It’s almost impossible for us in our modern life to avoid money or conversations around money. Therefore, talking about money is a crucial skill everyone must have, especially when learning a new language.
Whether you’re shopping, managing your finances, or discussing salary, knowing how to express yourself in English can make these conversations much easier.
In this guide, we’ll cover key phrases for asking about prices, saving money, borrowing money, and asking for discounts. You’ll also learn how to talk about your salary, ask for money back, and express your financial needs. These phrases will help you confidently navigate everyday money-related conversations in English.
We’ll also share helpful ChatGPT prompts, as ChatGPT can be a great tool for practicing English and improving your confidence in money-related conversations.
Let’s dive in and explore the key phrases you need to master talking about money in English!
Table of Contents
Basic Words About Money Every Beginner Should Know
When learning to talk about money, it’s important to start with basic words. Words like money, price, cost, buy, sell, save, spend, and borrow are common in everyday conversations. You should also learn terms like cash, card, bank, bill, and change. These words will help you talk about shopping, paying bills, or even asking for help.
For example:
- “How much does it cost?”
- “I want to save money.”
- “Can I pay by card?”
Here’s a simple chart of the basic money-related words with their meanings and example sentences:
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Money | What we use to buy things (coins or bills). | I don’t have enough money for this. |
| Price | The amount of money something costs. | What’s the price of this shirt? |
| Cost | The amount needed to pay for something. | How much does it cost? |
| Buy | To pay money to get something. | I want to buy a new book. |
| Sell | To give something to someone for money. | She wants to sell her old phone. |
| Save | To keep money for future use. | I’m saving money to buy a car. |
| Spend | To use money to pay for things. | I spent $10 on lunch today. |
| Borrow | To take and use money temporarily. | Can I borrow $5 from you? |
| Cash | Money in the form of coins or bills. | Do you want to pay in cash or by card? |
| Card | A plastic card used to pay money. | I’ll pay with my credit card. |
| Bank | A place where people keep their money. | I need to go to the bank today. |
| Bill | A request for payment, usually for services. | The electricity bill is due tomorrow. |
| Change | Money given back when you pay too much. | Here’s your change, $2. |
Ask ChatGPT to quiz you on these words or make sentences with them. It’s a fun way to learn and practice!
Here’s a handy prompt you can use with ChatGPT to practice these words:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice basic money words in English? Use words like money, price, cost, buy, sell, save, spend, borrow, cash, card, bank, bill, and change. Give me example sentences and ask me questions so I can respond.”
Also read: How to Talk About Daily Routine
How to Talk About Saving Money in English
Saving money is an important skill, and learning how to talk about it in English can help in everyday conversations. Start with phrases like:
- “I want to save money.”
- “I’m saving for a new phone.”
- “How can I save more money?”
You can also use expressions like cutting expenses (spending less) or budgeting (planning how to use your money). For example:
- “I’m cutting my expenses to save more.”
- “I need to create a budget for my monthly expenses.”
Here’s a helpful prompt to practice with ChatGPT:
Prompt:
“Can you teach me how to talk about saving money in English? Give me example sentences, simple explanations, and ask me questions so I can practice speaking.”
Try using this prompt with ChatGPT, and it will help you learn and practice talking about saving money effectively!
Also read: Self-Introduction with ChatGPT
What to Say When Borrowing Money
Borrowing money can be a sensitive topic, so it’s important to use polite language. Here are some phrases you can use:
- “Can I borrow some money, please?”
- “I need to borrow $20. Is that okay?”
- “I’ll pay you back next week.”
Always let the person know when you can return the money. For example:
- “I’ll return the money on Friday.”
- “I’ll give it back as soon as I can.”
If you want to practice how to ask politely, use this ChatGPT prompt:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice borrowing money in English? Teach me polite sentences, give me examples, and ask me questions to respond to.”
This will help you feel confident and polite when asking to borrow money.
