Shadowing Practice: Order Street Food Like a Local in China ๐ข | Real English with Anna & David - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Hey everyone, I'm David. And I'm Anna.
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Welcome back to Learning English Together.
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Today we're talking about ordering street food at a busy night market in China and exactly what to say at the stalls.
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Stay until the end.
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The last section has a phrase that almost no textbook teaches.
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Anna, last summer I went to a night market in Zian.
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There were a hundred food stalls, and I had no idea where to start.
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Oh, that feeling.
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So many choices, so little time.
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Exactly.
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I just stood there for five minutes, totally lost.
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Here's my rule.
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Follow the line.
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Follow the line.
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Meaning go where the crowd is?
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Right.
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A long line usually means the food is fresh and good.
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That's a great tip.
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The empty stalls scare me a little.
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Smart instinct.
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So you walk up and say, what's the most popular one here?
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And they'll point to their bestseller.
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Usually, yes.
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You can also ask, what are you famous for?
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Oh, I like that.
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Every stall is famous for something.
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Quick tip.
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If you smell something amazing, just follow your nose.
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Funny story.
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That's literally how I found the best lamb skewers of my life.
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See?
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Your nose speaks fluent food.
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What if two stalls look equally good?
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Then check who's cooking it fresh, right in front of you.
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Ah, fresh off the grill always wins.
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Always.
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Avoid the trays that have been sitting all night. So follow the line.
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Follow your nose.
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Got it.
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If you remember those two, you'll never pick a bad stall again.
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Quick recap.
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Five phrases to take with you.
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First, follow the line.
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Go where the crowd is waiting.
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For example, I wasn't sure where to eat, so I just followed the line.
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Repeat after me.
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Follow the line.
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Follow the line.
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Next, what's the most popular one?
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Ask for the bestseller.
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For example, hi, what's the most popular one here?
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Repeat after me.
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What's the most popular one?
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What's the most popular one?
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Third, what are you famous for?
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Ask the stall's specialty.
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For example, this stall smells great.
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What are you famous for?
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Repeat after me.
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What are you famous for?
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What are you famous for?
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Fourth, bestseller.
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The item people buy the most.
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For example, I'll try your bestseller, please.
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Repeat after me, bestseller, bestseller.
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Last one, follow your nose, Let the smell guide you.
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For example, just follow your nose to the grill.
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Repeat after me.
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Follow your nose.
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Follow your nose.
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David, here's the tricky part.
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Many stalls have no menu.
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Right?
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Everything's just sitting there on skewers and trays.
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So you point and ask.
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That's the whole skill.
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Okay, so how do I do that politely?
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You point and say, what's this one?
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Simple.
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And if I want to know what's inside?
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You ask, what's in it?
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Funny story.
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I once bit into something and it was all chilly.
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Ha!
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Lesson learned the spicy way.
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So now I always ask, is it spicy?
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Perfect.
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That one question saves so much pain.
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And to actually order, I just say how many?
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Yes.
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Can I get two of these while holding up two fingers?
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The fingers help when my pronunciation fails.
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They always do.
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Body language is half the conversation.
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One more.
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What if I want to try a little of everything?
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Then you say, just one please, I want to try a bit of everything.
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That's the dream.
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A little taste from every stall.
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And if a word is hard, just say, one of those please.
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Pointing plus one of those, that never fails.
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Right.
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You don't need perfect grammar to eat well.
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That takes the pressure right off.
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Practice what's this one out loud.
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It's the key that unlocks the whole market.
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Five more.
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These are the ordering words you'll reuse everywhere.
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First, what's this one?
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Point and ask what a dish is.
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For example, Repeat after me.
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What's this one?
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Next, What's in it?
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Ask about the ingredients.
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For example, It looks tasty.
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What's in it?
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Repeat after me.
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What's in it?
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What's in it?
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Third, is it spicy?
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Check the heat level.
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For example, before I order, is it spicy?
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Repeat after me.
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Is it spicy?
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Is it spicy?
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Fourth, can I get two of these?
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Order a quantity.
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For example, can I get two of these, please?
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Repeat after me.
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Can I get two of these?
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Can I get two of these?
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Last, I want to try a bit of everything.
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Order small to taste a lot.
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For example, just one each.
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I want to try a bit of everything.
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Repeat after me.
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A bit of everything.
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A bit of everything.
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Okay.
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Anna, the food's ready.
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How do I pay?
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In China, most stalls love mobile payment.
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So I just scan a QR code?
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Exactly.
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You ask, can I scan to pay?
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And if I only have cash?
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Then you say, do you take cash?
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Good to have a backup.
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Cash still works at smaller stalls.
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It does.
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Now, here's a money question.
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How much?
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Right.
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There's no price tag on a skewer.
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So you just ask, how much for one?
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And if I'm buying a bunch?
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Ask, how much for all of this together?
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Smart.
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Get the total before you scan.
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Quick tip.
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Portions can be huge.
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Ask, is this enough for two?
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Oh, that saved me once.
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I ordered way too much noodles.
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Huh.
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A night market classic mistake.
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So I can also say, can I get a small portion?
