EverydayBeginner
Asking if a seat is taken in English (beginner)
Beginner English for asking if a seat is taken. Key line: “Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
Full script
Lin
Excuse me, is this seat taken?
Them
No, it's free. You can sit.
Lin
Great, thanks. My bag wants a seat too.
Them
Your bag looks very tired.
Lin
Can I put it here, please?
Them
Sure, but it can't order coffee.
Lin
Okay. It just needs a break.
Them
Good, this café has no bag menu.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Seat
✓ Excuse me, is this seat taken?a polite way to ask
common way to ask
Free
✓ It's free.seat open.
free = open
Put
✓ Can I put it here, please?ask to place a bag
it = bag / coat
Joke
✓ It can't order coffee.light joke.
friendly joke
Quick answers
Seat: what to say in English
Say “Excuse me, is this seat taken?” — a polite way to ask. common way to ask.
Free: what to say in English
Say “It's free.” — seat open. free = open.
Put: what to say in English
Say “Can I put it here, please?” — ask to place a bag. it = bag / coat.
Joke: what to say in English
Say “It can't order coffee.” — light joke. friendly joke.