最近怎么样？
Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?
How have you been lately?
A natural catch-up question.
Everyday conversation
Small Talk
Short, useful lines for greetings, mood, weather, plans, and casual replies.
还不错。
Hái búcuò.
Pretty good.
A simple, relaxed answer.
今天有点忙。
Jīntiān yǒudiǎn máng.
Today is a bit busy.
周末你有什么计划？
Zhōumò nǐ yǒu shénme jìhuà?
What plans do you have for the weekend?
天气真好。
Tiānqì zhēn hǎo.
The weather is really nice.
我也这么觉得。
Wǒ yě zhème juéde.
I think so too.
好久不见。
Hǎojiǔ bú jiàn.
Long time no see.
Use when meeting someone after a while.
你今天忙吗？
Nǐ jīntiān máng ma?
Are you busy today?
我有一点累。
Wǒ yǒu yìdiǎn lèi.
I'm a little tired.
我们改天再聊。
Wǒmen gǎitiān zài liáo.
Let's chat another day.
A polite way to close a casual chat.
Mini-dialogues
Use the phrases together
Casual Chat with a Friend
A
最近怎么样？
Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?
How have you been lately?
B
还不错，你呢？
Hái búcuò, nǐ ne?
Pretty good, and you?
A
我有点忙，但还好。
Wǒ yǒudiǎn máng, dàn hái hǎo.
I'm a bit busy, but okay.
B
周末有空吗？一起吃饭？
Zhōumò yǒu kòng ma? Yìqǐ chīfàn?
Free this weekend? Let's grab a meal together?
A
好啊，到时候见。
Hǎo a, dào shíhou jiàn.
Sure, see you then.
Ordering Two Cold Beers
Customer
你好，请给我两杯冰啤酒。
Nǐ hǎo, qǐng gěi wǒ liǎng bēi bīng píjiǔ.
Hello, two cold beers please.
Bartender
好的，马上来。
Hǎo de, mǎshàng lái.
Sure, coming right up.
Customer
谢谢，今天真热。
Xièxie, jīntiān zhēn rè.
Thanks, it's really hot today.
Bartender
是啊，喝冰啤酒正好。
Shì a, hē bīng píjiǔ zhènghǎo.
Yeah, perfect weather for a cold beer.
Quick catch-up
A
最近怎么样？
Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?
How have you been lately?
B
还不错，就是有点忙。
Hái búcuò, jiùshì yǒudiǎn máng.
Pretty good, just a bit busy.
Weekend plans
A
周末你有什么计划？
Zhōumò nǐ yǒu shénme jìhuà?
What plans do you have for the weekend?
B
我想在家休息。你呢？
Wǒ xiǎng zài jiā xiūxi. Nǐ ne?
I want to rest at home. What about you?
A
我想见朋友。
Wǒ xiǎng jiàn péngyou.
I want to see friends.
Ending politely
A
我今天有点忙。
Wǒ jīntiān yǒudiǎn máng.
I'm a bit busy today.
B
没关系，我们改天再聊。
Méi guānxi, wǒmen gǎitiān zài liáo.
No problem, let's chat another day.
Useful answers
What learners ask
How do you ask how someone has been in Chinese?
Say 最近怎么样？ pronounced Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?, meaning How have you been lately?
How do you say long time no see in Chinese?
Say 好久不见, pronounced Hǎojiǔ bú jiàn.