English Basics: How to answer “How are you?” correctly
How to answer “How are you?” correctly
Has this ever happened to you? Someone says “Hey, how are you?” and then you start talking about your life.
“Oh, today is horrible. I have so much to do, and my son is sick, and I saw the price of gas is going up again, and…..”
Clearly, telling your life story is NOT the correct response to “How are you?” And today, you’ll learn different ways to respond to “How are you?”
In the US, you’ll hear “Hi, how are you?” or “How are you doing today?” or if you’re in the south “Hey, how y’all doin?”
You’ll hear this ALL the time! The server at the restaurant, the cashier at the store, your colleague you pass on your way to your desk. Everybody asks “How you doing today?”
And if you’ve noticed, nobody really answers. I mean a real true answer.
There’s really only one correct answer to “How are you?”
Do you know what it is?
Well?
The correct response is “Fine, and you?”That’s it. Fine and you.
Or some variation, like “Good, how about yourself?”
Or “Doing fine, and you?”
Or “Good, how about you?”
Click the image for details
A quick & positive answer
Basically the idea is to just give a quick, positive answer. Even if your dog just died, your car died on the way to the store, and your iPhone battery just died.
If the cashier at the store asks “How you doing?” as you pay for your things, you should respond “Good, how about you?” or “Doing fine, and you?” or “Good, how about yourself?”
And they’ll respond with… yep, you guessed it: “Good, thanks.”
Or “Fine thanks.”
Or some other positive response that doesn’t really answer your question.
Why bother with “How are you?”?
So why ask a question if you don’t want a real answer? I can read in your thoughts… “Because Americans are soooo superficial!”.
No, it’s not because Americans are superficial (though some are, I’ll admit, yes…)
But…. You know the song “It’s a Wonderful World”, by Louis Armstrong. Romain, you know that song right?
There’s a line where he says “I see friends shaking hands, saying “How do you do?” They’re really saying “I love you.”
“How are you?” is the way Americans say “Hello!”
This little conversation “Hey, How are you? Fine, how about you? Good, thanks”is just Americans’ way of being friendly and polite with the people we interact with.
It’s especially the case in service transactions, like with a server at a restaurant, the cashier at a shop, a receptionist, etc.
I know it can be hard to not give a real response. Maybe it feels a bit fake, a bit superficiel. But nope.
That’s just what’s “normal” for this type of conversation. A real response, especially with lots of bad things, that’s uncomfortable.
You should just smile and say “Good, thanks, and you?”
To be truly fluent in English, you need to master these “little conversations” and everyday expressions. Personally, I like thisapp for learning English, and definitely recommend it!
Watch how to answer “How are you?” in this week’s episode of Speak English with Christina TV:
Now, what about you?
How do you usually respond to “How are you?”
Have you ever made the mistake and told the person all about your day?
Share your stories in the comments below, because I’m sure they’re funny! And there’s no shame, because everyone makes mistakes in a different culture, especially me.
All the best to you,
Christina
P.S. There are lots of other Speak English with Christina episodes to help you learn irregular verbs, phrasal verbs, and past simple vs. present perfect simple. They’re just below!
I have read and agree to the Terms of Service
GET YOUR FREE WEEKLY LESSONS
More good stuff...
Click the image to learn more
68 Comments
SIDIRLEI says:
HI CRISTRINA, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
I LIKE YOUR LESSONS, I AM TRYING LEARN ENGLISH MYSELF.
I JUST START NOW, PLEASE, I AM SORRY MY MISTAKES.
SEE YOU SOON!Christina Rebuffet says:
Hi Sidirlei, I’m good thanks! And thank you for the compliment. I’m glad that you’re learning English with me here! Welcome to the community! And don’t worry, you don’t have to apologize for your mistakes. It just means that you’re learning. No one speaks perfect English, not even native speakers.
Parag Thote says:
Hello Ma’am! I know some English but not fluent. I download your lesson and will try to learn some skills and try to follow steps you told here. I read your replay and it seems inspirational.
kachatroom says:
but if answer fine but how continue conversation?
muhammad says:
Hello Christina.
how are you doing,
can you provide me with your private email for contact to youChristina Rebuffet says:
Hi Muhammad,
Sure, you can go to this contact page and fill out the form there. I’ll receive your email then 🙂
https://christinarebuffet.com/contact/Misty says:
I dont know english so i am eager to leran the english
Jot says:
Hi Christina, How are you ?
