Dictionary / Japanese / How are you
How to Say "How are you" in Japanese
お元気ですか
ogenki desu ka
Literally: Are you in good health?
お
(polite prefix)
元気
well, in good health
です
is
か
(question)
Polite or casual
Politeお元気ですか
Casual元気？ (genki?)
お元気ですか is polite. Use it with teachers, older people and anyone you have not seen for a while. With friends, say 元気？ (genki?) or 最近どう？ (saikin dō?, how have things been?). The usual reply is 元気です (genki desu), I am well.
The mistake to avoid. In English, "how are you" is part of saying hello, and nobody expects a real answer. お元気ですか is a real question about someone's health, asked after weeks or months apart. Said to a colleague you saw yesterday, it sounds odd. Day to day, a greeting such as おはようございます is enough.
In context
お久しぶりです。お元気ですか。
Ohisashiburi desu. Ogenki desu ka.
It has been a long time. How are you?
元気？最近どう？
Genki? Saikin dō?
How are you? How have things been? (casual)
はい、元気です。ありがとうございます。
Hai, genki desu. Arigatō gozaimasu.
Yes, I am well. Thank you.