Як справи?
Yak spravy?
The English phrase "how are you doing?" is translated into Ukrainian as Як справи? (Yak spravy?)
This phrase is a common greeting used to inquire about someone's general well-being or their current life situation. When someone asks you this, you might respond with Добре (Good) or Чудово (Great). A standard, polite way to answer is Добре, дякую (Good, thank you).
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "How [are] affairs/matters?", where справи means "affairs", "matters" or "business".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase Як справи? is appropriate for informal use among friends. If you wish to be more formal, you can use Як у вас справи? to ask "How are things with you?" Alternatively, Як ви? is a more direct and formal way to ask "How are you?" because it addresses the person's specific state rather than focusing on their general situation.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Як справи?, the word справи is the plural form of справа, which means "matter", "affair" or "business".
How do you pronounce it?
Yak spravy?
Did you know?
- The word як is believed to have ancient roots tracing back to the Tibetan word གཡག.
- Depending on the intonation, asking Як справи? can be used as a rhetorical opener to lead into a request for a favor rather than a genuine inquiry into health.
- In a professional or judicial environment, the word справи can refer specifically to legal cases or official proceedings.
Examples in context
- Добрий день! Як справи?Good day! How are you doing?
- Доброго дня! Як у вас справи?Good day! How are things with you?
- Привіт! Як справи?Hi! How are you doing?
- Привіт, як справи?Pryvit, yak spravy?Hi, how are you doing?
- Я давно не бачив тебе. Як справи?Ya davno ne bachyv tebe. Yak spravy?I haven't seen you in a while. How are you doing?
Example conversation
Serhii and Olena meet at a local cafe.
- Сергій SerhiiПривіт, Олено! Як справи?Pryvit, Oleno! Yak spravy?Hi, Olena! How are you doing?
- Олена OlenaПривіт, Сергію! У мене все добре.Pryvit, Serhiyu! U mene vse dobre.Hi, Serhii! I am doing well.
- Сергій SerhiiЦе чудово чути.Tse chudovo chyty.That is wonderful to hear.
- Олена OlenaДякую. А як твої справи?Dyakuyu. A yak tvoi spravy?Thank you. And how are you doing?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries як, CC BY-SA 4.0.
