250 Questions To Get To Know Someone & Spark Conversation
Have a few ice-breakers up your sleeve!
getty Sometimes we all need a little help with keeping the conversation flowing. Whether you're on a date or just meeting someone new, it's good to have questions to get to know someone on hand so you can break the ice and really get to the core of who someone is.
Meeting someone new can be difficult for introverts (and even extroverts!), especially when it comes to small talk. There are so many factors that go into what’s discussed or when something is brought up.
You have to take the social factors into consideration before conversating, because, as we all know, there are certain questions for certain times.
For example, if you are trying to get to know someone on a date, you can play a game like 20 questions, where you go back and forth asking a question each turn. You can ask basic questions about likes and dislikes, dreams, and goals.
You can also ask deep, personal questions: "If you could erase something you did in the past, what would it be?" or "What is one thing you would change about yourself?" To keep the game engaging, interesting questions include those that spark a conversation, like "What was the weirdest conversation you have overheard?" or "Do you believe in déjà vu?"
To help you get the conversation flowing, here is a list of questions to get to know someone and help you get more comfortable with each other.
First Date Questions To Get To Know Someone:
It may feel weird at first when you start talking with your crush or someone you're romantically interested in. Sometimes starting with the most harmless of questions will help you get more comfortable. These are good questions to talk about in person or through text when you're trying to decide whether this person may be worth pursuing.
1. What was the last book you read?
2. Do you have pets?
3. Who is the most fascinating person you've met?
4. Who is your celebrity look alike?
5. Where have you traveled?
6. Are you a vegetarian?
7. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
8. What would your perfect vacation look like?
9. What food could you not live without?
10. What food could you live without?
11. What is something everyone should try once?
12. What is the best thing that happened to you this month?
13. What do you do to unwind?
14. Where is the strangest place you have visited?
15. What household chore do you hate?
16. Are you allergic to any foods?
17. What is your worst fear?
18. What is the cutest animal?
19. What is the ugliest animal?
20. Who is the kindest person you know?
21. Do you have any odd talents?
22. Which country do you never want to visit?
23. How have you changed since high school?
24. What is the most relaxing situation you could imagine?
25. What is the most beautiful view you have ever seen?
26. What is the most expensive restaurant you have ever eaten at?
27. What is the most recent thing you've done for the first time?
28. How did you meet your best friend?
29. When was the last time you walked for more than an hour?
30. What is the best and worst ice cream flavor?
31. How much personal space do you need to feel comfortable?
32. What are people often surprised to learn about you?
33. What small things brighten up your day when they happen?
34. What is the most ridiculous thing you've done because you were bored?
36. Which Disney character's story does your life most resemble?
37. What is a funny pick-up line that works for you?
Photo: G-Stock Studio / Shutterstock
Questions About Interests To Get To Know Someone:
When you like someone, it's great to witness their face lighting up when they talk about something they love. And interests say a lot about a person. While you don't have to like all the same things to be compatible, it's helpful to have a few things you can enjoy doing together. Finding out someone's interests can also tell you a lot about their priorities and how the are spending time and money.
38. What do you like to do in your free time?
39. What are your hobbies?
40. What are the top three things you like to talk about?
41. What do you like but are kind of embarrassed to admit?
42. What do you think about when you are alone?
43. What food can you cook the best?
44. Do you prefer, salty, savory, or sweet?
45. What is the last TV show you binge-watched?
46. Which celebrity do you shamelessly follow in the news?
47. What is something you cannot go a day without doing?
48. Do you prefer takeout or cooking?
49. What foods do you really dislike?
50. Do you read the nutritional information on the foods you buy?
51. How often do you eat out?
RELATED: 10 Things To Talk About To Keep Your Date Interested
Questions About Family To Get To Know Someone's Relatives:
Family drama can add pressure to relationships, so it's important to know where your date stands with their parents and other relatives. Are they close? Did they grow up in a loving environment? Questions about family members may be triggering, so respect what your date does and does not want to share.
52. What TV family most reminds you of your own?
53. Who is your craziest/most interesting relative?
54. Which parent are you closer to and why?
55. What would you do if your parents didn't like your partner?
Questions About Career To Get To Know Someone:
We aren't our careers, but our jobs can consume so much of our lives. Careers that are incompatible in terms of scheduling and travel might cause friction in a relationship. Knowing what a potential partner wants to do 40+ hours a week will give you a lot of insight into their life.
56. What is your dream job?
57. Do you work to live or live to work?
58. What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
59. Is what you are doing now what you always wanted to do growing up?
60. Do you ever have imposter syndrome?
61. What advice would you give your previous boss?
Questions About Relationships To Get To Know Someone Better:
This set of questions is for when you have started pursuing someone for a relationship. Some are light, some are lusty, and some will get you thinking. It's important to make a mental note of their answers to specific questions like a dream date, so you can make their dreams reality.
