English is one of the most important languages in the world, and mastering it can open many doors for us in the workplace and can help us live new experiences. Therefore, knowing how to speak this language is almost mandatory.
Basic questions in English
In this article you can find a list of basic questions in English in case you do not know the language and want to know how to communicate when you are in an English-speaking country or when you have to deal with people who will only understand you in this language.
The basic questions in English are:
1. What’s your name?
Translation: What is your name?
For when we want to know the name of the other interlocutor.
2. What’s your last name / surname?
Translation: What is your last name?
If what we want is to know the full name then we can use this question.
3. What do you do for a living?
Translation: What do you do?
We may be interested in knowing the profession of the person with whom we interact.
4. Where are you from?
Translation: Where are you from?
When we want to know the place of residence or place of origin of the other person.
5. Where do you work?
Translation: Where do you work?
Similar to “What do you do for a living”, but more specific. Seek to know the job the person has
6. How old are you?
Translation: How old are you?
This question would be answered like this: “I’m (age) years old.”
7. Are you married?
Translation:: Are you married?
We can use it when we want to know if the person is married.
8. Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Translation: Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
You can use it when you like a person.
9. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Translation: Do you have siblings?
To find out if you have an extended family.
10. What are you doing?
Translation: What are you doing?
In moments in which you want to find out what the person does
11. Where do you live?
Translation: Where do you live?
A typical question to get to know someone.
12. How are you?
Translation: How are you?
One of those questions that are used very frequently.
13. How do you feel?
How do you feel?
In reference to emotions or when the person has been bad.
14. What’s your favorite food?
Translation: What is your favorite food?
When you want to find out someone’s food.
15. Have you got a car?
Translation: Do you have/do you have a car?
It can be used with any object and car.
16. Are you ready?
Translation: Are you ready?
In other words, it’s how to tell if you’re ready to do something.
17. How was it?
Translation: How was it?
For example, how was the movie.
18. How did it go?
Translation:How was it?
Like the previous question. How was, for example, the movie.
19. How did it happen?
Translation: How did it happen?
To want to investigate something that has happened.
20. How’s it going? (informal)
Translation: How are you doing?
An informal way of asking “How are you?”
21. Where are you going?
Translation: Where are you going?
The intrigue of knowing where a person is going can lead to asking this question.
22. Where is my…?
Translation: Where is my…?
When are you looking for something you need or what you think you’ve lost.
23. What’s the weather like?
Translation: What is the weather like?
Important question when one has plans or to go on vacation.
24. What time is it?
Translation: What time is it?
This question is one of the most useful.
25. Who said that?
Translation: Who said that?
When you want to find out the person who verbalizes something.
26. When?
Translation: When?
This clarifying question allows know more about the specific moment of something
27. What’s that?
Translation: What is that?
When something misses you and you don’t know what it is.
28. What do you like?
Translation: What do you/do you like?
A way to find out someone’s tastes about something.
29. What do you think about…?
Translation: What do you think about…?
A way to know the opinion of a first-hand person
30. What would you like to eat?
Translation: What would you/would you like to eat?
Typical question from a waiter to a customer.
31. What would you like to drink?
Translate: What would you/would you like to eat?
Like the previous one, a very common question from waiters.
32. Where did you go?
Translation: Where did/did you go?
When you want to know where a person has been.
33. Where were you?
Translation: Where was/were?
If you are surprised by the reason why someone has arrived late.
34. What’s new?
Translation: What’s new?
In reference to whether there is news on any topic,
35. What’s up? / What’s happening? (informal)
Translation: What’s wrong?
When you arrive at a place and you are surprised by what is happening.
36. Who is your favorite singer?
Translation: Who is your/your favorite singer?
A question that can also be used to find out someone’s favorite color, song or movie.
37. Where were you born?
Translation: Where were/were you born?
A question that can be frequently applied in the administrative environment
38. Do you like living in your country?
Translation: Do you like living in your country?
There are people who want to live in a country that is not theirs, so they can choose one of the destinations that appear in the article “8 countries to go to start a new life from scratch”
39. Where is the doctor?
Translation: Where is the doctor?
Useful for those situations in which one is sick.
40. What’s your address?
Translation: What is your address?
When you want to know where a person lives
41. What’s your (tele)phone number?
Translation: What is your phone number?
Necessary question to obtain the other person’s phone number.
42. Have you got any children?
Translation: Do you have children?
Interesting when we want to establish a long-term relationship with someone.
43. Can you play tennis?
Translation: Can you play tennis?
To find out if it is possible to compete with the other person in tennis, even if it is as a form of entertainment and not a competition.
44. Can you speak Spanish?
Translation: Do you speak Spanish?
If you speak little English this question is a good resource.
45. Could you do it?
Translation: Could you do it?
In reference to whether you have the skills or the time to do something.
46. How can I help you?
Translation: Can I help you?
To offer help. For example, when you see someone lost.
47. Can I try it on?
Translation: Can I try it on?
If you are in a clothing store and want to try on some clothing.
48. What’s that?
Translation: What is that?
When you don’t know what something is and you want to find out
49. Can I open the window?
Translation: Can I open the window?
If you are hot and need some air, opening the window is a good option.
50. What would you like to do?
Translation: What would you like to do?
To know what the other person wants to do.
51. How much does it cost? / How much is it?
Translation: How much does it cost?
Useful when you are in your supermarket and want to know the price of a product.
52. How would you like to pay?
Translation: How would you like to pay?
In case you want to pay by card or in cash.
53. Where is the nearest supermarket?
Translation: Where is the nearest supermarket?
If you are looking for a supermarket and you are abroad.
54. Is this your book?
Translation: Is this your book?
You can apply this question with other objects. For example. Is this your car? I mean, is it your car?
55. What does he/she look like?
Translation: What is he or she like?
To know someone’s traits or personality.
56. What would you like to eat?
Translation: What would you like to eat?
If you are going to invite someone to dinner or you are going to cook for them.
57. What’s it about?
Translation: What is it about?
This question can be used, for example, to explain the plot of a movie.
58. What do you think about that film?
Translation: What do you think of that movie?
Similar to the previous one, but the person who answers gives you their opinion.
59. How difficult or easy is it?
Translation: How difficult or easy is it?
For example, when you want to know the difficulty of a university subject.
60. What are you going to do tomorrow?
Translation: What are you doing tomorrow?
When you intend to meet someone the next day.
61. Would you like to meet me for a drink?
Translation: Do you want to meet me for a drink?
A way to ask someone that you want to spend some time with them.
62. Would you like to go out with me?
Translation: Would you like to go out with me?
Similar to the previous one, but it is more direct.
63. What shall we do about this?
Translation: What should we do about this?
A question that you can use when you have doubts
64. Why don’t we go out for a run?
Translation: Why don’t we go for a run?
A question that has a very healthy background.
65. What’s your address?
Translation: What is your address?
When you want to know where someone lives so you can send them something by mail.