What does it mean word for word?
The part お元気ですか literally means "Are you well/healthy?" In this construction, o is a politeness prefix, genki means health or energy and desu ka is the polite question form of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
While お元気ですか is polite and suitable for strangers or superiors, you might hear the shortened Genki? used with friends and family. Another option, Genki desu ka?, is a slightly more formal version of Genki? used for acquaintances or colleagues in a friendly context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, Moukarimakka? is used as a way of saying hello.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the word こんにちは, the "wa" is actually the topic marker particle "ha" (written as は in Japanese), even though it is romanized as "wa".
How do you pronounce it?
konnichiwa, ogenki desu ka
When do people say it?
A standard polite response to お元気ですか is はい、元気です (Yes, I am well).
Did you know?
- While お元気ですか asks about health, Japanese people often avoid asking it daily because it can imply they think you have been ill.
- When responding to お元気ですか, it is common to add おかげさまで (okagesama de), which credits a higher power or others for one's well-being.
- While こんにちは is the standard way to say 'hello' during the day, it is actually a fragment of an older, longer greeting that ended with 'how are you feeling today?'
Examples in context
- こんにちは、お元気ですか。Konnichiwa, o-genki desu ka.Hello, how are you?
- こんにちは、お元気ですか。お仕事は順調ですか。Konnichiwa, o-genki desu ka. O-shigoto wa juncho desu ka.Hello, how are you? Is your work going well?
- 先生、こんにちは、お元気ですか。Sensei, konnichiwa, o-genki desu ka.Hello, teacher, how are you?
Example conversation
Ren meets Himari on the street during the afternoon.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さん、こんにちは、お元気ですか。Himari-san, konnichiwa, o-genki desu ka.Himari, hello, how are you?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、元気です。蓮さんもお元気ですか。Hai, genki desu. Ren-san mo o-genki desu ka.Yes, I am fine. Are you also doing well, Ren?
- 蓮 Ren私も元気です。ありがとうございます。Watashi mo genki desu. Arigatou gozaimasu.I am also well. Thank you.
- 陽葵 Himariそれは良かったです。Sore wa yokatta desu.I'm glad to hear that.
