Introduction to American Shopping Vocabulary
Welcome to our lesson on American Shopping Vocabulary! This session is designed to introduce learners to the essential vocabulary used in shopping environments in the United States. Whether you're planning a trip to the U.S. or just keen on expanding your English vocabulary, this lesson will be incredibly useful. By the end of this lesson, you will be familiar with common terms related to money, shopping items, and places, helping you navigate shopping experiences with ease.
Learning Objectives
- Understand and use common American shopping-related vocabulary.
- Identify various monetary terms and their uses in shopping.
- Gain confidence in shopping conversations in American English.
American Shopping Vocabulary Explained
Money-Related Terms
- Dollars: The basic unit of currency in the U.S.
- Example: "This shirt costs 20 dollars."
- Coins: Small metal currency, including quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies.
- Quarter (25 cents): "I need a quarter for the parking meter."
- Dime (10 cents): "Do you have a dime for the vending machine?"
- Nickel (5 cents): "The total is $5.05, so I gave the cashier a nickel."
- Penny (1 cent): "I found a penny on the ground."
- Bills: Paper money in various denominations.
- Example: "I paid with a 10-dollar bill."
Shopping Essentials
- ATM: Automated Teller Machine, used for withdrawing cash.
- Example: "There's an ATM next to the grocery store."
- Check: A written order to pay a specific amount from a bank account.
- Example: "I paid for my groceries by check."
- Credit Cards: Plastic cards used for electronic payment.
- Example: "I prefer to pay with credit cards for online purchases."
In the Store
- Basket: A container for carrying items while shopping.
- Example: "I only need a few items, so I'll use a basket."
- Cart: A larger, wheeled container for shopping.
- Example: "Let's get a cart for our weekly grocery shopping."
- Cashier: The person who handles payments at a store.
- Example: "The cashier was very friendly at checkout."
- Checkout: The area where you pay for your items.
- Example: "There was a long line at the checkout."
Additional Vocabulary
- Elevator, Escalator: Used for moving between floors in large stores or malls.
- Grocery Store: A shop where food and household items are sold.
- Mall: A large building with many stores.
- Sale: A period when items are sold at reduced prices.
- Example: "I bought this jacket on sale."
Conclusion / Summary and Takeaways
In this lesson, you've learned essential vocabulary for shopping in the United States, including terms related to money, items in a store, and places where shopping occurs.
Key Takeaways:
- Familiarize yourself with different types of currency like dollars, coins, and bills.
- Understand the use of shopping terms such as basket, cart, cashier, and checkout.
- Recognize the names of places like grocery stores and malls.
Tips for Remembering:
- Practice by associating words with pictures or objects in real life.
- Use mind-maps to connect related terms.
- Keep sticky notes with new words in visible places.
Apply these words in your daily conversations or while shopping online to reinforce your learning. Don't forget to share your learning journey with others! For more interactive lessons, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk.