Trick or Treat? — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

Introduction

A: Tomorrow is Halloween, so today we’re talking about holidays and celebrations.

B: Listen for to celebrate, a family tradition, to throw a party, to dress up as…, Trick or treat!, and Happy holidays! We’ll learn six more useful phrases along the way.

A: First, how people celebrate in general. Then Halloween, then the holiday season. After that, two short scenes and a practice where you answer out loud.

B: You can practice today’s phrases in Recursio — link in the description.

A: So let’s start with the most basic word for any special day.

How we celebrate

B: That word is to celebrate — to do something special because a day or an event is important. “We celebrate my grandmother’s birthday every year.”

A: “How do you celebrate New Year’s in your country?” That’s a great small-talk question.

B: It really is. When you name the occasion, you can celebrate a birthday, a holiday, or a new job. “Let’s celebrate your promotion!” You can celebrate a person too: “Tonight we’re celebrating Grandma.”

A: And if I just say “Let’s celebrate!”?

B: Perfect on its own. Good news, a finished project, Friday afternoon — “Let’s celebrate!” And the noun is “a celebration”: “It was a big celebration.”

A: Now, many families do the same thing every year. The same food, the same game, the same old songs.

B: That’s a family tradition. “It’s a family tradition — we always make dumplings on New Year’s Eve.”

A: Can a tradition be small? Like we always watch the same old movie in December?

B: Yes! Small traditions are often the best ones. “Watching that movie is our family tradition.” You can also say “It’s a tradition in my family to…” — “It’s a tradition in my family to go for a walk after dinner.”

A: And what’s the adjective? “Traditional”?

B: Right. “Traditional food,” “a traditional dish.” But “a family tradition” is the phrase people use about their own home.

A: For many holidays, the main thing isn’t the food. It’s just seeing people.

B: Then we say to get together — to meet as a group, usually friends or family. “We get together at my parents’ house every Thanksgiving.”

A: “Let’s get together next week!” That’s like “let’s meet.”

B: Exactly, but a bit warmer and more casual. And there’s a noun, too: “a get-together” — a small, relaxed party. “We’re having a little get-together on Saturday.”

A: So a get-together is small. What if it’s a real party, with music and twenty people?

B: Then you throw a party. “Throw” here means to organize and host it. “We’re throwing a party for Sam’s thirtieth birthday.”

A: Throw? Like a ball?

B: Funny, right? Nobody throws anything. It means you organize the party and invite people. You might host it at home, at a restaurant, or even at work. “Who’s throwing the party?” — “Jen is.”

A: Can I say “make a party”?

B: People will understand, but it’s not natural. Say “throw a party,” “have a party,” or “host a party.” And if you just go to it, you “go to a party.”

Halloween

A: Okay, Halloween. October thirty-first. What do people actually do?

B: In the US, the big thing is costumes. People dress up as something — a character, an animal, or a job, like a firefighter. “I’m going to dress up as a pirate.”

A: So “dress up as” plus what you’re going to be.

B: Exactly. And it’s also a question: “What are you dressing up as?” That’s from today’s short video, by the way.

A: But I’ve also heard “dress up” without “as.” “You don’t need to dress up — it’s casual.”

B: Good catch. “Dress up” alone usually means wearing nice clothes — a suit, a dress. But around Halloween, “Are you dressing up?” means “Are you wearing a costume?” And “dress up as” always means a costume.

A: So at a wedding I dress up, and at Halloween I dress up as a vampire.

B: Perfect. And the clothes you wear on Halloween are a costume.

A: “I love your costume!” — that’s the nicest thing to say at a Halloween party.

B: Definitely. You can also say “a Halloween costume,” “a scary costume,” or “a funny costume.” Don’t mix up “costume” and “custom”: a custom is something people do regularly; a costume is something you wear.

A: So wearing a pirate costume could be part of a family’s Halloween custom.

B: Exactly. Now the most famous Halloween phrase. Children go from house to house in their costumes, ring the doorbell or knock, and say: Trick or treat!

A: And then you give them candy.

