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At the deli counter in English (advanced)
Advanced English for at the deli counter. Key line: “Could I get about 300 grams of the roast beef, sliced pretty thin?”
Full script
Lin
Could I get about 300 grams of the roast beef, sliced pretty thin?
Them
Sure thing—anything else, or are we just keeping future you well fed?
Lin
Honestly, future me would love six slices of salami too.
Them
I can do that, but present you might start snacking before checkout.
Lin
Fair point—make the beef 320 if it lands there; I'm not counting.
Them
Works for me. Do you want the salami bagged separately, or all in one?
Lin
Let's keep it separate—that way future me can pretend it's portion control.
Them
Perfect. I'll wrap it separately and leave future you that little illusion.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
ordering
✓ Could I get about ...?Polite: ask for about ...
Natural for ordering; about = not exact
thin
✓ sliced pretty thinCut quite thin
pretty = fairly / quite
just right
✓ if it lands thereIf it reaches that number
Natural when food is weighed
separate
✓ bagged separatelyPacked in separate bags
You can also say keep it separate
Quick answers
ordering: what to say in English
Say “Could I get about ...?” — polite: ask for about . Natural for ordering; about = not exact.
thin: what to say in English
Say “sliced pretty thin” — cut quite thin. pretty = fairly / quite.
just right: what to say in English
Say “if it lands there” — if it reaches that number. Natural when food is weighed.
separate: what to say in English
Say “bagged separately” — packed in separate bags. You can also say keep it separate.