English Phrases for Making Friends
Friendships often start with one simple question. These phrases help you start conversations, find things in common and turn a new contact into a real friend.
33 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated
Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.
Starting a conversation
| English | Turkish | You might hear |
|---|---|---|
Hi, I'm Can. I don't think we've met. A2 | Selam, ben Can. Sanırım tanışmadık. |
|
Is this seat taken? A1Natural at a class, café or event. | Burası dolu mu? |
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How do you know the host? B1Great opener at a party. | Ev sahibini nereden tanıyorsun? |
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Are you new here too? A1 | Sen de burada yeni misin? |
|
Where are you from originally? A2"Originally" makes it sound less like a form. | Aslen nerelisin? |
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I love your bag. Where did you get it? A2A small compliment is a friendly way to start. | Çantana bayıldım. Nereden aldın? |
|
Finding common interests
| English | Turkish | You might hear |
|---|---|---|
So, what do you do for fun? A2 | Peki, eğlenmek için neler yaparsın? |
|
I'm really into photography. B1"Be into" means like a lot. Informal. | Fotoğrafçılığa çok merakım var. |
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Have you seen any good films lately? A2UK: "films"; US: "movies". | Son zamanlarda güzel bir film izledin mi? |
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Me too! A1For negative sentences, use "Me neither." | Ben de! |
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We have a lot in common. B1 | Çok ortak noktamız var. |
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What kind of music do you listen to? A1 | Ne tür müzik dinlersin? |
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That sounds like fun. A2 | Kulağa eğlenceli geliyor. |
|
Showing interest
| English | Turkish | You might hear |
|---|---|---|
Really? Tell me more. A2 | Gerçekten mi? Biraz daha anlat. |
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That's so cool. A1Informal. Very common among young people. | Çok havalı. |
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How did you get into that? B1Asks how someone started a hobby or job. | Bu işe nasıl başladın? |
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I've always wanted to try that. B1 | Hep denemek istemişimdir. |
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What was that like? B1 | Nasıldı peki? |
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You're really funny. A1 | Çok komiksin. |
|
Making plans
| English | Turkish | You might hear |
|---|---|---|
Do you want to grab a coffee sometime? A2"Grab" sounds casual and relaxed. | Bir ara kahve içmeye ne dersin? |
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Are you free this weekend? A1 | Bu hafta sonu müsait misin? |
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A few of us are going for dinner. Do you want to come? B1 | Birkaç kişi yemeğe gidiyoruz. Sen de gelmek ister misin? |
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Let's hang out sometime. A2Informal. "Hang out" means spend time together. | Bir ara takılalım. |
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How about Saturday afternoon? A2 | Cumartesi öğleden sonraya ne dersin? |
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Sorry, I can't make it this time. Maybe next week? B1"Make it" means be able to come. | Üzgünüm, bu sefer gelemiyorum. Belki haftaya? |
|
Keeping in touch
| English | Turkish | You might hear |
|---|---|---|
Can I get your number? A1 | Numaranı alabilir miyim? |
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Are you on Instagram? A1 | Instagram'da var mısın? |
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Let's keep in touch. B1 | İrtibatta kalalım. |
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I'll text you later. A2UK: "I'll message you" or "I'll text you" are both common. | Sana sonra mesaj atarım. |
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It was really nice talking to you. A2 | Seninle konuşmak çok güzeldi. |
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See you around! A2 | Görüşürüz! |
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Do you want to swap numbers? A2"Swap" means exchange. Casual and friendly. | Numaralarımızı paylaşalım mı? |
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Let me know if you're around next week. B1 | Haftaya buralarda olursan haber ver. |
|
Sample dialogues
Meeting at a language exchange
- Selin
- Hi, is this seat taken?
- Selam, burası dolu mu?
- Jack
- No, go ahead. I'm Jack, by the way.
- Hayır, buyur. Bu arada ben Jack.
- Selin
- I'm Selin. Are you new here too?
- Ben Selin. Sen de burada yeni misin?
- Jack
- Yeah, it's my first time. I'm learning Turkish.
- Evet, ilk kez geliyorum. Türkçe öğreniyorum.
- Selin
- That's so cool! How did you get into that?
- Çok havalı! Nasıl başladın?
- Jack
- I visited Istanbul last year and loved it.
- Geçen yıl İstanbul'a gittim ve bayıldım.
- Selin
- So, what do you do for fun here?
- Peki burada eğlenmek için neler yapıyorsun?
- Jack
- I'm really into climbing. There's a great gym near here.
- Tırmanışa çok meraklıyım. Yakında harika bir salon var.
- Selin
- No way! I've always wanted to try that.
- Yok artık! Hep denemek istemişimdir.
Making a plan
- Jack
- You should come with me sometime.
- Bir ara benimle gelmelisin.
- Selin
- I'd love to. Are you free this weekend?
- Çok isterim. Bu hafta sonu müsait misin?
- Jack
- How about Saturday afternoon?
- Cumartesi öğleden sonraya ne dersin?
- Selin
- Perfect. Can I get your number?
- Harika. Numaranı alabilir miyim?
- Jack
- Sure. I'll text you the address.
- Tabii. Adresi sana mesaj atarım.
- Selin
- Great. It was really nice talking to you.
- Süper. Seninle konuşmak çok güzeldi.
- Jack
- You too. See you Saturday!
- Ben de öyle. Cumartesi görüşürüz!
Common mistakes Turkish speakers make
What is your hobbies?
What do you do for fun? / What are your hobbies?
Plural "hobbies" needs "are". "What do you do for fun?" also sounds more natural in conversation.
Me too. (after "I don't like coffee")
Me neither.
After a negative sentence, English uses "Me neither", while Turkish uses "Ben de" for both.
Let's go to drink coffee.
Let's go for a coffee.
"Kahve içmeye gidelim" translated word for word sounds wrong. Say "go for a coffee" or "grab a coffee".
Where are you from? I am from Turkey, Istanbul.
I'm from Istanbul, in Turkey.
English goes from small to big: city first, then country.
I can't join, I am busy.
Sorry, I can't make it this time. Maybe next week?
A direct refusal can sound cold. Add "sorry" and suggest another time.
Quick quiz
Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.
1. Your friend says "I don't like horror films." You agree. You say...
2. "I'm really into jazz" means...
3. Which is the most natural invitation?
4. "I can't make it" means...
5. A good question to find common interests is...
6. "Hang out" means...
7. How do you end a nice first chat?
8. What is a good opener at a party?
0 of 8 answered
Show all answers
- Me neither.
- I love jazz.
- Do you want to grab a coffee sometime?
- I can't come.
- What do you do for fun?
- spend time together
- It was really nice talking to you.
- How do you know the host?
See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.
People also ask
How can I start a conversation with a stranger in English?+
Comment on the shared situation, such as the event, the class or the weather, or ask a simple question like "Is this seat taken?". Then introduce yourself with your name.
Is it rude to ask people their age or salary?+
In many English-speaking cultures these questions feel too personal for a first meeting. Stick to hobbies, work in general, travel and food.
What does "Let's hang out sometime" really mean?+
Sometimes it is a real invitation and sometimes it is just a friendly goodbye. If you want to meet, suggest a specific day and activity.
How do I keep a conversation going?+
Ask open questions with "what", "how" and "why", and react with phrases like "Really? Tell me more." Share a little about yourself too, so it feels balanced.
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