Japanese for Beginners: How to Say You're Doing Well and Ask 'How Are You?' Casually
Learn to respond to 'How are you?' in casual Japanese with variations like 'Pretty good, thanks!' or 'A bit tired today,' and how to ask the question back.
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When someone asks 'How are you?' in casual Japanese, you don't have to stick to a single response. This lesson teaches you several natural ways to say how you're doing, from 'Pretty good, thanks!' to 'A bit tired today.' You'll also learn how to return the question so the conversation keeps flowing. We'll focus on casual language, which is different from formal responses. By the end, you'll be able to handle this common exchange with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- respond to 'How are you?' in casual Japanese with various answers.
- ask 'How are you?' back in casual Japanese.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
元気だよ。
I'm doing well.
Genki da yo.
A simple, casual response to 'How are you?' Use with friends or people you're close to. 'Da' is the plain form of 'desu', and 'yo' adds gentle emphasis.
まあまあかな。
So-so, I guess.
Maa maa kana.
A casual way to say you're doing okay, not great but not bad. Often used when you don't want to sound too positive or negative. 'Kana' adds a sense of uncertainty ('I guess').
ちょっと疲れてる。
A bit tired.
Chotto tsukareteru.
Use this when you're feeling tired. 'Chotto' means 'a bit,' and 'tsukareteru' is the casual contraction of 'tsukarete iru' (am tired).
元気？
How are you? (casual)
Genki?
A casual way to ask 'How are you?' to a friend. It's the plain form of 'Genki desu ka?' — the same question without the polite ending.
そっちは？
How about you?
Socchi wa?
A casual way to return the question. 'Socchi' means 'your side' or 'you,' and 'wa' is the topic marker. Use among friends.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To respond casually, you can use adjectives or verb forms without 'desu'. For example, 'Genki da yo' (I'm doing well) uses the plain form 'da' instead of 'desu'. To say you're tired, use 'Chotto tsukareteru' (A bit tired). You can also add 'kana' to show uncertainty, like 'Maa maa kana' (So-so, I guess). To ask back, simply say 'Genki?' or 'Socchi wa?' These patterns are common in casual conversation.
When to use it
Use these casual expressions with friends, family, or people your age whom you know well. Avoid them in formal situations, such as talking to a boss, teacher, or stranger. For formal situations, use 'Genki desu ka?' to ask and 'Hai, genki desu' to respond. In casual settings, using plain forms shows closeness and friendliness. If you're unsure, it's safer to use polite forms until the other person uses casual language first.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
元気？
How are you?Genki?まあまあかな。そっちは？
So-so, I guess. How about you?Maa maa kana. Socchi wa?ちょっと疲れてる。
A bit tired.Chotto tsukareteru.そうなんだ。大変だね。
Oh, I see. That sounds tough.Sou nan da. Taihen da ne.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese casual conversation, it's common to return the question after answering. Saying 'Socchi wa?' (How about you?) keeps the conversation balanced. Also, Japanese people often avoid strong positive responses like 'I'm great!' in casual settings; 'Maa maa' (so-so) is more typical. Being modest is valued, so even if you're doing well, a simple 'Genki da yo' is sufficient. Remember that casual language is only for close relationships; using it with superiors can be rude.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Genki desu ka?' with friends, which sounds too formal.
Try this instead: With friends, just say 'Genki?' without 'desu ka'. For example, 'Genki?' is casual and friendly. If you want to be a bit softer, you can say 'Genki?' with a rising intonation. Save 'Genki desu ka?' for polite situations.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'A bit tired' in casual Japanese?
Show a sample answer
ちょっと疲れてる。 (Chotto tsukareteru.)
'Chotto' means 'a bit' and 'tsukareteru' is the casual contraction of 'tsukarete iru' (am tired). You can also say 'Chotto tsukareta' if you want to emphasize that you got tired, but 'tsukareteru' is more common for current state.
2What is a casual way to ask 'How about you?' after someone asks how you are?
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そっちは？ (Socchi wa?)
'Socchi wa?' is a casual and natural way to return the question. You can also say 'Kimi wa?' but 'Socchi wa?' is more common in casual conversation. It literally means 'Your side?'
3Respond to 'Genki?' with 'Pretty good, I guess.'
Show a sample answer
まあまあかな。 (Maa maa kana.)
'Maa maa' means 'so-so' or 'pretty good,' and 'kana' adds uncertainty. This is a typical modest response. You could also say 'Maa maa da yo' if you're more certain, but 'kana' sounds more natural in casual talk.
Use casual responses like 'Genki da yo' or 'Chotto tsukareteru' with friends, and remember to ask back with 'Socchi wa?' to keep the conversation going.
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