잘 지내요
jal jinaeyo
In Korean, "I am good" is said as 잘 지내요 (jal jinaeyo).
This phrase is a standard response to the question 어떻게 지내요? (How are you doing?). It is used to communicate that you are doing well.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 잘 (well) and 지내요 (to spend time/live/pass time), literally meaning "I am spending time well".
Which one should you use?
While 잘 지내요 is a standard way to express being well, you might use 저는 괜찮습니다 to mean "I am fine", 저는 잘 지내고 있습니다 to mean "I am doing well or I am fine" or 저는 좋은 상태입니다 to say "I am in a good condition".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can adjust the level of formality by changing the sentence ending. Dropping the 요 at the end of 잘 지내 makes the phrase informal. To make it highly formal, change the ending to 지냅니다.
How do you pronounce it?
jal jinaeyo
Did you know?
- Koreans may use the phrase 괜찮아요 (I'm okay) to politely decline an offer, meaning 'I am good' in the sense of 'no thank you' rather than 'I am doing well'.
- The word 잘 appears in the phrase 잘 가, which literally translates to 'go well' but is used as a common way to say 'goodbye'.
- Using the Korean word for 'good' (좋다) to describe yourself can sound like you are reporting on a specific mood or physical health rather than your general life status.
Examples in context
- 현재 잘 지내고 있습니다. 감사합니다.I am currently doing well. Thank you.
- 어떻게 지내?How are you?
- 난 괜찮아, 고마워.I am good, thank you.
- 네, 잘 지내요.ne, jal jinaeyo.Yes, I am doing well.
- 요즘 어떻게 지내요? 저는 잘 지내요.yo-jeum eo-tteo-ke ji-nae-yo? jeo-neun jal ji-nae-yo.How have you been lately? I am doing well.
- 덕분에 잘 지내요.deok-bun-e jal ji-nae-yo.I am doing well, thanks to you.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet by chance on the street.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 어떻게 지내요?jieun ssi, eotteoke jinaeyo?Ji-eun, how have you been?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 잘 지내요. 도현 씨는요?jeoneun jal jinaeyo. dohyun ssinunyo?I am good. What about you, Do-hyeon?
- 도현 Do-hyeon저도 잘 지내고 있어요.jeodo jal jinaego isseoyo.I am doing well too.
- 지은 Ji-eun다행이네요. 반가워요!dahaeng-ineyo. bangawoyo!That's a relief. It's good to see you!
