English small talk phrases: 12 openers that always work
A2–B112 語
Small talk is a fixed set of moves rather than free conversation: an opener, a comment, a question back. Once you own a handful of these phrases, the first two minutes with a stranger stop being the hardest part of speaking English.
使う場面： Meeting people, offices, parties and waiting rooms.
Small Talk Phrases — 単語リスト
| 単語 | 意味 |
|---|---|
| How's it going? | A casual way to ask how someone is.“Hey, how's it going?” |
| What do you do? | Asking about someone's job.“So, what do you do for work?” |
| How was your weekend? | A standard Monday opener.“Morning — how was your weekend?” |
| Long time no see | Said when you meet someone after a while.“Ben! Long time no see.” |
| I've heard a lot about you | A polite thing to say when introduced.“Nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you.” |
| How do you two know each other? | Asking about a shared connection.“So how do you two know each other?” |
| Are you from around here? | Asking where someone lives.“Are you from around here originally?” |
| Same here | Agreeing that you feel the same.““I'm exhausted.” “Same here.”” |
| Fair enough | Accepting what someone said as reasonable.“Fair enough, let's do it your way.” |
| Anyway, I should get going | A polite way to end a chat.“Anyway, I should get going — see you Thursday.” |
| It was nice talking to you | A friendly closing phrase.“It was nice talking to you, take care.” |
| Let's catch up soon | Suggesting to meet again.“Let's catch up soon — coffee next week?” |
このリストの学び方
12語を一度にではなく1日5〜6語ずつ追加し、例文はカードに残し、期限が来たら復習しましょう。WordNest は各単語を7つの伸びる間隔——当日、その後1、3、7、14、30、60日——に配置するので、数か月後もリストは身についています。数字の根拠を知りたい方は 間隔反復の仕組み をご覧ください。
Studying small talk phrases pairs well with our adjectives to describe personality, everyday English slang words and job interview word list, or browse all free English word lists.