Self Introduction
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EN: Use 'am' after 'I' to describe yourself, your status, or your location in the present.
I am a student.
EN: 'Hi there' is a very common, friendly way to start a conversation with someone you don't know well. It sounds more natural and warm than just saying 'Hi'.
EN: Use 'am' after the subject 'I' to introduce yourself or state your identity.
I am a student.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common and friendly to introduce yourself first before asking for someone else's name. Using 'Hey' is informal and suitable for peers or casual settings.
EN: Use 'Nice to meet you' when you meet someone for the first time. It is a polite way to start a friendship.
Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is very common and friendly to repeat the person's name back to them when you first meet, as Alex does with 'Lisa'.
EN: Use 'Where are you from?' to ask about someone's hometown or country. The word 'too' is added at the end of a sentence to mean 'also'.
I am from Taiwan too.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking 'Where are you from?' is a standard and friendly way to get to know someone new, especially in diverse cities like Boston.
EN: Use 'be from' to talk about your hometown or where you were born.
She is from Japan.
EN: In the U.S., people often identify their hometown by its proximity to a major city (like Boston) to help others locate it geographically.
EN: Use 'is' to connect a singular noun (Boston) with a description (a great city). This is the basic 'A is B' pattern.
London is a big city.
EN: In American culture, responding with 'Cool!' or 'Great!' is a very common way to show active listening and enthusiasm during a conversation.
EN: Use the Past Simple tense (verb + ed) to talk about actions that happened and finished at a specific time in the past, like 'last month'.
I visited my grandmother last week.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'What about you?' is a standard way to show interest in the other person and keep a conversation balanced.
EN: Use 'there' after a noun to refer to a place mentioned earlier without repeating its name.
I visited Paris. The food there is delicious.
EN: San Diego is famous for its beautiful coastline and warm weather, which is why people often mention 'the beach' when talking about it.
EN: The phrase 'What do you do?' is the standard way to ask about someone's job or profession in English.
What do you do for a living?
EN: In Western culture, asking 'What do you do?' is a very common icebreaker when meeting someone new. It is generally considered a polite and neutral way to start a conversation about one's life.
EN: Use the Present Simple tense to talk about your job or things you do regularly.
I work in an office.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'travel blogger' is a common modern profession. When meeting someone, it's polite to briefly explain what your job involves if it's a creative or specialized role.
EN: Use 'Sound + Adjective' to give your opinion or reaction to something you just heard.
That sounds great!
EN: In English conversations, it is polite to give a positive reaction (like 'That sounds fun!') before talking about yourself. This shows you are listening.
EN: Use 'Do' at the beginning of a sentence to ask a 'Yes/No' question with action verbs in the present tense.
Do you play tennis?
EN: In Western culture, asking 'Do you like your work?' is a common way to show interest in someone's life without being too intrusive about their salary or status.
EN: Use 'than' to compare two things. Add '-er' to short adjectives to show something has more of a quality.
This cake is sweeter than that one.
EN: In English, it is common to start with a positive answer ('Yes, I do') before sharing a challenge or negative aspect. This keeps the conversation polite and balanced.
EN: Use 'What do you do...' to ask about someone's habits or regular activities. The first 'do' is a helping verb for the question, and the second 'do' is the main action.
What do you do on weekends?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking about hobbies is a very common and polite way to get to know someone. It is considered a 'safe' small talk topic compared to asking about age or salary.
EN: When using the verb 'like' to talk about activities, we add '-ing' to the action word (verb). This turns the action into a noun.
I like reading books.
EN: In Western culture, asking about hobbies is a standard way to build rapport and find common ground during a first meeting.
EN: Use the '-ing' form (gerund) after the verb 'love' to talk about activities or hobbies you enjoy in general.
I love playing piano and reading books.
EN: In many English-speaking cultures, 'hiking' is a very common small-talk topic and a popular weekend activity for people of all ages.
EN: Use 'want to + verb' to talk about things you desire or plan to do.
I want to drink some water.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, showing enthusiasm ('That sounds great!') is a common way to build rapport and show you are listening during a conversation.
EN: Use 'should' to give advice or make a friendly suggestion to someone.
You should try this cake!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'You should...' is often used as a warm invitation rather than a strict command, especially in social settings.
EN: Use 'Can I + verb' to ask for permission or to make a polite request in a friendly way.
Can I have some water?
EN: In many English-speaking cultures, asking for a phone number after a friendly conversation is a common way to suggest staying in touch. Using 'get' is casual and very common among peers.
EN: Use 'will' to talk about things you decide to do at the moment of speaking or to make promises about the future.
I will call you tomorrow.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'Of course!' is a very polite and enthusiastic way to say yes, especially when someone asks for a favor or information.
EN: Use 'It was nice meeting you' at the end of a conversation to say goodbye politely. Using the '-ing' form (meeting) refers to the time you just spent together.
It was nice talking to you.
EN: In Western culture, it is very common and polite to use the person's name when saying goodbye. It makes the conversation feel more personal and friendly.
EN: Use 'I am glad (that) + subject + verb' to express happiness about a specific situation or event.
I am glad you liked the food.
EN: 'Same here' is a very common and friendly way to agree with someone's sentiment, especially after meeting someone new or sharing an experience.
EN: The word 'then' is often used at the end of a sentence to mean 'in that case' or to confirm a plan based on what was just discussed.
See you at six then!
EN: In English-speaking cultures, adding 'then' at the end of a farewell is a friendly way to wrap up a conversation after making plans. It shows agreement and enthusiasm.
EN: Use 'will' to talk about future events or predictions that you are sure about.
It will be a sunny day tomorrow.
EN: In casual English, 'See you' is a very common way to say goodbye when you expect to meet the person again soon. Adding a positive prediction like 'It will be a great hike' shows friendliness and enthusiasm.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
A polite way of greeting someone when you meet them for the first time.
Used to ask for someone's opinion or to ask the same question back to them.
Used to say that you feel the same way or are in the same situation.
A casual way to say goodbye when you expect to see the person again soon.
A professional who applies engineering principles to the design, development, and maintenance of computer software.
Time when one is not working or occupied; leisure time.