Hur mår du?
The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into Swedish as Hur mår du?
Hur mår du? is used when there is a genuine interest in someone's health or emotional state, rather than just acting as a passing greeting.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, Hur mår du? means "How feel you?" The verb mår is a form of må, which specifically refers to how one feels physically or emotionally.
Which one should you use?
While Hur mår du? focuses on personal well-being, the phrase Hur är det? is a more general, casual way to ask how things are going. Additionally, Hur är läget? is a common slang or colloquial way to say "How's it going?" meaning "How's the situation?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hur mår ni? is a formal way to say "How are you?" in Swedish. In contrast, Hur är läget? is an informal expression used among friends.
When do people say it?
When asked Hur mår du? or Hur mår ni?, it is customary to reply with a positive response first. A standard response is Jag mår bra, meaning "I am doing well."
Did you know?
- If you use Hur mår du? as a casual greeting in a shop, you might accidentally make the clerk think you are asking about their medical condition or emotional trauma.
- The word du is a direct cognate of the archaic English 'thou'. While English replaced 'thou' with 'you' for everyone, Swedish kept du as the primary way to address people.
- Swedish has a specific verb må for health and mood that English lacks. In English, you use 'feel' for both a cold and the texture of a fabric, but a Swede would never use må to describe a fabric.
Examples in context
- Hej, hur mår du?Hi, how are you?
Example conversation
Maja and Karl meet at a cafe.
- MajaHej Karl, hur mår du?Hi Karl, how are you?
- KarlJag mår bra, tack.I am doing well, thanks.
- MajaVad kul att höra!That is good to hear!
- KarlSjälv då, Maja?And you, Maja?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, hur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
