🤝 5 Words That Make You Sound Native — Meeting New People | EnglishDrops

Meeting someone new and want to sound like a native from hello to goodbye? Episode 99 covers the full arc of a first meeting — the first impression, the surprising connection, warming up, swapping contacts, and the goodbye that keeps the door open. 💧

The 5 Words

1. swap contact info (collocation) Trade phone numbers or social handles with someone new. "Let's swap contact info before you head out!" ⚠️ Casual talk says swap, not "exchange" — "exchange contact info" sounds like a business meeting. 💡 Friendly and casual; works for numbers, Instagram, anything.

2. a small world (idiom) Your reaction when two people unexpectedly share a connection. "Your cousin knows my roommate? A small world!" ⚠️ It's a reaction — lead with "Wow" or "No way"; never open a chat with just "a small world." 💡 Said with delight, right after you discover the coincidence.

3. warm up to someone (phrasal verb) To gradually start liking someone after meeting them. "I warmed up to her by the second coffee." ⚠️ Preposition alert — warm up to someone, never "warm up with someone." 💡 Honest and human — admits first impressions take time; great in dating and friendship talk.

4. don't be a stranger (expression) A friendly goodbye to a new acquaintance that keeps the door open. "Great meeting you — don't be a stranger!" ⚠️ It's an invitation, not a command — never use it to criticize someone for not calling. 💡 Warm, casual sign-off after meeting someone you'd like to see again.

5. make a good first impression (collocation) To create a positive effect the first time you meet someone. "She made a great first impression at the meetup." ⚠️ Fixed collocation — make an impression; "do an impression" means to imitate someone! 💡 Natives often upgrade it: "she made a GREAT first impression."

✨ Magic Sentence

A small world! You made a great first impression — we warmed up to each other, swapped contact info, and she said, "Don't be a stranger!"

🗣️ Real-Life Dialogue

A: See that guy by the window? Go say hi! B: Okay — I want to make a good first impression, that's all. A: People warm up to you fast. Wait… Marcus? B: A small world! A: Swap contact info before he leaves! B: On it — and don't be a stranger!

🌍 Translations

English	中文	日本語	Français	Español
swap contact info	交换联系方式	連絡先を交換する	échanger ses contacts	intercambiar contactos
a small world	世界真小	世界は狭いね	le monde est petit	el mundo es un pañuelo
warm up to someone	慢慢喜欢上某人	人に心を開く	commencer à apprécier quelqu'un	llegar a caer bien a alguien
don't be a stranger	常联系	疎遠にならないでね	ne reste pas un inconnu	no seas un desconocido
make a good first impression	留下好印象	良い第一印象を与える	faire bonne première impression	causar una buena primera impresión

💧 EnglishDrops — Master English, one drop at a time.