Proposing

After dating for two years, Rahul plans a surprise proposal for his girlfriend at the spot where they had their first date.

Meanings in Rahul, Girlfriend

Key words and phrases

proposeto formally ask someone to marry youHe planned exactly how he would propose to her.

get down on one kneeto kneel on one knee, a traditional gesture while proposingHe got down on one knee and opened the ring box.

engagement ringa ring given as a symbol of a promise to marryHe had chosen the engagement ring weeks in advance.

pop the questionan informal way of saying to propose marriageHe finally popped the question at sunset.

say yesto accept a marriage proposalShe said yes before he even finished speaking.

ring boxthe small box used to present an engagement ringHis hands were shaking as he opened the ring box.

heartfelt speecha sincere speech expressing deep feelingsHe gave a heartfelt speech before asking the question.

spontaneousdone suddenly, without much planningIt wasn't spontaneous — he had planned it for weeks.

meticulously plannedarranged with great care and attention to detailEvery detail of the evening was meticulously planned.

rehearseto practise something before doing it for realHe rehearsed his speech in front of the mirror.

nervous energyrestlessness caused by anxiety or anticipationHe was full of nervous energy all day.

witnessespeople who see an event happenA few close friends were secret witnesses nearby.

capture the momentto take a photo or video of a special event as it happensHis friend was hiding nearby to capture the moment.

tears of joycrying because of great happinessShe had tears of joy as she said yes.

blessingapproval or good wishes, often from familyHe had already asked her parents for their blessing.

foreverfor all future time, without endHe promised to love her forever.

surprise elementthe part of a plan meant to be unexpectedThe surprise element made the moment even more special.

life partnerthe person someone chooses to spend their life withHe knew she was the right life partner for him.

overwhelmedhaving very strong emotions that are hard to controlShe felt overwhelmed with happiness.

treasure this momentto value a moment deeply and remember it fondlyThey both knew they would treasure this moment forever.

Useful sentences

Ask Where are you taking me tonight?
Answer Somewhere special — the place where we had our first date.
Ask Was this whole evening spontaneous?
Answer No, honestly it was meticulously planned for weeks.
Ask Why do you seem so nervous?
Answer I've had nervous energy all day, honestly.
Ask Did you ask my parents for their blessing?
Answer Yes, I spoke to them last week.
Ask What did you just say?
Answer I asked you to be my life partner forever.
Ask Did you rehearse that speech?
Answer A few times, but I still got emotional saying it.
Ask Were your friends hiding nearby?
Answer Yes, they were secret witnesses ready to capture the moment.
Ask Why are you crying?
Answer These are tears of joy, I'm just overwhelmed.
Ask So, will you say yes?
Answer Yes! A thousand times yes.
Ask Will you always treasure this moment?
Answer Always. I'll never forget tonight.

Dialogue

GirlfriendThis place looks so familiar. Wait — is this where we had our first date?

RahulIt is. I wanted tonight to be somewhere meaningful.

GirlfriendYou're being very sweet tonight. What's going on?

RahulI have something I've been wanting to say to you for a while.

GirlfriendOkay, you're making me nervous now.

RahulFrom the moment we met, I knew you were special. Will you be my life partner?

GirlfriendRahul... is this really happening right now?

RahulIt is. So, what do you say?

GirlfriendYes! Yes, of course I'll marry you!

RahulI promise we'll treasure this moment forever.

Common mistakes

Saying "I want propose her" instead of "I want to propose to her."
Saying "he go down on knee" instead of "he got down on one knee."
Saying "she say yes" instead of "she said yes."
Saying "it is meticulous planned" instead of "it was meticulously planned."
Saying "I am overwhelm" instead of "I am overwhelmed."
Saying "take blessing" instead of "ask for their blessing."

Quick quiz

1. What does "pop the question" mean?

2. What does "meticulously planned" mean?

3. What is a "life partner"?

4. What does "capture the moment" mean?

5. What are "tears of joy"?

6. What does "get down on one knee" mean?

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