2 Useful Slang Terms from Native Speakers
As many of you guys already know, Add and I are in Thailand. We’re getting ready to go to the beach after this email! Not bad!
Anyway, we are staying in the island of Koh Phang an. A lot of the tourists here are from non native speaking countries. There are a ton of Europeans and a ton of Russians. It’s a great place for me to think up new lessons, because I can hear the real mistakes people all over the world are making.
The first term that is a good one is this:
“Can you watch my stuff?”
or “Do you mind watching my stuff for a minute?”
This idea of “watching my stuff” is how native speakers ask someone else to make sure that their things are safe and no one steals them.
Imagine I’m sitting on a big towel on the beach. I’ve got my cell phone, my wallet, and a few other things I really don’t want anyone to steal. Now imagine I want to go swimming. I can’t take this stuff in the water so I need someone to look after it and make sure no one steals it. If I see someone near me, I can say, “Do you mind watching my stuff for a few minutes while I go swimming? Thanks” That is a polite and normal way of saying, “I’ll be back soon. Please just make sure no one steals this”. Another way of saying this is “Can you keep an eye on my stuff for a few minutes?” These are great phrases.
Ok, now for the second phrase:
Imagine I am standing in line waiting for a fresh fruit salad. (These are awesome here!)
I can either eat the fruit salad at the tables here, or I can carry it back to my hotel and eat it there. People often make the mistake of saying “Can I get this take away” if they want to take it home. ”Take away” or “Take out” is used on a restaurant sign to tell customers that this is an option. You don’t say “take away” or “take out” when you are ordering take out.
You should say “To go”
So the way to order a fruit salad, or anything, is this:
“Can I get one fruit salad to go please?”
or if you are ordering something else, you could say, “Can I get this to go please?”
So when you are ordering take out, just say “I’d like to get this to go“. It’s how real native speakers speak. I hope this helps! Love to read your comments below!
February 1st, 2013 at 5:23 am
It’s great website .It appeals to me so much
February 1st, 2013 at 6:29 am
i really like your casual talking like this,
through which we can get a lot of ideas about real english
be natural!!
that’s the best policy of your BIZ, i believe!!
keep going as you are!!
thanks!!!/////////////
February 1st, 2013 at 6:38 am
This post is the one of the bestest. Very interesting point about watching someone’s stuff. But there is one thing i need to tell you here, English is now considered a global language and some errors like ‘to go’ that u mentioned is part of English as a local languages. Applied linguists believe in different varieties of English and called them as world Englishes. Without doubt, even native English speakers need to know these variety sometimes to ease their communication with locals using English as a local language. I guess u better say that’s how native speakers of Canadian English or American English say these notions. other than that I gotta say you ARE great.
February 1st, 2013 at 7:13 am
Hi,
I’ve heard another way in some utube videos but I’m not pretty sure when to use it. It is when u make a sandwich to eat later. Do you say sth like “AHEAD” ? when do you use AHEAD?
February 1st, 2013 at 8:10 am
thanks guys for this terms it’s very be useful in overseas have a good time in Asia .i like to say about Iran please come here in the Persian land the king soil and traditional country if u get here many many people be happy you are so amazing English teacher i ever seen but without doubt Aj hoge is good too.
February 1st, 2013 at 10:30 am
Here (in Sri Lanka) in the restaurants when you buy take out everyone asks “Have it here or take away?”. If I answer “To go” I guess no one will understand what I want, cause they expect to hear from you “take away” rather then “to go”… in fact I’ve never heard anybody srilankan says this… People used to speak in particular way, we call it “srilankan english”))) If you want to be understood you have speak as everybodyelse…But anyway, it’s always good to learn something new, thanks for the post!
February 1st, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Hi, really great phrases, specially second one, I knew the first one but I needed the 2nd one, did not know how to order like that, thank you so much
February 1st, 2013 at 12:07 pm
I guess It’s more useful and also fun if you put a related photo too, for example here the sign of restaurant which say take away is an option. this is good for remembering the phrase. thank you
February 1st, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Hi guys
Awesome phrases, i think they are pretty helpful in real life, I’m glad I could read this clear explanation about them now i think I’m going further in the use of english….thanks a lot….
February 1st, 2013 at 2:07 pm
really thanks.are really awesome…. please share more of these phrases…
February 1st, 2013 at 3:51 pm
I guess Mila got a good point. Some times is more important to say in the way you’ll be understood rather than in a correct way. But still, it’s always good to know how the right phrase sounds.
February 1st, 2013 at 4:39 pm
This article is fantastic!! And great help!!! Thank you!!!
February 1st, 2013 at 8:06 pm
Good…
February 1st, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Thanks, guys! Very useful.
February 1st, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Hi,
I appreciate for two phrases and I really enjoy the way you speak.
February 1st, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Hi guys,
I can hear these phrases all the time because I live in the U.S. and I have to say, this is definitely a normal way to use these phrases. It’s absolutely typical to use them for Americans.
Anyway, this blog I really liked it. Keep it up, guys !!!
February 1st, 2013 at 10:19 pm
It’s really cool! I hear those two phrases almost everyday but I didn’t pay much attention to real meaning. I realize that if I don’t understant a saying completely (not only the verbal meaning but the culture on the back), I can’t use it because it’s not mine. “Case study” is always an efficient way learning a language.
February 2nd, 2013 at 12:58 am
Great pharases, guys!
in China in Starbucks staff always ask “take away?” Here in Canada native speakers ask “To go?” That’s why I was a bit confused first time when I heard “to go” in Montreal. Now you made it clear, what is correct!
Btw, you are always in Thailand in wrong time, I spent 3 months last year in Koh Phangan, so jelaous you are here now
Enjoy your time!
