Useful English greetings and responses -- Free English Lesson

Summary

This video explains various ways of greeting and responding to others around the world. It covers both formal and informal expressions like 'How are you?' with basic responses such as 'I'm fine' or 'Not bad.' The speaker also discusses casual phrases like 'What's up?' and how to respond to them briefly. Negative responses, such as 'I'm hanging in there,' are also included. The video highlights the use of slang greetings like 'Yo' and 'Howdy,' providing a well-rounded guide to understanding greetings and responses in different social contexts and cultures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Basic responses to 'How are you?' include 'Fine,' 'Not bad,' and 'Not too bad,' which are casual and imply a desire to keep the conversation short.
• 😀 A formal response to 'How are you?' would be 'Very well, thanks,' appropriate in professional settings like banks or restaurants.
• 😀 Enthusiastic responses to 'How are you?' include 'Pretty good' or 'Great,' often followed by 'How you doing?' to keep the conversation going.
• 😀 Negative responses to 'How are you?' like 'I'm hanging in there' or 'I've been better' suggest the person is going through a difficult time.
• 😀 Common informal greetings include 'What's up?', 'What's new?', and 'What's happening?', often followed by brief responses like 'Nothing much' or 'Just the usual.'
• 😀 When someone says 'What's up?' or 'What's new?' a more detailed response like 'Oh, gosh, all kinds of stuff' indicates a busy or exciting life.
• 😀 Slang greetings, like 'Yo,' are popular among younger generations and are equivalent to saying 'What's up?' or 'How are you?'
• 😀 'Howdy' is another slang greeting used in some regions, with the response 'All right mate' indicating a positive or neutral state.
• 😀 Negative responses, such as 'I've been better,' may indicate that the person is dealing with personal issues or is feeling unwell.
• 😀 These greetings and responses help navigate different levels of formality, mood, and social situations, allowing for more nuanced interactions.

Q & A

What are some common, basic responses people give when asked 'How are you?'

Some common basic responses include 'I'm fine', 'Not bad', or 'Not too bad'. These responses are short and often imply that the person doesn't want to engage in a long conversation.

What is a more formal way to respond when someone asks, 'How are you?'

A formal response would be 'Very well, thanks'. This type of response is often used in professional settings, such as at a restaurant or a bank.

How can someone respond if they are excited and want to continue the conversation?

If someone is excited and wants to keep the conversation going, they could respond with 'Pretty good' or 'Great' followed by 'How you doing?'

What does the response 'I'm hanging in there' indicate?

'I'm hanging in there' is a negative response that suggests the person is having a tough time, possibly struggling emotionally or physically.

What is another way of responding negatively when asked, 'How are you?'

Another negative response could be 'I've been better', which indicates that the person might be feeling down or experiencing challenges.

What are some informal greetings used by people to ask how others are doing?

Informal greetings include phrases like 'What's up?', 'What's new?', and 'What's happening?'. These are casual ways to check in with someone.

What are typical responses when asked, 'What's up?' or 'What's new?'

Typical responses include 'Nothing much', 'Just the usual', or 'Gosh, all kinds of stuff', depending on how much the person wants to share about their life.

How might younger people greet each other differently than older generations?

Younger people often use slang greetings like 'Yo' or 'Howdy'. These expressions were popularized by the hip-hop culture and continue to be used today.

What is the appropriate response to the slang greeting 'Howdy'?

'All right mate' is a common response to the slang greeting 'Howdy'. It conveys that the person is doing well or feeling good.

How can you respond to a formal greeting if you're in a professional setting?

In a professional setting, you could respond with 'Very well, thanks' to maintain a polite and formal tone.