I have been in U.S.A just a year.
During that time, I faced difficulties like listening and I communicated with someone I had short of words. Can you improve my listening and communication skills..Christina Rebuffetsays:
Hi Jot, How was your stay in the USA (other than the listening difficulties)? And yes, I can definitely help you improve your listening and communication skills (I can’t do it for you, but I can guide YOU to do it!) Are you looking for something specific for listening skills, or more speaking practice? Or both at the same time?
Sarbjot Singhsays:
Hi Christina, I improve my listening and speaking both together
abdel says:
lets say both of them
Sabina Khatun says:
Hi Christina,
How are you?
I like your videos and your way of study. I try to learn your lessons which is very helpful for my fluency.
Thank you.Christina Rebuffetsays:
Hi Sabina,
I’m good, thanks! How about you? Thanks for your kind words, and I’m glad you are enjoying them! Can I ask, how have my videos helped you so far?Thanks!
Josie Metzger says:
Hi Christina! How are you? I think this is my lucky day because few days ago l told my husband that l would like to take some classes to improve my English. Somehow, your Website just popped up before my eyes. After reading some off others
comments l begin to realize l am not the only one on this planet that having difficulty on speaking English on proper level. My biggest problem is even this day l still have difficulty on how to put my sentence on correct way. My biggest mistake is when l start writing sentences is l do not know how where to correct my grammar, quotation marks. I do get very embarrassed lots of times.
Need your help! XOXO
Josie MetzgerNeris says:
Hi Msr Cristina thank for opurtunity too me in your classvideo l think it is excellent point of openin a lot bring at the world thanks l will present it like
Susina says:
Hey Christina
How you doing?
Thanks for the lesson it’s a good way to learn Americans’ way of interaction, for my case that’s what I used to answer, but was not sure if I’m right or not, I’m wondering if we have to tell our story when it comes to speak with people who are a bit more closer, I mean with colleagues during a coffee break?
Thanks.Filip says:
I always says something another and I don’t care.. I’m oryginal and always make a small if somebody Ask me how are you Filip.. I say something like Oh friday Im in love or Im still looking for my grandpha from Katar becouse I don’t want to work anymore
Christina Rebuffetsays:
Hah, I love it! That’s a great way to be creative and have fun with the language! (And bonus points for citing The Cure 😉
upendo says:
Hi christina,
Thanks for the lessons. am a new learner too. I want to know how to respond if somebody ask you how was your night?
Terehaso says:
This will help some.
Abhijit Debnath says:
Hey Cristina, How are you doing?
I have just started to learning English with you. So please re correct me if I done any mistake. And please please give me some procedure to learn English so quickly.
Thank youChristina Rebuffet says:
Hi Abhijit,
Thanks so much for starting to learn English with me! And a correction would be “…if I have made any mistakes.”
As for how to learn English quickly, I’d say you can’t really learn a language “quickly”, but you can be more efficient in your learning.
Here’s a post to help you get started: http://christinarebuffet.com/blog/how-to-become-more-fluent-efficiently/
Enjoy!
Abakar Brahim Abakar says:
Hello my teacher!
In English conversation, when someone is greeting me like Hi, how are you? I will answer him I am fine thank you, and you?
Sometimes like how are you doing. In this case I will answer like I am doing well.
Thanks a lotChristina Rebuffet says:
Hi Abakar,
Good job! All of those are good, appropriate answers.
Nivedita says:
Hi Christina, today’s lesson was so nice. Especially the American accent (how ya doin’ today) and big thanks for making me
Christina Rebuffet says:
Hi Nivedita,
Thanks so much for the compliment, and I’m glad this lesson is helping you with the American accent. Are you more focused on understanding the American accent, or trying to speak like an American?
Jayeshkumar says:
Hello , this is a good lesson, what would be the answer for “ how do you do? “ Jayeshkumar
KANTE karamogo junior says:
Thanks Christina I’m so happy for the lesson of today
Aba says:
Hi Christina, how are you doing today?
Is the same way in Algeria. We answer fine and you? or not bad, how about you?Leandro Roberto says:
Hi Christina.
How are you doing today?Thanks for the tips. With them, we can join into the American English.