February 2nd, 2013 at 2:41 am
in the country i live in. we have to entertain entertainment makers instead of them entertain us. ironic isnt it. but you guys are rocks, keep it up!
February 2nd, 2013 at 4:59 am
Thanks a lot mostly for the 2nd phrase. I’m a college student in Malaysia and here at the campus everybody says “take away”
February 2nd, 2013 at 5:22 am
Awesome!
Glad you guys are loving this lesson. Next time you hear someone use this wrong, you can tell them they better get their ass on the 232!
Thanks guys. I’ll keep thinking of more to help out.
Andy
February 2nd, 2013 at 5:49 am
Hi , they were awesome slang terms. I knew one of them though. They were explained clearly as always. I would appreciate you if you used videos or audio files as a medium of your instruction and made them accessible to both paying and non-paid members.
By the way , I asked you a few time about the membership fee ,but didn’t receive any feedback.
A couple of days ago I tried to sign up and become a member . When I tried to pay I noticed that $37 is needed while in your podcast you said that users have got to cough up 75 bucks not 37. Please confirm the correct amount. I am an Iranian learner in India.
I am waiting to hear from you guys.( If you find any mistakes in this letter, please correct them and let me know of them)
Kindly,
Reza
February 2nd, 2013 at 5:58 am
invaluable
Thanks for these precious expression. They really can help.
Milad, from Iran
February 2nd, 2013 at 6:22 am
Great phrases !
I’d like to say that your website is the best one I’v ever seen and your podcasts really helped me to get a good score in IELTS. I was good in other skills (L,R,W) but my speaking skill was always lower than the others. I have been listening to your podcasts since 3 months ago, every day, on my way to work, in the bus, and every other places. In my great surprise, my speaking score became stronger than other skills and finally, I got 7 in speaking, half of point more than listening, reading and writing.
thank you so much, and have a good time.
Reza
February 2nd, 2013 at 7:51 am
Can you watch my stuff for a minute? Do you mind watching my stuff for a minute? Can I get it to go or I would love to get it to go.
These are great phrases and I put it on my mind forever!! I am looking for new phrases that you guys put it on this website!
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:45 am
thanks!!!!
February 2nd, 2013 at 10:59 am
Hi, I think, “take away” is used in UK. It is very British way. Because my sister told me a story. She studied in San Francisco before and she speaks American English, Now she is studying in London. When she was in the restaurant very first time in London, people didn’t understand ‘to go’ and they say ‘take away’ instead of ‘to go’. So if you say ‘to go’ in UK, nobody can understand. It is a difference between American English and British English.
February 2nd, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Hey guys. first time comment. I wanna just thank you for the great effort you are putting into this.To be honest I’ve got a couple of Podcasts from other sites and teachers,but yours are the ones always in my head (through earphones I mean). you are with me almost 1 hour a day. In my opinion the reason for you being so good is that you yourself are learning another language (Chinese I guess) ,so you know the problems foreign language learners might face beforehand. Grrrreat! the way you two run the show is just fantastic. To top my complimentation off
I have to say that your voices are pretty cool, warm and husky. Belive me. I am not tryin’ to massage your egos. Have fun on the beach
wish you best on your journey through wehatever…
BSTRGDS
February 2nd, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Thank you Andy and Add. Have a nice weekend.
February 2nd, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Thank you very much Andy and Add! I am Russian and would like to say that your stuff is very useful for me!!!
February 2nd, 2013 at 7:05 pm
you guys are awesome.do u like to visit Iran? i promise i’ll show you everywhere
nice phrases . keep going 
February 2nd, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Hi everybody specially you guys
As a rule the few only times I’d been in countries where English language is used to main way of comunication, the best choice is to always making a kind of polite or courtesy. By saying Dont you mind, Would you mind, please or excuse me could it be possible…. you are showing both helping and good manners.
I would reserve the use of can for habilities or skils that sth. or sbd. is be able to do.For example Add asks Andy : Hey Andy Dont you mind if we practice surf tomorrow morning? OK Add, but can you able to stand up on the surf board for a while (of course no doubt they can do this ) instead of Dont you mind to be able to stand up on the surf board for a while?
The other phrase remenbers me a note wrote at a toilet in Torrevieja (Spain – all of you are invited- )where there are a tons of ( I like this phrase ) British and Scandinavean tourist all the years seasons, it says :turn light before you go.Certainly take away , or carry out are heard because of influence fast food restaurans or delivery express companies and I very gratheful of you guys to continue making good stuff to go for us.
By the way, absolutely agree Amir, very good point you smart guy
February 3rd, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Those are really useful expressions to know, mainly if you’re on a vacation. Thanks for sharing guys!
February 4th, 2013 at 6:09 am
Here in China, I’m a big fan. Your blog posts are very great.
February 4th, 2013 at 9:17 am
Great thanks for sharing really useful phrases. Your podcasts are really wonderful and exciting, and I am glad to say that some of your blog posts are very interesting as well.
February 4th, 2013 at 1:04 pm
Great idea, we ask for more such a useful phrases
))
February 4th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
can anyone help me in improving my speaking through skype or on gmail chat.. i always hesitate when it comes to speak..
February 5th, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Great! I love your tips guys.
February 5th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
Bad terms like always…….. as Add usually says: I AM JOKING!
Good luck boys
February 5th, 2013 at 9:31 pm
a big thanks to both ov you guys. I am always using “take out” ever since =) but now i’ve learned the rigth one i guess, which is “to go”
February 6th, 2013 at 12:59 pm
thanks guys,
your blog is really usefull
February 8th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
it was effective and good thank
February 8th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
I would love to be in Thailand with you guys!!!!!!!
Brilliant website.