B: Yes. A “treat” is something nice, like candy. A “trick” is a little joke — the old idea is “give us a treat, or we’ll play a trick on you.” Today it’s just a friendly greeting at the door. And in British English, candy is “sweets.”

A: There’s also a verb, right? “We went trick-or-treating.”

B: Yes: “The kids are going trick-or-treating tonight.” In many neighborhoods, a lit porch tells visitors a house is welcoming trick-or-treaters. If the light is off, they may skip that house.

A: Good to know. What else? Pumpkins?

B: Pumpkins everywhere. People carve a pumpkin — they cut a face into it and put a light inside.

A: “Carve” — that’s cutting carefully, right?

B: Right. You also “carve” meat at a big dinner, or carve wood. And a carved pumpkin with a face has its own name: a jack-o’-lantern.

A: Do people carve pumpkins with friends?

B: Often. Some people throw a pumpkin-carving party. It gets very messy.

A: And when I see my neighbor on October thirty-first?

B: Just smile and say: Happy Halloween!

A: Easy. And they say “Happy Halloween!” back?

B: Usually, yes — or “You too!” That works for almost any holiday greeting.

A: Is Halloween a day off?

B: Halloween isn’t automatically a day off in the US. When it falls on a weekday, many people still go to work or school, then celebrate in the evening. Some offices have a party or a costume day.

A: So “holiday” doesn’t always mean a day off.

B: Right. In American English, “a holiday” is a special day, like Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July. Many of them are days off, but not all. And if you mean time away from work, that’s “vacation” — from last Saturday’s episode. In British English, “a holiday” often means a vacation, too: “I’m on holiday.”

A: Quick tip before the holiday season. If you want these phrases ready when the holidays come, save them in Recursio — it brings them back right before you forget.

The holiday season

B: After Halloween comes the next big holiday in the US: Thanksgiving.

A: When is it?

B: In the US, it’s the fourth Thursday in November. Canada has Thanksgiving too, but earlier — in October. Many people gather for a meal, often with turkey, potatoes, or pumpkin pie. Traditions vary from family to family.

A: Pumpkins again.

B: Fall — autumn in British English — is pumpkin season. In many families, people also say what they’re thankful for at the table. “I’m thankful for my family.” “I’m thankful for good friends.”

A: So “Happy Thanksgiving!” is the greeting?

B: Yes. And “What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” is a common question in November. A typical answer: “We’re getting together at my aunt’s house.”

A: And then December. Lots of presents.

B: Right. In many families, people exchange gifts — everyone gives a gift and gets a gift.

A: “We exchange gifts on Christmas morning.”

B: Yes. “Gift” and “present” mean the same thing here. You can say “We exchanged gifts” or “We exchanged presents.” Both sound natural.

A: Some offices do a game where everyone buys one gift for a random coworker.

B: Yes, that’s a gift exchange. Sometimes people draw names, so each person buys for just one coworker. “A gift exchange” is a clear general name for it.

A: And before you give a gift, you wrap it.

B: Yes — you “wrap a gift,” with paper and a ribbon. And when someone gives you one, a warm reply is “Oh, you shouldn’t have!” It means “thank you — that’s too kind.”

A: Last one. In December I see “Happy holidays!” everywhere — on cards, in stores, in emails.

B: Yes: Happy holidays! It covers the whole season — Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, whatever you celebrate.

A: So it’s a safe greeting if I don’t know what someone celebrates.

B: Exactly. It’s a friendly, general greeting. At work, it’s common to hear: “Happy holidays, everyone — see you in January!”

A: And “the holidays” — with “the”?

B: That means the season itself: “What are you doing for the holidays?” In American English, that’s usually from Thanksgiving to New Year’s — especially late December. In British English, “the holidays” often means a school break or a vacation, though people also say “the Christmas holidays.”

Halloween at the office

A: Let’s hear these in action. It’s Tuesday, October twenty-seventh, and we work in the same office. There’s a Halloween party on Friday.

B: Okay. I’m getting coffee in the kitchen.

A: Hey! Are you going to the party on Friday?

B: Of course! Maya’s throwing it in the big meeting room after work. She sent the invitation this morning.

A: Do we have to wear costumes?

