Vocabulary:
closet
trash
trash can
mailman
national holiday
How well do you know British English?
Try this quick quiz before you continue…
Vocabulary:
closet
trash
trash can
mailman
national holiday
How well do you know British English?
Try this quick quiz before you continue…
Example sentences:
American English: Closet
British English: Wardrobe
Examples
A: Have you visited John and Sarah’s new house yet?
B: Not yet. What’s it like?
A: It’s really nice. Their bedroom has a huge walk in wardrobe. There’s so much space!
———————-
A: Have you seen my belt?
B: It’s in the wardrobe, isn’t it?
A: No I’ve checked…Oh…it’s OK, I’ve found it.
A: Where was it?
A: I’m wearing it!
American English: Trash
British English: Rubbish
Examples
A: Clean your bedroom!
B: Why?
A: Because there is rubbish everywhere! Old papers, snack wrappers, empty drink bottles, old magazines. It’s all rubbish.
———————-
A: Why is your TV outside?
B: It’s rubbish. It doesn’t work anymore, and it’ll cost too much to repair.
American English: Trash can
British English: Dustbin
Examples
A: Do you need all these papers?
B: No. You can put them in the dustbin if you want.
———————-
A: Don’t forget to take out the rubbish tomorrow morning.
B: OK. What time does the dustbin lorry usually come?
A: Usually around 8:30am.
B: OK I’ll make sure I take it out before then.
American English: Mailman
British English: Postman
Examples
A: Has the postman been yet today?
B: Yes. I saw him walk past, but he didn’t deliver anything here.
———————-
A: Who was that at the door?
B: It was the postman. Here, he delivered this parcel for you.
American English: National holiday
British English: Bank holiday
Examples
A: Are you going to the gym tomorrow?
B: No. It’s a bank holiday – it’ll be closed.
———————-
A: Do you usually do anything special on bank holidays?
B: Not really. Everywhere is usually busy, so I prefer to stay at home.
