最近どう？
saikin dō?
The English phrase 'what's up?' can be translated into Japanese as 最近どう？ (saikin dō?)
The expression 最近どう？ is an informal way to ask someone how they have been lately.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase contains どう？, which is the interrogative form of 'how'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
最近どう？ is informal and should only be used with friends or people of lower social status.
How do you pronounce it?
saikin dō?
When do people say it?
A common natural response to this greeting is 相変わらずだよ, meaning 'same as usual'.
Did you know?
- When answering 最近どう？, a speaker might use the word まあまあ to mean 'so-so'. This is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture, such as a tilting palm, to emphasize the mediocrity of their situation.
- While 最近どう？ is used for people you have not seen in a while, you would never use it for someone you just saw five minutes ago, as it specifically targets the recent past.
- A single word with rising intonation, 最近？, can function as a complete, highly casual way to ask 'what's up?' among close friends.
Examples in context
- 最近どう？Saikin dou?What's up lately?
- 仕事の方は最近どう？Shigoto no hou wa saikin dou?How's work been lately?
- 学校は最近どう？Gakkou wa saikin dou?How is school lately?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、久しぶり！最近どう？Yōta, hisashiburi! Saikin dō?Yota, long time no see! What's up?
- 陽太 Yota元気だよ。陽葵はどう？Genki dayo. Hiyori wa dō?I'm good. How about you, Hiyori?
- 陽葵 Himari私も元気。相変わらず忙しいけどね。Watashi mo genki. Aikawarazu isogashii kedo ne.I'm good too. Busy as usual, though.
- 陽太 Yotaやっぱりそうだよね。Yappari sō da yo ne.I figured as much.
