What does it mean word for word?
The core component 元気 refers to one's health, spirit or energy, meaning "well" or "fine".
Which one should you use?
While 元気ですか？ is the standard form, you can use お元気ですか？ for a more polite approach or the shortened 元気？ for informal situations. For a different nuance, 調子はどう？ is an informal phrase that translates to "How are you feeling?" or "How is your condition?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality depends on which version you choose. お元気ですか？ is a polite and formal way to ask. 元気ですか？ is the standard version. To speak informally with friends or family, you can drop the polite endings to say 元気？
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask how someone has been since you last saw them, you can use the past tense form 元気だった？
How do you pronounce it?
genki desu ka?
When do people say it?
A standard way to respond when asked this question is 元気です, which means "I am well" or "I am fine".
Did you know?
- The word 元気 is composed of two kanji meaning 'origin' and 'energy'. In a traditional sense, it refers to the primordial life force or the breath of life.
- The phrase 調子はどう？ uses the word 調子 which originally referred to the tuning of a musical instrument.
- While 元気ですか？ asks about spirit and health, Japanese has a separate category of greetings like お疲れ様です which asks about one's level of fatigue instead.
Examples in context
- おーい、元気？Hey, how are you doing?
- 最近、調子はどう？How have you been feeling lately?
- 最近、元気ですか？Saikin, genki desu ka?Are you doing well lately?
- お元気ですか？Ogenki desu ka?Are you well?
Example conversation
Two friends meeting unexpectedly at a train station.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、こんにちは！元気ですか？Yui-san, konnichiwa! Genki desu ka?Hi Yui! How are you?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、元気です。大翔さんは？Hai, genki desu. Yamato-san wa?Yes, I'm doing well. How about you, Yamato?
- 大翔 Hiroto私も元気ですよ。Watashi mo genki desu yo.I'm doing well too.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは良かったです。Sore wa yokatta desu.That's good to hear.
