How to Say ‘How are you?’ in Japanese
お元気ですか？
おげんきですか？
💬 Usage Tip: ['お元気'] combines 'o-' (polite prefix) with 'genki' (healthy).
🇯🇵 In Japan: A formal way to ask about someone's wellbeing, often used in more polite or formal situations.
Phrase Breakdown
おお
honorific prefix
Used to show respect or politeness.
お茶
tea (with respect)
元気げんき
healthy; well
Refers to someone's health and well-being.
元気いっぱい
full of energy
ですかですか
is it?
A polite way to ask a question.
そこは静かですか？
Is it quiet there?
Word-by-Word Breakdown
おお
[o]
Honorific prefix
A prefix added to words to show respect in Japanese.
お茶を飲みますか？
Do you want to drink tea?
元気げんき
[genki]
Health; well-being
A term used to inquire about someone's health status or well-being.
お元気ですか？
Are you well?
ですです
[desu]
A copula; 'is', 'am', 'are'
Used to assert a state of being.
私は元気です。
I am well.
かか
[ka]
Question marker
A particle used to indicate that the sentence is a question.
元気ですか？
Are you well?
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