A Taxi Ride in Addis Ababa: Real English Conversation Practice
Practise B1 English in a real taxi conversation in Addis Ababa: ask politely for an address, confirm the destination and keep the small talk going.
In this B1 lesson you ride along on a taxi journey through Addis Ababa. A visitor gets in, asks the driver to take him to an apartment in the Bolle neighbourhood, and the driver recognises the street near the big church. What begins as a short, practical request turns into a relaxed conversation about the city's growth, the cost of housing, work and family life, and the way a guest is welcomed.
The dialogue gives you a natural model for travel English: polite requests with "Could you…?", short confirmations, and follow-up questions that keep a conversation alive. You will also notice simple B1 language for describing city problems, comparing life in different countries and saying how often something happens. Work through the key phrases, repeat them aloud, and then try the speaking practice at the end. Start the lesson and practise the English you need for your next taxi ride.
What you'll learn
- Give a destination address politely and check that the driver knows the area
- Keep a conversation moving with short follow-up questions about origin, family and work
- Describe housing costs, urban growth and a lack of jobs in simple B1 language
- Compare your own country with the place you are visiting using natural comparison phrases
- Use frequency expressions such as "two or three times a year" accurately
Language focus
- Polite service requests with "Could you…?" plus short destination confirmations
- Follow-up questions about background, family visits and how often something happens
- City-life vocabulary: neighbourhood, apartment, housing, rents, graduates, fuel
- Comparison and shared experience: "much better than", "Where I come from", "not so different"
- Practical travel questions about local markets, safety, the meter and a fair fare
English transcript
Good morning.
Could you take me to this address, please?
It's an apartment in Bolle.
Good morning.
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Let me see.
Yes, I know this street.
It's near the big church.
Great.
A young man I met today recommended it.
He said it's much better than a hotel.
He was right.
Hotels in Addis are expensive, and the good ones are full this month.
That's what he told me.
So are you from Addis originally, or did you move here?
I was born in a small town near Hawassa, but I came here 12 years ago for work.
12 years.
That's a long time.
Do you still visit your family in the south?
When I can.
It's a long drive, so I usually go two or three times a year.
I've only been here two days, but I already see how big the city is.
It grows every year.
Too fast, maybe.
Housing is a serious problem now.
The young man I met said the same thing.
He shares a room with two friends.
Many young people do.
Rents in Bolle and Kazanches are very high for them.
He also told me it's hard to find a good job after a university.
That's true, and it hurts.
We have many graduates, but not enough jobs for them.
So what do young people do?
Do they stay and wait, or do they leave the country?
Some way and keep trying.
Others go to the Gulf or to Europe if they can.
That must be difficult for their families.
Everyone wants their children nearby.
Yes, but parents also understand.
They want a better life for their children.
I understand that.
Where I come from, young people worry about the same things.
Really?
I thought life in Europe was easier for young people.
It's easier in some ways, but not in every way.
Jobs are hard there, too.
Maybe we are not so different then.
People everywhere want work and the future.
and the future.
Exactly.
And a safe home and enough money for their family.
That's all.
You understand our situation well.
Most tourists only see the hotels and museums.
I want to see more than that.
That's why I'm staying in an apartment, not a hotel.
Good.
Talk to people, drink coffee with them, and you'll learn a lot.
I will.
The coffee ceremony yesterday was wonderful.
I've never tasted coffee like that.
That's our pride.
Coffee comes from here, you know?
It started in Ethiopia.
So I've heard.
Do you drink it every day, or is it only for guests?
Every day.
Sometimes three times.
It's how we slow down and talk to each other.
That's a beautiful habit.
In my country, we drink coffee while walking to work.
Then you should learn from us.
Sit down, take your time, and talk.
I have time today, actually.
My room wasn't ready until noon, so my plans changed.
Sometimes a change of plans is a good thing.
You met your new friend that way.
That's true.
We talked for almost an hour about Ethiopia and about his hopes.
What does he hope for, if I may ask?
He wants to finish his studies and start a small business with his brother.
That is a good dream.
