How to Use Small Talk Starters Like a Native in English | English Conversation Practice

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]Welcome to Small Talk Starters. Let's learn some great conversation openers.

[00:00:03]Nice day, isn't it?

[00:00:04]>> Yes, it's lovely. How's your day going?

[00:00:07]>> Great, thanks. Any plans for the weekend? Let us know your favorite starter in the comments.

[00:00:14]>> Do you feel shy when you meet new people in English?

[00:00:18]>> Yes, I never know what to say. My mind goes empty.

[00:00:21]>> That is normal, but today you will learn three easy small talk starters.

[00:00:27]>> Three? That sounds easy.

[00:00:29]>> Yes, you can use them like a native speaker. Ready?

[00:00:33]>> Ready.

[00:00:33]>> Hello everyone. I am Emma.

[00:00:36]>> And I'm Jack. We are your hosts for TalkNora.

[00:00:39]>> Today we learn how to start friendly conversations. We call this small talk.

[00:00:45]>> Small talk is very useful. I need help with it.

[00:00:48]>> If you like this video, please click the like button.

[00:00:51]>> And subscribe to our channel. Write a comment. What is your favorite small talk question?

[00:00:57]>> Let us begin.

[00:00:59]Today we learn small talk starters.

[00:01:03]Small talk is friendly conversation with new people or co-workers.

[00:01:08]>> I want to be friendly, but I feel nervous.

[00:01:11]>> That is okay. We will learn four easy starters. Repeat after me each time.

[00:01:18]>> Four starters? Okay, I am ready.

[00:01:21]>> Starter number one. Talk about the weather.

[00:01:25]>> The weather? Everybody talks about weather.

[00:01:28]>> Yes, you say, "Nice day, isn't it?"

[00:01:31]>> Nice day, isn't it?

[00:01:33]>> Perfect. Let us look at the verb is.

[00:01:37]Present, it is a nice day. Past, it was a nice day yesterday. Future, it will be a nice day tomorrow.

[00:01:48]>> So, is is for now, was for yesterday, will be for tomorrow.

[00:01:53]>> Exactly. Now, make a sentence with was.

[00:01:58]Tell me about yesterday.

[00:01:59]>> Yesterday was cold.

[00:02:02]>> Good. Now with will be. Tell me about tomorrow.

[00:02:05]>> Tomorrow will be sunny.

[00:02:07]>> Very good. Now back to small talk. You say, "Nice day, isn't it?" The person will say, "Yes, very nice."

[00:02:17]>> Can I say, "Nice day, is it?"

[00:02:19]>> That is a little strange. Native speakers say, "Isn't it?" at the end.

[00:02:25]Isn't means is not. So, you say, "Nice day, isn't it?" meaning it is a nice day, right?

[00:02:32]>> Nice day, isn't it? I will practice 10 times.

[00:02:36]>> Good idea. Another weather phrase, "Cold out there, isn't it?"

[00:02:41]>> Cold out there, isn't it?

[00:02:43]>> Yes. Use cold for winter, hot for summer. Hot out there, isn't it?

[00:02:49]>> Hot out there, isn't it?

[00:02:51]>> Perfect. Now starter number two. Talk about the weekend.

[00:02:57]>> Weekends are easy. Everyone likes weekends.

[00:03:00]>> You say, "Any plans for the weekend?"

[00:03:03]>> Any plans for the weekend?

[00:03:04]>> Great. The verb here is have, but it is inside plans. Present, I have plans.

[00:03:12]Past, I had plans last weekend. Future, I will have plans this weekend.

[00:03:19]>> So, have for now, had for past, will have for future.

[00:03:25]>> Yes. Now you try. Use had in a sentence.

[00:03:30]>> I had plans to watch a movie last weekend.

[00:03:33]>> Wonderful. Now use will have.

[00:03:36]>> I will have plans to visit a friend this weekend.

[00:03:39]>> Excellent. Now the small talk question is always future. Any plans for the weekend? The person might say, "No, just relaxing."

[00:03:49]>> Then I can say, "That sounds nice."

[00:03:52]>> Yes, or you can say, "Me, too. I will stay home."

[00:03:55]>> What about Monday? Can I ask about Monday?

[00:03:58]>> Good question. For Monday, you say, "How was your weekend?"

[00:04:03]>> "How was your weekend?"

[00:04:04]>> Yes, that uses past tense. Was is past of is. Let us practice both. For Friday, say, "Any plans for the weekend?"

