MicroEnglish

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. BRB means "be right back." People type it in chats and messages when they need to leave for a short time and plan to return soon. When you speak, say "I'll be right back" instead, or use "Just give me a minute" or "Hold on a second" when you need a little time. Watch the Short Theo asks Hana what BRB means. She says "Be right back," and Theo panics, asking where she's going and begging her to take him with her. Hana explains that BRB only means she'll be right back soon, so she isn't leaving forever. Then she leaves anyway, because her tea is cold. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bpy5QJ9ipFk Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance I'll be right back. (Friendly and casual) Just give me a minute. (Polite, asks for time) Hold on a second. (Quick and firm) BRB (Casual, text only) One sec. ...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. Use "I used to" + verb for a past habit that stopped: "I used to drink coffee" means you don't drink it now. Use "I'm used to" + noun or verb-ing for something that feels normal today: "I'm used to drinking coffee" means you still drink it and it feels easy. Use "get used to" for the change, when something new slowly starts to feel normal. Watch the Short Hana tells Theo, "I used to drink three coffees a day," and Theo thinks she has quit, even with that giant cup in her hand. Then Theo understands: she means "I'm used to drinking coffee," because the habit is still normal for her. Theo agrees and says his cup is his fourth. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VPr5cm-ngFg Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance You'll get used to it. (Warm and reassuring) I'm used to ...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. Today, "nice" means pleasant, kind, or good. Use "Nice one." to praise a good idea, "So nice." to thank someone who is kind, and "Nice to meet you." when you meet someone for the first time. Six more everyday lines follow, including "That's nice of you." and "Nice to see you." for people you already know. Watch the Short Hana looks at Theo's new design and says, "It's nice," then adds that in old French "nice" meant foolish. Theo is worried that his best design ever is foolish. Hana says, "Nice one, Theo," and promises she means the modern meaning, so Theo decides to stop redesigning the other nine. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xIWS4irdVyY Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance Nice one. (Casual praise) So nice. (Warm and grateful) Nice to meet you. (Po...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. To accept something you can't change, say "What's done is done" when you want to stop worrying and move on. For small daily bad luck, "That's life" works well, and "It is what it is" is a relaxed way to say a situation can't change. All three are common in everyday speech and in movies. Watch the Short In the Short, Hana and Marco look at twelve broken cups. Hana jokes that Marco now has zero dishes to wash, and he asks if he should break the plates too. Then Hana says "What's done is done" and asks for a coffee, which Marco serves in a soup bowl. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dnBtn1tJVwU Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance That's life. (Gentle, a soft shrug) It is what it is. (Casual and relaxed) What's done is done. (Firm, time to move on) Oh well. (Light, quick acceptance) The...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. If you want to sound natural, don't say "I support this team." Use a short line aimed at the person. Say "You've got this" right before a big moment, "I'm rooting for you" when you hope someone wins, and "I'm on your side" when someone feels alone. The other lines below add more choices, like "I've got your back" or "Win or lose, I'm proud of you." Watch the Short Hana says she supports the team "from a very comfortable chair," and Theo wonders what kind of support that is. When it counts, Hana tells him, "You've got this, Theo. I mean it." Theo asks if she'll come and cheer, and she says of course. She has even packed a cushion. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7s5Q_GuHfKg Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance You've got this. (Casual an...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. NVM is a text abbreviation for "never mind." It means "forget what I just said, it's not important anymore." Say "Never mind" out loud, type NVM in casual chats, and choose a softer line like "Forget I said anything" or "Don't worry about it" when you want to sound friendly rather than annoyed. Watch the Short Theo asks Hana what NVM means, and she answers, "Never mind. Seriously, never mind." Theo thinks she is brushing him off and says he'll ask someone who likes him. Then Hana explains that NVM means "never mind," or "forget it," and she proves it by ordering coffee, saying "Never mind," and changing her order to two. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_b5n4VupSy8 Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance Never mind. (Light and casual) Forget I said anything. ...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. To decide where to put something with another person, start with "Let's take a look." Then ask "Where should we put it?" so the choice belongs to both of you. When you like the plan, say "That works for me." Between the question and the agreement, you can suggest a place with "How about...?" or ask for an opinion with "What do you think?" Watch the Short Hana has already named the new desk plant Gary and says that Gary hates windows. Theo jokes that Gary lives in the dark, just like Theo. In the end, Theo asks, "Where should we put it? Gary needs some light," and Hana answers, "By the window. Gary and I talked, and he agreed." https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FG4aZVLSTis Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance Let's take a look. (Casual and curious) Where should we put it? (Friendly,...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. To offer another option, say "What about this one?" To say you like something, say "This one looks good." When you decide something is good enough, say "This should do nicely," or more simply, "I'll take this one." Watch the Short Hana and Theo are choosing a notebook. Hana picks one first and jokes that it "smells smarter" than she is, and Theo asks if she really wants a notebook smarter than its boss. Then Hana asks, "What about this one?" about a plain, calm notebook, and Theo says, "This should do," adding that he'll test it with six pens. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cieKgpTV01Q Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance What about this one? (Casual suggestion) This one looks good. (Friendly and positive) This should do nicely. (Calm and decisive) I'll take this one. (Cl...

Read the full lesson on MicroEnglish (free): the video, tone notes for every line, example dialogues and a quiz. To suggest a name, say "What about this one?" and then give your idea. If the names are getting long, say "Let's keep it short." If someone's idea has too many words, say "That's too long." and smile so it stays friendly. When the group finds a name it likes, say "Let's go with that." Watch the Short Hana wants a short name for the studio team's group chat, then suggests "the studio team that never reads messages." Theo jokes that it's as short as a full paragraph. He says "Keep it short" and offers "Studio lunch club, snacks optional," and Hana says it's better because now it's only half a paragraph. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sZgUntWkRBc Watch it on YouTube The lines at a glance What about this one? (Casual suggestion) Let's keep it short. (Fr...