Saying Something Politely

Pada kesempatan kali ini kita akan membahas tentang bagaimana menyatakan atau
menanyakan hal dengan cara yang lebih sopan dalam bahasa inggris, atau dapat disebut juga sebagai
expressing politeness.
Biasanya kita berbicara lebih sopan kepada orang yang lebih tua dari kita atau ketika bertemu
dengan orang yang belum kita kenal. Berbicara sopan dalam bahasa inggris disebut dengan expressing
politeness. Berikut adalah contoh kalimat yang menunjukkan kesopanan dalam bahasa inggris.

 May I help you?

(bolehkah aku membantumu?)
 Would you like to help me?
(bisakah kau membantuku?)
 Could you pass the salt over there, please?
(bisakah anda mengoper garam di sebelah sana tolong?)
 Would you mind if I sit here?
(apa tidak apa apa jika aku duduk disini?)
 Open the window, please.
(buka jendelanya, tolong)
 Could you please tell me where is the library?
(bisakah kamu menunjukkan dimana perpustakaan?)
 Shall I bring you a pillow?
(haruskah aku membawakanmu bantal?)
 Can I do the dishes for you?
(bisakah aku mencuci piring untukmu?)
 Would you care for another cup of tea?
(maukah kamu secangkir teh lagi?)

Perhatikan kata yang di tebalkan diatas merupakan ungkapan yang biasanya mengawali dalam
menanyakan atau meminta sesuatu agar lebih polite (sopan). 

Response :
Accepting (Menerima)
 Thank you. (terimakasih)
 Yes, please. (ya tolong)
 I'd like it very much. (aku akan sangat menyukainya)
 I'm pleased to do that. (aku senang melakukannya)
 With Pleasure thank you. (dengan senang hati, terimakasih)
 Yes please. I really appreciate it. (ya tolong, aku sangat menghargainya)
 Thank you, it's very kind of you (terimakasih, kamu baik sekali)
 Yes, please, that would be lovely (ya tolong, itu akan sangat menyenangkan)

Declining (Menolak)
 No thanks.(tidak terimakasih)
 I can't, thanks anyway (aku tidak bisa, terimakasih)
 No, I really won't, thank you (tidak, aku tidak mau, terimakasih)
 It's okay, I can do it myself. (terimakasih, aku bisa melakukannya sendiri)
 No thank you. (tidak terimakasih)
 No thanks, I don't need any help (tidak terimakasih, aku tidak membutuhkan bantuan)
 Don't worry, I will do it myself. (jangan khawatir, aku akan melakukannya sendiri)
 That's alright, I will manage it on my own. (tidak apa apa, aku akan melakukannya sendiri)
TASK 1
A. Read carefully and answer the questions
Ara : Good afternoon Mrs.Tina.
Mrs. Tina : Good afternoon Ara. What are you doing?
Ara : I’m looking for a book. Could you do a favor for me
Mrs. Tina : What is it?
Ara : I need a book about science. Would you mind showing me it?
Mrs. Tina : No, of course not. Can you look for it on the shelf over there?
Ara : Umm… I have searched it but I haven’t found it. Would you please look for it together?
Mrs. Tina : I have two books of science. Both of them are “My body science” and “A Philosopher
looks all science”. Do you like both of them?
Ara : Really? Can you lend me the second one, please?
Mrs. Tina : I’ll lend you if you give it back soon.
Ara : Certainly. I’ll return it immediately. Thank you.
Mrs. Tina : You’re welcome.
Questions:
1. Where does the conversation take place?
2. What is Ara looking for?
3. How many books does Mrs. Tina have?
4. Which book does Ara borrow?
5. “I have searched it…..” What does the underlined word mean?
6. “Would you mind showing me it?” What does the underlined word refer to?

