잘 지내고 있어요
jal jinaego isseoyo
The English phrase "I am doing good" is translated into Korean as 잘 지내고 있어요 (jal jinaego isseoyo).
This phrase is used as a response to tell someone that you are doing well after they have asked how you are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well), 지내다 (to spend time/live) and the -고 있다 (progressive) form.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the social context, several variations exist: 저는 잘 지내고 있습니다 is a highly formal version, 저는 잘 지내요 is a polite version, 잘 지내고 있어 is an informal version and 나 잘 지내 is a casual version. Additionally, 난 괜찮아 can be used to mean "I'm doing fine."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For business or official settings, use the highly formal 잘 지내고 있습니다. A polite version is 저는 잘 지내요. For close friends or younger people, use the informal 잘 지내고 있어 or the casual 나 잘 지내. The phrase 난 괜찮아 is also an informal way to say you are doing fine.
How do you pronounce it?
jal jinaego isseoyo
Did you know?
- While 잘 지내고 있어요 is a direct answer, Koreans often respond to 'how are you' by talking about their current state of busyness, such as saying they are 'busy' even if they are doing well.
- In Korean culture, it is common to answer 잘 지내요 even if things are going poorly to maintain social harmony and avoid burdening the other person with worries.
- The verb in this phrase, 지내다, treats time like a physical object that you 'spend' or 'pass'. It suggests that 'doing well' is a matter of how effectively you are spending your days.
Examples in context
- 잘 지내고 있어요.jal jinaego isseoyo.I am doing good.
- 네, 요즘 잘 지내고 있어요.ne, yojeum jal jinaego isseoyo.Yes, I am doing good these days.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe after a long time.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 그동안 어떻게 지냈어요?Jihun ssi, geudongan eotteoke jinaesseoyo?Jihun, how have you been?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저는 잘 지내고 있어요. 수빈 씨는요?jeoneun jal jinaego isseoyo. Subin ssineunyo?I am doing good. How about you, Subin?
- 수빈 Su-bin저도 잘 지냈어요.jeodo jal jinaesseoyo.I've been doing well too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이네요.dahaeng-ineyo.That's a relief.
