How to Say "How Are You?" in Russian

Как дела?

kak dela?

In Russian, "how are you?" is expressed as Как дела? (kak dela?)

Как дела? is a common greeting used to ask about someone's general well-being or current life situation. In Russian, it is often used as a casual greeting where a detailed report of one's life is not necessarily expected unless you are close friends.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of Как (how) and дела (affairs/business/matters), meaning "How are [your] affairs/business?"

Which one should you use?

While Как дела? is a standard way to ask how someone is, Как ты? is an informal way to ask the same question and Как поживаете? is a formal alternative. Чё как? is an informal way to say the same thing.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Как дела? is an informal way to say "how are you?" For formal situations, you can use Как поживаете?, Как у Вас дела? or Как вы?, which is used when addressing someone with the polite вы. For informal situations, you can use Как дела?, Как ты? or Чё как?

How does it change in a sentence?

The word дела is the plural form of дело, which is why the phrase translates more naturally as "how are things?" rather than "how is the affair?"

How do you pronounce it?

kak dela?

When do people say it?

A common and standard response to Как дела? is Хорошо, спасибо. (Good, thank you.). Another typical response to an informal inquiry is Нормально (Fine).

Did you know?

If a Russian responds to Как дела? with Ничего, they are not saying 'nothing' in a negative sense, but are actually saying they are doing 'not bad'.
Asking Как дела? to a stranger in Russia can sometimes be perceived as too personal or intrusive, unlike the English 'how are you?' which is often just a filler greeting.
While English speakers often answer 'how are you?' with a positive phrase, Russians may give a detailed, honest account of their problems or simply say Нормально ('normal'), as excessive positivity can sometimes seem insincere.

Examples in context

Хорошо, спасибо. А у Вас?
I'm good, thank you. And you?
Всё отлично, а у тебя?
Everything is great, and you?

Example conversation

Sergey and Olga meet at a cafe.

Сергей Sergey

Ольга, привет! Как дела?
Olga, privet! Kak dela?
Olga, hi! How are you?
Ольга Olga

Привет, Сергей! Всё хорошо, спасибо.
Privet, Sergey! Vsyo khorosho, spasibo.
Hi, Sergey! Everything is good, thank you.
Сергей Sergey

Я рад это слышать.
Ya rad eto slyshat'.
I am glad to hear that.
Ольга Olga

А у тебя как дела?
A u tebya kak dela?
And how are you?

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How to Say “How Are You?” in Russian