EverydayBeginner
Small talk with a neighbor in English
A neighbor asks "How's it going?" Here is what to say back.
The textbook way: people will understand, but it isn't what they say
I'm fine, thank you. And you?
What people actually say ↓Full script
Them
Hey, Lin! How's it going?
Lin
Pretty good! How about you?
Them
Not bad! Just busy with work.
Lin
Same here!
Them
Got any plans for the weekend?
Lin
Nothing much. Probably just relax at home.
Them
Sounds nice! Oh, this is me.
Lin
See you around!
Them
Take care!
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Neighbor asks: How's it going?
✗ I'm fine, thank you. And you?
✓ Pretty good! How about you?I'm doing pretty well. And you?
Also: Not bad! / Can't complain.
They say: Just busy with work.
✓ Same here!I feel the same.
Use it after busy, tired, hungry…
Asked: Got any plans for the weekend?
✓ Nothing much.No special plans.
Also works for What's up?
At your floor / before getting off
✓ Oh, this is me.My stop.
You can say: See you around!
Quick answers
Neighbor asks “How's it going”: what to say in English
Say “Pretty good! How about you?” — i'm doing pretty well. And you. Also: Not bad! / Can't complain.
They say “Just busy with work”: what to say in English
Say “Same here!” — i feel the same. Use it after busy, tired, hungry….
Asked “Got any plans for the weekend”: what to say in English
Say “Nothing much.” — no special plans. Also works for What's up?
At your floor / before getting off: what to say in English
Say “Oh, this is me.” — my stop. You can say: See you around!