Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 덕분에 잘 지내고 있어요 | deokbun-e jal jinaego isseoyo |
| 덕택에 잘 지냅니다 | deoktaeg-e jal jinaemnida |
| 잘 지내요 | jal jinaeyo |
These phrases are used to respond to inquiries about your well-being. You can choose between a simple statement of being well or a more humble version that acknowledges the listener's influence on your state.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 잘 지내고 있어요 is composed of 잘 (well), 지내다 (to spend time or live) and the progressive form 고 있다 (to be doing).
Which one should you use?
덕분에 잘 지내고 있어요 is a more polite and humble way to say you are doing well by implying it is thanks to the listener. 잘 지내요 is a simpler, standard way to say you are doing well without that added emphasis. 덕택에 잘 지냅니다 is a highly formal version that uses the more formal word 덕택 and the formal verb ending -습니다.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite and formal response, you can use 저는 괜찮습니다 or the slightly less formal 저는 괜찮아요. For everyday polite conversation, 잘 지내요 is standard. If you want to be especially polite and humble, use 덕분에 잘 지내고 있어요. For casual or informal situations, you can use 나는 괜찮아.
How do you pronounce it?
deokbun-e jal jinaego isseoyo
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, when someone asks how you are, it is common and polite to include a phrase such as 덕분에 to imply that your well-being is partly due to the listener's concern or influence.
Did you know?
- Using 괜찮아요 can sometimes be ambiguous because it is used both to say 'I am fine' and to politely decline an offer, meaning 'no thank you'.
- While 덕분에 translates to 'thanks to you', it is often used as a social lubricant even if the listener had absolutely no role in your well-being.
- The verb 지내다 focuses on the act of 'spending time' or 'living through a period' rather than just a static state of 'being' as in English.
Examples in context
- 잘 지내요.I'm fine.This example shows how to use the polite form 잘 지내요.Tatoeba #12214334 by Adelpa, translation #257272 by Eldad
- 덕분에 잘 지내고 있어요.deokbun-e jal jinaego isseoyo.I'm doing well, thanks to you.
- 걱정해 주셔서 감사해요, 덕분에 잘 지내고 있어요.geokjeonghae jusyeoseo gamsahaeyo, deokbun-e jal jinaego isseoyo.Thank you for worrying, I'm doing well thanks to you.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun meet at a cafe after a long time.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 그동안 잘 지냈어요?Minjun ssi, geudongan jal jinaesseoyo?Minjun, have you been doing well?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 덕분에 잘 지내고 있어요.ne, deokbun-e jal jinaego isseoyo.Yes, I'm doing fine, thanks to you.
- 수빈 Su-bin다행이네요. 요즘 바쁘세요?dahaeng-ineyo. yojeum bappeuseyo?That's a relief. Are you busy lately?
- 민준 Min-jun아니요, 조금 여유가 있어요.aniyo, jogeum yeoyuga isseoyo.No, I have some free time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I'm fine” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