[00:04:15]>> "Any plans for the weekend?"

[00:04:17]>> For Monday, say, "How was your weekend?"

[00:04:20]>> "How was your weekend?"

[00:04:22]>> Perfect. Now, starter number three. Talk about work or study.

[00:04:28]>> I see my coworkers every day.

[00:04:30]>> You say, "How is your day going?"

[00:04:33]>> "How is your day going?"

[00:04:34]>> Good. Verb is again. Present, my day is good. Past, my day was busy. Future, I hope my day will be better.

[00:04:45]>> Can I say, "How was your day?" for past?

[00:04:48]>> Yes. "How was your day?" is for the end of the day. "How is your day going?" is for the middle of the day.

[00:04:55]>> So, morning or afternoon, "How is your day going?" Evening, "How was your day?"

[00:05:01]>> Exactly. You understand very well, Jack.

[00:05:05]>> Thank you. I'm trying.

[00:05:06]>> Now, let us practice a short conversation. I will be a coworker. Ask me.

[00:05:12]>> "How is your day going?"

[00:05:13]>> It is busy, but good. And you?

[00:05:16]>> Mine, too. Busy, but good.

[00:05:18]>> Perfect. Mine, too, is very natural.

[00:05:22]Now, starter number four. Talk about food or drinks.

[00:05:27]>> Oh, I like food.

[00:05:29]>> You say, "That looks good. What is it?"

[00:05:32]>> "That looks good. What is it?"

[00:05:34]>> Yes. For example, at lunch, someone has a nice sandwich. You say, "That looks good. What is it?"

[00:05:40]>> "That looks good. What is it?"

[00:05:42]>> The verb looks is present. Present, it looks good. Past, it looked good yesterday. Future, it will look good tomorrow.

[00:05:53]>> That's easy. Looks for now, looked for past, will look for future.

[00:05:59]>> Yes, another food phrase is that drink good?

[00:06:02]>> Is that drink good?

[00:06:04]>> Yes, someone has coffee or tea, you ask, is that drink good? They say, yes, very good.

[00:06:11]>> Can I say, does that drink taste good?

[00:06:14]>> You can, but is that drink good is shorter and easier for small talk.

[00:06:19]>> Is that drink good? I like short sentences.

[00:06:22]>> Me too. Now, let us practice all four starters together. Repeat after me.

[00:06:29]>> Okay.

[00:06:30]>> Nice day, isn't it?

[00:06:31]>> Nice day, isn't it?

[00:06:33]>> Any plans for the weekend?

[00:06:35]>> Any plans for the weekend?

[00:06:37]>> How is your day going?

[00:06:38]>> How is your day going?

[00:06:40]>> That looks good. What is it?

[00:06:42]>> That looks good. What is it?

[00:06:44]>> You did a wonderful job, Jack.

[00:06:46]>> I feel more confident now. Four starters are not too many.

[00:06:50]>> Exactly. You can choose one or two. You don't need all four.

[00:06:55]>> Tomorrow, I will try nice day, isn't it?

[00:06:58]>> Perfect. Let us move to the real-life scenes.

[00:07:03]Now, we will see three real-life situations. In each scene, we use the small talk starters. Watch and listen carefully. You will see how to start a conversation, how to answer, and how to end the small talk politely. Jack will try his best and I will help him. You can practice with us.

[00:07:24]Scene one. We are at the bus stop.

[00:07:27]>> Okay, I am standing at the bus stop. A person is next to me. I want to say something friendly.

[00:07:33]>> Start with the weather. Say, nice day, isn't it?

[00:07:37]>> Nice day, isn't it?

[00:07:38]>> Good. Now, imagine the person says, yes, finally some sun."

[00:07:44]>> Finally some sun. What does finally mean?

[00:07:47]>> Finally means after a long time. For example, after many rainy days, the sun comes out. You can say, "Yes, I was waiting for this."

[00:07:57]>> Yes, I was waiting for this.

[00:07:59]>> Perfect. Then the person might say, "Me, too. Where are you heading?"

[00:08:04]>> Where you heading? That means where you going?

[00:08:07]>> Yes. You can answer, "I am going to work." or "I am going home."

[00:08:12]>> I am going to the city center.

[00:08:13]>> Good. Then the person might say, "Oh, nice. I go there often."

[00:08:17]>> What do I say next?

