How to Say "How Are You?" in Russian

как дела?

kak dela?

The English phrase "how are you?" can be translated into Russian using several forms, most commonly как дела? (kak dela?)

In Russian, these phrases are used to ask about a person's general life situation or well-being. While they translate to "how are you?", they are often more focused on how things are going in one's life rather than inquiring about physical health.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase как дела? literally translates to "how are affairs?" or "how are things?"

Which one should you use?

The phrase как дела? is a common and versatile way to ask the question. For a more casual and familiar tone, you can use Как ты? If you wish to be polite or formal, you can use Как пожива́ете? or Как у вас дела́?

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase как дела?, the word дела is the plural form of дело (meaning affair, matter or business), which implies the verb "are".

How do you pronounce it?

kak dela?

What mistakes should you avoid?

Avoid translating "how are you?" literally as как ты есть?, as this is not a natural greeting in Russian.

When do people say it?

When someone asks you как дела?, standard responses include хорошо (good/well) or нормально (normal/okay), with the latter being frequently used to indicate that things are fine or acceptable.

Did you know?

The word дела in как дела? is the same word used in the Russian legal system to describe a 'court case' or 'criminal file'.
A common, slightly cynical response to как дела? is потихоньку, which means 'slowly' or 'little by little'. This suggests that life is moving along without any major disasters, but without great excitement either.
While English speakers use 'how are you?' as a way to say 'hello', Russians often avoid как дела? with strangers or acquaintances to avoid inviting an overly personal conversation.

Examples in context

Приятно видеть вас! Как пожива́ете?
Nice to see you! How are you?
Доброе утро! Как у вас дела́?
Good morning! How are you?
Привет! Как дела́?
Hi! How are you?
Что делаешь? Как ты?
What are you doing? How are you?
Привет, как дела?
Privet, kak dela?
Hi, how are you?

Example conversation

Two friends meet for coffee in a park.

Дмитрий Dmitry

Екатерина, привет! Как дела?
Ekaterina, privet! Kak dela?
Ekaterina, hi! How are you?
Екатерина Ekaterina

Привет, Дмитрий. Всё хорошо, спасибо.
Privet, Dmitriy. Vsyo khorosho, spasibo.
Hi, Dmitry. Everything is good, thanks.
Дмитрий Dmitry

Я рад это слышать.
Ya rad eto slyshat'.
I am glad to hear that.
Екатерина Ekaterina

А у тебя как дела?
A u tebya kak dela?
And how are you doing?

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏

How to Say “How Are You?” in Russian