If you’re learning Korean, figuring out how to say “How are you?” can be a bit tricky because Koreans don’t say it the same way.
Here’s how to actually say “How are you?” in Korean!
Quick Summary
- Koreans don’t directly ask “How are you?” to each other and we DON’T do small talk with strangers.
- “Annyeonghaseyo” is the easiest and most natural way to greet someone politely.
- If it’s been a while since you’ve seen someone, saying “Jal Jinaesyeosseoyo? (잘 지내셨어요?)” “Jal Jinaesseoyo? (잘 지냈어요?)” or “Jal Jinaesseo? (잘 지냈어?)” work as in “Have you been well?”
- You can also use “Eotteoke Jinaesyeosseoyo? (어떻게 지내셨어요?)” “Eotteoke Jinaesseoyo? (어떻게 지냈어요?)” “Eotteoke Jinaesseo? (어떻게 지냈어?)” to mean “How have you been?”
- We also like to ask if you’ve eaten, instead of how are you.
Do Koreans Say “How Are You?” Like Americans?
Not really!
There are Korean phrases like, “Jal Jinaesseo? (잘 지냈어?)” or “Eotteoke Jinae? (어떻게 지내?)” that translate to “How are you?”
But we don’t use it as often as English speakers might.
Korean greetings are more context-based rather than generalized small talk.
FYI, we DON’T even do small talk with strangers in Korea!
So, depending on who you’re talking to and how long it’s been since you’ve seen them, your phrase will change.
1. Easy and Safe Choice: Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요)
“Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요)” technically means “hello” in Korean.
But since English speakers often use “How are you?” as a greeting, “Annyeonghaseyo” is the easiest and most appropriate way to greet someone politely.
Especially when you’re talking to strangers like in a café, restaurant, or store.
The best part is that you can also respond with the exact same phrase, “Annyeonghaseyo!”
2-1. Formal Way: Jal Jinaesyeosseoyo? (잘 지내셨어요?)
If it’s been a while since you’ve seen someone older like your grandparents, a sunbae from a previous job, or an ajumma or ahjussi you’re familiar with, you can say this.
It’s friendly, respectful, and polite.
Koreans mostly go, “Oraenmanieyo! Jal Jinaesyeosseoyo? (오랜만이에요! 잘 지내셨어요?)“
It means, “Long time no see! Have you been well?”
2-2. Polite Way: Jal Jinaesseoyo? (잘 지냈어요?)
This version is similar to the one above but with a slight nuance.
Use this when you haven’t seen someone in a while, and they’re either younger or around your age but you want to show some respect without talking down to them.
For example, if an older coworker runs into me, she will say, “Minjung! Jal Jinaesseoyo? (민정~ 잘 지냈어요?)”
This is polite and friendly, great for coworkers, acquaintances, or someone you’re not super close to.
It still means, “Have you been well?” but with a more casual-politeness balance.
2-3. Casual Way: Jal Jinaesseo? (잘 지냈어?)
Drop the polite ending “yo”, and now it’s casual.
If you’re chatting with close friends, someone your age or younger, you can say, “Ya! Jal Jinaesseo? (야~ 잘 지냈어?)” which means “Hey! Have you been well?”
In my southern dialect (Gyeongsang-do satoori), I’d say “Jal Jinaetna? (잘 지냈나?)“
It’s totally casual and familiar, something you’d say to close friends.
3. Similar Phrases
Here are a few more variations, depending on how formal or casual you want to be.
3-1. Eotteoke Jinaesyeosseoyo? (어떻게 지내셨어요?)
This is another formal way to say “How have you been?”
3-2. Eotteoke Jinaesseoyo? (어떻게 지냈어요?)
It’s a polite way to ask “How have you been?”
3-3. Eotteoke Jinaesseo? (어떻게 지냈어?)
This version is casual for friends, by dropping “yo” and asking how that person has been.
What Do Koreans Actually Say?
In everyday Korean, instead of asking “How are you?” directly, we often say,
1. Bap Meogeosseoyo? (밥 먹었어요?): “Did you eat?”
This isn’t about food. And, we don’t necessarily mean to buy you a meal.
It’s a check-in, like saying “Are you doing okay?” or “How are you doing?”
The most formal version is “Shiksa Hasyeosseoyo? (식사하셨어요?)” and the casual way is “Bap Meogeosseo? (밥 먹었어?)”
2. Oraenmanieyo! (오랜만이에요!): “Long time no see!”
We use this instead of “How are you?”, especially when it’s been a while.
The casual version to say to your friends is “Oraenmaniya! (오랜만이야!)”
Koreans don’t ask “How are you?” as often or as directly as English speakers do.
We’re more likely to show we care by asking if you’ve eaten or offering food or coffee.
Still, the phrases above are super useful for reconnecting with people naturally and respectfully.
