Beginner · 35 min · 29 words

Your first week

The twenty-odd words that unlock the rest

Start here. These are the greetings, compliments, exits, and yes/no sounds you will hear in the first conversation you have in California — or in the first California film you watch from the other side of the world.

Anyone new to California English.

Lessons

1. 1

   How people actually talk

   If you only learn six words, make them these. You will hear all of them on day one.

   6 words

2. 2

   Saying something is good

   You will be asked “how was it?” constantly. These are the answers that sound native.

   6 words

3. 3

   Coming and going

   Knowing how to exit — and how to offer a ride — will save you more awkwardness than any greeting.

   6 words

4. 4

   People you meet

   These are the words people will call you, and the ones you can safely call them back.

   5 words

5. 5

   Yes, no, and I mean it

   Misreading these is how visitors think they have a plan when they do not.

   6 words