How Do You Say How You Are In English

When we are introduced to a person, we meet an acquaintance that we have not seen for some time or that we know that he has been ill or with some difficulty, it is natural to ask him How are you? How are you?

In English there are many ways to ask this question. These are some of the main ones.

How do you do? We use the expression How you do? In a formal way, especially when they just introduce us to a person, or when it is a person with whom we have a relationship of respect or hierarchy. When you first meet a person, you usually answer the same question:

Boss: Michael, This is Miss Sue Richards.

Michael: Is a pleasure, Miss Sue. How do you do?

Sue: Fine, thanks. How do you do?

Michael: So fine, thanks.

How are you? This expression also translates literally how are you? or how are you? and we use it with people we already know, with our family members, friends and fellow students or colleagues. Sometimes it can be followed by a time reference like today or in this moment:

Robert: Good morning Mr. Hemming. How are you today?

Mr. Hemming: I'm fine, Robert. Thanks.

How it goes? It is a completely informal form, generally used with people with whom we have a lot of trust (friends, siblings or very close relatives). It is preferable to avoid its use in conversations with people of higher hierarchy (parents, bosses):

Mark: Hi everybody. How it goes?

Steve: As ever, and you?

How do you feel? Literally how are you feeling? Is another way of asking someone how they are. It is used mainly when the person has suffered an injury or accident, physical or emotional. It is also used when we ask about the health of a person who has just received medical treatment:

Mary: Hi Ann. How do you feel?

Ann: I feel better, thanks, Mary.

How’s your healt? How are you health? Is another expression to ask someone how they are. We use it when we see someone a little affected, but we do not know well if he was sick or is convalescing. We also use it when we haven't seen him in a long time, but we know he has had or has frequent health problems:

Sylvia: Hi Charlie, it last a long time. How’s your healt?

Charlie: Thanks Sylvie. I'm fine, I go to the doctor and take a treatment. I feel so well.

Conversation example using How are you? in English

Carmen: Fran! How are you?

Fran: Carmen? Oh god! What a pleasure! I’m so fine, and you? How’s your healt?

Carmen: I'm so well, thanks. I make exercise and train every day, I feel so healthy.

Fran: That’s great! I’m happy for you. Do you want to drink something?

Carmen: Thanks, Franny. I waiting for a friend… Look, there is he. Fran, he is my friend Ferdnand.

Fran: Good Morning, I'm Fran Smith. How do you do?

Ferdnand: How you do, Miss Fran? I'm Ferdnand Simpson. Nice to meet you.