038_It’s_Free

038_It’s_Free

Nanako asks Phil Sandoz about the phrase ‘it’s on me’ and other phrases which are used to say that something is free

Kevin:Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. Each week we take a question from a Nichibei student and answer it here on the podcast. Today we are here with Nichibei Student Nanami. Hello Nanami.Nanami:Hello Kevin.Kevin:And also here to help us out is Nichibei instructor Phil Sandoz. Good to see you Phil.Phil Sandoz:Nice to see you too, KevinKevin:Nanami. This week you have just started in the 3S program.Nanami:Yes, that’s right.Kevin:Could you please remind us what the 3S program is?Nanami:Certainly. The 3S program is a three month intensive course. We meet everyday, Monday thru Friday and we work on developing our professional English skills.Kevin:Thank you very much. Now, what is your question for us?Nanami:My question is related to a situation I had last week.Kevin:What was that?Nanami:Last Saturday I went to an Irish pub in Shinjuku. When my friend and I walked in, everybody was cheering and clapping.Kevin:What was going on?Nanami:The owner of the pub just asked his girlfriend to get married and she said yes. Anyway, later when I tried to pay for our drinks, the waiter said “Drinks are on the house”. I didn’t understand so I tired again to pay and he said “The drinks are free, they are on the house”. So, I have never heard that phrase ‘on the house’. What can you tell me about this phrase and how is it used?Kevin:Phil?Phil Sandoz:Ah yes. This phrase ‘on the house’ means that the restaurant, or pub will pay for something. The drink is free of charge.Nanami:Why is the word ‘house’ used?Phil Sandoz:The word pub comes from the word PUBLIC. In most English speaking countries a place for drinking is called a PUBLIC HOUSE.Nanami:So this is a phrase I will only hear in a PUB or PUBLIC HOUSE?Phil Sandoz:No, not necessarily, A waiter in a restaurant may tell you that your dessert is on the house.Nanami:Oh, I see. ‘On the house’ is like the Japanese サービス.Phil Sandoz:Yes, that’s right. but remember that サービス, or service is Japanese English so most native speakers will not understand if you say that a drink is ‘service’.Nanami:So is there another say to say that something is ‘on the house’?Phil Sandoz:Well, if I want to pay for your meal or your drinks, I could say ‘it’s on me’ For example, I might say ‘Nanami! let’s have a drink, it’s on me.Nanami:Yea! OK let’s go!Phil Sandoz:It’s just an example sentence Nanami!Nanami:oh!Phil Sandoz:Or I could say ‘drinks are on me’ or ‘dinner’s on me’Nanami:Dinner’s on me?Phil Sandoz:That’s right. At the end of a meal at a restaurant, you can say ‘dinner is on me’ or ‘this is on me’, if you want to pay.Nanami:OK. Is there any other way to say that something is free?Phil Sandoz:Sure. The adjective ‘complementary’ is often used, especially in a more formal or high class situation.Nanami:Complementary. Hmmm… could you give me an example.Phil Sandoz:Of course. For examaple, If I was a waiter I might say, ” Good evening ma’am, would you care for a complementary cocktail?”Nanami:Oh Yes, thank you.Phil Sandoz:OK Nanami , very good. I’ll tell you one more word but this word is not so common. It’s not an everyday word.Nanami:What is it?Phil Sandoz:The adverb gratis.Nanami:Gratis?Phil Sandoz:Yes. For example, ‘the hotel room was provided gratis, courtesy of the casino’. Or you can use this word as a adjective. For example, ‘here is a gratis copy of my new book.Nanami:OK. Now I think I understand. So, if we are finished now, can I get my complementary cocktail?Phil Sandoz:OK Nanami.Kevin:Now let’s, review the key words and phrases for this episode.
On the house. Drinks are on the house!
Free of charge. Breakfast is free of charge.
It’s on me. You don’t need to pay, it’s on me.
Drinks are on me.
Dinner is on me.
Complementary. Have a complementary cocktail.
Gratis. Your hotel room is gratis.Kevin:That’s it for this episode. But first we have a special message from the Nichibei office from Yuko. Yuko, students can still register for this fall term, is that right?Yuko:Yes, that’s right.Kevin:Well, why don’t you give our listeners the Japanese message.Yuko:(Japanese message)Kevin:Thank you Yuko.Yuko:You’re welcome.

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