the weight and the price; the cashier scans it · the register = the checkout
Mia: Perfect. Thank you so much.
Denise: Enjoy. Forty-three!
Walt: What can I get for you today?
what can I get for you? — the counter greeting · also "Who's next?", "Can I help who's next?" · answer with the amount and the item: "A pound of…"
Mia: A pound of ground beef, please. Which one is the 80/20?
ground beef · 80/20 — ground beef = minced beef · 80/20 = 80 % lean, 20 % fat: the usual for burgers · 90/10 = leaner, for sauces · "a pound of ground beef"
Walt: This one. The 90/10 is leaner, but the 80/20 makes a better burger.
leaner — lean = with little fat · leaner = with less fat · "extra lean" · fat makes a better burger; lean is for the sauce
Mia: 80/20, then. And two chicken breasts, boneless, skinless.
boneless, skinless — boneless = no bones · skinless = no skin · also thighs, wings, drumsticks, a whole chicken · "bone-in" = with the bone
Walt: Sure. These two are about a pound and a half. On sale this week, three forty-nine a pound.
Mia: Great. Could you cut them in half for me?
cut them in half — the meat counter cuts, trims and grinds for FREE; just ask · "Could you trim the fat?", "Could you slice this thin?"
Walt: No problem. Anything else? The ribeyes are nice today.
ribeye — steak cuts you will hear: ribeye (fatty, tender), sirloin (leaner), filet (the most tender), flank (thin, for slicing)
Mia: Not today. Oh, how long does the chicken keep in the fridge?
keep — keep = stay fresh, stay good · raw chicken keeps two days; ground beef one or two; steak three to five · freeze it otherwise
Walt: Two days. Freeze it if you're not cooking it by Sunday.
Mia: I'll freeze one. Thanks.
Walt: There you go. The price is on the sticker. Have a good one.
have a good one — = have a good day; the most common goodbye in a US store · answer "You too"
Mia: You too.
Eli: Hi there. Did you find everything okay?
did you find everything okay? — the cashier's standard opening; not a real question · "Yes, thanks" is the whole answer · or "Yes" and then your actual question
Mia: Yes, thanks.
Eli: Do you have a rewards card, or a phone number?
a rewards card · a phone number — the rewards card = the store's free loyalty card; the sale prices need it · you can give your phone number instead of the card · "Not yet" is fine
Mia: Not yet.
Eli: You can sign up at the service desk, it's free. Do you need bags?
the service desk · do you need bags? — the service desk = customer service, near the doors: returns, rain checks, sign-ups · bags: 5-10 cents each in twelve states; free elsewhere
Mia: I brought my own.
I brought my own — say it as you put your bags on the counter; the cashier packs into them · also "I don't need a bag" / "No bag, thanks"
Eli: Nice. Any coupons?
Mia: No. Oh wait, the chips were on sale, but they rang up at full price.
rang up at full price — rang up = scanned and showed that price on the screen · "It rang up wrong" · watch the screen as things scan
Eli: The sale is with the card. Sign up today and bring the receipt back, they'll refund the difference. Your total is fifty-two forty.
refund the difference · your total — refund the difference = pay you back the extra you paid · your total = the amount to pay, always said out loud
Mia: Okay. Card.
Eli: Tap or insert. Would you like any cash back?
cash back — debit card only: cash from the register, added to your bill · usually up to $100, often free · "No, thanks" is fine
Mia: No, thanks.
Eli: And would you like to round up for the food bank?
round up — round up = pay the next whole dollar and give the cents to a charity · very common at US registers · "Sure" or "Not today"
Mia: Sure, why not.
Eli: Thank you. Here's your receipt. Have a good day.
Mia: Excuse me, are you in line?
in line — in line (US) = in the queue · "Is this the line?", "Are you in line for this register?" · never "in the queue" in the US
Earl: I am. But go ahead, you only have a couple of things.
go ahead — go ahead = you go first · "Are you sure?" · "Go on" / "Go for it" · say "That's very kind"
Mia: Are you sure? You were here first.
Earl: Go on. My cart's going to take a while.
a cart — | a basket
Mia: That's very kind. Thank you.
Eli: Ma'am, you're fine. Sir, this lane is fifteen items or less, but lane four is open.
fifteen items or less — the express lane is for small baskets; a full cart goes to a regular lane · the sign says "or less"; grammar books say "or fewer"; nobody cares · 10 or 15 items, by store
Mia: Thanks. Just these.
Eli: Paper or plastic?
paper or plastic? — paper | plastic | reusable
Mia: Paper, please. Just one.
Eli: That's twelve oh six. Tap when you're ready.
tap — tap = touch your card or phone on the reader · insert = put the chip end in · swipe = slide the stripe (rare now) · "Tap or insert"
Mia: Done. Thank you.
