This page covers vocabulary needed by people working as
tour guides in an English-speaking context.
| word |
meaning |
example sentence |
| activities |
things to do |
There are lots of activities that the whole family will enjoy. |
| architecture |
design of a building |
The architecture of this building is typical of the Renaissance age. |
| art gallery |
place to look at professional paintings and drawings |
We are going to visit the art gallery where local painters exhibit their art. |
| attractions |
places for tourists to see |
The water park is our most recent attraction . |
| bearings |
feeling for understanding one's location/ surroundings in an unknown area |
If you're having trouble getting your bearings just remember that the mountains are west. |
| business district |
area in a city that has many offices |
Keep in mind that this is the business district so that grocery store may be expensive. |
| castle |
a building for royalty |
No one has lived in this castle since the last king died twenty years ago. |
| church |
a place to worship God |
The church is the central meeting place in this town. |
| conveniences |
things that make life easier |
There you will find all of your conveniences, from suntan lotion to shampoo. |
| custom |
something people of a region do often |
It's a custom to hang beads in the windows at this time of year. |
| en route |
on the way |
While we are en route to the hotel I will point out the beach and the golf course. |
| entertainment district |
a place where there are theatres and concert halls |
If you want to catch a movie while you're here, the entertainment district is off to your left. |
| exception |
something/ someone that does not follow the usual rules or expectations |
With the exception of Johnson Street, it is safe to walk around here at night. |
| exhibition |
objects (i.e. art) displayed for a short time for the public to view |
It may be tough to find parking with the car exhibition on this week. |
| grocery store/ supermarket |
place to buy food to take home |
Since you have a kitchenette at your hotel you will need to know where the grocery store is. |
| highlight |
the best part |
People often say that the highlight of their trip is the botanical gardens. |
| legend |
a person or story known for a long time |
According to an old legend, a sea monster lives in this lake. |
| lobby |
front entrance |
We will meet in the lobby at 8 am sharp. |
| locals |
people who live in an area |
The locals are usually happy to show tourists around. |
| location |
place where something can be found |
This location is the best because you don't need to bother renting a car. |
| map |
shows roads and directions to places |
I'll give you each a map so you can follow along as we walk. |
| market |
place to buy fresh food and homemade items |
Every Sunday there is a farmer's market on Wade Street. |
| monument |
a statue/ structure that honours an event or person |
This monument honours the men and women who died during the war. |
| museum |
a place where historical items are displayed |
The museum charges a small fee for adults, but children are free. |
| necessities |
things that people need for every day living |
We recommend that you only carry necessities in your purse and leave everything else at the hotel. |
| original state |
the way something appeared from the beginning |
Except for the roof, this home has been left in its original state. |
| photograph |
picture taken with a camera |
You may not take photographs here, but you can purchase a postcard. |
| postcard |
a card with a picture on one side(usually an object or place that tourists see) that can be mailed without an envelope |
The gift shop has many great souvenirs, such as postcards of the beautiful waterfalls. |
| questions or concerns |
things that tourists may want to say or ask |
The plane almost missed the runway because it was such a bad storm. |
| request |
something that has been asked for politely |
The driver has made a request that you throw all of your garbage in the bin at the front on your way out. |
| restaurant district |
part of a town/ city with many places to eat |
You will see there are many more eateries to choose from when we head to the restaurant district. |
| ritual |
tradition, custom, action (religious or cultural) that people do often |
It is an old native ritual to dance during the sunrise. |
| scenery |
natural beauty to look at |
It is impossible to capture the beauty of this scenery in pictures. |
| settlers |
people who first made a home in an area |
The original settlers relied on oxen to carry their wares. |
| shopping district |
area of town where there are many stores |
You may want to save some spending money because we'll be visiting the shopping district this afternoon. |
| site |
place,location |
This is the site of a very famous battle. |
| stairway/ stairwell |
