Useful Japanese Phrases: Part 6

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners
Part 6: Ways to Ask How Someone Is in Japanese

1. Are you well? : おげんきですか Ogenki desu ka? (Formal)
This is not the same as “How are you?” in English. We don’t use this to a stranger, someone we don’t know very well, or someone we meet on a daily basis such as a co-worker.

2. Are you well? : げんき? Genki? (Informal)

3. Have you been well? : おげんきでしたか Ogenki deshita ka? (Formal)

4. Have you been well? : げんきだった? Genki datta? (Informal)

5. How are things these days? : さいきん、どうですか Saikin doo desu ka? (Formal)

6. How are things these days? : さいきん、どう? Saikin doo? (Informal)

7. What’s wrong? / What’s the matter? : どうしたんですか Doo shitandesuka? (Formal)

8. What’s wrong? / What’s the matter? : どうした(の) Doo shita (no)? (Informal)

You can use #7 & #8 only when you assume or sense something is wrong with the person. The endingの”no” in #8 is generally used by female.

Related Post:
Useful Japanese Phrases: Part 5
Useful Japanese Phrases: Part 4