In 15 Seconds
- A friendly way to ask for recent life updates.
- Best for friends, family, and casual work colleagues.
- Commonly answered with 'Not much' or 'Same old'.
Meaning
This is a friendly way to ask someone if anything interesting or important has happened in their life since you last spoke. It is like asking for a quick update on their world.
Key Examples
3 of 6Meeting a friend for coffee
Hey Sarah! What's new with you?
Hey Sarah! What's new with you?
Walking past a coworker in the hall
Morning, Bob! What's new?
Morning, Bob! What's new?
Starting a casual weekly team meeting
Before we start the agenda, what's new in everyone's departments?
Before we start the agenda, what's new in everyone's departments?
Cultural Background
It is often used as a 'throwaway' greeting. People might not actually want a long list of news; they just want a friendly acknowledgment. German speakers might take the question more literally than Americans. If you ask, be prepared for them to actually tell you what is new! While common, it's often replaced by 'You alright?' which functions similarly as a greeting that doesn't necessarily require a detailed answer. In remote work, 'What's new?' is a common way to start Zoom meetings to build 'virtual watercooler' rapport before the agenda starts.
The 'Not Much' Rule
If you don't have big news, just say 'Not much, you?'. It's the most polite and common response.
Don't be too literal
Don't list every single thing you did today. Only mention 1 or 2 interesting things.
In 15 Seconds
- A friendly way to ask for recent life updates.
- Best for friends, family, and casual work colleagues.
- Commonly answered with 'Not much' or 'Same old'.
What It Means
What's new? is a classic English greeting. It is a way to show interest in someone's life. You are asking for the latest news. It covers everything from big life changes to small daily updates. Usually, the person doesn't expect a long list. They just want to start a conversation.
How To Use It
Use it when you see a friend or colleague. It works best if you haven't talked for a few days. You can say it as a standalone question. You can also pair it with a greeting. For example: Hey! What's new? Most people answer with Not much or Same old. If something big happened, share it briefly. It is a low-pressure way to connect.
When To Use It
Use it in casual settings. It is perfect for the office kitchen. Try it when texting a friend you miss. It works great at a party when meeting an acquaintance. Use it when you want to be friendly but don't have a specific topic. It keeps the energy light and open. It is the 'soft opening' of the social world.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it in very serious situations. Avoid it during a funeral or a crisis. Do not use it if you just saw the person an hour ago. That feels repetitive and a bit silly. Also, avoid it in high-stakes job interviews. In those cases, stick to more formal greetings. If someone looks very upset, a deeper question is better.
Cultural Background
In Western culture, this is a 'phatic' expression. This means the social connection is more important than the information. It became very famous through the cartoon character Bugs Bunny. His catchphrase was What's up, doc?, which is a close cousin. Americans especially love to use this to keep things moving. It reflects a culture that values being busy and having 'news' to share.
Common Variations
What's up?(Very casual)What's been going on?(More detailed)Anything new with you?(Direct and focused)What's the latest?(Sounds like you want juicy gossip)What's new in your world?(Warm and personal)
Usage Notes
This phrase is safely informal. It sits perfectly between the very slangy 'Sup?' and the more formal 'How have you been?'. The biggest mistake is taking the question too literally and providing a long, boring list of everything you did that day.
The 'Not Much' Rule
If you don't have big news, just say 'Not much, you?'. It's the most polite and common response.
Don't be too literal
Don't list every single thing you did today. Only mention 1 or 2 interesting things.
Use 'With'
To sound more fluent, add 'with' to ask about something specific: 'What's new with your dog?'
Examples
6Hey Sarah! What's new with you?
Hey Sarah! What's new with you?
A standard, warm opening for a social catch-up.
Morning, Bob! What's new?
Morning, Bob! What's new?
Used here as a quick greeting without stopping.
Before we start the agenda, what's new in everyone's departments?
Before we start the agenda, what's new in everyone's departments?
Used to gather brief professional updates.
Hey! What's new? Mom said you bought a car!
Hey! What's new? Mom said you bought a car!
Used to prompt a specific story or update.
You've been staring at that wall for an hour. What's new?
You've been staring at that wall for an hour. What's new?
Used sarcastically to point out that nothing is happening.
I heard things have been tough. What's new today? Are you feeling better?
I heard things have been tough. What's new today? Are you feeling better?
Used to check on someone's emotional state gently.
Test Yourself
Complete the greeting with the correct word.
Hey Sarah! Long time no see. What's ____?
'What's new?' is the fixed idiomatic expression.
Which response is the most natural for 'What's new?'
A: What's new? B: ________
'Not much' is the standard way to answer this greeting.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
Mark: What's new ____ your new apartment? Jane: It's great! I love the neighborhood.
We use 'with' to ask about a specific topic after 'What's new?'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When should you NOT use 'What's new?'
'What's new?' is too casual and cheerful for a somber occasion like a funeral.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHey Sarah! Long time no see. What's ____?
'What's new?' is the fixed idiomatic expression.
A: What's new? B: ________
'Not much' is the standard way to answer this greeting.
Mark: What's new ____ your new apartment? Jane: It's great! I love the neighborhood.
We use 'with' to ask about a specific topic after 'What's new?'.
When should you NOT use 'What's new?'
'What's new?' is too casual and cheerful for a somber occasion like a funeral.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThey are similar, but 'How are you?' asks about your feelings, while 'What's new?' asks about events in your life.
Yes, if you have a friendly relationship. If it's a very formal boss, stick to 'How are you?'.
The most common answer is 'Not much' or 'Not a lot.'
It is always 'What's new?' for personal updates. 'News' refers to the media.
Yes! Adding 'with you' makes the question feel more personal and direct.
Yes, it is used throughout the English-speaking world, including the UK, Australia, and Canada.
You can say 'Actually, quite a lot! I just got a new job!'
Absolutely. It's one of the most common ways to start a text conversation.
It's a cultural habit to be humble or to wait for the other person to show more interest before sharing.
No, that would be too informal. Start a speech with 'Good morning' or 'Thank you for having me.'
Related Phrases
What's up?
similarA very casual greeting asking what is happening.
How's it going?
similarAsking about the general state of someone's life.
What's the latest?
specialized formAsking for the most recent news or gossip.
Same old, same old
contrastA response meaning nothing has changed.
