'How are you?' that doesn't sound textbook
By the end you'll ask how someone is and answer naturally instead of the textbook お元気ですか.
Part of the guide: Japanese Greetings: The Right One for the Time, Place, and Person →
- 1
？ genki?
Casual 'you good?' between friends.
Use when greeting a friend you haven't seen in a while
しぶり！？ hisashiburi! genki?
Long time! How are you?
- 2
どう？ choushi dou?
Casual 'how's it going?' that asks about your current state.
Use when asking a friend or colleague how things are going
、どう？ saikin, choushi dou?
How's it been lately?
- 3
まあまあです maamaa desu
A polite 'so-so' that's honest without oversharing.
Use when answering when things aren't great but you don't want to complain
まあまあですね、しくて。 maamaa desu ne, isogashikute.
So-so, things are busy.
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