230 Questions to Get to Know Someone: Most Effective Questions to Ask

Getting to know someone in this day and age of hiding behind out screens can pose a unique challenge. In many ways, the art of conversation seems to be dying, and the sad consequence of that is people are feeling more isolated and disconnected than ever before.

Whether it’s a guy you like, a guy you’re dating, co-workers, or your friends — how much depth of connection exists in your relationships? How well do you really know the people in your life, including those closest to you?

A lot of people feel awkward or nervous in conversations, especially a conversation with someone they’re trying to impress. You end up talking about nonsense and no real connection is formed.

And here is what most people forget. Conversations aren’t meant to impress someone, they are meant to discover someone. 

MORE: 225+ Amazing Questions to Ask a Guy

You don’t need to do tricks or play games to make him like you, you just look at what’s there and take it for what it is, and you let things unfold naturally without force or agenda. When you can do this, it totally takes the pressure of you and you don’t have to worry about “failing” with a guy, or being rejected. You are just talking and discovering what another and seeing if it’s a good fit (this also applies for networking and job interviews).

I’ve divided the questions into several categories:

Casual– these questions  are perfect for a first or second date or networking event.

A little more personal– these questions are good to ask someone you already know but want to know better. They are perfect for friends or a guy you’ve been dating for a little while

Going deep– These questions are meant for people you already know pretty well, close friends or a significant other

For a Guy You Like– You can ask most of these questions to a guy you like, but since this is such a hot topic, I’ve created a few that are exclusively meant for that situation.

OK, so let’s dive in and look at the most effective questions to ask to get to know someone!

MORE: 20 Questions to Ask a Guy You Like to Get Closer

Light and casual questions to get to know someone:

• What is your spirit animal?
• Are you an extrovert or introvert?
• Are you a cat person or a dog person?
• What’s your all time favorite movie?
• What is your ultimate dream job?

• What was your major in college?
• What would you do if you had all the money in the world?
• Which do you prefer: city or suburbs?
• What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?
• What emoji best captures your essence?
• What is the most addicting site on the internet?
• Do you play any sports?
• What was your favorite age?
• If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
• What’s your zodiac sign?
• What is one thing you never get bored of?
• Are your a morning or night person?
• Do you believe in the paranormal?
• What is the first concert you ever attended?
• Do you enjoy small talk with strangers, or do you try to avoid it at all costs?
• What is one show you never, ever miss an episode of?
• What’s the last show you binge-watched?
• Who is your favorite band?
• What was the last concert you went to?
• What was your favorite subject in school?
• Do you like to exercise?
• Do you like to eat healthily?
• Have you ever tried a fad diet craze?
• What is your favorite holiday?
• What is your favorite time of year?

• What are your hobbies?
• What is a random food you hate?
• Can you speak any other languages?
• What’s your favorite dessert?
• What is your drink of choice?
• Do you like trying new things?
• Which famous person would you like to be best friends with?
• What is one place you’re dying to travel to?
• What is something you’re embarrassingly bad at?
• Who are your favorite sports teams?
• What is something you’re impressively good at?
• Are you an indoor or outdoor person?
• Are you spontaneous or a planner?
• Where would you want to live if you could live anywhere in the world?
• Which female celebrity is your ultimate dream girl?
• Which fictional movie character would you want to marry?
• Which fictional movie protagonist do you wish you could be more like?
• What is the greatest TV show of all time?
• What is the greatest movie of all time?
• Who is the greatest band of all time?
• What is your biggest pet peeve?
• Do you play any video games?
• Do you play any instruments?
• What is the last book you read that you absolutely couldn’t put down?
• Are you usually 15 minutes late, or 15 minutes early?

• Did you have any pets growing up?
• What is your absolute favorite song that you never get sick of?
• What is your favorite quote or expression?
• What is your favorite line from a song?
• What is one thing you can’t live without?
• Is your job fulfilling?
• What is your favorite movie genre?
• What is a popular movie that everyone loved that you hated?
• What is your favorite way to start the day?
• What is your least favorite food?
• If you could live in any historical decade, what would it be?
• What’s your favorite board game?
• What is your favorite city?
• What is your most impressive skill?
• What is your hidden talent?
• What’s the most exciting thing in your life right now?
• What are you completely bored with in life?
• Do you cook?
• If you could have a superpower what would it be?
• What’s something you can’t do?
• If you could teach one subject in school, what would it be?
• Who is your favorite superhero?
• Who is a historical figure you would like to have a drink with?

• What’s your favorite app?
• What was your first job?

MORE: How to Never Run Out of Things to Say on a Date

Questions that go a little deeper to get to know someone:

• What is your favorite childhood memory?
• What is the nicest compliment you’ve ever received?
• What is one thing you worried and stressed about that ended up being no big deal?
• What skill do you wish you could master?
• What’s your Myers Briggs?
• What’s your Enneagram?
• What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
• What is one thing no one realizes about you?