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Yes.
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Smaller portion means you can try more stalls.
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What if I'm not sure I have enough on my phone?
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Just ask, can I pay half cash, half scan?
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Oh nice.
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Most stalls are flexible like that.
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They are.
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They just won the sale.
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Pay smart, eat more.
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I love this plan.
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Remember, how much for one?
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It keeps you in control of your budget all night.
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These five keep your wallet happy.
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Listen closely.
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First, can I scan to pay?
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Use a QR code to pay. For example, all done?
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Can I scan to pay?
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Repeat after me.
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Can I scan to pay?
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Can I scan to pay?
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Next, do you take cash?
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Check if cash is accepted.
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For example, my phone's dead.
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Do you take cash?
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Repeat after me.
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Do you take cash?
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Do you take cash?
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Third, how much for one?
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Ask the price of a single item.
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For example, these look great.
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How much for one?
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Repeat after me.
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How much for one?
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How much for one?
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Fourth, is this enough for two?
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Check the portion size. For example, we're sharing.
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Is this enough for two?
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Repeat after me.
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Is this enough for two?
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Is this enough for two?
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Last, a small portion, a smaller serving size.
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For example, can I get a small portion, please?
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Repeat after me.
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A small portion.
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A small portion.
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Anna, here's what I really want.
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To order like a local, not a tourist.
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Ooh, my favorite part.
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It's all about a few key phrases.
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Funny story.
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Last time, a local guy next to me had this amazing bowl.
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I had no idea what it was, but it looked incredible.
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So what did you do?
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I pointed at his bowl and just smiled awkwardly.
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Ha, well, here's the phrase you needed.
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This is the one you promised at the start, right?
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It is.
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You point and say, I'll have what he's having.
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I'll have what he's having.
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That's so smooth.
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It works every time.
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You skip the menu and trust the locals.
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And if I wanted the way they really eat it?
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You say, make it the way you'd eat it.
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Oh, that's gold.
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They'll add the real sauce, the real spice.
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Exactly.
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That's how you get the authentic version.
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One more for the brave.
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How do I ask for it extra spicy?
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You grin and say, make it spicy, local style.
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Local style.
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I'm writing that on my hand.
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Practice.
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I'll have what he's having.
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It's the difference between eating like a tourist and eating like a regular.
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Final five.
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The phrases that make you sound like a regular.
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First, I'll have what he's having.
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Order the same as someone nearby.
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For example, that looks amazing.
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I'll have what he's having.
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Repeat after me.
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I'll have what he's having.
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I'll have what he's having.
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Next, make it the way you'd eat it.
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Ask for the authentic version.
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For example, don't hold back.
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Make it the way you'd eat it.
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Repeat after me, the way you'd eat it.
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Third, local style, the way locals really have it.
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For example, make it spicy, local style.
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Repeat after me, local style, local style.
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Fourth, authentic, real, and traditional, not changed for tourists.
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For example, this is the most authentic bowl I've ever had.
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Repeat after me, authentic, authentic.
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Last, hit the spot, exactly what you wanted, very satisfying.
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For example, wow, that really hit the spot.
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Repeat after me.
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Hit the spot.
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Hit the spot.
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That's all for today.
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Pick one phrase from this video and use it tomorrow.
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That's how this stuff sticks.
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If you got something out of this, hit like and follow.
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Next episode, bargaining for souvenirs at a Chinese street market.
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See you then.
Why practice speaking with this video?
Ordering street food in a bustling night market in China is an exciting scenario for English learners to practice their speaking skills. In this video, youโll not only get a taste of authentic street food culture but also learn useful phrases that can enhance your interactions. By mimicking the conversational style of Anna and David, you can improve your English pronunciation and boost your confidence in real-life settings. The immersive context provides an ideal opportunity for English speaking practice, helping you become more comfortable ordering food or engaging in casual conversations.
Grammar & Expressions in Context
During their discussion, several key phrases are introduced that can aid learners in different contexts. Here are some of the expressions you should focus on:
- Follow the line. This phrase serves as a directive, indicating where to find the best food. It encourages learners to be observant.
- Whatโs the most popular one? This question not only seeks information but also opens up a dialogue, allowing learners to practice asking for recommendations.
- What are you famous for? This phrase is significant as it invites sellers to share their specialties, creating a more engaging experience.
- Follow your nose. Though itโs a figurative expression, it emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts, an excellent segment for learning idiomatic expressions.
Using the shadowing technique with these phrases will help you internalize their construction and usage, making it easier to recall them in similar situations.
Common Pronunciation Traps
While practicing with the video, pay attention to these potential pronunciation challenges:
- โPopularโ โ The stress is on the first syllable, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.
- โFollowโ โ The 'w' sound can be lost when spoken quickly. Practice enunciating clearly to improve your English pronunciation.
- โFamousโ โ The soft 'a' and the way the 'm' transitions to the 'o' can be hard to articulate properly, especially in casual conversation.
By focusing on these words and utilizing the learn English with YouTube method, you can achieve significant improvements in your speaking and listening skills.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud โ like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1โ2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency โ making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.