어떻게 지내세요?
eotteoke jinaeseyo?
“How are you doing?” in Korean is 어떻게 지내세요? (eotteoke jinaeseyo?)
This phrase is a greeting used to ask someone about their general well-being or how their life has been going. While 어떻게 지내세요? specifically asks "how" someone is doing, you may also hear 잘 지내요? which asks if someone is simply "doing well".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 어떻게 (how) and 지내세요 (to spend time/live/pass time).
Which one should you use?
If you are greeting someone you have not seen in a while, it is often more natural to use 잘 지냈어요? (Have you been doing well?) rather than 어떻게 지내세요?
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version 어떻게 지내? is used with close friends or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
eotteoke jinaeseyo?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this greeting is 잘 지내요 (I am doing well). Note that another common formal way to say hello is 안녕하세요?, which literally translates to "Are you at peace?"
Did you know?
- In Korea, people often skip asking 'how are you' and instead ask if you have eaten yet using 밥 먹었니? This serves as a greeting and a way to show care for the other person's well-being.
- While English speakers use 'how are you' as a generic hello, using 어떻게 지내세요? in Korea can signal that you genuinely expect a detailed update on someone's life.
- In a very formal or business setting, instead of asking how someone is doing, you might ask if they have been 'well' using the word 편안하셨습니까? (Have you been comfortable/at peace?).
Examples in context
- 그동안 어떻게 지내세요?geudongan eotteoke jinaeseyo?How have you been doing lately?
- 요즘 어떻게 지내세요?yojeum eotteoke jinaeseyo?How are you doing these days?
- 선생님, 어떻게 지내세요?seonsaengnim, eotteoke jinaeseyo?How are you doing, teacher?
Example conversation
Minjun and Subin meet at a cafe after a long time.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 그동안 어떻게 지내세요?Subin ssi, geudongan eotteoke jinaeseyo?Subin, how have you been doing?
- 수빈 Su-bin잘 지냈어요. 민준 씨는요?jal jinaesseoyo. Minjun ssi-neunyo?I've been well. How about you, Minjun?
- 민준 Min-jun저도 아주 잘 지내고 있어요.jeodo aju jal jinaego isseoyo.I am doing very well too.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이네요. 만나서 반가워요.dahaeng-ineyo. mannaseo bangawoyo.That's a relief. It's good to see you.
