If you’re searching for the best questions to get to know someone, this guide gives you a curated set of prompts—organized by situation—so you can skip small talk and start real conversations. You’ll find light icebreakers, thoughtful deep-dives, work-friendly questions, and playful what-ifs. Use them for first dates, new friendships, or stronger team connections.
Quick definition: “Questions to get to know someone” are open-ended prompts that invite stories, values, and personality—not one-word answers. Example starters: “What’s a small habit that brightened your week?”, “What’s a risk that paid off?”, “What’s a place that changed how you see the world?”
Pro tip: Try the 10-2-1 rule—pick 10 questions in advance, ask 2 naturally, then follow 1 thread where energy shows up. Quality > quantity.
How to Use These Questions (Without It Feeling Like an Interview)
- Match the moment: start light; go deeper once trust builds.
- Answer first: model openness to invite it back.
- Follow signals: if they light up, ask one follow-up and listen.
- Respect boundaries: if a topic feels sensitive, pivot kindly.
- End on a high: keep one upbeat closer for a great last note.
1) Easy Icebreakers
- What’s something ordinary you’ve appreciated lately?
- What small purchase recently brought you outsized joy?
- Are you more sunrise or sunset—and why?
- What’s your current go-to breakfast?
- Which app would you delete first if you had to?
- What’s a podcast or channel you’d actually recommend?
- What’s your favorite way to spend a free hour?
- Which emoji do you overuse (and what does it mean to you)?
- What’s a city you’d love to explore for a weekend?
- What tiny habit improved your day?
- What’s a recent “happy accident” you’re glad happened?
2) Preferences & Taste
- Tea, coffee, or something else entirely?
- Planner or wing-it—what’s your natural mode?
- What’s a comfort movie you rewatch?
- What music helps you focus?
- Favorite seasonal food or drink?
- Mountains, ocean, forest, or city?
- Which book or show actually lived up to the hype?
- What’s your love language—if you believe in those?
- When during the day do you feel most yourself?
- Which cuisine could you eat every week?
- What “guilty pleasure” do you not feel guilty about?
3) Work, Study & Ambition
- What problem do you love solving in your work or studies?
- Which skill are you actively building right now?
- Who’s been a surprisingly great mentor for you?
- What’s a career myth you’ve stopped believing?
- How do you like to receive feedback?
- What’s the best part of your current role?
- When do you feel “in flow” at work?
- If you designed a personal learning plan this year, what’s in it?
- What tiny professional win are you proud of?
- If you had a 3-month sabbatical, how would you use it?
- What does a good workday look like for you?
4) Family, Roots & Upbringing
- What tradition from your family or culture do you love?
- What story does your family always tell about you?
- What did your hometown teach you?
- Who helped shape your values growing up?
- What holiday memory do you cherish?
- Which family recipe would you pass down?
- What languages or dialects feel like home?
- What lesson did you learn the hard way as a kid?
- How did school fit—or not fit—your learning style?
- What’s something you’ll do differently from your upbringing?
- Who counts as “chosen family” for you now?
5) Personality & Habits
- Are you energized by crowds, duos, or solo time?
- What’s your current morning or evening ritual?
- What helps you reset after a stressful day?
- What’s a belief you changed your mind about?
- How would you describe your relationship with risk?
- What small boundary improved your life?
- When do you feel most creative?
- Which character trait are you proud of?
- How do you define success for yourself right now?
- What’s a pet peeve others find funny?
- What’s a hill you will absolutely not die on?
6) Hobbies, Skills & Creativity
- What hobby would you like to revive?
- What’s your favorite way to learn something new?
- What creative project are you secretly working on?
- What genre do you wish more people gave a chance?
- What’s your most practical DIY skill?
- If time were unlimited, what would you make?
- What local event do you love attending?
- Which game (board/video/sport) do you enjoy with friends?
- What’s the last thing you cooked or baked that was a hit?
- What’s your phone’s most-used camera album?
- What art, design, or aesthetic draws you in lately?
7) Travel, Culture & Curiosity
- Which place changed how you see the world?
- Are you a slow-and-immersive or checklist-and-fast traveler?
- What local spot would you show a visitor first?
- Which culture’s food surprised you the most?
- What’s your funniest travel mishap?
- Which museum or exhibit stuck with you?
- What phrase do you always learn in a new language?
- Where would you live for a year if you could?
- What kind of souvenir actually makes you happy?
- Window seat, aisle, or train over plane?
- What’s the best view you’ve seen so far?
8) Friendship, Love & Boundaries
- What makes you feel genuinely supported by friends?
- What’s a green flag you look for in people?
- How do you prefer to spend quality time?
- What’s your communication style during conflict?
- What does trust look like in practice for you?
- What boundary has improved your relationships?
- What’s your favorite way to celebrate people you love?
- What kind of friendship do you value most right now?
- What’s your ideal balance of togetherness and space?
- What act of kindness do you still remember?
- What makes you feel known?
9) Values, Beliefs & Worldview
- What principles guide your decisions when life gets messy?
- What does a good life mean to you today?
- Which cause do you wish more people understood?
- When do you feel a sense of purpose?
- What makes a community feel like home?
- How do you handle uncertainty?
- What value won’t you compromise on?
- Where do you find hope?
- How do you like to contribute—time, talent, resources?
- What changed your perspective in the last year?
- What kind of legacy feels meaningful to you?
10) Deep Reflection & Life Stories
- What chapter of your life are you in?
- What decision are you glad you took your time with?
- What did your last “first” teach you?
- Which setback later proved useful?
- What are you learning to let go of?
- What does self-care look like beyond treats?
- What have you unlearned recently?
- What would younger you be proud of today?
- What risk paid off?
- What conversation will you never forget?
- What are you excited to build next?
11) Hypotheticals & What-Ifs
- If you could master any skill overnight, what would it be?
- If you had an extra day each week, how would you spend it?
- If you could invite three people from any era to dinner, who’s coming?
- If money were no object for a month, what would you try?
- If you could relive one ordinary day, which would you pick?
- If you could instantly learn a language, which one—and why?
- If you taught a class on anything, what’s the syllabus?
- If you had a personal motto, what would it be?
- If you could press “pause” on one part of life, which and why?
- If your life had chapter titles, what’s the current one?
- If you could solve one problem in your community, what’s first?
FAQs
How many questions should I ask at once?
Two or three is plenty. Let the conversation breathe and follow the threads that feel alive.
Are these questions good for first dates?
Yes—start with icebreakers and preferences. Save deeper topics for when you both feel comfortable.
Can I use these at work?
Stick to work/ambition, personality, and light preferences. Avoid sensitive personal topics unless you know it’s welcome.
What if someone doesn’t want to answer?
Respect that. Pivot to something lighter or offer your own answer first.
How do I avoid it feeling like an interview?
Answer first, keep questions open-ended, and respond with stories—not just follow-ups.
Final Tip
Great conversations aren’t a checklist—they’re a dance. Bring a few prompts, listen closely, and be willing to be seen too. That’s how strangers become friends.