B: You don’t have to, but most people dress up. It’s kind of an office tradition. Last year a few people came in their regular clothes and still had fun.

A: Oh no. I don’t have a costume.

B: You have three days. What do you want to dress up as?

A: Something easy. Maybe a cat? Ears and a tail.

B: Classic. I’m going to dress up as a chef — I already have the hat.

A: With a fake mustache?

B: Ha — no. Just the hat and a big wooden spoon.

A: And what happens at the party?

B: Snacks, music, and a costume contest. Last year, we also carved a pumpkin together. Maya asked everyone to bring one small snack, so I’ll make cookies.

A: Who won the contest?

B: Someone from accounting. He dressed up as a printer. He wore a cardboard box and handed out pieces of paper with little jokes on them.

A: A printer? That’s actually funny.

B: It was. Okay, go buy some cat ears. See you Friday!

A: See you Friday. Happy Halloween — a little early.

At the door

B: A printer costume — I still can’t believe it. Let’s do one more scene.

A: Okay. It’s October thirty-first, in the evening. I’m at home, and someone knocks on the door.

B: And I’m your neighbor, with my two kids in costumes.

A: Coming! Oh, hi! Look at you!

B: Trick or treat! Well, the kids are a little shy, so I’m saying it for them. We’ve only visited two houses so far.

A: Ha! Great costumes. A dinosaur and… an astronaut?

B: Exactly. My son wanted to dress up as a dinosaur this year. Last year he was a pumpkin.

A: I love it. I have chocolate and fruit gummies. Which would they like?

B: The dinosaur would like chocolate, and the astronaut loves fruit gummies.

A: Then here — take two pieces each. Happy Halloween!

B: Thank you! Say thank you, guys. And nice pumpkin on your steps — did you carve it?

A: I did! My first jack-o’-lantern. It’s a little crooked, but I had fun making it with a friend this afternoon.

B: It’s perfect. Hey, we’re having a small get-together for Thanksgiving next month. Just a few neighbors. Would you like to come?

A: Oh, that’s so nice. Do you do it every year?

B: We tried it for the first time last year, and everyone had fun. We’d like to do it again. Everyone brings one dish, so nobody has to cook the whole meal.

A: Then I’m in. I’ll bring a pumpkin pie.

B: Perfect. Okay, more houses to visit. Happy Halloween!

Practice

A: Now it’s your turn. You’ll hear a situation. Answer out loud in the pause, then listen to our answer. First one: your friend got a new job. How do you suggest doing something special tonight?

B: Let’s celebrate tonight!

A: “Celebrate” also works on its own when everyone knows the good news.

B: Your coworker is going to an office Halloween party. What do you ask about her costume?

A: What are you dressing up as?

B: “Dress up as” — wear a costume. Use it with what you want to be.

A: It’s Halloween night. Children knock on your door in costumes. What do they say?

B: Trick or treat!

A: And you give them a treat — usually candy.

B: Your family always makes dumplings on New Year’s Eve. How do you tell a new friend about this tradition?

A: It’s a family tradition — we always make dumplings on New Year’s Eve.

B: “A family tradition” — something you do every year.

A: You’re organizing a birthday party for your sister on Saturday. What do you tell a friend?

B: I’m throwing a party for my sister on Saturday.

A: “Throw a party” — you organize and host it.

B: It’s December, and you’re writing to your whole team. You don’t know what everyone celebrates. How do you greet them?

A: Happy holidays, everyone!

B: “Happy holidays” is a friendly choice when you don’t know which holiday someone celebrates.

Outro

A: Now you can invite someone to a celebration, ask about a costume, and greet people at the door or during the holiday season.

B: Today’s twelve: to celebrate, a family tradition, to get together, to throw a party, to dress up as…, a costume, Trick or treat!, to carve a pumpkin, Happy Halloween!, Thanksgiving, to exchange gifts, and Happy holidays!

A: Tomorrow is Halloween — and in tomorrow’s episode, we review the best phrases of the whole month.

B: Until then, open the link below and practice today’s phrases in Recursio.

A: See you in the next one. Happy Halloween!