How to Say “How Are You” in Mandarin

In Mandarin, the standard way to ask “How are you?” is “你好吗？” (nǐ hǎo ma?). Literally translating to “You good?” plus the question particle “ma,” it serves as a polite and simple inquiry into someone’s well-being. Tones are crucial: “你 (nǐ)” is pronounced with the third tone (falling-rising), while “好 (hǎo)” also uses the third tone. When spoken together, the tones can slightly adjust for easier speech, but clear pronunciation of each syllable is a great starting point.

For more conversational options, you might hear “最近怎么样？” (zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?), meaning “How have you been recently?”—often used between friends or acquaintances to catch up. Or try “过得还好吗？” (guò de hái hǎo ma?), which implies “Have things been going well for you?” Each version includes a sense of concern and warmth, making them excellent expressions when checking in on someone’s day-to-day life. Whether you opt for the straightforward “你好吗？” or a more colloquial phrase, remember that tone accuracy and context help convey genuine interest and politeness.