Daily English Conversations You Must Know | Beginner English Podcast

Added: 2026-05-11

[00:00:00]Welcome back to Natural English Daily podcast.

[00:00:03]>> Hello everyone and welcome to Natural English Daily. I'm Sophie >> and I'm Jack. And today we are talking about the everyday English phrases you absolutely need to know.

[00:00:16]Let's get into it.

[00:00:18]>> Okay, before we start, I want you to think about something. Imagine you meet someone new, an English speaker, and they say to you, "Hey, how's it going?"

[00:00:30]>> Simple question, right?

[00:00:33]>> You'd think so, but so many people freeze because they've learned, "How are you?"

[00:00:38]and I am fine. Thank you.

[00:00:42]But how's it going? Suddenly, their brain just stops.

[00:00:47]>> I mean, I've seen it happen. Even people who speak English pretty well. Exactly.

[00:00:53]And that's what today is about. Not the textbook phrases, the real ones, the ones people actually say every single day, the ones that make you sound natural, >> the ones that make people think, "Oh, this person actually speaks English."

[00:01:10]>> Right? So, today we're going through the daily conversations you absolutely must know. And honestly, by the end of this, you'll feel so much more confident.

[00:01:21]Let's do it.

[00:01:23]>> So, Jack, where do you want to start?

[00:01:27]Because there are so many phrases we could cover. I think greetings because that's always the first moment, right? You see someone, what do you say?

[00:01:38]And there's actually way more than just hello.

[00:01:42]>> Way more.

[00:01:44]Okay. So, you've got your basics.

[00:01:47]Hello. Hi. Hey.

[00:01:51]But then you've got the more casual ones.

[00:01:54]How's it going? What's up? How are you doing?

[00:01:59]And the thing is, those aren't really questions.

[00:02:02]>> No, that's such a good point. If someone says what's up, they don't actually want a full answer, >> right? They're not sitting there waiting for you to tell them your whole day.

[00:02:13]>> Exactly.

[00:02:15]What's up? And you just say, "Not much you." Or, "Hey, good to see you."

[00:02:24]>> Short, friendly, done.

[00:02:26]>> Exactly. And I think that's one of the first things that trips people up. They try to answer, "What's up?" Like it's a real question.

[00:02:35]>> Yeah. They go, "Well, I woke up at 7 and I had some toast and actually I'm a little tired today."

[00:02:42]>> And the other person is already walking away.

[00:02:46]>> Okay. So, greetings are more like social signals than questions.

[00:02:53]>> Exactly.

[00:02:54]They're saying, "I see you. You're okay.

[00:02:58]We're friendly."

[00:03:00]That's all.

[00:03:02]>> I love that.

[00:03:04]Okay. What about when you haven't seen someone for a while? Like, not just a regular hi, but you actually run into someone you know.

[00:03:13]>> Oh, yeah. So, you've got long time no see, which is so common.

[00:03:20]>> I use that all the time.

[00:03:22]>> Or it's been ages.

[00:03:25]It's been so long.

[00:03:28]And then usually the other person says something like, "I know. How have you been?"

[00:03:34]>> Right. And how have you been is a bit more of a real question than what's up?

[00:03:42]>> It is. Yeah. and a good answer.

[00:03:45]Something like really good, thanks.

[00:03:48]Keeping busy or not bad, you know, life is busy.

[00:03:54]You don't have to go into detail, but you give a little something.

[00:03:58]>> Keeping busy is such a useful phrase, actually.

[00:04:01]>> It really is. It's honest, it's friendly, and it works in any situation.

[00:04:07]>> You could be having the worst week of your life and you say, "Keeping busy," and it sounds fine.

[00:04:14]basically yes. It's a safe answer.

[00:04:18]>> Okay. And later Sophie is going to share a phrase that honestly I didn't know it until she taught me and now I use it constantly.

[00:04:28]>> Oh, that one. Yes, we'll get there.

[00:04:32]>> So, greetings sorted. What's next?

