When you start learning Japanese, one of the first things you’ll want to know is how to greet people. In English, we often say “How are you?” as a friendly way to start a conversation. But in Japanese, there are many different ways to ask someone how they are, depending on the situation, how well you know the person, and how formal you want to be.
In this article, we’ll show you 15 different ways to say “How are you?” in Japanese. Some are polite, some are casual, and others are fun or even a little silly! Whether you’re talking to a friend, a coworker, or writing a message, you’ll find the right phrase here.
1. Understanding Basic Japanese Greetings
In English, we often say “Hello, how are you?” as a casual, polite greeting. However, in Japanese, greetings are more nuanced and don’t always have a direct one-to-one translation. Japanese greetings often reflect the formality of the situation and the relationship between the people involved.
2. Saying “Hello” in Japanese
Standard “Hello” (Daytime):
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
- This is the most common and standard way to say “hello” during the day.
- It’s neutral and can be used in most formal and informal settings.
Morning Greeting:
- おはようございます (Ohayō gozaimasu)
- This means “Good morning.”
- おはよう (Ohayō) is informal and used among friends and family.
- Adding ございます (gozaimasu) makes it more polite and formal.
Evening Greeting:
- こんばんは (Konbanwa)
- This means “Good evening.”
- Used in the same way we would use “hello” in the evening.
3. Asking “How Are You?” in Japanese
Unlike in English, the phrase “How are you?” is not used as frequently in casual conversation in Japan. When it is used, it depends heavily on the formality of the situation.
Formal/Polite:
- お元気ですか？ (O-genki desu ka?)
- Literal translation: “Are you well?”
- 元気 (genki) means “healthy” or “energetic.”
- The prefix お and ですか make it polite.
- Commonly used in written communication or more formal situations.
Casual:
- 元気？ (Genki?)
- Used between friends or people of equal status.
- Equivalent to asking “You good?” in English.
4. 15 Ways to Say “How Are You?” in Japanese
1. お元気ですか？ (O-genki desu ka?)
- Level: Polite/Formal
- Usage: Most standard and respectful way. Often used in emails, letters, or with people you’re not close with.
- Meaning: “Are you well?”
2. 元気？ (Genki?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Used between friends or equals.
- Meaning: “You good?” / “Feeling fine?”
3. 元気にしてる？ (Genki ni shiteru?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Common when you haven’t seen someone in a while.
- Meaning: “Have you been doing well?”
4. 調子はどう？ (Chōshi wa dō?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Used between close friends or colleagues.
- Meaning: “How’s it going?” / “How’s your condition?”
5. 調子いい？ (Chōshi ii?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Friendly, upbeat.
- Meaning: “You doing good?”
6. 最近どう？ (Saikin dō?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Used when catching up.
- Meaning: “How have you been lately?”
7. どうしてた？ (Dō shiteta?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Used with friends you haven’t seen in a while.
- Meaning: “What’ve you been up to?”
8. お変わりありませんか？ (O-kawari arimasen ka?)
- Level: Very Polite/Formal
- Usage: In letters or very formal situations.
- Meaning: “Has anything changed?” (implying: Are you well?)
9. ご機嫌いかがですか？ (Gokigen ikaga desu ka?)
- Level: Formal/Old-fashioned
- Usage: Very polite or poetic. Seen in traditional or literary contexts.
- Meaning: “How is your mood?” / “How are you feeling?”
10. 元気だった？ (Genki datta?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: After not seeing someone for a while.
- Meaning: “Have you been well?”
11. 体調はどう？ (Taichō wa dō?)
- Level: Semi-formal
- Usage: Concerned about someone’s health.
- Meaning: “How’s your physical condition?”
12. 生きてる？ (Ikiteru?)
- Level: Very casual/slangy
- Usage: Among very close friends or jokingly.
- Meaning: “You alive?” (playful)
13. いい感じ？ (Ii kanji?)
- Level: Casual/Trendy
- Usage: Modern, upbeat, positive.
- Meaning: “Feeling good?”
14. 最近元気？ (Saikin genki?)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: Friendly, when reconnecting.
- Meaning: “Have you been doing well recently?”
15. 元気そうだね！ (Genki sō da ne!)
- Level: Casual
- Usage: When the person looks well.
- Meaning: “You look like you’re doing well!”
Bonus Tip:
In Japanese, asking “how are you?” is not as routine as in English. It’s more often used when there’s genuine concern or after a gap in communication. A simple “こんにちは” or context-specific question is more common in daily life.
5. Common Response to “How Are You?”
If someone asks you “お元気ですか？” or “元気？” here are some appropriate responses:
- はい、元気です。 (Hai, genki desu.) – Yes, I’m well.
- まあまあです。 (Mā mā desu.) – I’m so-so.
- ちょっと疲れています。 (Chotto tsukareteimasu.) – I’m a bit tired.
- 元気じゃないです。 (Genki ja nai desu.) – I’m not feeling well.
6. Putting It All Together
If you want to say “Hello, how are you?” in Japanese in different situations, here are some examples:
Formal Situation:
こんにちは、お元気ですか？
Konnichiwa, o-genki desu ka?
(Hello, how are you?)
Casual Situation:
やあ、元気？
Yā, genki?
(Hey, you good?)
Written Communication (Letter or Email):
こんにちは。お元気ですか？私は元気です。
Konnichiwa. O-genki desu ka? Watashi wa genki desu.
(Hello. How are you? I am doing well.)
7. Cultural Note
In Japanese culture, people don’t usually ask “How are you?” during a first meeting. Instead, they may use simple greetings like “はじめまして (Hajimemashite)” meaning “Nice to meet you.” Asking about someone’s well-being is more common when you already know the person or are reconnecting after some time apart.
Conclusion
While the English phrase “Hello, how are you?” doesn’t always translate directly into Japanese usage, understanding the appropriate greetings and expressions can help you communicate more effectively and respectfully. Whether you’re meeting a friend or writing a polite email, being mindful of the context and level of formality will ensure your Japanese sounds natural and respectful.
Key Phrases to Remember:
- こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – Hello (daytime)
- お元気ですか？ (O-genki desu ka?) – Are you well? (polite)
- 元気？ (Genki?) – You good? (casual)
- はい、元気です。 (Hai, genki desu.) – Yes, I’m fine.
