Learning how to say how are you in Korean is a great way to start conversations and show respect when speaking the language.
The most common phrase is 잘 지냈어요? (Jal jinaesseoyo?), which means “Have you been well?” Depending on the level of formality, Koreans also use different expressions to greet friends, elders, or colleagues.
By mastering these phrases, you’ll sound more natural and polite in everyday interactions.
Say How Are You in Korean
👍 Here’s a 15-phrases table for How to Say How Are You in Korean with meanings and contexts:
15 phrases table for How to Say How Are You in Korean
| # | Korean Phrase | Romanization | English Meaning | Usage / Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 잘 지냈어요? | Jal jinaesseoyo? | Have you been well? | Standard polite version. |
| 2 | 잘 지내셨어요? | Jal jinaesyeosseoyo? | Have you been well? | More formal, respectful. |
| 3 | 잘 지내? | Jal jinae? | How are you? | Informal, used with friends. |
| 4 | 어떻게 지내세요? | Eotteoke jinaeseyo? | How are you doing? | Polite everyday question. |
| 5 | 어떻게 지내? | Eotteoke jinae? | How are you doing? | Informal, casual. |
| 6 | 요즘 어때요? | Yojum eottaeyo? | How have you been these days? | Polite, casual tone. |
| 7 | 요즘 어때? | Yojum eottae? | How have you been these days? | Informal, friends. |
| 8 | 잘 있었어요? | Jal isseosseoyo? | Have you been well (lately)? | Polite, common phrase. |
| 9 | 안녕하셨어요? | Annyeonghasyeosseoyo? | Were you well? | Formal, respectful. |
| 10 | 안녕? | Annyeong? | Hi / How are you? | Very casual, friends or kids. |
| 11 | 기분이 어때요? | Gibuni eottaeyo? | How’s your mood? | Polite, slightly personal. |
| 12 | 기분 어때? | Gibun eottae? | How’s your mood? | Informal, close friends. |
| 13 | 건강은 어때요? | Geongangeun eottaeyo? | How’s your health? | Polite, caring. |
| 14 | 컨디션 어때요? | Keondisyeon eottaeyo? | How’s your condition? | Polite, casual, common in modern Korean. |
| 15 | 컨디션 어때? | Keondisyeon eottae? | How’s your condition? | Informal, friends or peers. |
This covers formal, polite, and informal ways to ask How are you? in Korean.
1. 잘 지냈어요? (Jal jinaesseoyo?) – Have you been well?
Origin:
This is the most direct equivalent to “How have you been?” in polite Korean. It literally means “Did you spend time well?”
Example:
👤 User A: 안녕하세요! 잘 지냈어요?
👤 User B: 네, 잘 지냈어요. 당신은요?
Use: Polite and common, especially when you haven’t seen someone in a while.
2. 어떻게 지내요? (Eotteoke jinaeyo?) – How are you doing?
Origin:
A more modern, casual form that can be used in both spoken and written Korean.
Example:
👤 User A: 요즘 어떻게 지내요?
👤 User B: 일이 좀 바빴어요.
Use: Semi-formal and friendly.
3. 잘 있었어요? (Jal isseosseoyo?) – Have you been okay?
Origin:
A traditional greeting, especially common among older generations or in letters/emails.
Example:
👤 User A: 오랜만이에요! 잘 있었어요?
👤 User B: 네, 당신도요?
Use: Polite and often used after a long time apart.
4. 요즘 어때요? (Yojum eottaeyo?) – How’s life lately?
Origin:
A contemporary expression popular with younger people and in casual business environments.
Example:
👤 User A: 요즘 어때요?
👤 User B: 요즘 날씨도 좋고 기분도 좋아요.
Use: Casual to polite; suitable for acquaintances.
5. 잘 지내? (Jal jinae?) – You good?
Origin:
This is the informal version of 잘 지냈어요?, typically used with close friends.
Example:
👤 User A: 야, 잘 지내?
👤 User B: 응, 넌?
Use: Informal; only with close friends or younger people.
6. 잘 있었어? (Jal isseosseo?) – Been doing okay?
Origin:
Casual variation of 잘 있었어요? with dropped formality.
Example:
👤 User A: 잘 있었어?
👤 User B: 어, 너는?
Use: Friendly and familiar tone.
7. 뭐 하고 지내? (Mwo hago jinae?) – What have you been up to?
Origin:
A casual and engaging greeting, often used when reconnecting.
Example:
👤 User A: 야~ 뭐 하고 지내?
