元気です、あなたは？
genki desu, anata wa?
To say "I am fine, and you?" in Japanese, use 元気です、あなたは？ (genki desu, anata wa?)
This phrase is a standard, polite way to respond to the greeting O-genki desu ka? (How are you?).
What does it mean word for word?
The word genki literally refers to one's health, spirit or energy.
How do you pronounce it?
genki desu, anata wa?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use anata (you) in Japanese, whereas native speakers frequently omit the subject or use the person's name instead.
Did you know?
- There is a related concept called 気疲れ which describes the specific type of exhaustion caused by the social effort of being polite and 'fine' around others.
- The word 'genki' (元気) is composed of two kanji: 'gen' (original/source) and 'ki' (energy/spirit). It suggests that being 'fine' is less about a mood and more about having a strong, flowing life force.
- While 元気 means 'fine' or 'healthy', using it every day can sound unnatural to Japanese speakers. They often prefer to describe their current state or simply use a greeting like こんにちは without asking about health.
Examples in context
- おはようございます。私は元気です。あなたはお元気ですか？Good morning. I am fine. How about you?
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet on the street.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さん、お元気ですか？Ren-san, o-genki desu ka?Ren, how are you?
- 蓮 Ren元気です、あなたは？Genki desu, anata wa?I am fine, and you?
- 陽葵 Himari私も元気です。Watashi mo genki desu.I am fine too.
- 蓮 Renそれはよかったです。Sore wa yokatta desu.That is good to hear.
