learnlingo
Get started
Phrasebook

English Phrases for Parties

Parties are one of the best places to practice real, relaxed English. These phrases help you accept an invitation, greet the host, meet new people, offer and refuse food and drinks and leave politely at the end of the night.

32 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Invitations

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I'm having a party on Saturday. Do you want to come?

A2

We say "have" or "throw" a party, not "make" a party.

Cumartesi bir parti veriyorum. Gelmek ister misin?
  • I'd love to!
  • Sounds fun. What time?

Thanks for the invite! I'd love to come.

A2

"Invite" as a noun is informal. Use "invitation" in writing.

Davet için teşekkürler! Gelmeyi çok isterim.
  • Great, see you there!

Should I bring anything?

A2

Always ask. Bringing a drink or a snack is common.

Bir şey getireyim mi?
  • Just yourself!
  • Maybe something to drink.

Is it okay if I bring a friend?

A2
Bir arkadaşımı getirsem sorun olur mu?
  • Of course, the more the merrier!

I'm sorry, I can't make it this time.

B1

"Make it" means be able to come.

Kusura bakma, bu sefer gelemiyorum.
  • No worries. Next time!

Is there a dress code?

B1
Kıyafet kuralı var mı?
  • No, it's totally casual.
  • Smart casual, I'd say.

Arriving and greeting the host

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Hi! Thanks for having me.

A2
Merhaba! Davetin için teşekkürler.
  • Thanks for coming! Come on in.

I brought you this.

A1
Sana bunu getirdim.
  • Oh, you didn't have to! Thank you.

Sorry I'm late!

A1
Geciktiğim için kusura bakma!
  • Don't worry, the party's just getting started.

Where should I put my coat?

A2
Montumu nereye koyayım?
  • You can leave it in the bedroom.

Should I take my shoes off?

A2

In many US and UK homes guests keep their shoes on, so ask.

Ayakkabılarımı çıkarayım mı?
  • No, you're fine.
  • Yes, please, if you don't mind.

Your place looks amazing!

A2

"Place" is a casual word for home.

Evin harika görünüyor!
  • Thanks! We just finished decorating.

Meeting new people

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Elif.

A2
Merhaba, sanırım tanışmadık. Ben Elif.
  • Hi Elif, I'm Sam. Nice to meet you.

How do you know the host?

A2

The easiest question to start a chat at a party.

Ev sahibini nereden tanıyorsun?
  • We went to school together.
  • We work together.

Are you having a good time?

A2
İyi vakit geçiriyor musun?
  • Yeah, it's a great party!

This is my friend, Mert.

A1
Bu arkadaşım Mert.
  • Hi Mert, nice to meet you.

Have you two met?

B1
Siz tanışıyor musunuz?
  • No, I don't think so.
  • Yes, we met at Anna's birthday.

Sorry, what was your name again?

A2

Completely normal to ask. Everyone forgets names at parties.

Pardon, adın neydi?
  • It's Chris. Don't worry!

I love this song!

A1
Bu şarkıya bayılıyorum!
  • Me too! Want to dance?

Food and drinks

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Can I get you a drink?

A2
Sana bir içecek getireyim mi?
  • Sure, what do you have?
  • I'm good, thanks.

What would you like to drink?

A1
Ne içmek istersin?
  • Just some water, please.

Help yourself to some food.

B1

"Help yourself" means take what you want without asking.

Yiyeceklerden istediğin kadar al.
  • Thanks, it looks delicious.

I'm good for now, thanks.

A2

A polite, casual way to say no.

Şimdilik böyle iyiyim, teşekkürler.
  • Okay, just help yourself if you change your mind.

I don't drink, but I'd love a soda.

A2

No need to explain why. In the UK, say "a soft drink" or "a lemonade".

Alkol kullanmıyorum ama bir gazoz alırım.
  • Sure, there are some in the fridge.

This is delicious! Did you make it?

A2
Bu çok lezzetli! Sen mi yaptın?
  • Yes, it's my grandma's recipe!

Is there anything without meat?

A2
Etsiz bir şey var mı?
  • Yes, the pasta and the salad are vegetarian.

Leaving the party

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I should get going.

A2

A soft way to say you are leaving. Also: "I'd better head off."

Artık gitmem lazım.
  • Already? Okay, thanks for coming!

Thanks so much for having me. I had a great time.

A2
Davetin için çok teşekkürler. Çok güzel vakit geçirdim.
  • Thanks for coming! Get home safe.

It was great meeting you.

A2

Use "meeting" at the end of a conversation, "to meet" at the start.

Tanıştığımıza çok memnun oldum.
  • You too! Let's keep in touch.

Can I help you clean up?

A2
Toparlamana yardım edeyim mi?
  • That's sweet, but don't worry about it.
  • Sure, if you don't mind.

Text me when you get home.

A2
Eve varınca bana mesaj at.
  • Will do!

