You already know that 元気です means I'm fine, but in a real conversation the hard part is choosing the right reply, saying it with a natural tone, and then keeping the exchange going. This workshop gives you three short role-plays where you speak aloud as yourself. You will practise using 元気です, 元気です、ありがとう, まあまあです, あなたは？, and おかげさまで元気です in situations that change as you go. The goal is not to memorize more phrases, but to make the phrases you already know come out smoothly when someone actually greets you.
Decide your reply before you speak
Before each role-play, pause and choose your condition: fine, fine and grateful, or so-so. Then choose who you are talking to. With a close friend, 元気です or まあまあです fits. With a colleague or acquaintance, 元気です、ありがとう or おかげさまで元気です is safer. Say your chosen phrase aloud three times, focusing on a friendly, level tone rather than a flat reading. Then add a follow-up. If you use あなたは？, remind yourself that it is best with close friends or peers; with others, use the person's name or title plus は, such as 田中さんは？ or 先生は？. This preparation takes under a minute and prevents the common freeze where you understand the greeting but cannot decide how to answer.
When the other person does not feel fine
The harder turn in this topic is when you ask あなたは？ or 田中さんは？ and the other person does not say 元気です. They might say まあまあです or something less positive. Do not panic or repeat your own condition. First, acknowledge their answer with a short, natural response such as そうですか, said with a gentle falling tone. Then decide whether to ask a simple follow-up or leave space. If you are close to the person, you can ask 大丈夫ですか with a soft tone, but keep it short. If the situation is formal, a brief そうですか followed by a calm pause is enough. The key is to show you heard them rather than rushing to your next line. Practise this turn aloud so the pause feels normal, not like a mistake.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
元気です。
I'm fine.
Genki desu.
元気です、ありがとう。
I'm fine, thank you.
Genki desu, arigatou.
まあまあです。
I'm so-so.
Maa-maa desu.
あなたは？
And you?
Anata wa?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
こんにちは！元気ですか？
Hello! How are you?元気です、ありがとう。あなたは？
I'm fine, thank you. And you?私も元気です。
I'm fine too.それはよかったです。
That's good.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Morning greeting from a classmate
You are a beginner Japanese learner standing in the hallway before class. A classmate you talk to every day walks up and says こんにちは！元気ですか？ You are feeling fine and you want to keep the conversation friendly and short.
Your task: Say aloud a complete reply using 元気です, then add ありがとう if it feels natural, and finish with a follow-up question. Use あなたは？ because this is a peer you know well. Speak the whole reply in one smooth turn without stopping between phrases.
Greeting a neighbor you do not know well
You meet an older neighbor in the elevator. You have said hello before but never had a real conversation. The neighbor smiles and asks お元気ですか？ You are actually feeling so-so because you slept badly, but you do not want to complain or sound rude.
Your task: Say aloud a reply that is honest but polite. Use まあまあです as your main answer, then add a short polite phrase such as ありがとうございます to soften it. Do not use あなたは？ with this neighbor. Instead, ask about them using a respectful form: either repeat お元気ですか？ back to them, or use their name or title plus は.
Formal greeting at a community event
You are at a local community event. A person you have just met introduces themselves and asks お元気ですか？ You want to make a good impression. You are feeling well and you are grateful for the chance to be there.
Your task: Say aloud a polite reply using おかげさまで元気です. Then add one short sentence about being happy to meet them, such as よろしくお願いします. Keep your tone calm and slightly formal. After that, ask about them using their name plus は, for example 田中さんは？, instead of あなたは？.
Common questions
Is 元気です always the safest reply when someone asks how I am?
It is safe in most casual and neutral situations, but it can sound a little flat if you are talking to someone older or more formal. Adding ありがとう or using おかげさまで元気です can make your reply warmer and more appropriate. If you are actually not feeling well, まあまあです is a natural and honest choice.
Why should I avoid あなたは？ with some people?
あなた can sound direct or even rude in Japanese, especially with someone older, a teacher, or a person you have just met. In those situations, use the person's name or title plus は, such as 田中さんは？ or 先生は？. With close friends or peers, あなたは？ is best kept to people you know well.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: responding to greetingsChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Japanese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr