The common ways to say "How are you?" in Korean vary depending on the level of formality and the relationship between speakers:
- Formal/Polite:
- 잘 지냈어요? (Jal jinaesseoyo?) — "Have you been doing well?" Used in formal or semi-formal settings with acquaintances, colleagues, or elders.
- 잘 있었어요? (Jal isseosseoyo?) — "Have you been well?" Polite and slightly more formal.
- 어떻게 지내세요? (Eotteoke jinaeseyo?) — "How have you been?" Polite, versatile for formal and semi-formal contexts.
- Informal/Casual:
- 잘 지냈어? (Jal jinaesseo?) — Informal equivalent of "Have you been well?" Used with close friends or family.
- 어떻게 지내? (Eotteoke jinae?) — Casual "How have you been?" Used among friends, classmates, or younger people.
The phrase "어떻게 지내?" (Eotteoke jinae?) is a popular casual way to say "How are you?" in Korean among peers or close acquaintances. These phrases literally translate to asking how someone has spent their time or lived recently rather than the direct English "How are you?" The use depends on social hierarchy and context to show respect or familiarity.