• If you could bring one musician back from the dead, who would it be?
• When is the last time you used YOLO as an excuse to do something?
• How do you deal with people you really don’t like?
• What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever purchased?
• Have you ever had a near-death situation?
• What do you do when you’re in the mood to do nothing?
• What makes you laugh no matter what?
• What is your most prized possession?
• What would your perfect day look like?
• Did you have a happy childhood?
• Do you get along with your parents?
• Do you get along with your siblings?
• Are you ever judgmental?
• Where do you see yourself in ten years?
• Where your parents strict?
• Have you ever cheated on a test?
• How would your family describe you?
• What do your friends love most about you?
• What is the last thing that really moved you?
• Have you ever been caught in a lie?
• What do you do when you’re feeling stressed?
• Have you ever made a huge drunken mistake?
• So you like social media, or think it’s ruining society?
• Have you ever had surgery?

• What is a risk worth taking?
• Is there anyone you admire?
• What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
• Do you believe in a higher power?
• What is a cause you truly believe in?
• Do you want to have kids someday?
• Do you believe in marriage or think it’s obsolete?
• Is it better to be nice or important?
• What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
• How have you changed since your teenage years?
• Is there a mistake you seem to make over and over again?
• What do people usually come to you for when they need advice?
• Do you have any strange phobias?
• What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
• Have you ever been in a physical fight?
• Does getting older scare you?
• What’s one thing you still have from your childhood?
• What’s one habit you wish you could break?
• What is something you consider absolutely unforgivable?
• What did you love most about your hometown?
• Do you believe in reincarnation?
• What is something that makes you feel like a kid again?
• How do you deal with stressful situations?
• Are you good at debates?
• What advice would you give your teenage self?

• What is something you always procrastinate on?
• What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
• What is the title of the story of your life?
• What is the toughest lesson you’ve ever learned?
• Are you a spender or a saver?
• If you could get rid of one technological item, what would it be?
• What annoys you most about people?
• What qualities do you value in your friends?
• What do you have no patience for?
• What is your favorite family memory?
• What is the best thing that happened to you this year?
• What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
• What is one goal you hope to achieve in your lifetime?
• What’s your worst habit?

MORE: 425 Never Have I Ever Questions- The Ultimate List

Very deep and personal questions to get to know someone: 

• Were you ever bullied?
• Have you ever been a bully?
• What was your biggest childhood fear?
• What are people always surprised to discover about you?
• What is one thing you wish you knew as a child?
• Have you ever had your heart broken?
• Have you ever broken someone’s heart?
• What was the worst part of your childhood?
• What surprises you the most about people?
• What is your biggest regret in life?
• What is the one way you sabotage yourself?
• What is the worst decision you’ve ever made?
• Have you ever burned any bridges that you regret?
• Do you have any recurring dreams?
• When is the last time you felt truly, deeply happy?
• Would you change anything about your family?
• What is one thing you wish you could go back and do again?
• Have you ever been in love?
• Are you a confident person?
• What keeps you up at night?
• What are your biggest insecurities?
• What are your greatest fears?
• What gives your life meaning?

• Would you say you truly love yourself?
• What is one shameful thing you’ve done that you’ve never told anyone?
• Have you ever been cheated on?
• What is the most important life lesson for someone to learn?
• Have you ever cheated on someone?
• When was the last time you had a good cry?
• Have you ever been addicted to something?
• Has anyone close to you passed away?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• What do you wish you could be better at?
• If you could go back and re-do the last five years, what would you do differently?
• What always angers you?
• What are your thoughts on the “hookup culture”?
• Have you ever experienced a trauma?
• Have you ever been on medicine for a mental issue?
• Have you ever seen a therapist?
• Do your parents have a happy marriage?
• Who do you consider to be “relationship goals”?
• Have you ever hit rock bottom in life?
• Have you ever been in serious trouble?
• What makes you feel truly alive?
• What was a defining moment in your life?
• Do you believe in an afterlife?
• What is something you did once and will never do again?

• What is something you have strong opinions about?

MORE: Amazing Questions to Get to Know Someone

Questions to ask a guy you like:

• Do you believe in soul mates?
• What is the absolute worst quality a person can have?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• What would be your perfect date?
• What is the most romantic movie you’ve ever seen?
• What behavior instantly turns you off?
• Do you want a wife who works or one who will be home with the kids?
• What physical feature do you always notice first?
• What should a healthy relationship provide for the people in it?
• How would you describe me in three words?
• Do you believe love conquers all?

