Here are some English phrases to use when meeting new people, including introductions and some simple conversation topics.
Introductions This is … Lucy my wife my husband my boyfriend my girlfriend my son my daughter
I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name
Nice to meet you Pleased to meet you
How do you do? (formal expression used when meeting someone new; the correct reply is how do you do? )
How do you know each other? We work together We used to work together We were at school together We're at university together We went to university together Through friends
Where are you from? Where are you from? Where do you come from? Whereabouts are you from?
Whereabouts in … are you from? Canada
What part of … do you come from? Italy
Where do you live? I live in … London France
I'm originally from Dublin but now live in Edinburgh
I was born in Australia but grew up in England
Further conversation What brings you to …? England I'm on holiday I'm on business I live here I work here I study here
Why did you come to …? the UK I came here to work I came here to study I wanted to live abroad
How long have you lived here? I've only just arrived A few months About a year Just over two years Three years
How long are you planning to stay here? Until August A few months Another year I'm not sure
Do you like it here? Yes, I love it! I like it a lot It's OK
What do you like about it? I like the … food weather people
Ages and birthdays How old are you? I'm … twenty-two thirty-eight
Note that it's also correct to say the words years old after your age, for example I'm forty-seven years old , although this is rarely used in spoken language.
When's your birthday? It's … 16 May 2 October
Living arrangements Who do you live with? Do you live with anybody?
I live with … my boyfriend my girlfriend my partner my husband my wife my parents a friend friends relatives
Do you live on your own? I live on my own
I share with one other person I share with … others two three
Asking for contact details What's your phone number? What's your email address? What's your address?
Could I take your phone number? Could I take your email address?
Are you on …? Facebook Skype