We should do this again sometime.

B1
Bunu bir ara tekrar yapmalıyız.
  • Definitely!

Sample dialogues

Arriving at a house party

Jess
Hey, you made it! Come on in.
Selam, gelebildin! Gel içeri.
Kerem
Hi! Thanks for having me. I brought you some cookies.
Merhaba! Davetin için teşekkürler. Sana biraz kurabiye getirdim.
Jess
Oh, you didn't have to! Thank you. Can I get you a drink?
Ah, zahmet etmeseydin! Teşekkürler. Sana bir içecek getireyim mi?
Kerem
Sure. What do you have?
Olur. Neler var?
Jess
There's soda, juice and lemonade in the kitchen. Help yourself to some food too.
Mutfakta gazoz, meyve suyu ve limonata var. Yiyeceklerden de istediğin kadar al.
Kerem
Great. Should I take my shoes off?
Harika. Ayakkabılarımı çıkarayım mı?
Jess
No, you're fine. Come and meet everyone.
Yok, gerek yok. Gel herkesle tanış.

Meeting someone new and leaving

Kerem
Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Kerem.
Merhaba, sanırım tanışmadık. Ben Kerem.
Olivia
Hi Kerem, I'm Olivia. How do you know Jess?
Merhaba Kerem, ben Olivia. Jess'i nereden tanıyorsun?
Kerem
We work together. How about you?
Birlikte çalışıyoruz. Ya sen?
Olivia
We were roommates in college.
Üniversitede ev arkadaşıydık.
Kerem
Nice! Well, it was great meeting you. I should get going.
Güzel! Neyse, tanıştığımıza çok memnun oldum. Artık gitmem lazım.
Olivia
You too! Get home safe.
Ben de memnun oldum! Eve sağ salim git.
Kerem
Jess, thanks so much for having me. I had a great time.
Jess, davetin için çok teşekkürler. Çok güzel vakit geçirdim.
Jess
Thanks for coming! Text me when you get home.
Geldiğin için teşekkürler! Eve varınca bana mesaj at.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I'm making a party on Saturday.

I'm having a party on Saturday.

Turkish uses "parti yapmak", but English says "have a party" or "throw a party".

Thank you for inviting me to your home, I am very honored.

Thanks for having me!

Very formal thanks sound stiff at a casual party. "Thanks for having me" is short, warm and natural.

No, thank you, I don't want.

I'm good for now, thanks.

"I don't want" needs an object and sounds blunt. "I'm good, thanks" is the normal polite refusal.

Nice to meet you. (when leaving)

It was nice meeting you.

Use "Nice to meet you" when you first meet someone. When you say goodbye, use "It was nice meeting you".

I must go now.

I should get going.

"I must go now" sounds sudden and serious. "I should get going" is a softer way to leave.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. Complete: "I'm ___ a party on Saturday."

  2. 2. You arrive at a friend's party. The most natural greeting is:

  3. 3. The host says "Help yourself." This means:

  4. 4. Someone offers you another drink, but you don't want one. You say:

  5. 5. You are saying goodbye to someone you met tonight. You say:

  6. 6. "I can't make it" means:

  7. 7. Which question is the easiest way to start a chat with a stranger at a party?

  8. 8. Before a party you ask "Should I bring anything?" The host says "Just yourself!" This means:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. having
  2. Thanks for having me!
  3. Take what you want.
  4. I'm good for now, thanks.
  5. It was great meeting you.
  6. I can't come.
  7. How do you know the host?
  8. Don't bring anything.

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

Should I bring something to a party in an English-speaking country?+

It is common to bring something small, like drinks, snacks or a dessert. If you are not sure, ask the host "Should I bring anything?"

How do I refuse a drink without sounding rude?+

Say "I'm good for now, thanks" or "I don't drink, but I'd love a soda." You don't need to explain why.

What is the difference between "Nice to meet you" and "Nice meeting you"?+

"Nice to meet you" is said at the start, when you are introduced. "Nice meeting you" or "It was great meeting you" is said at the end, when you leave.

How do I leave a party politely?+

Find the host, say "I should get going", then thank them with "Thanks so much for having me, I had a great time." Leaving without saying goodbye to the host can seem rude.

Related reading

Vocabulary · A2

How to Make Small Talk in English

Learn how to make small talk in English: safe topics, opening lines, follow-up questions, how to keep a conversation going and how to end it politely.

6 min readVocabulary · A1

English Greetings: Formal and Informal

Learn formal and informal English greetings, how to reply to them, and how to say goodbye naturally in work and everyday situations.

6 min readCommon Mistakes · B1

Common English Slang

Common English slang words and phrases with meanings, examples, and advice on when it is safe for learners to use them.

7 min readCommon Mistakes · B1

American English Expressions

Common American English expressions for everyday life, work and conversation, with meanings, examples and British equivalents.

6 min read

More phrasebook topics

All phrasebook topics