B. Read carefully and answer the questions

Rahma : Excuse me, Ma’am.
Teacher : Yes, Rahma. What’s up ?
Rahma : Ma’am. I’m a little bit confused with question number three. Would you be kind enough
to explain me more about it ?
Teacher : Let’s ask the others first
Rahma : O.K.
Teacher : Listen, class. Rahma has a problem with question number three. Can any of you help
Rahma? What about you Gilang ?
Gilang : I’m really sorry Ma’am. I can’t. Finally, I don’t understand it either.
Teacher : Do you ? Well,…it seems to be everybody’s problem. All right then, I’ll explain it once
again. But first, Yandar, will you clean the blackboard ?
Yandar : Yes, Ma’am.
Teacher : Thank you.
Question :
1. Where do you think the dialog take place ?
2. What is Rahma’s problem ?
3. Can Gilang help Rahma solve her problem ? How do you know ?
4. What is Yandar asked for ?
5. Rahma said “Would you be kind enough to explain me more about it ?”
What does the word “you” refer to ?

C. You want someone to do something for you. Say it politely. Number 1 is an example.
1. Turn up the fan.
Answer : Could you turn up the fan, please?
2. Turn on the computer
Answer : …………………………………………………….
3. Turn off the television
Answer : …………………………………………………….
4. Switch off the cell phone
Answer : …………………………………………………….
5. Switch on the computer
Answer : …………………………………………………….
6. Speak loudly
Answer : …………………………………………………….
TASK 2
Exercise 1
Kamu ingin meminta seseorang untuk melakukan hal-hal berikut. Ucapkanlah dengan santun. No 1 adalah
contoh.
1.      Turn up the radio
Could you turn up the radio, please?
2.      Turn on the tap
.............................................................
3.      Turn off the lamp
.............................................................
4.      Switch off the cell phone
.............................................................
5.      Switch on the computer
.............................................................
6.      Speak slower
.............................................................
Jika kita hendak merespon ungkapan-ungkapan di atas, ucapkanlah:
-       Alright                              (Baiklah)
-       Sure                                  (tentu)
-       Certainly                          (tentu)
-       Of course                         (tentu)
-       Why not?                         (kenapa tidak?)
-       With my pleasure          (dengan senang hati)
-       No, not at all                  (tidak, tidak sama sekali)
-       Sorry, I can’t                   (Maaf, saya tidak bisa)

Exercise 2
Lengkapilah dialog berikut dengan menggunakan ungkapan kesantunan yang telah kamu pelajari di atas.
Nomor 1 adalah contoh.
1.    Press the power button
Lita   :  I would like you press the power button.
Abit  :  With my pleasure.
2.    Open Ms. Word 
Lita   :  Please...................................
Abit  :  Sure.
3.    Type this text 
Lita   :  Do you mind........................................?  
Abit  :  No, not at all.
4.    Delete the words 
Lita   :  Can you ................................................?
Abit  :  ............................................................. 
5.    Copy the picture
Lita   :  ..............................................................., please!
Abit  :  .............................................................
6.    Print it out
Lita   :  ...............................................................?
Abit  :  .............................................................
 Exercise 3
Buatlah dialog singkat dengan melibatkan ungkapan kesantunan berdasarkan gambar-gambar berikut.
Gunakanlah ungkapan kesantunan yang berbeda untuk setiap nomor. Nomor 1 adalah contoh.
 1. Sit down  2. .................. 6. ........................

A: Sit down, please! A : ................................... A : ...................................

B: Alright B : ................................... B : ...................................

 3. ....................... 4. .................... 5. .............................

A : ................................... A : ................................... A : ...................................

B : ................................... B : ................................... B : ...................................

Exercise 4
Bacalah dialog berikut dengan suara nyaring, kemudian jawablah pertanyaan yang mengikutinya!
Susi          :  Good morning Mrs. Tuti.
Mrs. Tuti    :  Good morning Susi. What are you doing?
Susi          :  I’m looking for a book. Could you do a favor for me?
Mrs. Tuti    :  What is it?
Susi          :  I need a book about art. Would you mind showing me it?
Mrs. Tuti    :  No, of course not. Can you look for it on the shelf over there?
Susi           :  Umm… I have searched it but I haven’t found it. Would you please look for it together?
Mrs. Tuti    :  I have two books of art. Both of them are “The Seven Wonders of the World” and “Some
Popular        
                    Indonesian Painters”. Do you like both of them?
Susi           :  Really? Can you lend me the second one, please?
Mrs. Tuti    :  I’ll lend you if you give it back soon.
Susi           :  Certainly. I’ll return it immediately. Thank you.
Mrs. Tuti    :  You’re welcome.