steps going up or down |
The stairwell is very steep, so please watch your step. |
| street people |
people who live on the street, often begging for money |
You may be surprised how many street people ask you for money. |
| surroundings |
things that you see around you |
I hope you enjoy the castle and its surroundings, including the secret garden. |
| voice |
the sound you make when speaking |
I apologize for my voice today as I have a bit of a cold. |
| voucher |
a piece of paper that shows you have paid |
Don't forget to bring your voucher for a free coffee in the hotel lobby. |
| waterfront |
piece of land next to an ocean, lake, or river |
There will be plenty of live entertainment down at the waterfront. |
| window |
glass that you look out |
We can peer in the window but I think they are probably closed for the day. |
| word |
meaning |
example sentence |
| arrive |
reach a destination |
I am glad to see you all arrived safely. |
| close |
to finish |
We will close the tour with a view of the city at sunset. |
| continue on |
keep going |
If you're all finished looking here, we will continue on with the tour. |
| depart |
leave |
The last ferry departs at 4pm, so make sure you don't miss it. |
| enjoy |
have a good experience |
I have enjoyed meeting all of you today. |
| expect |
think that something will be/ happen a certain way |
You probably weren't expecting to see snow. |
| permit |
allow |
You are permitted to have a beverage on the bus, but please do not eat any food. |
| proceed |
go forward |
Please proceed all the way to the back of the bus. |
| raise (a hand) |
lift |
If you have any questions during the tour, please raise your hand. |
| recommend |
suggest |
We recommend that you only keep a small amount of cash in your wallet. |
| refer |
suggest |
I will gladly refer you to my favourite restaurants, if you are interested. |
| relax |
sit back and enjoy time in peace |
Tomorrow you will have a day to just relax on the beach. |
| show someone around |
take people to see an area |
When we get to the museum someone else will show us around. |
| sit back |
relax in a seated position |
Please sit back and enjoy the bus tour. |
| speak up |
talk louder |
If you need me to speak up or slow down, please let me know. |
| word |
meaning |
example sentence |
| ancient |
very old |
The ancient village has been left untouched. |
| beautiful/ gorgeous |
very nice looking |
You will find beautiful homemade jewellery in that shop. |
| breathtaking |
when a view is very impressive |
Under the starlight the waterfall is simply breathtaking. |
| customary |
traditional |
It is customary to shake hands and bow as you enter. |
| dangerous |
not safe |
It is dangerous to accept a ride from a local. |
| devastating |
very sad, unfortunate |
The tsunami was devastating for local hotels. |
| elegant |
attractive, yet simple |
There is an elegant dining room for guests to eat in. |
| enormous |
very large |
This enormous sculpture stands one-hundred feet high. |
| exciting |
makes one feel very happy/ energetic |
It's so exciting to see new places, isn't it? |
| extensive |
covers a lot |
This house has an extensive history, and you can read more in the brochures. |
| fascinating |
very interesting to learn about/ see |
It is fascinating to know how people lived back then. |
| haunted |
believed to have ghosts living there |
The house is said to be haunted and no one has lived in it for fifty years or more. |
| heritage |
of historical importance |
The government named this school as a heritage site last year. |
| international |
around the world |
Every year it is an international celebration, with people coming from as far away as Africa. |
| lovely |
very nice (appearance or personality) |
This is a lovely place to sit and watch the local birds. |
| magnificent |
amazing |
This part of town is known for its magnificent wall murals. |
| popular |
liked by many |
June is the most popular time for tourists to come here. |
| prevalent |
very noticeable |
Crime is prevalent in the old parts of town. |
| reconstructed |
built again |
The village was reconstructed after the major fire in 1910. |
| restored |
returned to its original state |
All of the antique furniture has been professionally restored. |
| safe |
not dangerous |
The water is safe to drink here. |
| scenic |
nice to look at (nature) |
We will go up to the balcony for a scenic view of the grounds. |
| superb |
very good (i.e. service, food, entertainment) |
The children put on a superb concert at Christmas time. |
| thrilling |
exciting |
Cliff jumping is a thrilling experience for those of you who aren't afraid of heights. |
| unbelievable |
too amazing/ strange to seem true |
It is unbelievable what some of these street entertainers can do. |
| visible |
able to be seen |
The top of the tower may not be visible because of the fog. |