Hur mår du?
The English phrase "how are you doing?" can be translated into Swedish as Hur mår du?
Hur mår du? is a greeting used to ask someone about their health or general well-being.
Which one should you use?
While Hur mår du? specifically addresses health and well-being, do not use it to ask what someone is currently doing. For that purpose, use Vad gör du? instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask the question to more than one person, change du to ni to say Hur mår ni?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use Hur mår du? if you want to ask what someone is currently doing, as it refers to their state of being rather than their current actions. Instead, use Vad gör du?
When do people say it?
A standard way to respond to Hur mår du? is Jag mår bra, which means "I feel well".
Did you know?
- Until the 'du-reform' of the 1960s, using du in this phrase with a superior or stranger was considered offensive or overly presumptuous.
- In Swedish culture, answering Hur mår du? with total honesty about a bad day can be seen as an invitation for a deep emotional conversation rather than a polite formality.
- The word du is a direct cognate of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descended from the same Proto-Indo-European root used for the second person singular.
Examples in context
- Hej Anna, hur mår du idag?Hi Anna, how are you today?
- God dag, hur står det till med er idag?Good day, how are you doing today?
- Tjena, hur är läget?Hey, how's it going?
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas meet at a local cafe.
- EmmaHej Lucas, hur mår du?Hi Lucas, how are you doing?
- LucasJag mår bra, tack!I am doing well, thanks!
- EmmaVad roligt att höra.That is good to hear.
- LucasHur mår du själv?How are you doing yourself?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, hur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