62. Would you ever take back someone who cheated?
63. When do you think a person is ready for marriage?
64. Why did your last relationship end?
65. What is your dream date night?
66. What makes you feel the most loved?
67. What is most important to make your relationship last?
68. What do you love most about me?
69. What kind of music puts you in the mood?
70. What is your love language?
71. What was your first impression of me when we met?
72. What is your favorite way I touch you?
73. What physical feature of mine is your favorite?
74. What is your idea of a perfect date?
75. What song do you think of when you think of me?
76. What could I do to improve our relationship?
77. When was the first moment you wanted to kiss me?
78. What do I do that helps you calm down?
79. When are you the happiest with me?
80. What was your favorite part of our first kiss?
81. When and what was the first moment you knew you liked me?
82. What do you say to others when you talk about me?
83. What is one thing you want to do with me that we haven't done yet?
84. What great adventures do you think we'll achieve in the next 5 years?
85. What do you think I find most attractive about you?
86. What has been one of the funniest times we've had together?
87. What is your biggest relationship dealbreaker?
88. What do you like best about our relationship?
89. Is there anything you're afraid to accomplish that I can help you with?
90. What values are most important in a relationship?
91. Has anything surprised you about our relationship?
92. What is your favorite memory with me?
93. What moment would you want to relive again and again?
94. What is something little I do that makes you smile?
95. What is your most scandalous memory of us?
96. What can I do to spice up our love life?
97. What do you think is most important for communicating in our relationship?
98. What weaknesses do you see in our relationship?
99. Has anything surprised you about me?
100. What strengths do you see in our relationship?
101. Is there anything you'd like me to be willing to change?
102. What goals would you like to set up for our relationship?
103. What can I do to encourage you on a regular basis?
104. Is there anything about me you might not know but want to know?
105. What is the most essential part of a friendship?
106. Do you stay friends with your exes?
107. Who is that one person you can talk to about just anything?
108. What do you think of having best friends of the opposite sex?
109. When was the last time you broke someone's heart?
110. Would you relocate for love?
111. Do you believe in second chances?
112. What is the craziest thing you've done for love?
Photo: Getty
Questions About Aspirations To Get To Know Someone On A Deeper Level:
If you're seeking a partner with ambition, ask about their aspirations. Relationships work well when you want similar things in life. If one partner wants to live simply and quietly, they may not mesh well with a partner who dreams big. Find out how goal-oriented the person is before committing to anything.
113. What makes you feel accomplished?
114. What skill have you always wanted to learn?
115. What are your personal goals?
116. Would you like to be famous?
117. When will you know you've "made it"?
118. What does happiness mean to you?
119. Why did you go to the school you went to?
Funny Questions To Get To Know Someone:
Sometimes when you are with your date, partner, family, or anyone else important to you, you need some sort of list of questions to spark conversation. These funny questions are light and spark interesting conversations, especially when you need to lighten up the topic.
120. What is the best WiFi name you have seen?
121. What is the most ridiculous fact you know?
122. Is a hotdog a sandwich? Why or why not?
123. What conspiracy theory do you believe?
124. What is the funniest joke you know by heart?
125. Toilet paper: over or under?
126. What is the weirdest recurring dream you have?
127. Does pineapple go on pizza?
128. What is something everyone looks stupid doing?
129. What is the best type of cheese?
130. What is the longest-running inside joke you've been a part of?
131. What would be the absolute worst name you could give your child?
132. What is the weirdest thing a guest has done at your house?
133. What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever worn?
134. Which body part do you wish you could detach and why?
135. What is the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?
136. What would be the worst "buy one get one free" sale of all time?
137. What sport would be the funniest to add a mandatory amount of alcohol to?
138. What would be the coolest animal to scale up to the size of a horse?
139. What set of items could you buy that would make the cashier the most uncomfortable?
140. What two totally normal things become really weird if you do them back to back?
141. What movie completely changes its plot when you change one letter in its title? What is the new movie about?
142. If you were transported 400 years into the past with no clothes or anything else, how would you prove that you were from the future?
143. Where was the most embarrassing place you've farted?
144. What fictional character is amazing but would be insufferable to be around in an everyday setting?
RELATED: How Great Conversations Create Deep Intimacy And Happiness
Personal Questions To Get To Know Someone New:
Nothing bonds two people faster than answering deep, personal questions. In fact, some studies have shown that certain questions can help people fall in love. When the time is right, these questions lead to a deep conversation. Test the waters with lighter questions first before delving into the more intimate inquiries.
145. What is your biggest insecurity?
146. What fictional character do you relate to the most?
147. What are you most thankful for?
148. What is the first secret you ever kept from anybody?
149. Where do you find meaning in life?
150. What is your biggest pet peeve?
151. What wrong assumptions do you make about people?
152. How do you think people see you?
153. What is the greatest risk you've ever taken?
154. When were you the happiest in life?
155. What is the craziest thing you've ever done and would you do it again?
156. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?