Also read: How to Learn ESL Movie Conversations with ChatGPT
How to Ask About Prices in English
Asking about prices is a common conversation when shopping or dining out. Here are simple and polite ways to ask:
- “How much does this cost?”
- “What’s the price of this?”
- “Can you tell me how much this is?”
If you’re looking for discounts or offers, you can ask:
- “Is this on sale?”
- “Do you have any discounts on this item?”
You can also ask about price comparisons:
- “Is this cheaper than the other one?”
Practice these sentences with ChatGPT to feel more confident:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice asking about prices in English? Give me examples of polite questions to ask about prices and help me respond to different situations.”
This will prepare you for real-life shopping or dining scenarios!
Also read: Asking for Directions: Easy Practice with ChatGPT
Learning Numbers and Prices: A Beginner’s Guide
Understanding numbers and prices is essential when talking about money. Start by practicing numbers:
- “One, two, three…”
- “Ten, twenty, thirty…”
- “A hundred, a thousand…”
Learn how to say prices clearly:
- “It’s $5.99.” (say: five dollars and ninety-nine cents)
- “That costs $20.” (say: twenty dollars)
- “The total is $1,250.” (say: one thousand two hundred fifty dollars)
When talking about large amounts, use phrases like:
- “That’s quite expensive!”
- “It’s affordable.”
Here’s a prompt to practice numbers and prices with ChatGPT:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice numbers and prices in English? Teach me how to say prices correctly, give me examples, and quiz me with different numbers and situations.”
This will help you become confident when handling numbers and talking about prices in English!
Talking About Money While Shopping
Shopping is a great way to practice talking about money in English. Here are some useful phrases:
To ask about an item:
- “How much does this cost?”
- “Is this available in another size or color?”
- “Do you have this on sale?”
To decide whether to buy:
- “I’ll take it.”
- “Can I think about it?”
- “It’s too expensive for me.”
At the checkout:
- “Can I pay by card?”
- “Do you accept cash?”
- “Can I get a receipt, please?”
Here’s a ChatGPT prompt to help you practice these phrases:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice talking about money while shopping? Teach me useful phrases for asking about prices, making decisions, and checking out. Ask me questions so I can respond naturally.”
Use this prompt to feel confident during your next shopping trip!
What to Say If You Don’t Have Enough Money
Sometimes, we don’t have enough money to pay for something. It’s important to be polite and clear when explaining. Here are some phrases to use:
- “I’m sorry, I don’t have enough money.”
- “I can’t afford it right now.”
- “I only have $5, but this costs $10.”
- “I don’t have enough cash on me. Can I come back later?”
If you want to offer a solution:
- “Can I pay half now and the rest later?”
- “Do you accept payment by card? I don’t have cash.”
Use this ChatGPT prompt to practice these situations:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice what to say if I don’t have enough money? Give me examples of polite ways to explain and ask for help.”
This will help you handle these situations confidently and politely.
Polite Ways to Ask for a Discount
Asking for a discount can be tricky, but it’s important to be polite and respectful. Here are some phrases you can use:
- “Is there a discount available for this item?”
- “Can you offer me a better price on this?”
- “Do you have any special offers or promotions?”
- “I’ve seen this item for a lower price at another store. Can you match it?”
If you’re buying multiple items, you can ask:
- “If I buy two, can I get a discount?”
- “Do you offer a discount for bulk purchases?”
Here’s a prompt you can use to practice asking for a discount with ChatGPT:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice asking for a discount in English? Give me examples of polite ways to ask for a better price, and help me respond to different situations.”
This will help you feel confident when negotiating prices in stores or online!
How to Politely Ask Someone to Pay You Back
Asking someone to pay you back can feel awkward, but with the right language, you can do it politely. Here are some useful phrases:
- “Could you please pay me back when you have a chance?”
- “I was wondering if you could return the money I lent you.”
- “Can you give me the money you owe me?”
- “Is it possible for you to pay me back this week?”
If you want to be extra polite, you can add:
- “I understand if you need some time, but I would appreciate it if you could pay me back soon.”
