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Contacting your Airbnb host in English (advanced)

Advanced English for contacting your Airbnb host. Key line: “Hi Emma, sorry to bother you — I think I'm at the right building, but the code isn't working.”

Full script

LinHi Emma, sorry to bother you — I think I'm at the right building, but the code isn't working.
ThemNo worries — are you by the blue door with the small plant beside it?
LinUh, there's a blue door, but no plant; just a very confident pigeon.
ThemThen you're at the wrong entrance. Could you walk around to the side street?
LinGot it — I see the plant now, and the lockbox is staring back at me.
ThemPerfect. Press the buzzer once, then enter 2580 and pull the cover down.
LinThat worked — and the pigeon followed me over like it booked the place too.
ThemIf it knows the code, send it up; that bird's practically my assistant.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

Start

✓ Sorry to bother you.

Polite opener for asking for help.

Good polite opener when you need help

Right building

✓ I think I'm at the right building, but...

Say the place seems right, then the problem.

First say your guess, then the problem

Go around

✓ Could you walk around to the side street?

Ask someone to go to the other side.

walk around often means go to the other side

Worked

✓ That worked.

Natural reply after the problem is fixed.

Natural update after it works

Quick answers

Start: what to say in English

Say “Sorry to bother you.” — polite opener for asking for help. Good polite opener when you need help.

Right building: what to say in English

Say “I think I'm at the right building, but...” — say the place seems right, then the problem. First say your guess, then the problem.

Go around: what to say in English

Say “Could you walk around to the side street?” — ask someone to go to the other side. walk around often means go to the other side.

Worked: what to say in English

Say “That worked.” — natural reply after the problem is fixed. Natural update after it works.

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