Asking a Colleague About Their Weekend

This conversation guide helps you practice asking a colleague about their weekend. It's a key part of office small talk, helping you build friendly relationships and show that you are a considerate and social colleague. It's a simple act that builds a positive work environment.

SpeakItGo• FEATURED• 5 min

BEGINNER

Employee A:

Good morning, Alex! How was your weekend?

Employee B:

Hey, Maria. It was good, thank you. I went to the park. How about you?

Employee A:

That sounds nice. My weekend was also good. I watched a movie with my family.

Employee B:

Oh, which movie?

Employee A:

We watched 'The Martian.' It was great!

Employee B:

I've heard good things about that one. I'll have to watch it.

Employee A:

You should! It's a great movie.

Vocabulary

weekend

The period from Friday evening to Sunday evening, especially regarded as a time for leisure.

How was your weekend?
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
He spent the weekend at the beach.

park

A large public garden or area of land used for recreation.

I went to the park with my family.
The children are playing in the park.
We had a picnic in the park.

Grammar Tip: Using 'How was...?' to Ask About a Past Event

'How was...?' is a simple and common way to ask about a past event, like a weekend or a vacation. It's a great phrase for beginners to use to start a conversation.

Common Mistakes

❌ Giving a one-word answer and not asking the other person back.

✅ After you answer, always ask the other person how their weekend was, like 'How about you?' or 'What did you do?'

This is a key part of conversational etiquette. Asking the other person back shows that you are interested in them and that you are not just waiting for them to finish talking. It builds a friendly and social relationship.

❌ Giving a very long and detailed answer.

✅ Keep your answer brief and to the point. You can add more details if they ask you a follow-up question.

A long, detailed answer can be overwhelming and can make the other person feel like they are being held captive. A brief answer is polite and allows for a more natural conversation to unfold.

Notes for Learners

Start with a friendly greeting like 'Good morning' or 'Hi.'
Ask the question clearly and directly.
Listen to their answer and respond appropriately.
After you answer, remember to ask them a follow-up question.
Keep the conversation light and friendly.
Be prepared to share a brief, simple detail about your weekend.
Avoid sensitive or personal topics.
End the conversation with a positive and friendly closing.

INTERMEDIATE

Employee A:

Hey, Alex! How was your weekend? Anything exciting happen?

Employee B:

Hey, Maria. It was pretty relaxing, thanks for asking. I finally finished the book I've been reading. It was a nice break. What about you?

Employee A:

Sounds lovely. I went to a local food festival with my family. The food was incredible! We tried all sorts of different things.

Employee B:

Oh, that sounds fun! I love food festivals. Which one did you go to?

Employee A:

It was the 'Taste of the City' festival downtown. You should check it out next time they have it.

Employee B:

I will! Thanks for the tip. I'm glad you had a good time.

Vocabulary

relaxing

Helping you to rest and feel less worried.

My weekend was very relaxing.
I love relaxing on the beach.
He had a relaxing weekend after a busy week.

food festival

An event at which people can enjoy and learn about food from a variety of vendors.

I went to a local food festival with my family.
The city's food festival is held every summer.
She loves trying new things at food festivals.

Grammar Tip: Using 'Anything exciting happen?' for a Friendly Question

'Anything exciting happen?' is a great phrase for an intermediate learner to use to ask about a weekend. It's a more casual and friendly way to ask about their weekend and shows that you are hoping they had a good time. It's a great way to start a conversation.

Common Mistakes

❌ Giving a simple 'good' or 'fine' answer.

✅ Give a brief, interesting detail about your weekend to make the conversation more engaging.

A simple 'good' or 'fine' can make the conversation feel a bit flat. Giving a brief detail, like 'I finally finished the book I've been reading,' makes the conversation more interesting and shows that you are willing to share.

❌ Not showing genuine interest in their answer.

✅ Listen to their answer and ask a follow-up question to show that you are paying attention.

Asking a follow-up question, like 'Which one did you go to?', shows that you are listening and that you are interested in what they are saying. It builds a genuine connection and makes the conversation more enjoyable for both of you.

Notes for Learners

Start with a friendly and polite greeting.
Ask a more engaging question, like 'Anything exciting happen?'
Listen to their answer and ask a follow-up question to show genuine interest.
Be prepared to share a brief, interesting detail about your weekend.
Keep the conversation light and friendly.
Offer a suggestion or a recommendation if it's relevant to the conversation.
End with a positive note, like 'I'm glad you had a good time.'
Always be respectful of your colleague's time and workload.

ADVANCED

Employee A:

Good morning, Alex. I trust you had a productive and rejuvenating weekend.

Employee B:

Good morning, Maria. Yes, it was indeed. I actually took some time to volunteer at a local charity, which was incredibly rewarding. How about yourself? Did you get a chance to unwind?

Employee A:

That's wonderful to hear. A rewarding way to spend a weekend. I spent my time working on a personal project. It was a great opportunity to get some focused work done without any interruptions.

Employee B:

Sounds like you made the most of it. It's always a good feeling to make progress on a personal passion. It was a pleasure catching up.

Employee A:

Likewise. Let's catch up more later this week. Have a great day!

Vocabulary

rejuvenating

Making someone or something look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.

I trust you had a productive and rejuvenating weekend.
The spa treatment was very rejuvenating.
He took a rejuvenating nap after a long day.

unwind

To relax after a period of work or tension.

Did you get a chance to unwind?
He likes to unwind by watching a movie.
The weekend is a great time to unwind and relax.

Grammar Tip: Using 'I trust you had...' for a Formal Greeting

'I trust you had...' is a very formal and professional way to greet someone. It is a more sophisticated version of 'How was your weekend?' and shows a high level of respect for your colleague. This is a key feature of advanced professional communication.

Common Mistakes

❌ Asking a generic question and not showing genuine interest.

✅ Use more sophisticated language, like 'I trust you had a productive and rejuvenating weekend,' to show that you are a professional and a thoughtful colleague.

An advanced professional is not just interested in the answer; they are interested in the person. Using sophisticated language shows that you are a thoughtful and considerate colleague. This builds a deeper, more meaningful professional relationship.

❌ Ending the conversation abruptly.

✅ End the conversation with a positive and forward-looking statement, like 'Let's catch up more later this week.'

An abrupt ending can make the conversation feel awkward and forced. A positive and forward-looking statement shows that you value the relationship and that you are open to future interactions. This is a key feature of advanced professional communication.

Notes for Learners

Use formal and professional language, such as 'productive' and 'rejuvenating.'
Be prepared to share a brief, interesting detail about your weekend.
Show genuine interest in their answer and ask a follow-up question if appropriate.
Be prepared to share a brief, interesting detail about your weekend.
Keep the conversation light and friendly.
End the conversation with a positive and forward-looking statement, like 'I'm looking forward to our next collaboration.'
Always be respectful of your colleague's time and workload.