How to say "How are you?" in Korean
The natural way Koreans say "How are you?" — with the polite form, close alternatives, and audio for every line.
잘 지냈어?
jal jinaesseo?
Literally: Have you been doing well?
When to use it
Careful - this is NOT a daily greeting in Korean. You ask it when you have not seen someone for a while. Asking it every morning sounds odd.
Polite form
- 잘 지내셨어요?jal jinaesyeosseoyo?Use this with strangers, anyone older than you, and at work.
Other ways to say it
- 밥 먹었어?bap meogeosseo?= Have you eaten?THIS is the everyday Korean greeting. It means how are you, not a real question about food.
- 어떻게 지내?eotteoke jinae?= How have you been?Also for someone you have not seen in a while.
In a sentence
- 오랜만이야! 잘 지냈어?oraenmaniya! jal jinaesseo?Long time no see! How have you been?
- 밥 먹었어? 응, 먹었어.bap meogeosseo? eung, meogeosseo.How is it going? Yeah, I am good.
Practise this one. These phrases are in the phrase quiz — five rounds, no sign-up. Not reading Hangul yet? Start with the alphabet in 20 minutes.
essentialgreeting