What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Как дела сегодня? translates to "How [are] affairs/matters today?"
Which one should you use?
The phrase Как дела сегодня? focuses on one's affairs or general state, whereas Как вы сегодня? focuses more directly on a person's physical or emotional state.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form Как дела сегодня? is informal and suitable for friends, peers or acquaintances. For formal situations, such as when addressing a stranger or a superior, you should use versions that incorporate the respectful form of "you", Вы. Examples include Как поживаете сегодня?, Как ваши дела сегодня?, Как у вас дела сегодня? or Как у Вас сегодня дела? If you want a very casual way to greet someone and ask if anything new has happened, you can use the informal Что нового?
How does it change in a sentence?
The word сегодня (today) can be omitted to make the greeting more general and common, resulting in Как дела?
How do you pronounce it?
kak dela segodnya?
When do people say it?
A standard, polite response to this question is Хорошо, спасибо (Good, thank you).
Did you know?
- If you ask a Russian Как дела?, they might respond by listing their actual problems instead of just saying 'fine'.
- In very casual settings, Russians might respond to Как дела? with Нормально, which means 'normal'. This is often a more common neutral answer than 'good'.
- The word сегодня (today) is a 'univerbation', meaning it fused together from two separate words: сего meaning 'this' and дня meaning 'day'.
Examples in context
- Привет, как дела сегодня?Privet, kak dela segodnya?Hi, how are you doing today?
Example conversation
Two friends meet briefly on a city street.
- Андрей AndreyПривет, Анастасия! Как дела сегодня?Privet, Anastasiya! Kak dela segodnya?Hi, Anastasia! How are you doing today?
- Анастасия AnastasiaПривет, Андрей. У меня всё хорошо.Privet, Andrey. U menya vsyo khorosho.Hi, Andrey. I am doing well.
- Андрей AndreyРад это слышать.Rad eto slyshat'.I am glad to hear that.
- Анастасия AnastasiaСпасибо! Хорошего дня тебе.Spasibo! Khoroshego dnya tebe.Thanks! Have a good day.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries как, сегодня, CC BY-SA 4.0.