157. If you could erase something that you did in the past, what would it be?
158. When have you caused the most harm to yourself?
159. Have you cried tears of joy before?
160. When was the last time you cried?
161. When has someone broken your heart?
162. What did you do when you hurt someone the most?
163. What is one thing you would change about yourself?
164. Are you religious or spiritual?
165. What is your biggest regret in life?
166. Are you confrontational?
167. Have you ever lost someone close to you?
168. What is your biggest mistake in life and what did you learn from it?
169. What is the greatest and hardest struggle you have overcome?
170. What is your best quality?
171. What is the weirdest thing about you?
172. What calms you the quickest?
173. What is the darkest thought you have ever had?
174. What makes you feel uneasy, anxious, and overwhelmed?
175. When have you felt the lowest in your life?
176. How do you deal with stress?
177. What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done?
178. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Photo: oneinchpunch / Shutterstock
Unique Questions
When you're trying to find something to talk about, using unconventional questions are great for getting someone to open up. If you can make this person laugh, you're doing a good job! Why not have an interesting, weird conversation?
179. If you were a brand, what would be your tagline?
180. What is the toughest decision you have ever had to make?
181. What is the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?
182. How do you define beauty?
183. Do you believe in déjà vu?
184. What is your superpower?
185. If you could give everyone just one piece of advice, what would it be?
186. How does the color of a location affect how you like something?
187. What says the most about a person?
188. What are some things that are OK to occasionally do but definitely not OK to do every day?
189. If you could do one thing without suffering the consequences, what would you do?
190. Are there any foods that bring back special memories for you?
191. What is the strangest dream you have ever had?
192. Is home a place or a feeling? Why?
193. What do you think happens after death?
194. Do the utensils we use to eat affect the kind or way we prepare the foods we eat?
195. Are you a lucky person?
196. Do you believe in fate?
197. Have you ever experienced something you cannot explain?
198. If you could be any fruit, what fruit would you be?
199. What was the weirdest conversation you have overheard?
200. When was the last time you stopped and smelled the flowers?
201. What are some things that you've never bought and will never buy?
202. What would be your last meal?
Random Questions To Get To Know Someone:
People get tired of the same standard "talking stage" questions. Keep it exciting and fresh with random questions. They might get you both laughing and will give you a better idea of this person's sense of humor. These questions are perfect for lulls in the conversation and make great ice-breakers, too.
203. How much does a polar bear weigh?
204. Have you ever gotten super lost? If so, where?
205. Do you have any crazy roommate stories?
206. What words could you not pronounce as a child?
207. What is the worst haircut you've ever had?
208. What nickname did you have growing up?
209. Have you ever tried a traditional English breakfast?
210. What is a weird fact you happen to know?
211. What commercial jingle gets stuck in your head frequently?
212. What is the most random thing in your purse/wallet?
213. What is a nickname someone actually calls you?
214. If all your clothes had to be one color forever, what color would you pick?
215. If you were a type of jeans, what type would you be?
216. How many different colored foods did you eat for dinner last night?
'What Is Your Favorite' Questions
These may seem juvenile, but basic, fun questions can tell you a lot about someone. If you take good mental notes, you'll be able to use this info to plan a date or give a great gift. People love it when you remember little details about them, so pay attention to the answers.
217. Do you have a favorite cafe or restaurant?
218. What are your top three favorite songs?
219. What is your favorite smell?
220. What is your favorite romantic movie?
221. What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
222. What is your favorite holiday?
223. What is your favorite app on your phone?
224. Who was your favorite teacher?
225. What is your favorite book?
226. What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
227. What is your favorite fruit?
228. What is your favorite alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink?
229. What is your favorite vegetable?
230. What is your favorite food?
231. What is your favorite color?
232. What is your favorite movie of all time?
233. What is your favorite international food?
234. What is your favorite restaurant?
235. Who is your favorite actor/actress?
Photo: Look Studio / Shutterstock
'What If' Questions:
Imagining hypothetical scenarios can make for an entertaining time. It can also tell you a lot about how someone thinks and what they value. These questions may seem irrelevant, but they provide good insight. They make fun first date and texting questions, but they work anytime.
236. What if you could spend your life never sleeping?
237. What if you could find a cure for a disease?
238. What if you could live forever and never aged?
239. What if you could marry someone famous, living or dead?
240. What if we found dinosaurs living on a remote island?
241. What if computers took over the world?
242. What if you could be any animal?
243. What if you could have any job you desired?
244. What if you were asked to go into space?
245. What if you had three wishes?
246. What if you found out you were really a robot?
247. What if you could live anywhere in the world?
248. What if you could fly?
249. What if you knew you had only 24 hours to live?
250. What if you were allowed to eat only one food for the rest of your life?
Lindsey Matthews is a writer who covers love and relationships, news, and pop culture topics.