What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Как дела? literally translates to "How are things?" or "How are affairs?"
Which one should you use?
While Как дела? is the most frequently used informal way to ask how someone is doing, other forms exist for specific contexts. For instance, Как ты? is a simple and direct way to ask how someone is to a person you are close to, whereas Как оно? is a very casual, slangy way to ask "How's it going?" similar to "How's it?" in English. In more formal settings, you might use Как поживаете? to ask how someone is living or getting along or Как у вас дела? to express concern about someone's well-being.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Как дела? is the most common informal way to ask the question. For very close individuals, the simple Как ты? is appropriate. In formal situations, such as speaking to elders or business acquaintances, you should use Как поживаете? or Как у вас дела? If you specifically want to politely inquire about someone's health, you can use the formal Как самочувствие?
How do you pronounce it?
Kak dela?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you Как дела?, a standard and polite response is Хорошо, спасибо (Good, thank you). You can also use спасибо to say "thank you" in various contexts.
Did you know?
- While Как дела? is a common greeting, asking it too frequently or to a complete stranger can be perceived as intrusive, as it asks about one's 'affairs'.
- In some Russian social circles, a common response to Как дела? is Потихоньку, which literally means 'slowly' or 'little by little'.
- The word как has ancient roots in Proto-Slavic, making it a direct linguistic relative to the English word 'how'.
Examples in context
- Виктор: Здравствуйте! Как поживаете?Viktor: Hello! How are you doing?
- Анна: Привет! Как дела?Anna: Hi! How are things?
- Максим: Привет! Всё отлично. Как сам?Maksim: Hi! Everything is excellent. How are you?
- Привет, как дела?Privet, kak dela?Hi, how are you doing?
Example conversation
Olga and Alexander meet on the street.
- Ольга OlgaПривет, Александр! Как дела?Privet, Aleksandr! Kak dela?Hi, Alexander! How are you doing?
- Александр AleksandrПривет, Ольга. Всё хорошо, спасибо.Privet, Ol'ga. Vsyo khorosho, spasibo.Hi, Olga. Everything is good, thanks.
- Ольга OlgaРада это слышать.Rada eto slyshat'.I'm glad to hear that.
- Александр AleksandrА у тебя как?A u tebya kak?And how about you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries как, CC BY-SA 4.0.
