Taxi Vocabulary

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Scene 1: Outside the Airport – Mina Feels Lost

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Sam: Yeah, it’s always busy here. But don’t worry. We’ll find a way together.

Mina: Okay. So, what do we do first? I have no idea where to go.

Sam: First, we need to find a taxi. Let’s go look for one.

Mina: A taxi? How do we find one? I don’t see any taxis here.

Sam: We need to go outside. The taxis are usually waiting outside the airport.

Mina: Oh, I see. Outside. Okay, let’s go outside then.

Sam: Look, do you see that sign? It says “Taxi.” We should follow that sign.

Mina: Oh, yes! I can see it. It has a picture of a car. That’s helpful.

Sam: Exactly. Most airports have signs like that. Just look for the taxi sign.

Mina: Good. That’s easy to understand. But wait, what if there is no taxi waiting?

Sam: Then you can wave your hand to stop a taxi on the street. Just wave your hand like this.

Mina: Like this? Just wave my hand?

Sam: Yes, exactly like that. The taxi driver will see you and stop.

Mina: That sounds easy. But I’m a little nervous. This is my first time taking a taxi in another country.

Sam: I understand. But don’t worry. It’s easy. I’ll be right here with you.

Mina: Thank you, Sam. That makes me feel better. Okay, let’s do this.

Sam: That’s the spirit. Oh look, there are some taxis over there. Let’s go.

Mina: Great! I can see them. There is a line of taxis. Should we just walk up to one?

Sam: Yes. Just walk up to the first taxi in the line. That’s how it works.

Mina: Okay. I’ll try. Here I go.

Sam: You can do it. I’ll be right behind you.

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Scene 2: Getting Into the Taxi

Mina: Hello. Excuse me.

Driver: Hello there. How are you doing today?

Mina: I’m good, thank you. Are you available?

Driver: Yes, I am. Where would you like to go?

Mina: Please take us to this hotel. We have the address here.

Driver: Sure. Can you show me the address?

Mina: Yes, here it is. It’s on my phone. Can you see it?

Driver: Let me take a look. Oh yes, I can see it. The Grand City Hotel, right?

Mina: Yes, that’s right. The Grand City Hotel. Do you know where it is?

Driver: Of course. I know that hotel very well. It’s in the city center. It’s about thirty minutes from here.

Mina: Thirty minutes. Okay, that’s not too bad. Thank you.

Driver: No problem. Please get in. You can sit in the back seat.

Mina: Thank you. Oh, should I put my bag in the back of the car?

Driver: You can if you want. Or you can keep it with you. You can choose.

Mina: I’ll keep it with me. It’s not very big. Come on, Sam. Let’s get in.

Driver: All right. Here we go. Please put on your seat belts.

Mina: Oh, yes. Of course. Thank you for reminding us.

Driver: You’re welcome. Safety first. We should arrive in about thirty minutes.

Mina: That sounds great. Oh, one more question. Is there a lot of traffic today?

Driver: It’s not too bad right now. It’s still early, so the roads are not so busy.

Mina: That’s good to hear. Thank you very much.

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Scene 3: Worrying About the Fare

Sam: Hey, Mina. How do you feel? Are you comfortable?

Mina: Yes, the taxi is nice. But Sam, I’m a little worried about something.

Sam: What are you worried about? Tell me.

Mina: Well, how much is the taxi ride? I’m worried about the price. Is it expensive?

Sam: That’s a good question. You can always ask the driver. Just say, “How much is it?”

Mina: How much is it? That’s simple. But should I ask before we go or after we arrive?

Sam: You can ask anytime. But it’s good to ask before you go. That way, you know the price.

Mina: Okay, I understand. What about the meter? Do all taxis use a meter?

Sam: Good question. Some taxis use a meter, and some don’t. You should always ask the driver. Say, “Do you use the meter?”

Mina: Do you use the meter? Okay, I’ll remember that. And what is a meter exactly?

Sam: A meter is a small machine in the taxi. It counts the distance and time. And it shows the price.

Mina: Oh, so the price goes up as we drive? Like a clock?

Sam: Yes, exactly. The longer the ride, the higher the price. That’s why the meter is important.

Mina: I see. And if there is no meter, what should I do?

Sam: If there is no meter, you should ask the price before you get in. Say, “How much to the hotel?”

Mina: How much to the hotel? That’s a very useful phrase. Thank you, Sam.

Sam: You’re welcome. And if the price sounds too high, you can always say no and find another taxi.

Mina: Really? I can do that? I didn’t know that.

Sam: Of course. It’s your choice. You don’t have to take the first taxi you find.

Mina: That’s good to know. I feel less worried now.

Sam: Good. You’re learning fast. You’ll be fine.

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Scene 4: Something Feels Wrong

Mina: Sam, can I ask you something? I feel a little strange.

Sam: Sure. What’s wrong?

Mina: Well, I looked at my phone, and the map shows a different road. This way looks longer.

Sam: Hmm, let me see. You’re right. This road looks a little different from the map.

Mina: Do you think we are going the wrong way? Are we going the right way?

Sam: Well, sometimes taxi drivers know shorter roads that are not on the map. But sometimes they take a longer road.

Mina: A longer road? Why would they do that?

Sam: Well, sometimes the short road has a lot of traffic. So the driver takes a longer road to save time.

Mina: Oh, I see. I understand. But what if the driver is just trying to make the price higher?

Sam: That can happen sometimes. But usually, drivers are honest. Don’t worry too much.

Mina: But what should I do? Should I say something to the driver?

Sam: Yes, I think you should. It’s okay to ask the driver. You can be polite and ask nicely.