Eli: Have a good one. Next in line, please!
next in line — = the next customer, come forward · also "I can help who's next", "I'll take the next person on lane four"
Eli: I'll need to see your ID for the wine.
your ID — ID = a driver's license, a state ID card or a passport · alcohol and tobacco: 21 · the register stops until the cashier checks
Mia: Really? Sure. Here's my license.
my license — a driver's license is the everyday ID in the US · a passport works; a foreign license often does not
Eli: Thanks. We card everyone who looks under forty. March twelfth, ninety-eight. You're good.
we card everyone · you're good — to card someone = to ask for their ID · store policy: under 27, under 40, or everyone · "you're good" = it's fine, go ahead
Mia: I'll take that as a compliment.
take that as a compliment — = I'll choose to be happy about that · the standard joke when you get carded
Eli: Ha. Okay, wine, chips, two salsas. That's twenty-four ninety-eight.
Mia: Wait, the wine was nine ninety-nine on the shelf, and it rang up at twelve ninety-nine.
rang up at twelve ninety-nine — the shelf tag vs the register · if they differ, say so before you pay · most stores honor the shelf price
Eli: Let me do a price check. Hold on one second.
a price check — someone walks to the shelf and reads the tag, or the cashier looks it up · "Hold on one second" = wait a moment
Mia: Sure, take your time.
Eli: You're right, the tag says nine ninety-nine. I'll override it. Sorry about that.
override it · sorry about that — override = change the price by hand at the register (sometimes a manager must approve) · "sorry about that" = the everyday apology
Mia: No problem. Thanks for checking.
Eli: New total, twenty-one ninety-eight. Would you like the wine in a separate bag?
Mia: No, all together is fine.
Eli: All set. Have a good night.
Mia: Excuse me. It keeps saying “unexpected item in the bagging area.”
unexpected item in the bagging area — the machine's famous complaint · the bagging area = the shelf where scanned items go · it is a SCALE: anything on it the machine didn't expect stops it
Yolanda: Did you put your bag on the scale before you started?
on the scale — the bagging area weighs everything · your own bag, your purse, a child's hand = an "unexpected item" · put your bag on AFTER the first item scans
Mia: Yes, my own bag.
Yolanda: That's it. Take it off, let me clear it, and put it back after the first item.
clear it — clear = reset the error on the screen; the attendant does it with a code or a card · then you continue
Mia: Okay. And the bananas? There's no barcode.
no barcode — a barcode = the black lines the scanner reads · loose produce has none: you look it up and weigh it · bagged produce usually has one
Yolanda: Press “look up item”, type banana, and put them on the scale. Or type the four-digit code on the sticker.
look up item · the four-digit code — look up = find it by name or picture on the screen · or type the PLU code on the sticker: 4011 = bananas · then it weighs them
Mia: 4011. It found it.
Yolanda: There you go. Everything with a barcode, scan and set down. Wait for the beep.
set down · wait for the beep — set down = put it in the bagging area · the beep = the sound that means it scanned; move before it and the machine stops
Mia: Got it. And it's asking how many bags I used.
Yolanda: Just say zero if it's your own bag. Then pay, and the receipt prints here.
say zero — in bag-fee states the machine charges per bag, so it asks · your own bag = zero · then "pay" and the receipt prints
Mia: Thank you. That was not as easy as it looks.
Yolanda: Nobody gets it the first time. Have a good day.
Mia: Sorry, this one won't scan.
won't scan — won't scan = the machine doesn't read the barcode · a wrinkled bag, a frosty package · the attendant can type the numbers
Yolanda: Flatten the barcode and hold it still. Or type the numbers under it.
flatten the barcode · type the numbers — flatten = pull the bag flat · hold it still = don't move it · the digits printed under the barcode can be typed in
Mia: It worked. Thanks. And I have a coupon for the cereal, but it says “coupon not valid.”
coupon not valid — not valid = not accepted · reasons: the wrong size or product, expired, needs the card, or the store doesn't take that kind
Yolanda: Let me see. This is for the family size, and you have the regular. And it expired last week.
the family size · expired — a coupon is for ONE exact product and size · expired = past its date · read the small print before the register
Mia: Oh. Never mind, then.
never mind — = forget it, it doesn't matter · the polite way to drop a request
Yolanda: The digital coupons are the easy ones. They come off by themselves when you scan your card.
come off by themselves — come off = are subtracted from the total · digital coupons: clip in the app, scan your card · nothing to hand over
Mia: I'll do that next time. Wait, now the screen is locked.
locked — locked = it stopped and needs the attendant: alcohol, a coupon, too many "unexpected items" · the light on the pole blinks; wait
Yolanda: That's the wine. I need to check your ID and put in my code. May I see it?
put in my code — alcohol at self-checkout: the attendant checks your ID and enters a code to approve it · at some chains no alcohol at self-checkout at all
Mia: Here you go.
