Hej, hur mår du?
The English phrase 'hey, how are you?' is translated into Swedish as Hej, hur mår du?
Hur mår du? is used to ask how someone is, specifically regarding their physical or emotional well-being. Because of this focus on health and emotional state, it is often used when you are genuinely concerned about a person rather than just using it as a passing greeting.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb mår means to feel or be in terms of health and well-being.
Which one should you use?
While Hur mår du? specifically asks about someone's physical or emotional state, Hur är det? is a more common and casual way to ask 'How's it going?' or 'How are things?'
When do people say it?
A standard response to Hur mår du? is Jag mår bra, which means 'I am doing well.'
Did you know?
- If you use Hur mår du? as a casual greeting in a coffee shop, Swedes might think you are worried about their medical health.
- The pronoun du in this phrase is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou'.
- While Hej is now the standard greeting, it first appeared in written Swedish as far back as 1541.
Examples in context
- Hej, hur mår du?Hey, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, hej, hur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