Mina: But I’m nervous. I don’t want to be rude. What should I say?

Sam: You can say, “Excuse me, is this the fastest way?” That’s very polite.

Mina: Excuse me, is this the fastest way? Okay, that does sound polite. I can say that.

Sam: And you can also say, “Can you follow the GPS?” That’s a good one too.

Mina: Can you follow the GPS? That’s smart. My phone has the map, so the driver can follow it.

Sam: Exactly. Most drivers are happy to follow your GPS. It’s very common.

Mina: Okay, I feel better now. I think I can do it. I’ll talk to the driver.

Sam: Good. Remember, just be polite and smile. You’ll be fine.

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Scene 5: Mina Speaks Up

Mina: Excuse me, can I ask you something?

Driver: Of course. What’s on your mind?

Mina: Well, I was looking at my phone, and the map shows a different road. Is this the fastest way to the hotel?

Driver: Oh, I see. The main road is very busy right now. There is a lot of traffic. So I’m taking a side road. It’s a little longer. But it should be faster. There are fewer cars on this road.

Mina: Oh, I understand. Thank you for explaining.

Driver: No problem at all. I always try to find the fastest way for my passengers.

Mina: That’s very kind of you. I have one more question. Can you follow the GPS on my phone? I want to see the road on the map.

Driver: Sure, I can do that. Can you hold your phone up so I can see the screen?

Mina: Like this? Can you see it?

Driver: Yes, I can see it clearly. I’ll follow this road on your GPS. We should be at the hotel in about fifteen minutes.

Mina: Fifteen minutes? That’s great. I’m really excited to see the hotel.

Driver: It’s a nice hotel. I think you will like it. Are you here on vacation?

Mina: Yes, this is my first trip here. Everything is so new and exciting. Do you have any tips for me?

Driver: Well, the food near the hotel is very good. There are many restaurants on the main street. You should try them.

Mina: That sounds wonderful. I love trying new food. Thank you for the tip.

Driver: You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay.

Mina: Thank you so much. You are very friendly.

Driver: Thank you. That’s nice of you to say.

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Scene 6: Arriving and Paying

Driver: Okay, here we are. This is the Grand City Hotel.

Mina: Oh, it looks beautiful! This is fine. You can stop here.

Driver: All right. Let me stop right here. Is this a good spot?

Mina: Yes, this is perfect. Thank you. How much is the fare?

Driver: Let me check the meter. The total is twenty-three dollars and fifty cents.

Mina: Twenty-three fifty. Okay. Can I pay by card? I don’t have much cash.

Driver: Yes, of course. We accept all major cards. You can tap or insert your card here.

Mina: Great. Let me use my card. Here you go.

Driver: Thank you. Just one moment. Okay, the payment went through. Would you like a receipt?

Mina: Yes, please. I’d like a receipt. I want to keep it.

Driver: Here you go. Here is your receipt.

Mina: Thank you. Oh, I also want to give you a tip. Keep the change. Is three dollars okay for a tip?

Driver: That’s very generous. Thank you very much. You don’t have to, but that’s very kind of you.

Mina: You’re welcome. You were very helpful and very kind. Thank you for a nice ride.

Driver: Thank you. Enjoy your time at the hotel. And enjoy your trip!

Mina: I will. Thank you. Goodbye!

Driver: Goodbye. Have a great day!

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Scene 7: Looking Back and Growing

Sam: Hey, Mina! You made it! How was the taxi ride?

Mina: It was really good. The driver was very nice.

Sam: That’s great to hear. And you talked to the driver all by yourself. I’m proud of you.

Mina: (laughs) Thank you. I was so nervous at first. My hands were shaking a little.

Sam: But you did it anyway. That’s what matters. You did great, Mina.

Mina: Thank you, Sam. I asked about the meter, and I even asked about the road. I tried my best.

Sam: You really did. And the driver understood you, right?

Mina: Yes! He understood everything I said. I was so happy. I feel more confident now.

Sam: That’s wonderful. You learned so many useful phrases today.

Mina: Yes, I did. Like “Are you available?” and “Can I pay by card?” Those are really useful.

Sam: And “Is this the fastest way?” That was a good one. You asked that perfectly.

Mina: (laughs) I was a little scared to ask that. But the driver was so nice about it.

Sam: See? Most people are friendly. You just need to try. That’s the most important thing.

Mina: You’re right. I was so worried before, but now I know I can do it. Next time will be even easier.

Sam: Definitely. And you learned so many phrases today. Do you remember them all?

Mina: I think so. Let me try. “Are you available?” “How much is it?” “Can I pay by card?” And “Keep the change.”

Sam: Perfect! You remembered all of them. These phrases are useful in many countries.

Mina: Really? I can use them in other countries too?

Sam: Yes. Taxi systems are similar in many places. Many of these phrases work the same way.

Mina: That’s really good to know. I feel so much better now.

Sam: And next time, maybe you can try taking a bus too.

Mina: A bus? Oh no, that sounds scary too.

Sam: (laughs) Don’t worry. I’ll teach you. Just like today.

Mina: (laughs) Okay. I’ll try. But first, let me enjoy today. Today was a big day for me.

Sam: It really was. You should be proud of yourself, Mina. You did a great job.

Mina: Thank you, Sam. I’m glad you were with me today. You helped me so much.

Sam: That’s what friends are for. Now, let’s go inside and check in to the hotel.

Mina: Yes, let’s go! I can’t wait to see the room. And tomorrow, I want to explore the city.

Sam: Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.

Mina: Let’s go! I’m ready for anything now.