You can practice this with ChatGPT using the following prompt:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice asking someone to pay me back politely? Give me example sentences and ask me different situations where I might need to ask for money.”
This will help you ask for your money back in a polite and respectful way!
Talking About Your Job and Salary in English
Discussing your job and salary can be important, and it’s helpful to know the right phrases to use. Here are some ways to talk about your job:
- “I work as a teacher.”
- “I’m an engineer at XYZ company.”
- “I work in marketing.”
- “I’m currently looking for a job in sales.”
When talking about salary, you can use:
- “I earn $50,000 a year.”
- “My salary is $25 per hour.”
- “I’m hoping for a raise soon.”
- “I make a good income from my job.”
If you want to ask someone about their salary politely:
- “What is your salary range for this position?”
- “Can you tell me about the pay for this job?”
You can practice these phrases with this ChatGPT prompt:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice talking about my job and salary in English? Give me example sentences and ask me questions about different job-related topics.”
This will help you feel confident when discussing your career and income in English!
How to Express the Need for Money in English
There are different ways to express that you need money in English, depending on the situation. Here are some common phrases to help:
- “I need some money to buy food.”
- “I don’t have enough money for this.”
- “Can you lend me some money?”
- “I’m short on cash right now.”
- “I’m running low on money.”
If you need money urgently, you can say:
- “I need money for an emergency.”
- “Can you help me out with some money?”
You can practice expressing the need for money using this ChatGPT prompt:
Prompt:
“Can you help me practice how to express the need for money in English? Teach me common phrases and ask me different situations where I might need to talk about money.”
This will help you feel more comfortable when discussing your financial needs in English!
Practice Questions to Talk About Money in English
Practicing questions about money will help you feel more confident in real-life situations. Here are some useful questions to practice:
- “How much does this cost?”
- “Can you give me a discount on this item?”
- “Do you have change for a $20 bill?”
- “How can I save more money?”
- “What’s the price of the cheapest item?”
- “Can I pay by card or only with cash?”
- “How much money do I need to buy a ticket?”
- “Is this item expensive?”
- “How do I ask for a refund?”
- “Can I borrow some money until payday?”
Here’s a prompt to practice with ChatGPT:
Prompt:
“Can you give me practice questions to talk about money in English? Ask me different questions about shopping, saving, borrowing, and paying, so I can practice answering them.”
Using this prompt, you can have interactive conversations with ChatGPT to improve your confidence in talking about money!
Conclusion
Learning how to talk about money in English is important for many everyday situations. Whether you’re shopping, saving, or talking about your job, knowing the right words will make things easier.
By using the phrases in this guide, you’ll feel more confident when talking about money. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to speak about money in English without any problems.
The more you practice, the better you’ll get!
FAQs on Talking About Money
1. How do I ask the price of a specific item in a store?
You can say: “How much does this cost?” or “What’s the price of this?”
2. How can I politely ask for a discount on a product?
Try: “Is there any chance of getting a discount on this?” or “Do you have any special offers on this item?”
3. What should I say if I can’t afford something?
You can say: “I can’t afford it right now” or “This is too expensive for me.”
4. How do I explain I need to borrow money from a friend?
You can say: “Can you lend me some money? I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
5. How can I ask someone when they will pay me back?
You can ask: “When will you be able to pay me back?” or “Can you return the money by next week?”
6. How do I talk about saving money in English?
Say: “I’m trying to save money for a vacation” or “I save a little bit every month.”
7. What’s the best way to ask for change when paying with cash?
You can ask: “Can I get change for a $20?” or “Please give me change for a $50.”
8. How can I ask if something is on sale in a store?
Say: “Is this item on sale?” or “Do you have any discounts on this product?”
9. How do I ask about the total cost in a restaurant?
You can ask: “How much is the total?” or “What’s the final bill?”
10. How do I talk about my salary during a job interview?
You can say: “I’m looking for a salary range of $50,000 to $60,000 a year” or “My current salary is $45,000 per year.”