When you’re just starting to learn English, one of the most exciting — and sometimes scary — part is actually speaking to someone. You might be able to read a book or write a few sentences, but when it’s time to talk, you suddenly wonder, “What should I say?”
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a giant vocabulary or perfect grammar to have a real conversation. All you need is a small set of useful phrases that you can use in almost any situation. These phrases are short, simple, and easy to remember — perfect for beginner English learners.
In this post, I’ll walk you through practical conversation phrases for different moments: greetings, asking questions, showing you’re listening, responding politely, and ending a conversation. I’ll also share tips for practising them in real life so you can speak more confidently every day.
A good greeting is like opening the door to a conversation. You don’t want it to feel stiff or robotic — the more natural it sounds, the better.
Here are some greetings you can start using right away:
Hi! How are you? – The most universal greeting. Works in almost every setting.
Hello! Nice to meet you. – Use this when meeting someone for the first time.
Good morning! / Good afternoon! / Good evening! – More polite and time-specific.
Hey! How’s your day going? – Casual and friendly for people you already know.
Long time no see! – Great for friends or colleagues you haven’t seen in a while.
💡 Janet’s Tip: Even if your English is basic, add warmth with your tone of voice and a smile. People often remember how you made them feel more than the exact words you used.
Questions are the engine of every conversation. They show interest in the other person and help you keep talking without awkward silences.
Here are some beginner-friendly question starters:
Where are you from? – An easy way to learn about someone’s background.
What do you do? – Useful for asking about work, studies, or daily life.
Do you like [coffee / movies / football]? – Great for finding shared interests.
What’s your favourite…? – You can fill in with “food,” “movie,” “sport,” or “place.”
How was your weekend? – Perfect for starting small talk on Monday.
💡 Janet’s Tip: After they answer, you can always ask “What about you?” if they’ve asked you the same question. This keeps the conversation going without you having to think of a brand-new topic.
Speaking is important, but listening well is just as powerful. In fact, many great conversationalists say less and listen more. The key is to respond in short ways that show you’re paying attention.
Here are some listening phrases you can use:
That’s interesting!
Really? Wow!
Oh, I see.
I understand.
Tell me more about that.
💡 Janet’s Tip: Use these small responses while nodding your head slightly. This shows you’re engaged without interrupting.
Even if you only know a few English words, good manners can make your conversation smoother and more pleasant.
Some polite phrases to remember:
Yes, please. / No, thank you. – Always a polite way to accept or refuse something.
I’m fine, thank you. – A classic response to “How are you?”
Sorry, could you repeat that? – Helpful when you don’t understand something.
That’s okay. – A kind reply to someone’s apology.
I appreciate it. – Shows gratitude when someone helps you.
💡 Janet’s Tip: Don’t worry if you make mistakes. Saying “Sorry, I’m learning English” can make others more patient and supportive.
Knowing how to end a conversation politely is just as important as starting one.
Here are some friendly ways to wrap up:
It was nice talking to you.
See you later!
Take care.
Have a great day!
Bye for now!
💡 Janet’s Tip: Always leave the conversation with a smile. This leaves a positive impression and makes people want to talk to you again.
Apart from greetings and questions, here are a few bonus phrases you might use daily:
Excuse me, do you have a moment? – Polite way to get someone’s attention.
Could you help me, please? – Useful in shops, restaurants, or public places.
How much does this cost? – Handy for shopping.
Where is the nearest…? – Fill in with “bus stop,” “pharmacy,” or “bank.”
I’m learning English, so please speak slowly. – Makes it easier for you to follow along.
Learning phrases is great — but using them regularly is what turns them into a natural part of your speech.
Here are a few easy ways to practise:
Yes, it might feel silly, but it works. Stand in front of a mirror and greet yourself:
“Good morning! How are you today?”
Then ask yourself a simple question and answer it.
Watch an English TV show or YouTube video, pause after a sentence, and repeat it. This helps with both pronunciation and confidence.
Find someone who also wants to practise English. Exchange short daily messages or voice notes using these phrases.
Next time you’re at a shop, café, or bus stop, greet someone or ask a simple question in English. Small steps build big confidence.
Even with simple phrases, beginners sometimes fall into small traps. Let’s fix them:
❌ Mistake: Only saying “Hi” without adding anything else.
✅ Fix: Add a follow-up question — “Hi! How are you?”
❌ Mistake: Forgetting to respond when someone asks “How are you?”
✅ Fix: Say “I’m fine, thank you. And you?”
❌ Mistake: Asking too many questions without sharing about yourself.
✅ Fix: Answer their questions too — conversations go both ways.
Here’s something I tell all my English learners: Fluency grows from small, brave moments. Every time you say “Hi,” ask a question, or respond politely, you’re not just speaking English — you’re building confidence.
You don’t need perfect grammar to connect with people. You just need the courage to try, the willingness to listen, and a smile that says “I’m happy to talk to you.”
The next time you meet someone, try using at least two phrases from this list. It could be:
“Hello! Nice to meet you. Where are you from?”
or
“Hi! How’s your day going? That’s interesting!”
The more you use these beginner English conversation phrases, the more natural they’ll feel — and soon, you’ll be ready for longer, deeper conversations.
So don’t wait. Start talking today — because every conversation you have in English is a step closer to fluency.
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