Friends & datingIntermediate
Catching up with a friend in English
What to say when you run into a friend and want to catch up.
Full script
Lin
Liam? Long time no see! How have you been?
Them
Lin! I've been great. Busy, but great.
Lin
What have you been up to?
Them
I started baking. I bake bread every weekend now.
Lin
No way! You used to burn toast.
Them
People change. You haven't changed a bit, though.
Lin
Is that a compliment?
Them
Totally. Same smile, same yellow hoodie.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Friend
✓ Long time no see!Use after a long time apart
Common in everyday speech
Friend
✓ How have you been?Ask how life has been lately
Better than How are you? after a long time
Friend
✓ What have you been up to?Ask what they've been busy with lately
be up to = be doing...
save this
✓ You haven't changed a bit.Say someone seems the same
a bit = at all
Quick answers
Friend: what to say in English
Say “Long time no see!” — use after a long time apart. Common in everyday speech.
Friend: what to say in English
Say “How have you been?” — ask how life has been lately. Better than How are you? after a long time.
Friend: what to say in English
Say “What have you been up to?” — ask what they've been busy with lately. be up to = be doing...
save this: what to say in English
Say “You haven't changed a bit.” — say someone seems the same. a bit = at all.