What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well), 지냈어요 (the past tense of the verb meaning to spend time or to live) and a question particle.
Which one should you use?
While 잘 지냈어요? specifically asks how someone has been since a previous meeting, 안녕하세요? is a general "hello" used even when meeting someone for the first time.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of respect by changing the verb endings. Adding the honorific marker 시 to create 잘 지내셨어요? makes the question more respectful and suitable for elders or superiors.
How do you pronounce it?
jal jinaesseoyo?
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, it is common for people to ask each other's age to determine the appropriate level of formality. When responding to 잘 지냈어요?, a standard way to say "Yes, I have been well" is 네, 잘 지냈어요.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'how are you?' to start a conversation, Koreans often use 'Have you eaten?' (밥 먹었어?) to show the same care and concern for your well-being.
- Because Korean is a pro-drop language, the word for 'you' is almost always omitted in 잘 지냈어요?, as including it can actually sound aggressive or unnatural.
- If you use the version 잘 지내셨어요? with someone younger than you, it might actually come across as sarcastic or mockingly formal because of the honorific marker 시.
Examples in context
- 어떻게 지내세요? 오랜만이에요!How are you? Long time no see!
- 잘 지내고 계세요? 요즘 어떻게 지내세요?How have you been? How have you been lately?
- 어떻게 지내? 오늘 뭐 했어?How have you been? What did you do today?
- 잘 지내? 일은 잘 되고 있어?How have you been? Is work going well?
- 그동안 잘 지냈어요?geudong-an jal jinaesseoyo?Have you been doing well lately?
- 요즘 잘 지냈어요?yojeum jal jinaesseoyo?Have you been doing well these days?
- 오랜만이에요, 잘 지냈어요?oraenmanieyo, jal jinaesseoyo?It's been a long time, how are you?
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyunwoo meet by chance at a cafe after a few months.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 오랜만이에요. 잘 지냈어요?Hyunwoo ssi, oraenmanieyo. jal jinaesseoyo?Hyunwoo, it's been a long time. How have you been?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 서연 씨도 잘 지냈어요?ne, Seoyeon ssi-do jal jinaesseoyo?Yes, have you been doing well too, Seoyeon?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 저는 아주 잘 지냈어요.ne, jeoneun aju jal jinaesseoyo.Yes, I have been doing very well.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다행이네요.dahaeng-ineyo.I'm glad to hear that.
