How to Say ‘How are you?’ in Japanese
お元気ですか？
おげんきですか？
💬 Usage Tip: Both formal and friendly, pronounced (ogenki desu ka?).
🇯🇵 In Japan: Typically asked when meeting someone for the first time or after a long separation.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
Polite marker
Used to make a sentence more polite.
お元気ですか？
How are you?
元気げんき
[genki]
Healthy
Used to inquire about someone's well-being.
友達は元気です。
My friend is healthy.
ですです
[desu]
Is/am/are
A copula used to describe a state or condition.
私は学生です。
I am a student.
かか
[ka]
Question marker
Turns a statement into a question.
あなたは日本人ですか？
Are you Japanese?
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