как поживаешь?
kak pozhivayesh'?
How have you been? In Russian is как поживаешь? (kak pozhivayesh'?)
This phrase is a greeting used to ask someone about their life since the last time you saw them. While a general phrase like как дела? asks how things are in a broad sense, как поживаешь? specifically implies that a certain amount of time has passed since your last encounter.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to how are you living?
Which one should you use?
While как поживаешь? implies a period of time has passed since you last spoke, the more general как дела? is used for a standard how are you?
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the form как поживаешь? when addressing someone with the informal ты. Use the form как поживаете? when speaking to someone you address with the formal or plural вы.
How do you pronounce it?
kak pozhivayesh'?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this question is хорошо, спасибо (good, thanks).
Did you know?
- If a Russian speaker responds to как поживаешь? with ничего, they are not saying 'nothing'. They are actually saying 'not bad' or 'okay'.
- In some regions, a common response to как поживаешь? is потихоньку, which literally means 'slowly' or 'little by little'. It suggests that life is moving along without any major disasters.
- In Russian culture, asking как поживаешь? is often seen as a genuine request for information rather than a polite filler. If you ask this, be prepared for a detailed answer about the person's life and struggles rather than a simple 'fine'.
Examples in context
- Привет, как поживаешь?Privet, kak pozhivayesh?Hi, how have you been?
- Давно не виделись, как поживаешь?Davno ne videlis, kak pozhivayesh?Long time no see, how have you been?
Example conversation
Two old friends meet by chance on the street.
- Андрей AndreyАнастасия, привет! Как поживаешь?Anastasiya, privet! Kak pozhivayesh?Anastasia, hi! How have you been?
- Анастасия AnastasiaПривет, Андрей! Всё хорошо, спасибо.Privet, Andrey! Vsyo khorosho, spasibo.Hi, Andrey! Everything is good, thanks.
- Андрей AndreyЯ рад это слышать.Ya rad eto slyshat'.I am glad to hear that.
- Анастасия AnastasiaА у тебя как дела?A u tebya kak dela?And how are things with you?
