When we greet people, our family members and friends, we often ask them how they are or how they are doing, and they answer back. But if you are planning to go on a trip to other countries for leisure or find a business partner for your business, learning their language and speaking their words is the most common way to have a good interaction.
When you start a conversation, you always say “Hi” or “Hello,” along with the greeting “How are you?” But it can be pretty challenging when you mingle and interact with your newly found friends.
Saying “how are you?” in Chinese can sometimes not sound natural if you are not a native or fluent speaker. The Chinese people can be very critical regarding their tone of voice.
Chinese people greet each other not just in a casual tone. You will notice that they have distinct styles if you listen and hear closely. If you want to visit a Chinese-speaking country, you should first learn Chinese to confidently say the common greetings in their language without strangers staring at you.
Let’s take a look at this post on the different ways to say “how are you?” in Chinese. Make sure to stick around and read until the end.
Different ways to ask “How are you” in Chinese
Mandarin Chinese can be very challenging, but if you have learned to say “I love you” in Chinese, you will surely enjoy learning other phrases. Standard terms mean the same but are expressed differently due to circumstances.
One of the first words you should learn when learning any language is “How are you?”
Whether you are formally greeting a family member or a high-ranking person in China, here are the most common phrases to say “how are you” in Chinese.
nǐ hǎo ma? – 你好吗? / nín hǎo ma?) – 您好吗?
People usually say, 你好吗? (Nǐ hǎo ma?) when they first begin to learn the Chinese language. It means “how are you?” but is it alright to use it casually?
While using 你好吗 (Nǐ hǎo ma) in daily Chinese conversation technically isn’t a mistake, in reality, native Mandarin Chinese speakers very rarely use this as a greeting as it comes off as very formal. Chinese people nowadays tend not to use proper phrases in day-to-day conversation.
Although this straightforward way (ni hao ma) works fine for beginners, you should pick up one of the other phrases from this blog post if you want to sound fluent.
Lái kě hǎo? – 近来可好?
English meaning: How are you these days?
Common Responses:
Bù cuò 不错。Not bad.
Lǎo yàng zi 老样子。Same old.
If you have not been out for a few days and bump into one of your friends, you ask them this phrase, Lái kě hǎo? (近来可好?) is the starter question you would like to ask them because it is semi-formal, and your body language won’t be awkward.
Chatting with a friend you have not seen recently and greeting them, “How are you these days?” is something you can say without anyone being offended.
nǐ zuìjìn hǎo ma? – 你最近好吗?
English meaning: How have you been doing lately?
Common Responses:
Bù tài hǎo 不太好。Not so good.
Hái bù cuò 还不错。Not bad!
Imagine you bump into an old friend you have not seen in a while, and they ask you Nǐ zuìjìn hǎo ma? (你最近过得好吗?) meaning “How have you been spending your time?”
Just like the phrase Zuì jìn qù nǎr ne? (最近去哪儿呢?) or “Where have you been recently?” You don’t have to give them a comprehensive list of everything you have done; just some highlights will suffice.
This phrase is a great way to catch up with your special ones when you get together.
mánɡ shén me ne? – 忙什么呢?
English meaning: What is keeping you busy these days?
This Chinese word 忙什么呢?(mánɡ shén me ne? ) instead, the phrase means, “What are you busy doing these days?” If you want to know that someone is alright or want to hang out with your friends, you are not sure what they have been doing recently.
You can use this phrase anytime and anywhere you are confident.
shēntǐ hǎo ma? – 身体好吗?
English meaning: How are you?
Common Responses:
Hěn jiàn kāng 很健康。I’m really healthy.
Tǐng hǎo de 挺好的。I’m pretty good!
The character 身体 (shēn tǐ) in Mandarin Chinese language means “body.” This phrase 身体好吗? Or “How are you?” indicates you are asking about someone else’s health or the body’s condition, such as “Have you been well/in good health?”
In China, the appropriate time to use this phrase is when you meet an elderly or a senior colleague and want to check to ensure they are still in good health. Also, if you are checking up on a friend or family member you rarely see while talking over the phone, you might use Shēn tǐ hǎo ma?
In Chinese culture, it is essential to express concern for someone’s health, whether sick or not, especially if you are busy and don’t see them often.
yī qiè shùn lì ma?- 切顺利吗?
English meaning: Did everything go well?
Common Responses:
èn 嗯!Yes!
Bù zěn me yàng 不怎么样。Not so good.
“Is everything okay?” is a question that you ask a person you notice or see not feeling well or not in the mood. Saying Yīqiè shùnlì ma? (切顺利吗?) to your family, co-workers, or even strangers can lift a whole mood.
This phrase is one way of you having common sense and understanding their situation by asking and letting them know that you are there to listen.
shén me shì?- 什么事?
English meaning: What’s the matter?
Common Responses:
Méi shì 没事。I’m okay.
Yǒu diǎn lèi 有点累。I’m a bit tired.
What if you run into someone you know, and they look exhausted? You may use the term Shénme shì? (什么事?) because it means “What’s the matter,” you want to know why they look tired and not having the time of their life.
This tone is much coarser, and if misused, it might even start a brawl.
It is recommended to avoid utilising this statement when conversing with someone who holds a higher rank than you because it could come off poorly.
nǐ chīle ma? – 你吃了吗?
English meaning: Have you eaten?
Common Responses:
Wǒ chī le,nǐ ne? 我吃了,你呢?Yes, I haven’t eaten. And you?
Duì 对!Yes!
Many people did not have access to a consistent supply of food during China’s Great Famine, and occasionally the only meal of the day could be a single bowl of plain white rice. It was a good indicator of someone’s overall well-being, financial status, and health to check whether they had eaten.
Being asked Nǐ chīle ma? (你吃了吗?) or “Have you eaten yet?” today will sound so fine because some people will appreciate your concern and care.
Even though there is no food scarcity in China now, and conditions are better than ever, many still have memories of these hardships. Therefore it is still customary to welcome individuals in Mandarin by asking Nǐ chīle ma?
These words convey a genuine cultural sentiment of affection. If you hear them, they also serve as an informal invitation to eat with someone, which is a good opportunity to brush up on your Mandarin.
hái hǎo ba? – 还好吧?
English meaning: Are you doing alright?
Common Responses:
Duì 对!Yes!
Méi shì 没事。I’m okay.
The question Hái hǎo ba? (还好吗?) is one of the most adaptable Mandarin phrases people use as a natural answer to almost any question about how you are.
The right time to utilise it is when a friend of yours appears to have some slight anxiety or someone you know has recently been through a challenging experience.
Remember that this is best reserved for informal conversations and settings.
Conclusion
You should now be comfortable asking people in Chinese Mandarin, “How are you?” It might be challenging to approach a stranger and ask them questions. Still, a significant portion of picking up a new language involves stumbling along the way and improving from those experiences.
If you are keen on learning more about the language, consider taking classes online or in person. You can always learn a thing or two, and it is always right to ask for help when challenged by particular circumstances.
Learning a different language can be fun and exciting at the same time. You have to take serious note that you are learning it to understand their culture.
If you put in enough effort and practice, something that seemed challenging the day before might now feel like a piece of cake, so keep your chin up and give your best shot!