Small businesses are growing here, slowly but surely.
He seemed serious about it.
He already has some ideas about what to sell.
Then he has a chance.
The ones who plan carefully usually succeed.
I hope so.
He was kind to me, and he didn't ask for anything in return.
That is our culture.
A guest is a blessing, not a customer.
I feel that here.
People have been very warm to me since I arrived.
We are proud of our country, even when life is hard.
Maybe because of that.
That makes sense.
Hard times can bring people closer together.
Yes, we help each other.
If a neighbor has no food, we share ours.
That's something we sometimes forget in big European cities.
Everyone is in a hurry.
Here, too, in the center.
But in the neighborhoods people still know each other The apartment I going to is in a neighborhood like that I think Yes Bolle is busy but the side streets are quiet and friendly You will like it I hope so.
Is there a market near the apartment?
I'd like to buy fruit.
There's a small market two streets away.
Ask for the mangoes.
They are excellent.
Thank you.
And is it safe to walk there in the evening?
Yes, it's safe.
Just keep your bag close, like in any big city.
Of course.
One more question.
How much should I pay for a taxi like this?
From the airport to Bolle, about 400 beer.
But we can use the meter.
Let's use the meter.
That's fair for both of us, I think.
Agreed.
You're an easy passenger, and easy passengers make easy conversations.
I enjoy talking to drivers.
You always know the real story of a city.
We see everything.
The morning rush, the late nights, the good days, and the bad.
What was the hardest time for you here, if you don't mind me asking?
During the difficult years, when prices rose and there was little fuel, that was hard.
I read about that before I came.
Many people suffered, I understand.
Yes, but we survived.
We are patient people, and we don't give up easily.
I admire that.
Patience is a strength, not a weakness.
Thank you.
It helps to hear that from a visitor.
Sometimes we forget our own strengths.
We all do.
That's why travel is good.
You see yourself through other people's eyes.
That is a wise sentence.
You should write it down in your notebook.
Maybe I will.
Oh, is that the church you mentioned?
The one near my street?
Yes, that's it.
We are almost there now.
The apartment should be on the next corner.
Perfect.
And the young man said the owner will meet me at the gate with the keys.
Good.
I'll stop right in front so you don't have to carry your bags far.
Thank you so much.
This ride was much more interesting than I expected.
For me too.
Enjoy Addis and don't forget the mangoes.
I won't.
Have a good day and drive safely.
Thank you.
Welcome to Ethiopia and may your stay be a happy one.
New dialogues and stories every day.
Available in 21 subtitle languages.
You can practice all these dialogues sentence by sentence using the interactive player on our website.
Link in the description.
Up next, the lesson based on this dialogue.
If you want to skip it, just jump to the next scene.
Good morning!
Today, we will practice English with a conversation between Lily and a taxi driver in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Listen carefully and repeat after me.
Our first sentence, Could you take me to this address, please?
Repeat.
Could you take me to this address, please?
Good.
Let's practice the phrase, take me to.
I will give five short examples and you repeat each one.
Example 1.
Could you take me to the station?
Example 2.
Please take me to the nearest bank.
Example 3.
Can you take me to the market?
Example 4.
He took me to a small cafe.
He took me to a small cafe.
Example 5.
Take me to the main gate, please.
Take me to the main gate, please.
I understand.
Take me to is a useful way to ask someone to bring you somewhere.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
He said it's much better than a hotel.
Repeat.
He said it's much better than a hotel.
Let's practice much better than.
Example 1.
This room is much better than the old one.
Example 2.
The coffee here is much better than at home.
Example 3.
Walking is much better than waiting for the bus 4 Her new job is much better than the last one Today weather is much better than yesterday I understand.
Much better than means something is clearly stronger or nicer than another thing.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
Housing is a serious problem now.
Repeat.
Housing is a serious problem now.
Let's practice a serious problem.
Example 1.
Traffic is a serious problem in big cities.
Example 2.
Water shortages are a serious problem here.
Example 3.
It's a serious problem and we must act.
It's a serious problem and we must act.
Example 4.
Finding good schools is a serious problem for parents.