[00:04:36]I think small talk because small talk is like the engine that keeps conversations going and a lot of people don't like it.

[00:04:45]>> I don't love small talk to be honest.

[00:04:48]>> You don't?

[00:04:50]>> I mean, I can do it. I've learned to do it, but I always feel a little bit I don't know, like it's a bit fake. Like you're both just saying things to fill the silence.

[00:05:03]>> I actually disagree. I think small talk is really important. It's how you warm up with someone. It's how you show them you're friendly before you get into the real stuff.

[00:05:14]>> H okay, fair.

[00:05:18]I think I used to think it was just filler.

[00:05:22]But I get what you mean. It's more like a warmup.

[00:05:27]>> Exactly.

[00:05:28]And in English especially, you know, a lot of people jump straight into the weather.

[00:05:34]the weather. Yes, >> it's a cliche, but it works. Lovely day, isn't it? Can you believe this rain? And the listener is probably thinking, "Yes, yes, I can believe the rain. I live here, too."

[00:05:51]>> But you still say it.

[00:05:52]>> You still say it because it's not really about the weather. It's about opening a connection.

[00:05:59]>> Okay, that actually makes sense.

[00:06:02]So, small talk topics, weather, what else?

[00:06:06]>> Plans for the weekend.

[00:06:08]Are you doing anything nice this weekend?

[00:06:11]>> Really common. Did you have a good weekend on a Monday morning?

[00:06:18]Busy week at the end of the week.

[00:06:21]>> Those are all things I hear at work constantly.

[00:06:24]>> Right. And the key thing is you don't need a big interesting answer.

[00:06:30]Oh yeah, just taking it easy or not much, just relaxing.

[00:06:36]Perfect.

[00:06:38]>> Taking it easy. I like that.

[00:06:41]>> Really natural phrase and just relaxing.

[00:06:47]Just staying in.

[00:06:49]These are really common casual answers.

[00:06:53]>> H.

[00:06:54]Okay. What about when you need to ask for something like in a shop or if you need directions or you need help with something?

[00:07:03]>> Oh, so polite requests. Really important.

[00:07:07]Okay. The most natural way to ask for something in English is not give me or I want >> which yeah that can sound quite rude.

[00:07:19]>> It can. So instead you use could I get or could I have So could I get a coffee please? Could I have the menu? Really simple.

[00:07:32]>> Or could I just ask you something?

[00:07:35]>> Yes.

[00:07:37]Could I just is a beautiful phrase actually. It sounds polite. It sounds natural. And the just makes it feel like a small thing.

[00:07:47]Hm. Actually, how do you say when you're not sure if something is okay?

[00:07:54]Like you want to do something, but you don't know if it's allowed.

[00:07:58]>> Oh, would it be okay if That's the one.

[00:08:03]Would it be okay if I sat here? Would it be okay if I asked you something?

[00:08:09]>> I love that. It's so polite, but so natural.

[00:08:13]>> It is. It's one of those phrases that native speakers use all the time, but learners often don't know and it makes such a difference.

[00:08:23]>> Okay. And this is the phrase Sophie mentioned earlier.

[00:08:27]Tell them.

[00:08:27]>> Okay. Yes. So, the phrase is, "I was just wondering."

[00:08:34]>> Yes.

[00:08:34]>> As in, I was just wondering if you could help me or I was just wondering what time you close.

[00:08:44]It's a really soft, polite way to introduce a question.

[00:08:48]>> I feel like every British person uses this constantly.

[00:08:51]>> We really do. It's almost a reflex.

[00:08:56]And it's so much warmer than just asking a direct question straight away, >> right? Instead of what time do you close, you say, "I was just wondering what time you close." And suddenly you sound incredibly polite.

[00:09:12]>> Exactly. Same information, completely different feeling.

[00:09:16]>> Okay. What about when something goes wrong, like you need to apologize or you bump into someone?

[00:09:24]>> So, sorry and excuse me. And these are actually different.