Questions:
1.      Where does the conversation take place?
2.      What is Susi looking for?
3.      How many books does Mrs. Tuti have?
4.      Which book does Susi borrow?
5.      “I have searched it.....” What does the underlined word mean?
6.      “Would you mind showing me it?” What does the underlined word refer to?
TASK 1 TASK 2
Complete the dialog with the answer in the table. 1. Santi and Sinta are twins. They are going to buy a
gift for their friend in a gift shop.
Dialog 1 Santi : Sinta, what do you think about this
Derry : You look so pale. (1) .............. purple scarf?
Ari : No, I’m not. Sinta : It’s nice, but I think Lina prefers
Derry : (2) ..............? Perhaps I can help you. something else.
Ari : I’ve got a stomachache. Santi : Um . . ., I think so. Maybe we can give
Derry : Let me take you to the sick bay. her a night lamp.
Ari : Thanks. Sinta : Good idea. What color does she like?
Santi : She likes light green.
Choose Answer: Sinta : Let’s get a light green night lamp, then.
What’s wrong? Santi : O.K.
Are you O.K.?
2. Santi and Sinta are in a gift shop now.
Dialog 2 Santi : Sinta, let’s get in.
Tara : Ki, (3) ..............? Sinta : Come on.
Kiki : He’s Radit, my youngest brother. Shop assistant : Welcome to Kyu-Kyu gift shop.
Tara : (4) ..............? Anything I can help you, Miss?
Kiki : Eight months old. Santi : Well, we need a night lamp.
Sinta : Right. Do you have the light
Choose Answer: green one?
who is that cute baby? Shop assistant : Yes, we have several models
How old is he? here. Take a look.
Several minutes later . . . .
Dialog 3 Sinta : Santi, how about this one? It’s
Ella : Excuse me, Sir. (5) ..............? pretty good.
Mr. Chandra : Sure. (6) ..............? Santi : I agree with you.
Ella : (7) ......... the way to the railway Sinta : Excuse me, Miss. We want to
station? buy this lamp.
Mr. Chandra : (8) .......... and turn left at the T- Santi : How much is it?
junction. It’s near the Golden Hotel. Shop assistant : It’s fifty-seven thousand
Ella : Thank you. rupiah.
Sinta : O.K. We take it.
Shop assistant : Please pay at the cashier.
Choose Answer:
Santi : Sure, thanks.
Could you do me a favor?
Could you show me
Answer the question from Dialog in Task 3
What is it?
1. What is the dialog 1 about?
Go straight 2. Where do you think the two dialogs take place?
3. Where do Santi and Sinta buy the gift?
Dialog 4 4. What is the relationship between Santi and Sinta?
Mr. Wijaya : Hello. Wijaya’s speaking. 5. What does Santi suggest to buy at first?
Mrs. Handoko : Hello. (9) ..............to Miss Tika Wijaya, 6. What is Lina’s favorite color?
please? 7. What do the girls decide to buy at last?
Mr. Wijaya : (10) .............. . I’ll call her. 8. What is the gift shop name?
Mrs. Handoko : O.K. Thanks. 9. Is the shop assistant a man or woman? How do you
know?
Choose Answer: 10. How much is the lamp?
Please hang on. 11. What are the expressions of asking for information
Can I talk in the dialogs?
12. What are the expressions of giving information in
the dialogs?
13. What does Sinta say to express politeness?
14. What does the shop assistant say to express
politeness?
15. After asking for the lamp’s price, where will Santi
and Sinta go?
TASK 3
Read and answer the question Dialog 4
Dialog 1 Mawar : Good morning, Ma’am.
Tata and Nila are waiting for Ari at Nila’s house. They Mrs. Wardoyo : Morning, Mawar. Could you do me a
are going to study together. favor?
Tata : Nil, do you think Ari will not come? Mawar : My pleasure. What is it?
Nila : Umm, . . . he will come in fifteen minutes. Mrs. Wardoyo : Can you bring me the dictionary on my
Tata : How do you know? desk, please?
Nila : Well, read this SMS. It’s from him. Mawar : It won’t bother.
Tata : (Reading SMS) Wait for me. I got a flat tire. I’ll
get there in fifteen minutes. Question Dialog 4
Nila : See? 16. What is the dialog about?
Tata : Hmm, . . . poor boy. 17. Does Mrs. Wardoyo ask for Mawar’s help
Nila : Let’s prepare the materials first. politely?
Tata : O.K. 18. Which expression shows Mrs. Wardoyo’s
politeness?
Question Dialog 1 19. Does Mawar want to help Mrs. Wardoyo?
1. What is the dialog about? 20. Where is the dictionary?
2. What are Tata, Nila, and Ari going to do?
3. Why does Ari come late? Dialog 5
4. Which are the expressions of asking for Dadang : Do you have one more pencil?
information? Hana : Yes. What’s up?
5. Which are the expressions of giving Dadang : Can I borrow it? I don’t bring any pencils today.
information? Hana : Help yourself.
Dadang : Thank you.
Dialog 2 Hana : Don’t mention it.
Dessy : Can I borrow your electronic dictionary, please?
Neni : Sure. It’s inside my bag. Help yourself. Question Dialog 5
Dessy : Thank you, Neni. 21. What is the dialog about?
Neni : No big deal. 22. Where do you think the dialog takes place?
23. What is the relationship between the speakers?
Question Dialog 2 24. Do you find the expressions of asking for or
6. What is the dialog about? giving information? Mention them.
7. Where’s Neni’s electronic dictionary? 25. Do you find the expression of politeness? What
8. Does Dessy take the electronic dictionary are they?
herself?
9. Does Dessy ask Neni’s permission to borrow the
electronic dictionary politely?
10. What does Dessy say to ask Neni’s permission to
borrow the dictionary?

