Running into a friend in English: from hello to a plan
Hey, good to see you again!
“Hi, I am happy to see you again!”
When: When you see someone you met one time before
The moment
You run into someone you met once at a party, now standing in line at a bagel shop in the East Village. Greet them, ask about their day, chat for a minute, and set a clear plan to meet again: a day, a time and a place.
A1 · Unit 4 · People · Checkpoint
This is the unit’s checkpoint: one roleplay that puts the unit’s scenes together.
The lines
Greeting someone again
When you see someone you met before, say 'Hey, good to see you again!' The word 'again' shows you remember them. Then ask 'How's your day going?' to start the chat.
Hey, good to see you again!
“Hi, I am happy to see you again!”
When to use it: When you see someone you met one time before
What you’ll hear back: You too! How've you been? (Nice to see you. How are you?)
Making a clear plan
Put the plan in one question: activity, day, time. 'Do you want to grab a coffee Saturday at ten?' Then say the place: 'Let's meet at the café on Second Avenue.'
Do you want to grab a coffee Saturday at ten?
“Do you want to have a coffee with me on Saturday at ten?”
When to use it: When you want to meet your new friend again
What you’ll hear back: Sounds great! (Yes, good idea.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| How about you? | HOW-uh-BOW-choo | And you? Tell me about you. |
I worked all morning. How about you? I did my job the whole morning. And you? Tip: Always ask back; one-sided answers feel cold to Americans. | ||
| Sounds great! | sowndz GRAYT | Yes, that is a good idea. |
Coffee on Saturday? Sounds great! Meet for coffee on Saturday? Yes, good idea. Tip: Americans say 'Sounds good' or 'Sounds great' to accept plans. | ||
| Can I get your number? | kan-ai GEH-cher NUM-ber | Please give me your phone number. |
Can I get your number? I'll text you. Please give me your phone number. I will send you a message. Tip: Swapping numbers to text plans is normal with new friends. | ||
Your objective
Say hello, ask about their day, tell them one thing about yours, and leave with a plan: a day, a time and a place.
- a question about their day
- something about your day
- a day, a time and a place
Lines that get it done
- How about you? · And you? Tell me about you.
- Do you want to grab a coffee Saturday at ten?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You see a person you met once at a party. What do you say first?
- Hey, good to see you again!
- Nice to meet you!
- Goodbye, see you later!
- Excuse me, who are you?
Show the answer
Hey, good to see you again!
'Again' shows you remember them; 'Nice to meet you' is only for the first time.
2. You want to make a plan with a day and a time. Which question is best?
- Do you want to grab a coffee Saturday at ten?
- Do you like coffee?
- Do you want to grab a coffee sometime?
- Did you have coffee on Saturday?
Show the answer
Do you want to grab a coffee Saturday at ten?
It says the activity, the day and the time, so the plan is clear.
3. Your new friend says, 'Coffee on Saturday? Sounds great!' What does she mean?
- Yes, she wants to meet on Saturday.
- She wants to meet on Sunday instead.
- She is busy on Saturday.
- She is not sure yet.
Show the answer
Yes, she wants to meet on Saturday.
'Sounds great!' is a happy way to say yes to a plan.