What does it mean word for word?
Literally, как дела? translates to 'how are matters?' or 'how are affairs?'
Which one should you use?
While как дела? asks how things are going, you might use Как ты? to informally ask 'How are you?' or Что нового? to informally ask 'What's new?' If you want to ask specifically about someone's physical well-being in a formal manner, you would use Как Вы себя чувствуете?, which means 'How are you feeling?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Как дела? is an informal way to ask someone how they are doing. For more formal situations, such as speaking to an elder or someone you do not know well, you can use Как вы поживаете?, which means 'how are you living/getting along?' or Как у Вас дела?, meaning 'How are your things going?' Another formal option is Как поживаете?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase как дела?, the word дела is the plural form of дело, which means 'affair', 'matter' or 'business'.
How do you pronounce it?
kak dela?
When do people say it?
A standard and polite way to respond to как дела? is хорошо, спасибо, which means 'good, thank you.'.
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, the phrase как дела? is often reserved for people you actually know. Asking a complete stranger 'how are things' can be perceived as overly intrusive or inappropriately familiar.
- A common, slightly pessimistic response to как дела? is нормально, which translates to 'normal'. It suggests that things are neither particularly good nor bad, but simply acceptable.
- The word дела comes from дело, which can mean 'matter' or 'business', but it is also the standard word for a legal 'case' or 'lawsuit'.
Examples in context
- Привет, как дела?Privet, kak dela?Hi, how are you doing?
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street.
- Анастасия AnastasiaПривет, Александр! Как дела?Privet, Aleksandr! Kak dela?Hi, Alexander! How are you doing?
- Александр AleksandrПривет, Анастасия. У меня всё хорошо.Privet, Anastasiya. U menya vsyo khorosho.Hi, Anastasia. I am doing well.
- Анастасия AnastasiaЯ очень рада это слышать.Ya ochen' rada eto slyshat'.I am very glad to hear that.
- Александр AleksandrСпасибо! А у тебя?Spasibo! A u tebya?Thanks! And you?
