元気？
genki?casual
To a girl you know, ask 元気？ (genki?). With someone you do not know well, use the polite お元気ですか？ (ogenki desu ka?). It is also called 調子はどう？ (chōshi wa dō?).
Meaning: greeting asking about well-being (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 元気？ | genki? | casual |
| お元気ですか？ | ogenki desu ka? | polite |
| 調子はどう？ | chōshi wa dō? | casual |
The words do not change for a girl or a boy. For a girl friend you can add her name, as in ミカちゃん、元気？ (Mika-chan, genki?).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
調子はどう？ (chōshi wa dō?) means "how is it going" and fits close friends. お元気ですか？ (ogenki desu ka?) fits people you have not seen for a while.
Did you know?
- The word 元気 (genki) is also used as a name, and 元気です (genki desu) is the standard answer.
Examples in context
- 久しぶり！元気？Hisashiburi! Genki?Long time! How are you?
- お元気ですか？Ogenki desu ka?How are you?
Example conversation
Daichi runs into Mika, an old classmate, near the station.
- Daichiミカちゃん、久しぶり。元気？Mika-chan, hisashiburi. Genki?Mika, long time. How are you?
- Mikaうん、元気だよ。ダイチは？Un, genki da yo. Daichi wa?Yes, I am good. And you?
- Daichi元気だよ。Genki da yo.I am good.