[00:08:19]>> You can say, "Oh, nice. I go there often." That repeats their words. Or you can say, "Maybe I will see you again."

[00:08:26]>> Maybe I will see you again. That is friendly.

[00:08:29]>> Yes. Now let's practice the whole conversation slowly.

[00:08:33]>> Okay.

[00:08:34]>> I will be the stranger. You start.

[00:08:36]>> Nice day, isn't it?

[00:08:38]>> Yes, finally some sun.

[00:08:41]>> Yes, I was waiting for this. Me, too.

[00:08:44]Where are you heading?

[00:08:45]>> I am going to the library.

[00:08:47]>> I'm going to the city center. Where are you heading?

[00:08:49]Wait, I already asked. Sorry.

[00:08:51]>> That is okay. You can say, "Oh, the library. I like libraries."

[00:08:56]>> Oh, the library. I like libraries.

[00:08:59]>> Perfect. Then the person might say, "Yes, it is quiet there." And then the bus comes. Small talk ends.

[00:09:07]>> So small talk is short and sweet.

[00:09:09]>> Yes. One or two exchanges is enough. You did very well.

[00:09:14]Scene two. We are at the office coffee machine.

[00:09:19]>> I am getting coffee. A coworker is next to me. We are both waiting.

[00:09:23]>> Ask about their day. Say, "How is your day going?"

[00:09:28]>> How is your day going?

[00:09:30]>> Good. The coworker says, "It is busy.

[00:09:34]Lots of meetings."

[00:09:35]>> Lots of meetings. I can say, "Oh, I am sorry."

[00:09:40]>> You can, but a more natural small talk answer is, "Same here, busy day."

[00:09:47]>> Same here, busy day.

[00:09:49]>> Yes, same here means me, too.

[00:09:53]Then the coworker might say, "At least the coffee is good."

[00:09:57]>> At least the coffee is good. What does at least mean?

[00:10:02]>> At least means one good thing in a bad situation. For example, the day is busy, but the coffee is good. You can say, "Yes, I need this coffee."

[00:10:15]>> Yes, I need this coffee.

[00:10:18]>> Good. Then you can ask a small question.

[00:10:21]Do you take sugar?

[00:10:23]>> Do you take sugar?

[00:10:25]>> Yes, that is a very easy small talk question. The coworker says, "No, black is fine."

[00:10:32]>> No, black is fine. Then I say, "I like milk in mine."

[00:10:37]>> Perfect. Now let us practice a longer version.

[00:10:41]>> Okay.

[00:10:42]>> I am the coworker. You start.

[00:10:45]>> How is your day going?

[00:10:46]>> It is busy, lots of meetings.

[00:10:49]>> Same here, busy day.

[00:10:51]>> At least the coffee is good.

[00:10:53]>> Yes, I need this coffee. Do you take sugar?

[00:10:57]>> No, black is fine.

[00:10:59]>> I like milk in mine.

[00:11:00]>> Nice. You see? Small talk is just sharing little things.

[00:11:05]>> I made a mistake. I said, "I like milk in mine." But mine means my coffee. Is that correct?

[00:11:12]>> Yes, mine is correct. I like milk in my coffee is also fine. Both are natural.

[00:11:19]>> What if I say, "I like milk in my coffee. Do you like milk?"

[00:11:24]>> That is also fine, but the conversation was already going well. You do not need to ask too many questions. One or two is enough.

[00:11:34]>> So, I stop after I like milk in mine.

[00:11:37]>> Yes. Then you can smile and take your coffee. Say, "Have a good day."

[00:11:42]>> Have a good day.

[00:11:44]>> And the coworker says, "You, too." Then small talk is finished.

[00:11:48]>> That feels easy now.

[00:11:50]>> Because you practiced. Good job.

[00:11:54]Scene three. We are at a neighborhood park.

[00:11:58]>> I see a neighbor walking a dog. The dog is very cute. I want to talk to the neighbor.

[00:12:03]>> You can start with the dog. That is another small talk topic. Say, "What a cute dog. What is its name?"

[00:12:11]>> What a cute dog. What is its name?

[00:12:14]>> Good. The neighbor says, "Thank you. His name is Max."

[00:12:18]>> His name is Max. I can say, "Hello, Max." to the dog.

[00:12:22]>> Yes, that is friendly. Then you can ask, "Any plans for the weekend?"

[00:12:28]>> Any plans for the weekend?

[00:12:29]>> That means, "What are your plans?"