[00:09:30]>> Oh, wait. Are they? I think I use them the same way.

[00:09:35]Okay. So, excuse me is for getting someone's attention or when you want to get past someone, like on a bus. Excuse me, could I get past? Or excuse me, do you know where the station is?

[00:09:50]>> Right. It's kind of neutral like I'm here. Pay attention to me.

[00:09:56]>> Kind of. Yes. And sorry is more I did something wrong or I feel bad. Oh, sorry. I didn't see you there. Sorry.

[00:10:07]Could you say that again?

[00:10:10]>> Sorry, could you say that again? I think that one is so useful because sometimes you just don't catch what someone said.

[00:10:19]>> So useful. And you can also say, "I'm sorry. I didn't quite catch that."

[00:10:26]The word quite softens it nicely.

[00:10:30]>> I didn't quite catch that. That's nice.

[00:10:34]It sounds more natural than I didn't understand.

[00:10:37]>> Much more natural. I didn't understand sounds a little bit like a language exam. I didn't quite catch that. Sounds like a real person, >> right? Language exam English versus real person English. That's basically what we're doing today.

[00:10:57]>> That is literally the whole point of this episode.

[00:11:00]Actually, quick pause. If you're enjoying this conversation, please subscribe to Natural English Daily. It really helps us. And share it with a friend who is learning English.

[00:11:13]Okay, back to it. Okay, so we've done greetings, small talk, polite requests, apologies.

[00:11:24]What else?

[00:11:26]>> Agreeing and disagreeing.

[00:11:29]Because while in conversation, you're always responding to what someone says.

[00:11:33]And yes and no are very flat.

[00:11:38]Very flat. So for agreeing, you've got absolutely, definitely. Exactly.

[00:11:45]Totally. I know, right? Tell me about it.

[00:11:49]>> Tell me about it. I love that one.

[00:11:53]It means I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way.

[00:11:59]Right.

[00:12:01]So if I said gh Mondays are so hard and you said tell me about it. You're saying yes. I agree. I feel that too.

[00:12:11]>> Not please tell me about it.

[00:12:14]It's not a request.

[00:12:16]>> No. Definitely not. Context is everything.

[00:12:21]and for disagreeing because sometimes you just don't agree with someone and you need to say that without being rude, >> right?

[00:12:30]So, I'm not sure about that. I see what you mean, but that's a fair point, but or I kind of see it differently.

[00:12:42]>> I kind of see it differently is so smooth. It's like I disagree with you, but I still respect you. which is basically the goal of all disagreement in polite conversation >> basically >> and a really useful one. I get what you're saying, but you start with understanding their view, then you introduce yours.

[00:13:03]>> That's actually a really good life skill.

[00:13:06]>> It is not just English, just being a person.

[00:13:12]Okay, one more area, ending conversations because how do you say goodbye in a natural way? Because goodbye feels quite formal.

[00:13:23]>> It does. Yeah. So, it was really nice talking to you. Let's catch up soon.

[00:13:31]Take care.

[00:13:33]Have a good one. See you around.

[00:13:37]>> Have a good one. What is one there? Like a good what?

[00:13:42]>> Honestly, nobody knows. A good day, a good evening, a good life. It's just one.

[00:13:52]>> It's just one. Okay.

[00:13:55]>> It's just a warm, casual ending. And take care is really nice, too, because it sounds like you actually care about the person, >> which you might or might not, but it sounds like you do.

[00:14:08]>> Exactly. and let's catch up soon. This means let's talk again, spend time together soon, even if you both know it might be a while.

[00:14:21]>> It's a warm ending.

[00:14:23]>> Very warm. And honestly, how you end a conversation is just as important as how you start it. People remember the last thing you say.

[00:14:33]>> That's a really good point, actually.

[00:14:35]Okay, let's just go through some of the phrases we love today, >> right? So, how's it going? Which is not really a question. It's just a friendly opener.

[00:14:48]>> And you answer with something short, not bad, you or good, thanks. Keeping busy.