Yolanda: Thank you. You're all set. Insert or tap.
all set — = done, everything is finished, you can go · you will hear it at every counter in the US
Mia: Tap. Done. Thank you for your help.
Yolanda: Any time.
Mia: Hi, I'd like to return this milk. It's sour, and it's not even close to the date.
return · sour — to return = to bring it back for your money · sour = milk that has gone bad · also "it's spoiled", "it's moldy", "it's expired"
Terrence: Sorry about that. Do you have your receipt?
your receipt — the receipt = the paper proof you paid here · with it: a full refund · without it: store credit · keep it a week for fresh food, 30 days for the rest
Mia: Yes, here.
Terrence: Thanks. Would you like a refund or an exchange?
a refund or an exchange — a refund = your money back · an exchange = the same item again (or a different size) · you choose
Mia: A refund, please. I already bought another one.
Terrence: No problem. You paid by card, so it goes back to the same card. Three to five business days.
back to the same card · business days — a card refund is sent to the card you paid with; it shows up in three to five business days (Monday to Friday) · cash refunds are cash now
Mia: That's fine. And without a receipt? Just so I know.
Terrence: Store credit on a gift card, at the lowest recent price. And perishables, bring them back within a week.
store credit · perishables — store credit = a gift card you can only spend here · given when there is no receipt · perishables = fresh food that goes bad
Mia: Good to know. Thank you.
Terrence: Sign here. And sorry again about the milk.
Mia: It happens.
it happens — = these things happen, no big deal · the gracious answer to "sorry again"
Mia: Hi, I think I was charged twice for something.
charged twice — charged twice = the same item appears two times on the receipt · also "I was overcharged", "this is the wrong price"
Terrence: Let's take a look. Which item?
Mia: The olive oil. It's on here two times, and I only bought one.
Terrence: You're right. It got scanned twice. I'll refund one. Card or cash?
scanned twice — the scanner read the barcode two times; it happens with a fast cashier · the fix is a refund for one
Mia: Card, please. And this: the yogurt was supposed to be two for four.
was supposed to be — was supposed to be = the sign / the ad said · the polite way to say "you charged me wrong"
Terrence: Let me pull it up. Ah. The sale was with the card, and your card wasn't scanned.
pull it up — pull it up = find it on the screen (the sale, your account, the receipt) · "Let me look that up" works too
Mia: I signed up yesterday. Can you add it now?
Terrence: Yes. I'll apply it. That's a dollar fifty back. Both refunds go to your card.
apply it — apply = add the discount now · "back" = refunded to you · "Both refunds go to your card"
Mia: Thank you. Should I keep the receipt?
Terrence: Keep this new one. And always check the receipt before you leave the store.
check the receipt before you leave — check the receipt · before you leave
Mia: I will. Thanks for your help.
Terrence: Take care.
take care — = goodbye, warm and casual · also "Have a good one", "Have a good day", "You have a good day now"
Mia: Hi, I'd like to sign up for the rewards card.
sign up for — sign up for = join, register for · "sign up" at the service desk, in the app, or at the register
Terrence: Sure. It's free. I just need a phone number and an email.
it's free — a rewards card never costs anything · they ask for a phone number, an email, sometimes a zip code · no ID, no bank details
Mia: Okay. Can I type them in?
Terrence: Right on the pad there. And your phone number is your card: just enter it at the register, no card needed.
your phone number is your card — at the register you type your phone number on the card reader instead of showing a card · the cashier can also type it for you
Mia: Nice. And what do I get?
Terrence: Sale prices, digital coupons in the app, and points. Every hundred points is ten cents off a gallon of gas at our pump.
points · ten cents off a gallon — points = you collect them as you spend · a hundred points = ten cents off a gallon of gas · at the chain's own pump
Mia: I don't have a car.
Terrence: Then use the points on groceries. And the app sends you a personalized coupon every week or so.
personalized · or so — personalized = chosen for you, from what you buy · every week or so = about every week · "or so" = approximately
Mia: So you track what I buy.
Terrence: We do. That's how the coupons work. You can turn the emails off in the app.
turn the emails off — the honest deal: the store keeps your shopping data; you get the discounts · you can turn the emails and texts off in the app settings
Mia: Fair enough. Okay, done.
fair enough — = okay, that's reasonable, I accept that · how you agree after a small doubt
Terrence: You're all set. Your first coupon is loaded: a free bag of chips, this week only.
loaded — loaded (to your card) = already on your account, ready to use · "load the coupon", "it's loaded", "this week only"
Mia: That's a good start. Thank you.
Terrence: Thanks for signing up. Have a good one.