Example 5.
That is a serious problem for the whole neighborhood.
That is a serious problem for the whole neighborhood.
I understand.
A serious problem is something important and difficult that needs attention.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
I usually go two or three times a year.
Repeat.
I usually go two or three times a year.
Let's practice two or three times a year.
Example one.
I visit my parents two or three times a year.
Example two.
We meet for coffee two or three times a year.
We meet for coffee two or three times a year.
Example 3.
She travels abroad two or three times a year.
Example 4.
The doctor sees him two or three times a year.
Example 5.
They clean the roof two or three times a year.
They clean the roof two or three times a year.
I understand.
Two or three times a year tells us how often something happens.
Good.
Next sentence.
A guest is a blessing, not a customer.
Repeat.
A guest is a blessing, not a customer.
Let's practice a blessing.
Example 1.
Good health is a blessing.
Good health is a blessing.
Example 2.
A kind neighbor is a real blessing.
Example 3.
Rain after a long dry season is a blessing.
Example 4.
Meeting you today was a blessing.
Example 5.
Her help during that week was a blessing.
I understand.
A blessing is something good that we feel grateful for.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
We are patient people and we don't give up easily.
Repeat.
We are patient people and we don't give up easily.
Let's practice give up.
Example 1.
Don't give up after one mistake.
Don't give up after one mistake.
Example 2.
He never gives up on his dreams.
He never gives up on his dreams.
Example 3.
She gave up smoking last year.
Example 4.
We won't give up until we finish.
Example 5.
It's hard, but please don't give up.
It's hard, but please don't give up.
I understand.
Give up means to stop trying or to quit something.
Good.
Next sentence.
The ones who plan carefully usually succeed.
Repeat.
The ones who plan carefully usually succeed.
Let's practice plan carefully.
Example 1.
We need to plan carefully before the trip.
Example 2 She planned carefully and saved enough money Example 3 Plan carefully and you will avoid mistakes.
Example 4.
He always plans carefully before a big meeting.
Example 5.
They planned carefully and opened a small shop.
They planned carefully and opened a small shop.
I understand.
Plan carefully means to think about the details before you act.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
That's why I'm staying in an apartment, not a hotel.
Repeat.
That's why I'm staying in an apartment, not a hotel.
Let's practice that's why.
Example 1.
I missed the bus, and that's why I'm late.
Example 2.
She loves coffee, and that's why she works in a cafe.
Example 3.
It was raining, and that's why we stayed home.
Example 4.
He studies hard, and that's why he passes.
Example 5.
The road was closed, and that's why we took a taxi.
I understand.
That's why explains the reason for something.
Good.
Next sentence.
It's how we slow down and talk to each other.
Repeat.
Repeat.
It's how we slow down and talk to each other.
Let's practice slow down.
Example 1.
Please slow down.
I can't follow you.
Please slow down.
I can't follow you.
Example 2.
We slow down when we drink coffee together.
We slow down when we drink coffee together.
Example 3.
Life is busy, so I try to slow down on Sundays.
Life is busy, so I try to slow down on Sundays.
Example 4.
The driver slowed down near the school.
Example 5.
Slow down and enjoy the evening.
I understand.
Slow down means to take things more calmly and not rush.
Exactly.
Next sentence.
Sometimes a change of plans is a good thing.
Repeat.
Let's practice a change of plans.
Example one.
We had a change of plans and stayed home.
Example two.
A change of plans can be exciting.
Example three.
There was a change of plans, so we met later.
Example 4 He smiled at the change of plans.
Example 5 Our trip needed a quick change of plans.
I understand.
A change of plans means the original idea is different now.
Good.
Next sentence.
Just keep your bag close, like in any big city.
Repeat.
Let's practice keep your bag close.
Example 1.
Keep your bag close on the bus.
Example 2.
She keeps her bag close in crowds.
Example 3.
Keep your bag close when you travel.
Example 4.
He kept his bag close at the station.
Example 5.
Always keep your bag close in busy markets.
I understand.
Keep your bag close means to hold it near you and stay careful.