잘 지냈어?
The Korean phrase for "how are you? (informal)" is 잘 지냈어?
This phrase is a casual greeting used to ask a friend or acquaintance how they have been since the last time you met. Rather than asking how someone is feeling at this exact moment, it focuses on their well-being over the period of time since your last encounter.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well), 지냈어 (spent time/lived) and a question particle, literally meaning "Did you spend time well?"
Which one should you use?
While 잘 지냈어? uses the past tense to ask how someone has been, you may also encounter 어떻게 지내?, which is another informal way to ask how someone is doing or 잘 지내?, which literally translates to "Are you living well?" and is also used among friends.
When do people say it?
A common informal response to this question is 응, 잘 지냈어. (Yeah, I've been well).
Did you know?
- If you are texting a close friend, you might see the phrase shortened or written with extra vowels to sound more 'cute' or friendly, a style called 'aegyo'.
Examples in context
- 오랜만이야! 어떻게 지내?Long time no see! How are you?
- 안녕! 잘 지내?Hi! How are you doing?
- 그동안 잘 지냈어?geudong-an jal jinaesseo?Have you been doing well lately?
- 오랜만이야, 잘 지냈어?oraenmaniya, jal jinaesseo?Long time no see, how are you?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin meet at a cafe after a few months.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 잘 지냈어?Subin-a, jal jinaesseo?Subin, how have you been?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 잘 지냈어. 현우 너는?eung, jal jinaesseo. Hyunwoo neoneun?Yeah, I've been well. How about you, Hyunwoo?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나도 잘 지냈어.nado jal jinaesseo.I've been doing well too.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이다!dahaeng-ida!That's a relief!
