When you need this

Sports come up everywhere: at the office on Monday morning, in a taxi in Mumbai during a big match, at a barbecue in Austin when the game is on in the background. You don't need to be a fan to join in. You need a few lines that say how much you care, what you play or watch, and a question that hands the conversation back.

Notice the difference between playing and watching. "I play tennis" is about you on the court. "I follow tennis" means you watch it and keep up with the results. "I'm into tennis" covers both, and it's the phrase you'll hear most in casual talk.

It's fine not to care. "I'm not really a sports person" is honest and polite, and people rarely push back. Follow it with something you do enjoy, and the conversation keeps going.

Phrases

you enjoy something a lot, playing or watching

a polite way to say sports don't interest you

you watch a sport and keep up with the results

the standard opening question

you played in the past but stopped

you started enjoying something recently

which team you support; "root for" is American

someone who watches and supports a team or sport

keep your body healthy and fit

exercise, usually at a gym

a sport you play with others, like soccer or volleyball

did you watch it, usually live

you care a lot about winning

a common opinion people share

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say one natural line for each situation.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.