Dialog 3
Sari : Do you have Miss Dyah’s phone number?
Haris : No, I don’t. But, Reny may have it.
Sari : I’ll ask her, then.
Haris : O.K. Sorry for not helping you.
Sari : No problem.

Question Dialog 3
11. What is the dialog about?
12. Does Haris have Miss Dyah’s phone number?
13. Who has Miss Dyah’s phone number?
14. What expressions of asking for information can
you find in the dialog?
15. How many expressions of giving information can
you find in the dialog? What are they?
TASK 4
Rearrange the sentences into proper dialogs.
Dialog 1
Mr. Adi : Renaldi, would you mention your complete
name?
Renaldi : R–E–N–A–L–D–I and S–U–B–A–N–D–O–N–O.
Mr. Adi : How do you spell it?
Renaldi : You’re welcome, Sir.
Mr. Adi : Thank you, Renaldi.
Renaldi : Sure. Renaldi Subandono.

Dialog 2
Putra : Hello, Feb. Where have you been?
Febri : Yes. It’s at Jalan Pemuda number 5.
Putra : Is it around here?
Febri : I’ve been from my grandma’s house.

Dialog 3
Melati is at a bakery. She meets Miss Danti, her English
teacher.
Melati : I can see it, Miss. You bring 10
blueberry doughnuts in your basket.
Miss Danti : That’s very kind of you.
Melati : Sure, what is it?
Miss Danti : Oh, hello.Are you Melati from Class
VIIB?
Melati : You’re right, I’m Melati. But I’m from
Class VIIC.
Miss Danti : Umm . . ., I can’t bring all of my stuff
into my car myself. They’re quite a lot.
Melati : Never mind, Miss.
Miss Danti : I’m sorry, Melati.
Melati : Let me help you, then.
Miss Danti : Is it a blueberry doughnut in your
hand?
Melati : Yes, Miss. This is my favorite.
Miss Danti : I do like it too.
Melati : Hello, Miss Danti.
Miss Danti : Well, Melati, could you please do me a
favor?

Dialog 4
Titi : Anything I can help you, Ma’am?
Mrs. Hidayat : Yes. So . . ., I need a kilogram of eggs, a
can of tomato soup and a can of
sardine.
Titi : Sure. Do you need it too?
Mrs. Hidayat : Yes, please. I need to buy a kilogram of
eggs and a can of tomato soup.
Titi : Let me take them for you then.
Mrs. Hidayat : Thank you. Do you also have a can of
sardine?