How to Say "How Are You?" in Korean and How to Answer

"How Are You?" Doesn't Really Exist in Korean

In English, "How are you?" is an automatic greeting. In Korean, there's no direct equivalent. Koreans don't systematically ask "how are you?" — it's cultural.

Ways to Ask "How Are You?"

1. 잘 지냈어요? (jal jinaesseoyo?)

Literally "Have you been well?" — the most common form.

2. 밥 먹었어요? (bap meogeoisseoyo?)

Literally "Have you eaten?" — the most Korean way.

3. 어떻게 지내요? (eotteoke jinaeyo?)

"How have you been?" — the textbook version.

How to Respond