Adjectives

1. Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   English adjectives do not change for gender or number. "Large" is a near synonym

2. Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Light

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Light in weight; the identical word also means "not dark", so context decides

5. Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "Too expensive." on its own is a recognised opening for haggling

6. Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   English uses "hot" for both objects and weather; for food say "Careful, it's hot."

8. Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   "Cold" covers objects and weather alike; "ice-cold" intensifies it for drinks

9. New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

10. Old

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Works for things and people, but calling a person "old" can offend — use "elderly"

11. Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

12. Elderly

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    The polite word for an aged person; softer than "old"

13. Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    "Clean" is about hygiene; "beautiful" is the word for attractive

14. Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

17. Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    Use it as "Is it near?"; "close" is an equally common synonym

18. Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

19. Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "Early" is about the clock; "fast" is about speed

20. Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "Late" is about the clock; "slow" is about speed

21. Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    Used with countable nouns; use "much" or "a lot of" for uncountables

22. Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    Used with countable nouns; use "little" for uncountables

23. It's hot outside

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    For weather, English uses the dummy subject "it": "It's hot."

24. It's cold outside

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    For weather, English uses the dummy subject "it": "It's cold."

25. Cute

    Usage

    A broad compliment for people, things, and animals

26. Cool

    Usage

    Mainly praises how a person or thing looks

27. Delicious

    Usage

    The most useful word at a meal; say it to whoever cooked

28. Amazing

    Usage

    Surprise or admiration; works for views and for skills

29. Fun

    Usage

    About an experience itself, not about a person

30. More

    Usage

    For asking for a refill or an extra portion

31. Just a little

    Usage

    For asking for a small amount, or for less chilli

32. Half

    Usage

    For asking for half the amount

33. All

    Usage

    Use it for "all of it" or "all together"

34. Enough

    Usage

    Show it to stop someone pouring or serving more

35. Right now

    Usage

    Signals that something is urgent

36. One person

    Usage

    For stating how many at a table or in a room

37. Two people

    Usage

    For stating how many at a table or in a room

38. Three people

    Usage

    For stating how many at a table or in a room

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