The extended phrases to express “How are you” in Chinese
The common expressions
你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma?)
This is the standard and polite way to say “How are you?” It is common among beginners learning Chinese, but it is not typically used when addressing someone you are familiar with. In real life, native Chinese speakers rarely use this phrase. It is more of a direct translation from English. In Chinese, such questions are usually adapted based on different contexts, which will be explained further below.
e.g.
A: 你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma?) How are you?
B: 我很好，你呢？(Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?) I’m fine. How about you?
你好久没来这里了，你好吗？(Nǐ hǎojiǔ méi lái zhèlǐ le, nǐ hǎo ma?) It’s been a long time since you came here. How are you?
你好吗？新工作还适应吗？ (Nǐ hǎo ma? Xīn gōngzuò hái shìyìng ma?) How are you? Are you adapting to your new job?
你怎么样？(Nǐ zěnmeyàng?)
This is a direct and casual way to ask, “How are you?” It’s often used in follow-up conversations.
e.g.
A: 我很好，你怎么样？(Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ zěnmeyàng?) I’m fine. How about you?
B: 我也不错。(Wǒ yě búcuò.) I’m good too.
我最近有点忙，你怎么样？（Wǒ zuìjìn yǒudiǎn máng, nǐ zěnme yàng? ）I’m a bit busy recently, how are you?
我这边天气不错，经常出去露营。你怎么样？（Wǒ zhè biān tiānqì bùcuò, jīngcháng chūqù lùyíng. Nǐ zěnme yàng? ）The weather here is nice, and I often go camping. How are you?
身边朋友这两年都结婚了。你怎么样？（Shēnbiān péngyǒu zhè liǎng nián dōu jiéhūnle. Nǐ zěnme yàng?）My friends around me have all got married in the past two years. How about you?
吃饭了吗？(Chīfàn le ma?)
This traditional Chinese greeting means “Have you eaten?” It’s not necessarily about food; it’s a way to show care about someone’s well-being.
e.g.
A: 吃饭了吗？(Chīfàn le ma?) Have you eaten?
B: 吃了，你呢？(Chī le, nǐ ne?) Yes, I have. How about you?
吃饭了吗？要不要一起去吃点东西？(Chīfàn le ma? Yào bù yào yīqǐ qù chī diǎn dōngxī?) Have you eaten? Want to grab something to eat together?
吃饭了吗？我刚买了点小吃。(Chīfàn le ma? Wǒ gāng mǎi le diǎn xiǎochī.) Have you eaten? I just bought some snacks.
The extended phrases to express “How are you” in Chinese
忙什么呢？(Máng shénme ne?)
This casual phrase means “What are you busy with?” It’s a way to ask about someone’s recent activities.
e.g.
A: 最近忙什么呢？(Zuìjìn máng shénme ne?) What have you been busy with lately?
B: 就是工作，没什么特别的。(Jiùshì gōngzuò, méi shénme tèbié de.) Just work, nothing special.
最近忙什么呢？怎么都没见到你？(Zuìjìn máng shénme ne? Zěnme dōu méi jiàndào nǐ?) What have you been busy with? Why haven’t I seen you lately?
忙什么呢？周末有空吗？(Máng shénme ne? Zhōumò yǒu kòng ma?) What are you busy with? Are you free this weekend?
现在忙什么呢？能聊聊吗？(Xiànzài máng shénme ne? Néng liáoliáo ma?) What are you busy with now? Can we chat?
还好吗？(Hái hǎo ma?)
This phrase means “Are you okay?” It’s shorter and more casual, often used to show concern.
e.g.
A: 最近工作还好吗？(Zuìjìn gōngzuò hái hǎo ma?) Is work going well lately?
B: 挺好的。(Tǐng hǎo de.) Pretty good.
听说你出差了，最近还好吗？(Tīngshuō nǐ chūchāi le, zuìjìn hái hǎo ma?) I heard you went on a business trip. Are you okay lately?
你上次生病了，现在还好吗？(Nǐ shàngcì shēngbìng le, xiànzài hái hǎo ma?) You were sick last time. Are you okay now?
最近天气变化很大，你还好吗？(Zuìjìn tiānqì biànhuà hěn dà, nǐ hái hǎo ma?) The weather has been changing a lot recently. Are you okay?
一切都好吗？(Yīqiè dōu hǎo ma?)
This phrase means “Is everything okay?” It’s slightly formal and conveys more general concern.
e.g.
A: 一切都好吗？(Yīqiè dōu hǎo ma?) Is everything okay?
B: 都很好，谢谢！(Dōu hěn hǎo, xièxiè!) Everything’s great, thanks!
