Food & drinkIntermediate
At the deli counter in English
Everyday English for at the deli counter. Key line: “Could I get half a pound of turkey, please?”
Full script
Lin
Could I get half a pound of turkey, please?
Them
Sure thing. Would you like it sliced thin or thicker?
Lin
Pretty thin, please. I'm making sandwiches, not tiny doorstops.
Them
Got it. Do you want anything else with that?
Lin
Yes, six slices of cheddar, if that's okay.
Them
No problem. That's half a pound of turkey and six cheese slices.
Lin
Perfect. My sandwich was starting to sound too healthy.
Them
Then this should fix that. Your sandwich just got promoted.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
half a pound
✓ Could I get half a pound of turkey, please?polite deli order
Could I get... is natural for orders
thin, please
✓ Pretty thin, please.ask for thinner slices
Common at the deli
anything else?
✓ Do you want anything else with that?ask if you want more
with that = with this order
if that's okay
✓ if that's okayif that's okay
makes it more polite
Quick answers
half a pound: what to say in English
Say “Could I get half a pound of turkey, please?” — polite deli order. Could I get... is natural for orders.
thin, please: what to say in English
Say “Pretty thin, please.” — ask for thinner slices. Common at the deli.
anything else: what to say in English
Say “Do you want anything else with that?” — ask if you want more. with that = with this order.
if that's okay: what to say in English
Say “if that's okay” — if that's okay. makes it more polite.