I’m from Brazil and love speaking English. But sometimes I’m afraid of speaking English with a native American (or from other countries)
I think it’s normal at the begining, right?
Step by step, I have been improving my English using your tips.
I really appreciate your help.
Thank you.
See you next time.
Bye.Taku says:
Hello, Christina.
How are you doing today?
So sorry for late greeting. Cause I have so many odd tasks everyday.
Furthermore I’m not accustomed to mailing that enough. Through learning English daily, I’m feeling progress
securely. That’s thanks to the coaching staffs around the world like you Christina.Alia Soni says:
I like this app for learning English, and definitely recommend it daily mail rewards login.
Anup says:
Hello Christina how are you today. I’m new ambesdor learning English. It is good the way that you teach English. If like you we have the teacher before now then we could become a good native fluent English speaker. I don’t mind now you are.
Thank you. I request you to if any mistake their then convince me and can you speak above in your way.ASHRAF HUSSAIN KHADER says:
Hello Christina.
How are you doing today??.
I like watching your videos. It’s wonderful.
Now I am correcting my mistakes mainly grammatical by viewing your videos.
Please help me out in learning English fluently.Franckjoel says:
Hi! Christina
How are you?
thanks for these lessons they’re so good, so nice etc…. i don’t know how to say that, thanks you really. It’s true i’m making mistakes but i’m proud of myself to be able to tell all that. what i really want is to understand american englishValery says:
Hello Christina! I hope you´re doing great.
I really like your videos and the way you give the lessons.
Could you give your advice for people who is teaching English as a second language?
Thank you!joseph says:
hi cristina
hoping that doing well if anyone asks how r u can we answer I am the best is the right answer
pls reply
regards
josephGabriela Ferreiro says:
Hi Christina,
” How are you doing today?” In Argentina, we generally answer ” I´m fine and you? ” to this question, we ´re quite friendly no matter all the difficulties we have… and we have a lot lately!!!Thank you for your constant help and assistance.
Prachi goyal says:
Hey christina
I am very good after watching your video lesson .how are you doing?MOHAMMAD IDRIS says:
Hello Christina,
I’m Very excited to learn more about English language with you Many thanks.
Silas Palolon says:
Hi christina! How are you….
I’m Silas from Indonesia… would you like to help me improve my english speaking?
If I can….. I want to learn speak directly with you… but how I can do it? Can I get your phone number or….Nazik GUNDOGDU says:
Hi Christina! How are you? I’m Nazik (it’s mean in English -polite-) from Turkey. I try to improve my English. I study everyday, while working-cooking-running etc. Because I love learning English. I graduated a famous universyt in here and I am a social worker. Last summer me and my son went to Nederland, so funny. we decided that we will go next summer. But when we were in Nederland, I could not speak English fluently. It was big problem for me.
I watched you videos in Youtube very every day. Your energy is very positive, your expression is very funny. Thanks for everything. See you.buamil says:
Hello,
I have heard one of my friends were asking ” How is you doing ? I want to know is that correct use of speaking or not?Latifah R says:
Hi Christina! Thankyou so much for the lesson! Sometimes someone says this to me ‘hey whats up!’ what should i answer? Thanks
Comri says:
Thanks for the clarification. So, next time I’ll answer with “I love you, too!”
Paul Romuald says:
Hi Christina,
thank you very much for your help and what you are doing for the people on the word. may the bless you more in Jesus name.Paul~
Anabolik Steroid says:
Thank you for your content. I wish you success.
crazy says:
Im sick of hearing how are you?. Because the other person doesn’t really want to know and it forces you to lie about it. Saying your fine is a lie if your not . hOW ABOUT JUST SAYING HELLO AND ADDING WHAT EVER YOU WANT.
Kathleen says:
Is i’m very fine correct in english?
JSentissi Hamza says:
Thanks Christina For Lesson
Christina Rebuffet says:
You’re welcome!
Sunkyu says:
Hello. Christina.
I saw your video to learn english. Today subject is “How are you doing?” Which mean our contry ”
What happened today?” I already have known this meaning and agree your opinion. Sometime it make me puzzy.
Thank you for making your kind video. Thank youChristina Rebuffet says:
Hi Sunkyu, you’re very welcome! Are you saying that in your country “How are you doing?” means “What happened in your life today?” How interesting! What country are you from?