• Alls fair in love and war?
• What would be your dream date?
• What would be your dream romantic getaway?
• Can you tell me a secret you’ve never told anyone else?
• Are you a relationship person or do you like to date around?
• Do you prefer to go out or stay in?
• What is the first thing you notice about a woman?
• Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
• How would you define love?
• What are you most grateful for in life?
• What’s more important, love or money?
• What was your first impression of me?
• What does family mean to you?
• What does “manliness” mean to you?
• What motivates you in life?
• In what way are we totally similar?
• In what way are we totally different?
• Do you think opposites attract?
• What is one thing that always melts your heart?

MORE: 50 Great Questions To Ask A Guy

Things to keep in mind

Don’t ask a question for the sake of asking an interesting question- ask to truly discover what the other person is about. The biggest mistake people make these days is fixating on the outcome they want … and what it will mean if things don’t turn out in their favor. This is what leads to the heartbreak and disappointments.

Dating isn’t a means to validate yourself or fill your self-esteem tank. The purpose of dating is to discover how compatible you are with another person, that’s it! Sometime you’ll realize it isn’t a match, sometimes both of you will see it, and sometimes only he will realize it and that’s usually the hardest for women to cope with.

MORE: 20 Questions to Get to Know Someone

This isn’t just about dating. The same applies to job interviews or anything in life. When you go in for an interview desperate to get the job, then there is was too much attached to the outcome. If you don’t get it, you’re a failure, you’re worthless. So you go in with all these hopes and expectations, you need this job. You don’t even care if it’s an actual match for you and your skills, you have to have it. Then you don’t get it and you’re devastated. This is the wrong approach. Instead, you need to go in with an attitude of, “This job sounds like a great fit for me, I can’t wait to find out more about it at the interview” …. And then the interview is a chance to see if this is an actual fit. It’s not a desperate quest to prove your worthy of this job.

Desperation kills attraction and it kills your chances of landing that dream job and getting almost anything you want in life. It’s just unattractive, Think about desperate people you’ve known in life. You weren’t drawn to them, you didn’t want more of them … you wanted to get away from them!

Being good at conversation and knowing the right things to say isn’t just about following a script, it’s about coming from the right place internally. That is a place of confidence and curiosity, not insecurity and neediness. Conversation is meant to be enjoyable, not nerve-wracking and painful.

Whether it’s a guy you’re dating, a job you want, or just mingling at a networking event, take the pressure off and see it as an opportunity to connect, and not an opportunity to prove your worth.

The second you seeks to prove anything, you immediately radiate a desperate vibe that is off-putting.

Give Him Space To Answer And Just Listen:

When you have some idea of what you want a man to reveal to you, you might be disappointed when he does not say what you want him to say. But imagine how horrible this would feel to him if he knew that his responses disappointed you?

Don’t have expectations; simply be present in the moment.

You must be a good listener:

Remember this: If you want someone to open up to you, you must be a good listener.

Being a good listener is actually quite easy. It’s not so much about what you do, but rather, what you don’t do:

A good listener doesn’t:

• Have expectations of what you want them to say
• Get upset about things they say
• Make what they’re saying about you
• Judge, attack or argue with what they’re saying
• Try to use “being a good listener” as a way to impress them

So what do you do to be a good listener?

All it takes to be a good listener is to give them space to say whatever they want to say (or not say). And as they speak, you simply have your complete attention on what they’re saying.

You’re not caught up in your mind thinking about what you want to say next or about what they might be thinking about you.

You’re not thinking about something else or distracted while they’re talking. You’re not eager for them to say something that makes you feel good.

You’re not caught up in your mind-chatter. You have your complete attention on them, giving them space, without your mind activity adding pressure to the situation.

You’re giving them your attention without distraction, judgment or expectation.

When you do this, they will feel like it’s safe to open up to you and they’ll feel that you will truly hear what they’re saying.

The truth is, people want to open up and share with other people, but only when they feel the other person is really listening to what they have to say.

When you give someone your full attention and space to speak, it can be incredibly healing for them and create an extremely powerful bond between you and them.

And the best part is, you don’t have to do anything – just give someone your complete attention and openness!

In this modern day of distraction, being a great listener is also incredibly rare.

When you can really listen to them with your full attention and really give them space to be as they are, don’t be surprised if they start to feel a very deep connection to you like they’ve never experienced before.

I hope this article gave you some fresh ideas for questions to ask to really get to know someone. When it comes to relationships with men, there are two really important moments you need to be aware of. The first is that at some point In your relationship, your man will start to pull away. You may notice him becoming more distant and less engaged. It seems like he’s losing interest in you and you worry that soon he’s going to just leave. Do you know what to do to get things back on track? If not, read this next: If He’s Pulling Away, Do This...

The next issue arises at that inevitable point when the man asks himself: Do I want to commit to this woman for the long term? The answer will determine everything. Do you know what makes a man see a woman as girlfriend/wife material? Do you know what inspires a man to commit? If not, you need to read this too: The #1 Things Men Desire in a Woman

What did you think of these questions to get to know someone? Leave your questions and feedback in comments!