👤 User B: 그냥 공부하고 있어.
Use: Informal and lively.
8. 건강은 어때요? (Geongangeun eottaeyo?) – How’s your health?
Origin:
A culturally respectful greeting, especially toward elders or during difficult times.
Example:
👤 User A: 아버님, 건강은 어때요?
👤 User B: 덕분에 괜찮습니다.
Use: Very polite, respectful; often used with elders.
9. 컨디션 어때요? (Condition eottaeyo?) – How’s your condition?
Origin:
“Condition” is a Konglish term (Korean + English) referring to mood, energy, or health.
Example:
👤 User A: 오늘 컨디션 어때요?
👤 User B: 조금 피곤하지만 괜찮아요.
Use: Casual; used often among coworkers or gym friends.
10. 별일 없지? (Byeolil eopji?) – Nothing much going on?
Origin:
A native Korean expression that roughly checks in on someone’s well-being by asking if anything unusual is happening.
Example:
👤 User A: 별일 없지?
👤 User B: 어, 평소처럼 지내.
Use: Informal and friendly.
11. 잘 있었습니까? (Jal isseotseumnikka?) – Have you been well? (Formal)
Origin:
This is a formal version of 잘 있었어요?, used in respectful or business settings.
Example:
👤 User A: 회장님, 잘 있었습니까?
👤 User B: 네, 고맙습니다.
Use: Formal and professional.
12. 요즘 기분은 어때요? (Yojum gibuneun eottaeyo?) – How are you feeling lately?
Origin:
A more emotional check-in, focusing on someone’s mood or mental state.
Example:
👤 User A: 요즘 기분은 어때요?
👤 User B: 좀 스트레스 받았지만 괜찮아요.
Use: Caring and semi-formal.
13. 안녕하셨어요? (Annyeonghasyeosseoyo?) – Were you well?
Origin:
A respectful version of “Hello” and “How have you been?” rolled into one; slightly dated but still used by elders.
Example:
👤 User A: 선생님, 안녕하셨어요?
👤 User B: 예, 잘 있었지요.
Use: Very polite; traditional and respectful.
14. 기운 어때요? (Giwun eottaeyo?) – How’s your energy?
Origin:
This phrase directly addresses someone’s physical or emotional energy, often used after illness or fatigue.
Example:
👤 User A: 기운 어때요? 좀 나아졌어요?
👤 User B: 네, 이제 괜찮아요.
Use: Caring tone; often used in health-related situations.
15. 그동안 잘 지냈어? (Geudongan jal jinaesseo?) – Have you been well during that time?
Origin:
Literally means “Have you been well during that time?” — great for reunions.
Example:
👤 User A: 와~ 진짜 오랜만이다! 그동안 잘 지냈어?
👤 User B: 응! 너도 잘 지냈지?
Use: Friendly and emotional; used after long time apart.
FAQs
- What is the common way to say “How are you?” in Korean?
The most common phrase is “잘 지냈어요?” (jal jinaesseoyo?) — it means Have you been well? - How do you pronounce “잘 지냈어요?”
It’s pronounced jal jee-neh-ssuh-yoh. - Is “잘 지냈어요?” formal or informal?
It’s polite, so it’s safe to use with most people. - How do you say it casually to friends?
You can say “잘 지냈어?” (jal jinaesseo?) — it’s informal. - How do you ask “How are you?” formally in Korean?
Say “잘 지내셨어요?” (jal jinaesyeosseoyo?) — very respectful. - What’s another way to ask how someone is doing?
You can say “어떻게 지내요?” (eotteoke jinaeyo?) — means How are you doing? - How do you respond to “잘 지냈어요?”
Say “네, 잘 지냈어요.” (ne, jal jinaesseoyo) — Yes, I’ve been well. - Is “How are you?” commonly used in Korean daily life?
Not as much as in English — Koreans usually greet with “안녕하세요?” (annyeonghaseyo?) which means Hello. - How do you say “How are you today?” in Korean?
Say “오늘 어때요?” (oneul eottaeyo?) — How’s your day today? - Can I use “안녕하세요?” as both hello and how are you?
Yes! In Korean culture, “안녕하세요?” often carries both meanings in everyday greetings.
Conclusion:
Knowing how to say how are you in Korean helps you connect with people in a polite and natural way. From formal phrases like 잘 지내셨어요? to casual ones like 잘 지내?, each expression fits a different situation. By practicing these greetings, you’ll not only improve your Korean but also show respect for the culture and strengthen your conversations.
