Questions · Pen pals
Questions to ask a pen pal that keep the letters coming
A pen pal writes back when your letter gives them something easy and interesting to answer. These questions go from the everyday details of the first letters to the stories and hopes that come once you know each other.
- 16 questions
- EN + TL on every card
- Free in the app
Kumustahan is a bilingual conversation card app: 1,200 questions in English and Filipino across 7 decks, with a short reflection on the back of every card.
What are you looking forward to over the next few weeks?
Ano ang inaabangan mo sa susunod na mga linggo?
Finish if you like: "The part I cannot wait for is..."
Kung gusto mo, ituloy: "Ang pinaka-inaabangan ko ay..."
The questions
16 questions for pen pals
Every question in English and Filipino/Tagalog, word for word from the Kumustahan decks. Open “Back of the card” for the reflection printed on the other side.
First letters
6 questions
Everyday life, in detail. Ask two per letter.
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When you get home, what’s the first thing you usually do?
Pag-uwi mo, ano yung unang bagay na usually mong ginagawa?
Back of the card
That first move can be funny, tired, quiet, or automatic. It can say something about how you settle in.
Yung first move na iyon pwedeng nakakatawa, pagod, tahimik, o automatic. May sinasabi rin siya kung paano ka nagse-settle.
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Pick your ideal weather: a warm rainy afternoon or a cool sunny morning.
Pumili ng gusto mong panahon: maulan pero mainit na hapon o maaraw pero malamig na umaga.
Back of the card
Choose a sound to go with your weather.
Pumili ng tunog na bagay sa pinili mong panahon.
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Describe a tiny routine you do even if nobody notices.
I-describe yung tiny routine mo kahit walang nakakapansin.
Back of the card
Tiny routines can be private proof that you have your own way of moving through the day.
Yung tiny routines, private proof minsan na may sarili kang way gumalaw sa araw, sa sarili mong style.
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Which part of the day usually feels easiest for you?
Anong part ng araw usually pinaka-madali para sa'yo?
Back of the card
Some people come alive in the morning, some at night, and some during one quiet pocket in between.
May taong buhay na buhay sa umaga, may gabi ang favorite, at may isang tahimik na part lang sa gitna na hinihintay.
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Confess one harmless habit you know is very you.
I-confess yung harmless habit na very you talaga.
Back of the card
Harmless habits become part of your signature. They may be small, but people who know you probably notice.
Yung harmless habits, nagiging signature mo rin. Maliit lang, pero napapansin yan ng mga nakakakilala sa'yo.
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Where do you feel like you can finally breathe a little?
Saan mo nararamdaman na parang nakakahinga ka na ulit?
Back of the card
The place does not have to be special to anyone else. If your body softens there, it counts.
Hindi kailangang special sa ibang tao yung lugar. Kung doon ka lumuluwag, counted yun.
Photos and stories
6 questions
Ask for a picture or a story to go with the answer.
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Describe a funny photo of yourself that you would happily show your friends.
Ikuwento ang isang funny photo mo na okay lang sa'yong ipakita sa friends.
Back of the card
No need to show it. What caption would fit the photo?
Hindi kailangang ipakita. Anong caption ang babagay sa photo?
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What detail do you notice first in an old photo with a friend?
Anong detalye ang una mong napapansin sa lumang photo kasama ang friend?
Back of the card
No need to show it. Would you keep that detail in a photo taken today?
Hindi kailangang ipakita. Gusto mo bang makita pa rin ang detalyeng iyon sa photo ngayon?
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Name a new interest a friend might be surprised you enjoy.
Magbanggit ng bagong hilig mo na baka ikagulat ng friend.
Back of the card
You could open with: “I never thought I'd enjoy this, but...”
Puwedeng magsimula sa “Hindi ko akalaing magugustuhan ko ito, pero...”
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What are you good at that your friends rarely get to see?
Saan ka magaling na bihirang makita ng friends mo?
Back of the card
Imagine a friend seeing you do it for the first time.
Isipin na unang nakita ng friend kung paano mo ito ginagawa.
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How can friends tell when you are excited about something?
Paano nahahalata ng friends na excited ka sa isang bagay?
Back of the card
Think of the sign you notice in yourself before anyone else does.
Isipin ang senyales na napapansin mo sa sarili mo bago pa mapansin ng iba.
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Tell us about a small thing you can do now that would have amazed you as a kid.
Kuwento mo yung maliit na bagay na kaya mo na ngayon na maa-amaze ka kung bata ka pa.
Back of the card
Progress can look ordinary from the outside. But younger you might know exactly how big that ordinary thing is.
Mukhang ordinaryo minsan ang progress. Pero baka alam ng batang ikaw kung gaano kalaki yung ordinaryong bagay na yan.
Once you know each other
4 questions
Plans, hopes and things to look forward to together.
-
What are you looking forward to over the next few weeks?
Ano ang inaabangan mo sa susunod na mga linggo?
Back of the card
Finish if you like: "The part I cannot wait for is..."
Kung gusto mo, ituloy: "Ang pinaka-inaabangan ko ay..."
-
Name one thing that would make next month feel a little lighter.
Magbanggit ng isang bagay na makakatulong para mas gumaan nang konti ang next month.
Back of the card
A lighter month does not have to mean a perfect one. Even one less weight can change how a season feels.
Hindi kailangang perfect ang mas magaan na month. Kahit isang bawas na bigat, iba na ang pakiramdam ng season.
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Name one small hope that helps you keep going.
Magbanggit ng isang maliit na hope na tumutulong sa'yo magpatuloy.
Back of the card
A small hope can still carry real strength. It may be quiet, but it is not nothing.
May totoong lakas din ang maliit na hope. Tahimik man siya, hindi ibig sabihin wala siyang bigat.
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What goal would you like to reach and celebrate with friends?
Anong goal ang gusto mong maabot at i-celebrate kasama ang friends?
Back of the card
Pick the celebration's mood: quiet, silly, or a little of both.
Piliin ang gusto mong celebration: tahimik, makulit, o kaunti ng pareho.
How to use them
Before you ask
The best questions to ask a pen pal are about the small details of their ordinary day, because those are easy to write about and are exactly what you can’t see from where you live.
Pen-pal friendships usually fade around the third letter. The first one covers name, age, country and hobbies, the second repeats it, and by the third neither person knows what to ask. Ask about the first thing they do when they get home, their ideal weather or a tiny routine they do even if nobody notices, and suddenly there are pages to write.
Ask two questions per letter, answer them yourself first, and save one or two for next time. In school pen-pal programs, let each student pick their two cards. For learners of English, the letters double as writing practice: answer in full paragraphs, not lists.
Good for
Tips
- Answer the question yourself in the same letter. It shows the length you hope for.
- Two questions per letter is plenty; more feels like a form.
- Ask for a photo or a drawing with one answer.
- Refer back to something from their last letter before asking something new.
- Keep personal details like addresses and school names out of messages with online pen pals you haven’t met.
Decks for this
Pen pals
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask my pen pal?
Start with everyday details: what they do when they get home, their ideal weather, a small routine. Later, ask for stories and photos, and once you know each other, ask about plans and hopes.
What do you write in a first letter to a pen pal?
Introduce yourself briefly, describe one ordinary part of your day in detail, and ask two easy questions about theirs. Ending with a question gives them something to write back.
Are these questions good for students writing to pen pals?
Yes. They are simple, friendly and safe for school programs, and they encourage full-paragraph answers.
Bring a better question to the table.
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