how are you in korean
How to Say "How Are You" in Korean (잘 지냈어요?): What Koreans Actually Ask
잘 지냈어요?
jal jinaesseoyo?
Quick answer
The most natural way to say 'how are you' in Korean is 잘 지냈어요? (jal jinaesseoyo?) politely or 잘 지냈어? (jal jinaesseo?) casually — but this is typically used after not seeing someone for a while, not as a passing greeting.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| casual | 잘 지냈어? | jal jinaesseo? | How have you been? — between close friends after some time apart. |
| polite | 잘 지내셨어요? | jal jinaesyeosseoyo? | Honorific form — more respectful, used for someone older or when showing care. |
| simple check-in (casual) | 요즘 어때? | yojeum eottae? | How have things been lately? — a more casual, everyday check-in between friends. |
| passing greeting alternative | 어디 가? | eodi ga? | Where are you going? — a very common Korean passing greeting, not intrusive, just friendly. |
How it changes by relationship
오랜만이야! 잘 지냈어?
Oraenmaniya! Jal jinaesseo?
to a close friend after time apart: Long time no see! How have you been? — 오랜만 is 'long time no see.'
오랜만에 뵙네요, 잘 지내셨어요?
Oraenmane boepneyo, jal jinaesyeosseoyo?
to someone older after time apart (polite): It's been a while, how have you been? — warm and respectful.
요즘 어때? 잘 지내?
Yojeum eottae? Jal jinae?
texting a friend you haven't talked to: How are things lately? You doing well? — common check-in text.
어디 가? / 밥 먹었어?
Eodi ga? / Bap meogeosseo?
when meeting someone in passing on the street: Koreans often say 'where are you going?' or 'have you eaten?' as a casual social greeting — it's not meant to be answered in detail.
Examples
잘 지냈어? 오래간만이다!
Jal jinaesseo? Oraegammanida!
How have you been? It's been so long!
요즘 어때요, 힘들지는 않아요?
Yojeum eottaeyo, himdeulji-neun anayo?
How are things lately — are you doing okay?
밥은 먹었어?
Babeun meogeosseo?
Have you eaten? (casual check-in)
Usage note
Unlike English where 'how are you?' is said to anyone even in passing, Korean speakers don't typically ask 잘 지냈어요? as a casual filler greeting — they say 안녕하세요 or even 밥 먹었어요? (have you eaten?). Using 잘 지냈어요? every time you greet someone can sound oddly formal or like you haven't seen them in months.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "how are you" here?
FAQ
Why do Koreans ask 'did you eat?' instead of 'how are you?'
밥 먹었어요? (have you eaten?) is a traditional expression of care — it comes from times when food wasn't always available. Today it's a warm, low-stakes check-in, not a literal question about meals.
How do I reply to 잘 지냈어?
응, 잘 지냈어! 너는? (Yeah, I've been good! You?) is the natural reply — short and reciprocal.
Is there a direct translation for 'how are you?'
어때요? (eottaeyo?) can mean 'how is it / how are you doing?' but it's more situational. 잘 지냈어요? specifically asks how you've been over a period of time.