Thanking and complimenting seem easy, but small differences matter. Many learners only know "Thank you" and "You're welcome", so they sound a little stiff at home. Others translate directly from their own language and say "Thank you very much for your kindness" for a cup of tea, which sounds too formal. In this episode: • Saying thank you • Replying to thanks • Complimenting • The modest british reply • For different situations • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: thanks — the everyday word (casual) thank you — a little more careful (neutral) thanks a lot — warm thanks (casual; said flatly, it can sound sarcastic) cheers — thanks (casual, very British) ta (TAH) — thanks (very casual) thanks ever so much — big, warm thanks (neutral, very British) that's really kind of you — for a kind action (polite) you're a star — you've been very helpful (casual) I owe you one — I'll help you next time (casual) you shouldn't have! — said when you get a present (warm) Cheers for picking the kids up. — thanks (casual) Ta, love. — thanks (very casual, often from older speakers) Thanks ever so much for having us. — after a visit (polite) no worries — it was nothing (casual) no problem — it was fine (casual) not at all — it was nothing (polite) don't mention it — it was nothing (polite) any time — happy to help again (casual) it's a pleasure — I was happy to do it (polite) you're welcome — a bit more formal in British English (neutral to formal) This is delicious! — the food is great (neutral) This is lovely. — this is nice (neutral) Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.