Real, everyday American English — The American Workplace: PTO, Calling in Sick and the Break Room. You hear 40 phrases Americans actually use, each spoken clearly with a natural-speed repeat, the stressed syllable marked, and a short note on when to use it. Then take the matching quiz on word stress. Phrases in this episode (CAPITALS = the beat): I'm starting today. [eyem STAHR-ding tuh-DAY.] It's my first day. [its my FURST DAY.] Nice to finally meet you. [NYS tuh FY-nuh-lee MEET yoo.] I'll be working pretty closely with you. [eyel bee WUR-king PRIH-dee KLOHS-lee with yoo.] So what do you do here? [soh WUT duh yoo DOO HEER?] Who should I go to for IT stuff? [HOO shuud eye GOH tuh fur eye-TEE STUHF?] Can you show me around? [kun yoo SHOH mee uh-ROWND?] Where do people eat lunch? [WAIR duh PEE-pul EET LUNCH?] Is there a dress code? [iz thair uh DRES KOHD?] My badge isn't working. [my BAJ IH-zunt WUR-king.] I don't have my login yet. [eye DOHNT hav my LAWG-in YET.] What should I call you? [WUHT shuud eye KAWL yoo?] Everyone goes by first names here. [EH-vree-wun GOHZ by FURST NAYMZ HEER.] Morning, everyone. [MOR-ning, EV-ree-wuhn.] I'm still finding my feet. [eyem STIL FYN-ding my FEET.] Who do I report to? [HOO duh eye ruh-POHRT TOO?] I'm on the marketing team. [eyem ahn thuh MAHR-kuh-ding TEEM.] How long have you been with the company? [HOW LAWNG hav yoo bin with thuh KUM-puh-nee?] Am I in the right meeting? [am eye in thuh RYT MEE-ding?] Feel free to grab me if you need anything. [FEEL FREE tuh GRAB mee if yoo NEED EH-nee-thing.] Let me introduce you to the team. [LEH-mee in-truh-DOOS yoo tuh thuh TEEM.] Where should I sit? [WAIR shuud eye SIT?] How much PTO do we get? [HOW MUCH pee-tee-OH duh wee GET?] I'm off next Friday. [eyem AWF neks FRY-day.] I'd like to take next Thursday and Friday off. [eyed LYK tuh TAYK neks THURZ-day and FRY-day AWF.] I already put in the request. [eye awl-REH-dee PUUT IN thuh ruh-KWEST.] …and more in the episode