[00:12:32]>> Yes, so I answer. Say something simple.

[00:12:35]I will relax at home. Maybe watch a movie.

[00:12:38]>> Perfect. Then the neighbor says, "That sounds nice. What movie?"

[00:12:43]>> What movie? I did not think about that.

[00:12:45]I can say, "I don't know yet."

[00:12:48]>> Yes, "I don't know yet." is a good answer.

[00:12:51]>> I don't know yet. Any suggestions?

[00:12:54]>> Oh, asking for a suggestion is very good for small talk. The neighbor might say, "I like action movies."

[00:13:01]>> I like action movies, too. Which one is your favorite? Oh, sorry. I asked too much.

[00:13:06]>> It is okay. But you are right. You can stop before that. Just say, "I like action movies, too. Well, have a nice walk with Max."

[00:13:14]>> I like action movies, too. Well, have a nice walk with Max.

[00:13:18]>> Perfect. That is friendly and not too long.

[00:13:21]>> I learned that small talk is like a small gift. You give a little, then you say goodbye.

[00:13:26]>> That is a beautiful way to say it. You are ready to use small talk in real life.

[00:13:32]We learned a lot today. Now, let us remember the most important words and phrases.

[00:13:38]>> Yes, my brain is full, but good full.

[00:13:41]>> We learned four small talk starters. Let me say them slowly. Repeat after me, Jack.

[00:13:47]>> Okay, I'm ready.

[00:13:49]>> Number one, nice day, isn't it?

[00:13:51]>> Nice day, isn't it?

[00:13:53]>> Number two, any plans for the weekend?

[00:13:56]>> Any plans for the weekend?

[00:13:58]>> Number three, how is your day going?

[00:14:01]>> How is your day going?

[00:14:03]>> Number four, that looks good. What is it?

[00:14:06]>> That looks good. What is it?

[00:14:08]>> Perfect. Now, let us say them together one more time.

[00:14:12]>> Okay.

[00:14:13]>> We Nice day, isn't it? Any plans for the weekend? How is your day going? That looks good. What is it? Perfect. Now, Jack, which one is your favorite?

[00:14:27]>> I like nice day, isn't it? because everyone talks about weather.

[00:14:31]>> That is a great choice. Very safe and easy.

[00:14:35]>> What about you, Emma? Which one do you use most?

[00:14:37]>> I use how is your day going? because I talk to co-workers every morning.

[00:14:43]>> That makes sense. Can I use two in one day?

[00:14:46]>> Yes, you can use a different starter in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening. That is very natural.

[00:14:52]>> So, in the morning, I say, how is your day going? At lunch, I say, that looks good. What is it? In the afternoon, I say, nice day, isn't it?

[00:15:01]>> Exactly. And on Friday, you say, any plans for the weekend?

[00:15:06]>> Perfect. I feel ready.

[00:15:08]>> Now, let us help our viewers. We have a simple question for you at home.

[00:15:12]>> Yes, please listen.

[00:15:14]>> The question is, what small talk starter will you use tomorrow?

[00:15:19]>> Will you use nice day, isn't it? or how is your day going? Or another one.

[00:15:24]>> Write your answer in the comments below the video. Use English. Just one sentence is enough.

[00:15:30]>> For example, you can write, I will say, "Any plans for the weekend?"

[00:15:34]>> Or I will say, "That looks good. What is it?" Very simple.

[00:15:39]>> We will read your comments. We love reading your answers.

[00:15:42]>> Also, please remember to subscribe to Talk Nora.

[00:15:46]>> Click the red subscribe button and click the like button if this video helped you.

[00:15:50]>> The like button helps other learners find our channel.

[00:15:53]>> And turn on the notification bell. That way, you never miss a new lesson.

[00:15:57]>> We make new videos every week. Next time, we will learn how to end a conversation politely.

[00:16:04]>> Oh, I need that, too. I never know how to say goodbye.

[00:16:07]>> So, please come back. We will help you.

[00:16:10]>> Thank you for learning with us today.

[00:16:11]You did a great job.

[00:16:13]>> Yes, you are not a beginner anymore. You are a small talk starter.

[00:16:18]>> I like that. Small talk starter.

[00:16:21]>> Now, let us say goodbye together.

[00:16:23]>> Okay, ready?

[00:16:24]>> Goodbye, everyone. Take care. See you next time on Talk Nora. Bye-bye.

[00:16:30]>> Bye.