[00:14:56]>> Keeping busy, which I'm now going to use every single day. And I was just wondering, which is that beautiful soft way to introduce a question.

[00:15:08]>> I was just wondering if you could help me. Sounds so polite.

[00:15:12]>> And I didn't quite catch that for when you don't hear something much more natural than I don't understand.

[00:15:20]>> And I get what you're saying, but which is how you disagree nicely.

[00:15:26]And finally, take care and have a good one for those warm, natural goodbyes.

[00:15:32]>> Honestly, these phrases alone could change how confident you feel in a conversation.

[00:15:38]>> That's the goal. Okay, let's put it all together. Let's do a short practice.

[00:15:45]Ready?

[00:15:47]>> Ready? Let's go.

[00:15:49]>> Okay, imagine I'm someone you know from work. We haven't seen each other in a while. I see you in the street. Go. Oh, hey, Jack. Long time no see.

[00:16:03]>> Oh, wow. Sophie.

[00:16:06]Yeah, it's been ages. How are you doing?

[00:16:09]>> Really good, thanks. Keeping busy, you know.

[00:16:13]How about you?

[00:16:15]>> Yeah, same. Keeping busy. You know how it is.

[00:16:19]>> I do.

[00:16:21]Hey, are you doing anything nice this weekend?

[00:16:25]Ah, just taking it easy, I think. Maybe see some friends. You >> same. Yeah, just relaxing.

[00:16:34]>> Listen, it was really nice running into you.

[00:16:37]>> Yeah, you too. Let's catch up properly soon.

[00:16:41]>> Definitely. Take care, Jack.

[00:16:43]>> Have a good one.

[00:16:44]>> Nice. See how naturally that flowed.

[00:16:48]>> And we used long time no see. Keeping busy, taking it easy. Let's catch up.

[00:16:55]Take care. Have a good one. All in like 2 minutes.

[00:17:00]>> Real English, real conversation.

[00:17:03]That's all it is.

[00:17:05]>> Okay. On round two. This time you need to ask me something, but you're not sure if it's okay.

[00:17:11]>> Okay. Oh, excuse me, Jack.

[00:17:16]>> Yeah.

[00:17:17]>> I was just wondering if you could help me with something.

[00:17:21]Do you know what time the library closes today?

[00:17:24]>> Oh, I'm not sure actually. I think around 6, but I didn't quite catch the notice on the door.

[00:17:33]>> Oh, that's okay. I'll check online.

[00:17:37]Thanks anyway.

[00:17:39]>> No problem. Take care.

[00:17:41]>> And there it was.

[00:17:43]I was just wondering. I didn't quite catch. Take care.

[00:17:49]all in there.

[00:17:51]>> I also said I'm not sure actually, which is a really natural way to say you don't know something.

[00:17:57]>> I'm not sure actually.

[00:18:00]Yes, much better than just I don't know.

[00:18:04]It sounds friendlier.

[00:18:05]>> Less like you're dismissing them.

[00:18:08]>> Exactly.

[00:18:09]Okay, so today we talked about the daily English conversations you absolutely must know. Great conversation, Jack.

[00:18:18]really good.

[00:18:20]So, the key phrases from today, how's it going? Not bad. You for a friendly greeting. I was just wondering when you need to ask something politely. And I get what you're saying, but for when you want to disagree nicely.

[00:18:37]>> And remember, the best way to get better is to actually use these phrases. Say them out loud. Practice with a friend.

[00:18:45]Use them today.

[00:18:47]And for today's question, we want to hear from you. Which phrase from today was new for you.

[00:18:56]Leave it in the comments below. We read every single one.

[00:19:00]>> If today's episode helped you, please subscribe, give us a like, and share it with one person who is learning English.

[00:19:08]That is the best thing you can do for us.

[00:19:10]>> Thank you so much for listening. Keep practicing, and we'll see you in the next one.

[00:19:16]Take care. Bye everyone.