Ольга says:
Thanks Christina for lesson. I’m Olga ,from Ukraine. I do not speak English well, but i really want to learn.
Hey, whats up? Good,how about you?Christina Rebuffet says:
Hi Olga, I’m good, what about yourself? And that’s great that you want to learn, and that you’re doing it here! Keep up the good work!
Mhamed Benamara says:
Hi Christina,
I am not a good English speaker but i can survive, and i am fine by the way, what about your self.
I like your lesson how are you because plenty of peoples they makes mistakes when answering this simple question and I am one of them specially when you are talking for example to the american people because the accent is different the the UK or somewhere else. But I am going to start with why not I need to improve my pronunciation also. so thanks to simplify these things for us.
see you soon.
Mhamed BenamaraChristina Rebuffet says:
Hi Mhamed, Thanks so much for sharing your experience, and I’m happy that this video helped you! All the best!
Carlos Lastre says:
Hi Christina
how are you?
I am in English intermediate level. I want to improve my speaking and listening skills. I started watching your videos and I like the way you teach.
I hope to follow all your videos.Christina Rebuffet says:
Hi Carlos, I’m good, how about you?
Congrats on having an intermediate level already! And I’m sure that you’ll improve as you follow the videos! What are the reasons that you need to improve your listening and speaking skills?Carlos says:
Thank you so much for your response. This important for me to express the reasons that I need to improve my English.
I have many reasons:
1. participating in international congress and being clear in the language.
2. Getting confidence to speak when I explained some topic.
3. Study and work in countries with English native language.
4. Enjoy to speak English.Best regards,
Christina Rebuffet says:
Hi Carlos, it sounds like you have many different motivations to improve your English, which is great! I don’t know if you saw, but we’re enrolling students right now into my Master Real American English program, which would help you with all of those reasons! You can find more information here: https://christinarebuffet.com/master-real-american-english-program/
Keep up your motivation!
Neris says:
Hi Msr Cristina thank for opurtunity too me in your classvideo l think it is excellent point of openin a lot bring at the world thanks l will present it like
Dickens Odongo says:
Hi Christy,
Much thanks for your good work.Being a Non Native English speaker i have always lacked confidence in speaking in English around people,particularly the Natives as i have always had this notion or rather mentality that am not good enough!
Well,there is this Course exam that i wish to undertake( IELTS and TOEFL) that really just the thought of it gives me goosebumps!
Hope that you would be able to help me overcome my fears,be confident,fluent and above all pass the tests.
Thanks.Claus says:
Great article.
I learned this the hard way when I stayed in the US a long, long time ago.
I later learned that in the UK the correct and only response to “How do you do?” is “How do you do?”.If you ever visit Denmark though, beware, cos “How are you?” can be am invitation for conversation. It is perfectly
alright to answer: “Stressed out, overworked and absolutely not on the top”, but you can brush it off with a “FINE, and you?”.
You never really know, so be prepared for a surprise.If you don’t like surprises just go for the “Hi…Great to see you 🙂
Communication en anglais says:
there is many ways to answer for this, but always need to be perfect for situation
Christina Rebuffet says:
That’s right, good communication is about adapting to the situation! Even more so than having perfect grammar or vocabulary! It’s all about being a good communicator, not a grammar perfectionist!
Luciana says:
Hi!
How are you doing?
So, we cannot answer: “I’m not good or Bad…”?
Christina Rebuffet says:
You could say something like this as well, and in this case, we would use the expression “Oh, same old, same old”, which means “nothing special, not great, but not bad either”. And for pronunciation, we don’t pronounce the “d” at the end of “old” here, so it would sound like “same ol’, same ol'”! Good question, thanks!
Leave a Reply
Name *
Email *
Website
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Improve faster and feel more confident with my free English lessons. Sign up today.
I have read and agree to the Terms of Service
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOW
MOST RECENT EPISODES
How Paule became much more confident speaking English, in 3 months
Create your Virtual Immersion daily routine in English [SAMPLE PLAN]
RESOURCES
Get a free English lesson each week. Sign up below:
I have read and agree to the Terms of Service
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE
ENGLISH PROGRAMS
CONTACT INFO
Office hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-6pm (France time)
© 2020 Speak English with Christina - English Coaching.
Privacy policy / Terms and conditions