一切都好吗？听说你换工作了。(Yīqiè dōu hǎo ma? Tīngshuō nǐ huàn gōngzuò le.) Is everything okay? I heard you changed jobs.
一切都好吗？生活上有没有什么困难？(Yīqiè dōu hǎo ma? Shēnghuó shàng yǒu méiyǒu shénme kùnnán?) Is everything okay? Do you have any difficulties in life?
你最近很安静，一切都好吗？(Nǐ zuìjìn hěn ānjìng, yīqiè dōu hǎo ma?) You’ve been very quiet lately. Is everything okay?
你最近还好吗？(Nǐ zuìjìn hái hǎo ma?)
This is a caring and slightly formal way to ask if someone has been doing well recently. It shows more concern than just “How are you?”
e.g.
A: 你最近还好吗？(Nǐ zuìjìn hái hǎo ma?) Are you doing okay recently?
B: 还不错，谢谢关心。(Hái búcuò, xièxiè guānxīn.) Not bad, thanks for asking.
你最近还好吗？身体有没有不舒服？(Nǐ zuìjìn hái hǎo ma? Shēntǐ yǒu méiyǒu bù shūfú?) Have you been okay recently? Is your health alright?
你最近还好吗？工作压力大吗？ (Nǐ zuìjìn hái hǎo ma? Gōngzuò yālì dà ma?) Are you doing okay lately? Is work stressful?
你最近还好吗？听说你感冒了，现在怎么样？ (Nǐ zuìjìn hái hǎo ma? Tīngshuō nǐ gǎnmào le, xiànzài zěnmeyàng?) Are you okay recently? I heard you caught a cold. How are you now?
最近怎么样？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?)
This phrase literally means “How have you been lately?” It’s casual and often used among friends or acquaintances you haven’t seen in a while.
e.g.
A: 最近怎么样？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?) How have you been?
B: 挺好的，谢谢！你呢？(Tǐng hǎo de, xièxiè! Nǐ ne?) Pretty good, thanks! And you?
最近怎么样？学习还顺利吗？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng? Xuéxí hái shùnlì ma?) How have you been? Is studying going well?
最近怎么样？工作忙吗？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng? Gōngzuò máng ma?) How’s it going lately? Busy with work?
最近怎么样？听说你搬家了。(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng? Tīngshuō nǐ bānjiā le.) How have you been? I heard you moved.
怎么样啦？(Zěnmeyàng la?)
This is a casual and colloquial way to ask “How’s it going?” often used among close friends or peers.
e.g.
A: 最近怎么样啦？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng la?) How’s it been lately?
B: 还行吧。(Hái xíng ba.) It’s okay.
最近怎么样啦？找到新房子了吗？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng la? Zhǎodào xīn fángzi le ma?) How’s it going lately? Did you find a new apartment?
工作怎么样啦？还顺利吗？(Gōngzuò zěnmeyàng la? Hái shùnlì ma?) How’s work? Is it still going smoothly?
生活怎么样啦？需要帮忙就说。(Shēnghuó zěnmeyàng la? Xūyào bāngmáng jiù shuō.) How’s life? Let me know if you need help.
身体怎么样？(Shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?)
This means “How’s your health?” It’s often used when showing concern, especially for elders or people recovering from illness.
e.g.
A: 叔叔，您身体怎么样？(Shūshu, nín shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?) Uncle, how’s your health?
B: 还可以，谢谢你。(Hái kěyǐ, xièxiè nǐ.) It’s okay, thank you.
上次见面你说你感冒了，现在身体怎么样？(Shàngcì jiànmiàn nǐ shuō nǐ gǎnmào le, xiànzài shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?) Last time you said you had a cold. How’s your health now?
你最近压力很大吧，身体怎么样？(Nǐ zuìjìn yālì hěn dà ba, shēntǐ zěnmeyàng?) You’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. How’s your health?
过得怎么样？(Guò de zěnmeyàng?)
This means “How’s life?” or “How’s it going?” It’s a casual and conversational phrase used to inquire about someone’s overall situation.
e.g.
A: 过得怎么样？(Guò de zěnmeyàng?) How’s it going?
B: 一切都很好。(Yīqiè dōu hěn hǎo.) Everything’s great.
最近在新公司过得怎么样？(Zuìjìn zài xīn gōngsī guò de zěnmeyàng?) How’s life at the new company lately?
大学生活过得怎么样？(Dàxué shēnghuó guò de zěnmeyàng?) How’s college life?
在国外的日子过得怎么样？(Zài guówài de rìzi guò de zěnmeyàng?) How’s life abroad?
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