Catching Up and Sharing Updates
Friends engage in conversations about their recent lives, work, travel, and personal experiences, catching up on what everyone has been doing.
Los amigos se involucran en conversaciones sobre sus vidas recientes, trabajo, viajes y experiencias personales, poniéndose al día con lo que todos han estado haciendo.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
ages
This means a very long time, often used informally when you haven't seen someone for a while, like in 'it's been ages since we met.'
Esto significa un tiempo muy largo, a menudo usado de manera informal cuando no has visto a alguien por un rato, como en 'it's been ages since we met.'
busy
Means having a lot of things to do, so not much free time. It's common in casual talks about daily life.
Significa tener muchas cosas que hacer, por lo que no hay mucho tiempo libre. Es común en charlas informales sobre la vida diaria.
up to
In 'what have you been up to?', it asks about recent activities or what someone has been doing lately. It's a friendly way to inquire about news.
En 'what have you been up to?', pregunta por actividades recientes o lo que alguien ha estado haciendo últimamente. Es una forma amigable de indagar sobre noticias.
same old, same old
An idiom meaning nothing new or exciting has happened; life is routine. Use it to say your situation hasn't changed much.
Una expresión idiomática que significa que no ha pasado nada nuevo o emocionante; la vida es rutinaria. Úsala para decir que tu situación no ha cambiado mucho.
awesome
Slang for something very impressive or great. It's a casual way to show excitement, like about a trip or achievement.
Jerga para algo muy impresionante o genial. Es una forma casual de mostrar entusiasmo, como sobre un viaje o un logro.
landed
In job contexts, it means successfully got or secured something, like 'landed a new job.' It's informal and positive.
En contextos laborales, significa haber conseguido o asegurado algo con éxito, como 'conseguido un nuevo trabajo.' Es informal y positivo.
challenging
Means difficult but in a way that tests your skills. Use it for work or tasks that are tough yet rewarding.
Significa difícil pero de una manera que pone a prueba tus habilidades. Úsalo para trabajos o tareas que son duros pero recompensadores.
taking the leap
An idiom for making a big, risky decision, like changing jobs. It implies bravery in trying something new.
Un modismo para tomar una gran decisión arriesgada, como cambiar de trabajo. Implica valentía al probar algo nuevo.
catch up
Means to talk and share recent news with someone you haven't seen in a while. Often used in social invitations.
Significa hablar y compartir noticias recientes con alguien a quien no has visto en un tiempo. A menudo se usa en invitaciones sociales.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Hey Mark, it's been ages! How have you been?
This is a friendly greeting for reuniting with a friend. 'It's been ages' means a long time has passed, and 'how have you been?' uses present perfect to ask about recent well-being. Useful for starting casual conversations.
Esta es una salutación amistosa para reunirse con un amigo. 'It's been ages' significa que ha pasado mucho tiempo, y 'how have you been?' usa el presente perfecto para preguntar por el bienestar reciente. Útil para iniciar conversaciones casuales.
What have you been up to?
A common question to ask about someone's recent activities. The present perfect continuous 'have you been up to' focuses on ongoing actions lately. Great for catching up in social settings.
Una pregunta común para indagar sobre las actividades recientes de alguien. El present perfect continuous 'have you been up to' se centra en acciones continuas recientes. Genial para ponerse al día en entornos sociales.
Same old, same old.
A short, informal response meaning nothing much has changed. It's idiomatic and casual, perfect for when you don't have exciting updates to share.
Una respuesta corta e informal que significa que no ha cambiado mucho. Es idiomática y casual, perfecta para cuando no tienes actualizaciones emocionantes que compartir.
I actually just got back from a trip to Japan!
This shares personal news using 'actually' for emphasis and 'just got back' in simple past for a recent return. Useful for talking about travel experiences in conversations.
Esto comparte noticias personales usando 'actually' para énfasis y 'just got back' en pasado simple para un regreso reciente. Útil para hablar sobre experiencias de viaje en conversaciones.
No way, that's awesome!
An excited reaction to surprising good news. 'No way' shows disbelief or surprise, and 'awesome' means great. Use this to respond positively in friendly chats.
Una reacción emocionada ante una buena noticia sorprendente. 'No way' muestra incredulidad o sorpresa, y 'awesome' significa genial. Úsalo para responder positivamente en chats amigables.
Yeah, I actually landed a new role as a project manager.
This updates on a career change using present perfect 'landed' for a recent achievement. 'Actually' adds emphasis. Helpful for discussing work progress.
Esta es una actualización sobre un cambio de carrera usando el present perfect 'landed' para un logro reciente. 'Actually' añade énfasis. Útil para discutir el progreso laboral.
That's fantastic, congratulations!
A way to celebrate someone's success. 'That's fantastic' expresses strong approval, and 'congratulations' is a standard phrase. Use it to show support in social talks.
Una forma de celebrar el éxito de alguien. 'That's fantastic' expresa una fuerte aprobación, y 'congratulations' es una frase estándar. Úsala para mostrar apoyo en conversaciones sociales.
We should totally plan to catch up properly soon, maybe over dinner?
Suggests meeting again using 'should' for recommendation and 'catch up properly' meaning a real, detailed talk. 'Totally' adds enthusiasm. Ideal for ending conversations and planning future meetups.
Sugiere volver a reunirse usando 'should' para recomendación y 'catch up properly' significando una charla real y detallada. 'Totally' añade entusiasmo. Ideal para terminar conversaciones y planificar reuniones futuras.