みんな元気？
minna genki?
The English phrase "how are you guys" is translated into Japanese as みんな元気？ (minna genki?)
This is an informal greeting used to ask a group of people about their well-being. Among friends, minna means "everyone".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of minna (everyone) and genki (well/healthy/energetic).
Which one should you use?
While genki? can be used for a single person, minna genki? specifically addresses a group.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form みんな元気？ is casual and should only be used with friends or people younger than you. For more formal situations, you can use 皆さん、お元気ですか？ to ask "How is everyone doing?"
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding desu ka to the end makes the phrase polite and suitable for people you are not close with, resulting in みんな元気ですか？ Additionally, the particle か at the end of a sentence turns it into a question.
How do you pronounce it?
minna genki?
Did you know?
- In many Japanese social contexts, people rarely use 'how are you' as a greeting. Instead, they might use a phrase like お疲れ様です (otsukaresama desu), which acknowledges the recipient's hard work or effort.
- The word genki is composed of two kanji characters meaning 'origin' and 'spirit' or 'energy'.
- Japanese speakers rarely use minna genki? as a literal question about health, but rather as a social 'phatic' expression to maintain group harmony.
Examples in context
- みんな元気にしてる？Is everyone doing well?
- 久しぶり！みんな元気？hisashiburi! minna genki?Long time no see! How are you guys?
- みんな元気？仕事は順調？minna genki? shigoto wa junchou?How are you guys? Is work going well?
Example conversation
Misaki visits Ren and his friends at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiみんな元気？minna genki?How are you guys?
- 蓮 Renうん、元気だよ。美咲、久しぶり！un, genki da yo. Misaki, hisashiburi!Yeah, we're good. Misaki, long time no see!
- 美咲 Misaki本当に久しぶりだね。hontou ni hisashiburi da ne.It really has been a long time.
- 蓮 Renまたゆっくり話そうよ。mata yukkuri hanasou yo.Let's catch up properly soon.
