Do you have difficulty speaking English? Sometimes the hardest part is simply starting a conversation. Learn these expressions for starting a conversation in English in any situation – formal or informal, at work, school, or other contexts! And stay tuned for the next lesson, which will be on how to continue the conversation.
說英語(精品課)的時候你有沒有碰到過什麼困難呢？有時候最困難的事情就是開始一段對話。不管是在正式、非正式、工作場合、學校或者其他場景，你都需要學習一些能夠發起對話的英語表達。以及歡迎繼續收聽下一節課，如何繼續對話。
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND
朋友聊天
With friends, you can use informal English expressions like these:
和朋友在一起的時候你就可以用一些非正式的英語表達，以下這些口頭語可供參考：
What’s up?
How’s it going?
The correct answer to 「What’s up?」 is 「Not much.」 You can then add a detail about what’s happening in your life at the moment. If someone says 「How’s it going?」 you can answer 「Good」 or 「Not so good」 and then say why.
「What’s up?」的正確回答應該是「Not much」，你還可以加上一點你生活中正在發生的事情以作補充。如果有人說「How’s it going?」，你可以回答「Good」 或者 「Not so good」然後說說為什麼。
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH A COLLEAGUE
同事聊天
In the office, you use slightly more formal English, such as these common expressions:
在辦公室裡你就可以用一些稍微正式一點的英語表達方式，就像以下這些習慣用法：
Hi, John. How are you doing?
How’s your day going?
We’re sure having a busy/slow day today.
Have you heard the news about ________?
(on Friday周五): Have you got any plans for the weekend?
(on Monday周一): How was your weekend?
You can talk about projects you’re working on, or about hobbies you have outside work. Current national and international news is also a good topic of conversation.
你可以聊聊你正在從事的項目，或者工作以外的興趣愛好。最近的國內、國際新聞也是適合聊天的好話題哦。
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND WHO YOU HAVEN』T SEEN IN A LONG TIME
和許久未見的朋友聊天
Here are some common expressions to start a conversation with someone you see after a long separation:
以下這些表達方式，適用於和久未謀面的朋友聊天：
Hi Paula! How have you been?
Long time no see!
So, what have you been up to lately?
How’s your family?
Are you still working at ABC Company?
In this case, you can ask about news in your friend’s work, study, family, and hobbies. The friend will probably ask you about recent developments in your own life, too.
在這種情況下，你可以問問你的朋友事業、學業、家庭、興趣愛好方面有沒有什麼新變化。與此同時，你的朋友也很可能會問問你最近生活的進展。
STARTING A CONVERSATION AT A PARTY OR WEDDING
在派對或婚禮上聊天
I don’t think we』ve met – I’m Shayna.
Are you from New York?
So, how do you know Mary?
Have you tried the chocolate cake? It’s delicious!
If you’re at a party or wedding, you can start a conversation by asking how the person knows the host of the party (or the people getting married). You can also comment about the food and drinks, or about the music.
如果你在一個派對或者婚禮上，你可以問問對方是怎麼認識派對的主人（或者舉辦婚禮的新人），以此開始對話。你也可以評論一下派對或婚禮上的食物、飲料或者音樂。
STARTING A CONVERSATION AT A CONFERENCE OR WORK EVENT
在會議或工作場所對話
I don’t think we』ve met – I’m Shayna.
So, where are you from?
What did you think of the speaker?
That was an excellent workshop – I learned a lot. How about you?
The expression 「I don’t think we』ve met」 can be used in professional situations too. You can ask about the person’s job, what company they are from, and their opinions about the conference events.
「I don’t think we』ve met」這種表達法既可以用於非正式場合，也可以用於正式場合。你可以問對方的工作情況，他們是哪個公司的，以及他們對會議內容的看法。
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE YOU HAVE JUST BEEN INTRODUCED TO
和剛認識的人對話
Nice to meet you!
How do you two know each other?
So, what do you do for a living? (= what is your job?)
What are you studying?
How long have you been (a journalist / doing yoga / interested in music)?
How did you get into it?
Imagine you have a friend, Nora, who introduces you to her friend Ryan. You can ask about how they know each other, and about Ryan’s job. If Nora says Ryan is a student, you can ask about his area of study and what year of college he’s in. If Nora introduces Ryan as a journalist, or a friend from yoga class, or a musician, you can ask about how long he has done that activity, or how he first got interested in it. His answer will then provide material to continue the conversation.
想像一下你有個朋友Nora，她把你介紹給了她的朋友Ryan。你可以問問他們是怎麼認識的，也可以問問Ryan的工作。如果Nora說Ryan是個學生，你就可以問問他的專業和年級。如果Nora介紹Ryan是個記者、或者是從瑜伽班認識的朋友，或者是個音樂家，你就可以問問他幹那行多久了，或者他為什麼對這個感興趣。他的答案也能給你提供展開對話的素材。
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE YOU MEET OUTSIDE
和外面遇到的人對話
It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
It looks like it’s going to rain/snow.
Can you believe all this rain/snow we』ve been having?
Sure is a hot/cold one today!
Your dog is so cute! What’s his name?
If you’re in a park, on the street, etc., the most common way to start a conversation is by talking about the weather.
如果你在公園裡、街上或者別的地方，要想打開話匣子，最通常的方式就是先聊聊天氣。
STARTING A CONVERSATION WITH A STRANGER IN OTHER SITUATIONS
在其他情況下和陌生人聊天
The secret to starting a conversation with someone you don’t know is to make a comment about the current social context. Here are a few examples of how to do this:
和陌生人搭話的秘訣是，就當前所處情景發表評論。下面有幾個例子，教你什麼場合說什麼話：
美術館
At an art gallery:
「That’s an interesting painting. What do you think of it?」
酒吧
At a bar:
「This is a great song – I love Latin music. How about you?」
體育比賽現場
At a sports game:
「Wow, that was a great play! So, who’s your favorite player?」
咖啡廳
At a cafe:
「Boy, do I need a coffee!」
音樂會或者重大活動
At a concert or event:
「What a great turnout! Have you ever been here before?」
操場
At a playground:
「My kids are sure full of energy today!
As in the example of the cafe and playground, you don’t need to ask a direct question. You can simply make a comment to the other person, and this is like an invitation for the other person to comment, too. This can then begin a conversation.
就像以上咖啡館和操場兩個例子一樣，你不需要開門見山地問問題，你可以簡單地向對方發表一句你的評論，就好像是邀請對方一起加入評論，這樣同樣可以開始一個對話。