You are travelling through Mongolia and need to order food, find your way around or ask a simple question.
You do not need a perfect sentence. Start with one useful phrase:
“Excuse me, could you help me?”
Practical travel English works best when you keep your question short, listen for the important information and confirm anything you are not sure about.
Whether you are at a restaurant, hotel, station, market or sightseeing stop, a few prepared phrases can keep the conversation moving.
“Yes, of course.”
Great. Ask the specific question you prepared:
“Where can I find the bus station?”
“Sorry, I don’t understand.”
Slow things down:
“Could you say that again more slowly, please?”
10 useful English phrases for travelling in Mongolia
| Say this | Use it when… |
|---|---|
| Excuse me, could you help me? | You want to politely start a conversation. |
| Where can I find the bus station? | You need help finding a place. |
| Could you show me on the map? | You want visual help with directions. |
| How much is this? | You want to check a price before buying. |
| Do you take cards? | You want to check whether card payment is available. |
| Could I have the menu, please? | You are ready to look at food options. |
| What do you recommend? | You want a suggestion from the server. |
| I’ll have this, please. | You are pointing to the food or item you want. |
| Could I have the bill, please? | You are finished eating and want to pay. |
| Could you say that again more slowly? | You heard the answer but did not understand everything. |
A restaurant mission in Mongolia
Imagine you are travelling with two friends. You walk into a restaurant and want to get a table, look at the menu and order something confidently.
Fictional practice dialogue
Server: “Hello. How many people?”
Traveller: “A table for three, please.”
Server: “Of course. Here you are.”
Traveller: “Thank you. Could we have the menu, please?”
Server: “Sure.”
Traveller: “What do you recommend?”
Server: “The dumplings are very popular.”
Traveller: “That sounds great. We’ll have three, please.”
Notice how the traveller does not need long or complicated English.
Each sentence has one job: get a table, ask for the menu, request a recommendation and place the order.
A simple request you can copy
“Excuse me, could you help me? I’m looking for the bus station. Could you show me on the map?”
Replace “the bus station” with the place you need:
your hotel, a restaurant, the airport, a market, a museum or another destination.
Problem → Need → Request
Problem:
I am travelling and I am not sure how to handle this situation in English.
Need:
I need one clear piece of information.
Request:
“Excuse me, could you help me? Where can I find the bus station?”
Before you go
- Save the address of your hotel or destination.
- Keep a map available on your phone when possible.
- Prepare one or two restaurant phrases before sitting down.
- Check the price and payment method when it matters.
- Repeat important information if you are not sure you understood.
Your three-round speaking mission
-
Find:
Ask,
“Excuse me, where can I find the restaurant?”
Your partner gives you a short direction. -
Order:
Ask,
“Could I have the menu, please?”
Then ask,
“What do you recommend?” -
Pay:
Ask,
“Could I have the bill, please?”
Then confirm whether you can pay by card.
Swap roles and repeat the mission.
Keep every sentence short and clear.
Surprise round:
You do not understand the answer.
Say:
“Sorry, could you say that again more slowly?”
Do not pretend you understood.
A few useful answers
Do I need long sentences when I travel?
No. Short, specific questions are often easier for both people.
Ask for one thing at a time and then listen to the answer.
What if I cannot understand the answer?
Ask the person to repeat it:
“Could you say that again more slowly?”
You can also ask them to point, write something down or show you on a map.
Can I point at the menu or map?
Absolutely. Combine the gesture with a useful sentence:
“I’ll have this, please.”
or
“Do you mean here?”
