What does it mean word for word?
The part hvordan har du det? literally translates to "how have you it?"
Which one should you use?
While hej, hvordan har du det? is the standard way to ask how someone is, halløj, hvordan går det? is a more casual way to say "Hi, how's it going?" and hej, hvordan går det? is also a more casual alternative to the standard phrase.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase hej, hvordan har du det? is an informal way to say "Hello, how are you?" For a formal setting, you can use God dag, hvordan har De det?, which means "Good day, how are you?"
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people or using a formal "you", change du to de so the phrase becomes hvordan har de det?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you hvordan har du det?, a standard response is Jeg har det godt, tak, meaning "I am doing well, thanks.". Another common and slightly more relaxed way to respond is Det går fint, which means "It's going fine."
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Hej, hvordan har du det?Hello, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, hej, hvordan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
