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“How are you?” | 60+ Different Ways to Ask & Respond to “How are you?”

“How are you?” | 60+ Different Ways to Ask & Respond to “How are you?”

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“How are you?” is a common greeting that is used to ask someone about their well-being or current state. It is usually used as a casual greeting between friends, colleagues, and family members. In this lesson, you will learn a list of 16 sentences you can use instead of “How are you?” in English and how to respond to it. Learn those words to use in your daily life.

“How are you?”

How to Use “How are you?”?

“How are you?” is a common greeting that is used to ask someone about their well-being or current state. It is usually used as a casual greeting between friends, colleagues, and family members.

To use “how are you?”, you can simply ask the question to the person you are greeting. For example:

  • Person 1: “Hey, how are you?”
  • Person 2: “I’m doing well, thanks for asking. How about you?”

You can also use the question as a way to start a conversation with someone you have just met or haven’t seen in a while. For example:

  • Person 1: “Hi, it’s nice to meet you. How are you?”
  • Person 2: “I’m doing well, thanks. It’s nice to meet you too.”

It is common to follow up the question with a brief conversation about each other’s well-being or current circumstances. However, you can also use the question as a simple greeting and move on to a different topic of conversation.

Ways to Ask “How are you?”

To ask “how are you?”, you can use any of the phrases I provided in my previous responses. Some examples include “How are you doing?”, “How are you feeling?”, and “What’s been going on?”.

  • “How have you been?”
  • “How’s it going?”
  • “What’s up?”
  • “What’s new?”
  • “How’s it going?”
  • “How’s everything?”
  • “What are you up to?”
  • “How are you doing?”
  • “How are you holding up?”
  • “What’s up?”
  • “How are things going?”
  • “How’s life?”
  • “What’s going on?”
  • “What’s happening?”
  • “How do you do?”
  • “All right?”
  • “How are you today?”
  • “How’s your day going?”
  • “How are things?”
  • “How are you feeling?”
  • “How’s life treating you?”
  • “How’s everything been?”
  • “How’s everything going?”
  • “How’s your week been?”
  • “What’s new?”
  • “What’s been going on?”
  • “What’s been happening?”
  • “How have you been holding up?”
  • “How are you doing lately?”
  • “How’s it been going?”
  • “How’s everything been going?”
  • “How are you faring?”
  • “How are you making out?”
  • “How are you getting on?”
  • “How are you coping?”
  • “How are you getting along?”
  • “How are you progressing?”
  • “How’s your state of mind?”
  • “How’s your mental health?”
  • “How are you feeling emotionally?”

Ways to Say HOW ARE YOU? | Infographic

"HOW ARE YOU?" | Different Ways to Ask & Respond to "How are you?"

How Are You

Ways to Respond to “How are you?”

To answer the question, you can use any of the phrases I provided as well. Some examples of positive answers include “I’m doing well, thank you.”, “I’m feeling good.”, and “I’m feeling great.” If you’re not doing as well, you can say something like “I’ve been better.” or “I’m hanging in there.” You can also give a more detailed answer and share how you’re really feeling, such as “I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed with work lately, but I’m trying to stay positive.” or “I’ve been feeling a bit down, but I’m trying to focus on the good things in my life.”

  • I’m OK.
  • Not too bad.
  • The best I can be. Assuming you’re at your best too.
  • Different day, same existence.
  • Nothing.
  • Oh, just the usual.
  • I’m doing really well.
  • Real terrible, thanks for asking.
  • I’m good.
  • Just the same old same old.
  • Very well, thanks
  • I’m hanging in there.
  • I think I’m doing OK. How do you think I’m doing?
  • I am blessed!
  • Way better than I deserve!
  • I have a pulse, so I must be okay.
  • Sunshine all day long!
  • I’m not sure yet.
  • Better than some, not as good as others.
  • I’m better on the inside than I look on the outside
  • Medium well.
  • Like you, but better.
  • Nothing much.
  • I am high-quality.
  • Oh gosh, all kinds of stuff!
  • Going great. Hope this status quo persists for rest of the day.
  • In need of some peace and quiet.
  • Not so well
  • So far, so good!
  • I’m still sucking air.
  • Better than nothing.
  • Yeah, all right.
  • I’m alive.
  • I would be lying if I said I’m fine.
  • Happy and content, thank you.
  • I’m vertical and breathing.
  • I’ve been better.
  • I’m fine.
  • Much better now that you are with me.
  • Pretty good
  • I’m well
  • Like yesterday

Responding to “How are you?” | Infographic

"HOW ARE YOU?" | Different Ways to Ask & Respond to "How are you?"

"HOW ARE YOU?" | Different Ways to Ask & Respond to "How are you?"

Walter Sommers

Wednesday 9th of June 2021

I say I'm Blessed, how about you! A good way to tell about the Lord. Walt

Amina

Friday 2nd of October 2020

I like it

Denise

Thursday 11th of July 2019

"How do you do" is a little bit outdated. American English speakers don't use that phrase as much, these days. It would be considered very formal.

Some cities have their own local way of saying How Are You. For example, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the locals will say "Where y'at?" This literally means "Where are you?" but in New Orleans it's the same as saying "What's up?" or "What's going on?"