Words You'll Actually Use

'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.

N5 N5 to N4 · 3 phrases
  1. 1

    元気?

    genki?

    Casual 'you good?' between friends.

    Use when greeting a friend you haven't seen in a while

    久しぶり!元気?

    hisashiburi! genki?

    Long time! How are you?

  2. 2

    調子どう?

    choushi dou?

    Casual 'how's it going?' that asks about your current state.

    Use when asking a friend or colleague how things are going

    最近、調子どう?

    saikin, choushi dou?

    How's it been lately?

  3. 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、忙しくて。

    maamaa desu ne, isogashikute.

    So-so, things are busy.

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