잘 지냈어요
jal jinesseoyo
jal jinesseoyo is the Korean phrase for "How have you been?"
This phrase is used to ask someone how they have been since the last time you met. It is specifically used when you are meeting someone you have already met before. It is not used for a first-time introduction.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 잘 지냈어요 is composed of 잘 (well), 지내다 (to spend time/live) and the past tense polite ending -었어(요).
Which one should you use?
The honorific version 잘 지내셨어요? is used when showing extra respect to elders or superiors, whereas the informal version 잘 지냈어? is used with close friends or people younger than you.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
잘 지냈어요 is a polite form suitable for acquaintances, colleagues or people older than you, but it is not formal enough for high-ranking officials or very formal business settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Korean, this phrase is used as a question by raising the intonation at the end, even without a formal question mark.
How do you pronounce it?
jal jinesseoyo
When do people say it?
A standard response to this greeting is 네, 잘 지냈어요, meaning "Yes, I have been well."
Did you know?
- While 'jal jinesseoyo' is a standard greeting, Koreans often use the phrase 밥 먹었어요? (Did you eat?) as a way to show care and ask how someone is doing.
- The word 잘 (well) is sometimes linked to the archaic term 자루 (jaru), which historically referred to a measure or a container.
- In Korean culture, the question 잘 지냈어요? can be a social formality where the speaker expects a positive answer regardless of the truth to maintain harmony.
Examples in context
- 그동안 잘 지냈어요?geudong-an jal jinesseoyo?Have you been doing well during that time?
- 오랜만이에요, 잘 지냈어요?oraenmanieyo, jal jinesseoyo?It's been a long time, how have you been?
- 선생님, 잘 지냈어요?seonsaengnim, jal jinesseoyo?Teacher, have you been well?
Example conversation
Two former classmates meet by chance at a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 오랜만이에요. 잘 지냈어요?Subin-ssi, oraenmanieyo. jal jinesseoyo?Subin, long time no see. Have you been well?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 도현 씨도 잘 지냈어요?Ne, Dohyeon-ssi-do jal jinesseoyo?Yes, have you been well too, Dohyeon?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 저는 아주 잘 지냈어요.Ne, jeoneun aju jal jinesseoyo.Yes, I have been doing very well.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말 다행이네요.Jeongmal dahaeng-ineyo.I'm really glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 잘, CC BY-SA 4.0.
