How to say “what about you” like a native speaker
Invite the listener to answer the same question or describe their own situation. It is a useful way to turn small talk into a two-way conversation.
All phrases · Small talk
Hear “what about you” in real speech
Clip 1 · Robert Waldinger
What Makes a Good Life? Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness | Robert Waldinger | TED · 11:21
About this video
Robert Waldinger asks what keeps people healthy and happy throughout life. He contrasts the pursuit of wealth and fame with findings about relationships and loneliness from a long-running study.
In context
with family, with friends, with community.So what about you?
Let's say you're 25, or you're 40, or you're 60.
Clip 2 · VOA Learning English
James Madison, Rescued rower, Imagery, Guilty pleasure · 27:26
About this video
Caty Weaver and Mario Ritter Jr. introduce a VOA Learning English programme with slower speech for learners. Its stories include James Madison, the rescue of a Pacific rower, and ways to connect vocabulary with personal experience.
In context
So it's just a guilty pleasure.What about you, Faith?
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Clip 3 · BBC Learning English
Our favourite sweet foods 🍦🍭🍫 Practise your listening with Real Easy English · 1:22
About this video
Phil and Georgie discuss desserts in this BBC Learning English conversation. They talk about having a sweet tooth, wanting sugar after meals and memorable puddings.
In context
I would prefer to have a dessert or pudding than a starter, actually.Yeah. What about you? Do you like them?
Yeah, I do. I think...
When to use “what about you”
- Returning a question about hobbies: “I play tennis. What about you?”
- Checking a friend's availability: “I'm free on Thursday. What about you?”
Possible connected-speech patterns in “what about you”
Link T into the first vowel of “about”. “About you” may join with a CH-like sound in quick speech.
Related phrases
Practise again tomorrow? Get one short sentence a day, ready to record in one tap.
You don't need to speak fast.
A slow line to begin with: listen to how “don’t need to” runs together, then say it at the speaker’s pace.
Free · One email a day · Unsubscribe anytime. Confirm your email to start. We keep only your email, language, time zone and where you signed up.