When you need this
A stranger gets "Nice to meet you." Someone you know gets something shorter, warmer and more specific. With people you already know, the greeting is a tiny check-in: you show you remember them, and you give them an open door into a real conversation.
Two things make it work. First, use their name early; it tells the other person you are glad it's them and not somebody else. Second, ask about one thing you know is going on in their life: the new job, the trip, the kids. "How are you?" is polite. "How was Tokyo?" is friendly.
How long it has been changes the line. For someone you saw yesterday, "Hey" is enough. For someone you haven't seen in months, you name the gap: "It's been ages."
Phrases
very warm and casual, for close friends and family only
the standard warm opener for someone you know
"we haven't met for a long time"; said with a smile, never as a complaint
asks about the whole time since you last met
an open question about recent news in their life
a check-in on one part of their life; swap in family, school or the new place
shows you remember what they told you last time
a cheerful reply meaning nothing much has changed
a relaxed reply meaning things are fine
a friendly compliment after a long gap; keep it general
a way to end that includes their family
a warm goodbye; it only becomes a plan if someone names a day
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Greet the person. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.