Chinese phrases
How to say how are you in Chinese
How are you in Chinese is 你好吗 (nǐ hǎo ma). Textbooks teach it first, but people use it much less than English speakers use “how are you.”
你好吗
how are you?
Say ní hǎo ma: the first of two third tones rises.
Ways to say how are you
你好吗
Everydayhow are you?
To someone you haven’t seen in a long time, or at the start of a letter. Between people who meet every day it sounds odd.
最近怎么样
Everydayhow have you been?
The natural way to ask about someone’s life.
最近好吗
Everydayhave you been well?
Warm and simple, to someone you haven’t seen for a while.
吃了吗
Everydayhave you eaten?
A greeting, mostly among older people and neighbours around mealtimes. Nobody wants details.
还好吗
With friendsare you OK?
When something happened: a friend looks tired or had bad news.
在干嘛
Textingwhat are you doing?
The usual way to start a chat with a friend.
How to answer
我很好
I’m very well
The textbook answer. Add 谢谢 and ask back.
挺好的
pretty good
Natural and positive.
还行
not bad
The most common honest answer.
老样子
same as always
Relaxed, to people who know you.
不太好
not so good
When it’s true. Expect a follow-up question.
Common mistakes
Asking 你好吗 every day
With coworkers or classmates you see daily, say 早, or ask 最近怎么样 once in a while.
Answering 吃了吗 with your menu
吃了吗 is a greeting. Answer 吃了 or 还没, then ask back: 你呢?
Not asking back
After 我很好 or 还行, add 你呢, “and you?” Stopping there sounds cold.
Meeting a friend
好久不见！最近怎么样？
Qiqi: Long time no see! How have you been?
挺好的。你呢？
Leon: Pretty good. And you?
还行，就是有点忙。
Qiqi: Not bad, just a bit busy.
