24 Authentic Japanese Responses to “How Are You?”

Ever wonder how to answer the simple question, “How are you?” in Japanese without sounding like a textbook?

It’s more than just “元気ですか？” (Genki desu ka? / gen-kee dess kah?). There are many warm, casual, and authentic ways to respond that make your conversation feel natural and friendly.

Learning these responses will help you connect better with native speakers and add charm to your daily chats.

Whether you’re just starting out or have been studying Japanese for a while, having a variety of answers ready will boost your confidence and make your speech sound more genuine.

Plus, it’s fun to explore how people express their feelings in different ways across cultures!

So, let’s dive into 24 authentic Japanese responses to “How are you?” that you can actually use right now.

Understanding Japanese Greetings and Responses

Japanese greetings often go beyond the literal meaning, expressing emotions and social bonds.

Responding to “How are you?” can vary depending on your relationship, mood, and context. It’s important to match the tone to the situation.

Some answers are casual, others polite, and some very native-like expressions may surprise you with their nuance.

Sometimes, using a great beginner phrasebook can give you a perfect starting point for a cohesive understanding.

These phrasebooks often include cultural tips that help your expressions feel natural.

Plus, practicing these phrases regularly makes them easier to recall in real conversations.

Part 1: Casual Suggestions

1. 元気だよ (Genki da yo) – “I’m good!”

This is a straightforward and casual way to say you’re feeling good.

“元気” (Genki / gen-kee) means “healthy” or “energetic,” and “だよ” (da yo) adds a friendly emphasis. It’s perfect among friends.

It’s often used to reassure someone who asked, showing you’re doing fine.

Simple and effective.

Related phrases include “元気だよ、ありがとう” (Genki da yo, arigatou) meaning “I’m good, thanks!”

Use this to keep your tone light and positive.

2. まあまあかな (Maa maa kana) – “So-so, I guess”

This phrase is great for when you’re feeling okay but not amazing.

“まあまあ” (Maa maa / mah mah) means “so-so,” and “かな” (kana / kah-nah) softens it like “I guess.” Great to sound natural and humble.

It’s casual and common, especially when you want to avoid sounding too upbeat or negative.

Avoid saying this in very formal situations.

Example: “元気？ まあまあかな。” (Genki? Maa maa kana. / Good? So-so, I guess.)

It makes you sound honest yet polite in casual chat.

3. 忙しいけど元気 (Isogashii kedo genki) – “Busy but good”

Perfect for when life is hectic but you’re still doing well.

“忙しい” (Isogashii / ee-soh-gah-shee) means “busy,” “けど” (kedo / keh-doh) means “but,” and “元気” (genki) means “good.”

This phrase communicates honesty and keeps things positive.

It’s relatable and shows you’re managing your workload.

Example: “最近は忙しいけど元気だよ。” (Saikin wa isogashii kedo genki da yo. / Lately I’ve been busy but I’m good.)

It’s a nice balance for casual conversations.

4. まあ元気です (Maa genki desu) – “Well, I’m fine” (polite casual)

This is a polite yet casual way to respond in everyday situations.

“まあ” (Maa / mah) means “well,” “元気” (genki) is “good,” and “です” (desu / dess) adds politeness without formality.

It’s useful when you want to sound courteous but not overly formal.

Avoid overusing this in very casual chats among close friends.

Example: “おかげさまで、まあ元気です。” (Okagesama de, maa genki desu. / Thanks to you, I’m doing well.)

This phrase keeps things friendly and respectful.

5. 調子いいよ (Choushi ii yo) – “I’m feeling great”

“調子” (Choushi / choh-shee) means “condition” or “state,” and “いい” (ii / ee) means “good.”

Adding “よ” (yo) gives a friendly tone. It’s a great casual way to say you’re doing well physically or mentally.

It’s often used among friends or coworkers.

Example: “今日の調子いいよ！” (Kyou no choushi ii yo! / I’m feeling great today!)

Use this to sound upbeat and energetic.

6. 元気にしてる (Genki ni shiteru) – “I’m doing well” (casual)

This phrase literally means “I’m keeping myself well.”

“元気” (genki) is “well,” “にしてる” (ni shiteru / nee shee-teh-roo) means “doing” or “making.”

It sounds natural and is commonly used among friends.

It implies ongoing good health or mood.

Example: “最近、元気にしてる？” (Saikin, genki ni shiteru? / Have you been doing well lately?)

Great for casual check-ins.

7. まあまあ元気 (Maa maa genki) – “So-so good”

A humble, modest way to say you’re doing okay but not perfect.

“まあまあ” (maa maa) means “so-so,” combined with “元気” (genki), it softens your expression.

It’s often used to avoid sounding boastful or too pessimistic.

Example: “元気？ まあまあ元気だよ。” (Genki? Maa maa genki da yo. / Good? So-so good.)

It’s a subtle, everyday reply.

8. ぼちぼちだよ (Bochibochi da yo) – “Getting by”

“ぼちぼち” (Bochibochi / boh-chee boh-chee) is a casual way to say “so-so” or “little by little.”

It’s often used when things are steady but nothing extraordinary.

Adding “だよ” (da yo) gives a friendly tone.

Example: “元気？ ぼちぼちだよ。” (Genki? Bochibochi da yo. / Good? Getting by.)

Great for a laid-back, gentle response.

Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions

9. おかげさまで元気です (Okagesama de genki desu) – “Thanks to you, I’m well”

This is a very polite and common formal response.

“おかげさまで” (Okagesama de / oh-kah-geh-sah-mah deh) means “thanks to you,” showing gratitude.

Followed by “元気です” (genki desu) meaning “I’m well.”

It’s often used in business or formal settings.

Example: “ご心配おかけしましたが、おかげさまで元気です。” (Goshinpai okake shimashita ga, okagesama de genki desu. / Thank you for your concern, I’m well thanks to you.)

This phrase expresses humility and appreciation.

10. 変わりなく過ごしています (Kawari naku sugoshite imasu) – “I’m spending my days as usual”

This formal phrase is used to say things are normal or unchanged.

“変わりなく” (Kawari naku / kah-wah-ree nah-koo) means “without change,” and “過ごしています” (Sugoshite imasu / soo-goh-shi-teh ee-mas) means “spending time.”

It’s a thoughtful way to reply when you want to sound steady and polite.

Example: “最近はいかがですか？変わりなく過ごしています。” (Saikin wa ikaga desu ka? Kawari naku sugoshite imasu. / How have you been lately? I’ve been spending my days as usual.)

Great for formal letters or emails.

11. おかげさまで順調です (Okagesama de junchou desu) – “Thanks to you, things are going smoothly”

“順調” (Junchou / joon-choh) means “smooth” or “going well.”

This phrase adds a positive note to your polite response.

It’s a great way to show optimism and gratitude.

Example: “ご心配ありがとうございます。おかげさまで順調です。” (Goshinpai arigatou gozaimasu. Okagesama de junchou desu. / Thank you for your concern. Things are going smoothly.)

Perfect for polite business conversations.

12. 元気にしております (Genki ni shite orimasu) – “I am doing well” (very polite)

“しております” (shite orimasu) is a humble and very polite way to say “doing.”

This phrase is often used in formal letters or when speaking to superiors.

It expresses respect and humility.

Example: “おかげさまで元気にしております。” (Okagesama de genki ni shite orimasu. / Thanks to you, I am doing well.)

Use this in situations requiring high politeness.

13. 変わらず元気です (Kawarazu genki desu) – “I’m well as always”

“変わらず” (Kawarazu / kah-wah-rah-zoo) means “unchanged” or “as usual.”

This phrase reassures the listener that you’re steady and well.

It’s polite but not overly formal.

Example: “おかげさまで変わらず元気です。” (Okagesama de kawarazu genki desu. / Thanks to you, I’m well as always.)

Great for formal or semi-formal use.

14. 健康に過ごしています (Kenkou ni sugoshite imasu) – “I’m spending my days healthy”

“健康” (Kenkou / ken-koh) means “health,” and “過ごしています” (sugoshite imasu) means “spending time.”

This phrase emphasizes physical well-being politely.

It’s common in formal or written communication.

Example: “皆様のおかげで健康に過ごしています。” (Minasama no okage de kenkou ni sugoshite imasu. / Thanks to everyone, I’m spending my days healthily.)

Use it to highlight health in polite contexts.

15. おかげさまで元気にしています (Okagesama de genki ni shite imasu) – “Thanks to you, I’m doing well”

This is a polite and humble way to say you’re well.

It’s often heard in phone calls or formal emails.

“にしています” (ni shite imasu) means “doing” or “keeping.”

Example: “お尋ねいただきありがとうございます。おかげさまで元気にしています。” (O-tazune itadaki arigatou gozaimasu. Okagesama de genki ni shite imasu. / Thank you for asking. Thanks to you, I’m doing well.)

Perfect for formal communication.

16. 体調は良好です (Taichou wa ryōkō desu) – “My condition is good”

“体調” (Taichou / tie-choh) means “physical condition,” and “良好” (ryōkō / ryoh-koh) means “good.”

This phrase sounds professional and polite.

It’s often used when discussing health formally.

Example: “ご心配ありがとうございます。体調は良好です。” (Goshinpai arigatou gozaimasu. Taichou wa ryōkō desu. / Thank you for your concern. My condition is good.)

Good for formal or medical contexts.

Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions

17. まあまあだね (Maa maa da ne) – “I’m alright, you know”

This is a very casual and native-sounding way to say “so-so.”

“だね” (da ne) adds a soft, confirming tone like “you know.”

It’s great among close friends or peers.

Example: “最近どう？ まあまあだね。” (Saikin dou? Maa maa da ne. / How’s it going? I’m alright, you know.)

Use it to sound relaxed and natural.

18. ぼちぼちやってる (Bochibochi yatteru) – “Just getting by”

“やってる” (yatteru) is a casual form of “doing.”

This phrase is very common in everyday, informal speech.

It shows you’re managing, even if things aren’t perfect.

Example: “元気？ ぼちぼちやってるよ。” (Genki? Bochibochi yatteru yo. / Good? Just getting by.)

Perfect for casual chats or texts.

19. いい感じだよ (Ii kanji da yo) – “Feeling good”

“いい感じ” (ii kanji / ee kahn-jee) means “good feeling” or “feeling good.”

It’s informal and upbeat, often used among young people.

Example: “最近どう？ いい感じだよ。” (Saikin dou? Ii kanji da yo. / How’s it going? Feeling good.)

Use it to sound energetic and positive.

20. まあ元気っちゃ元気 (Maa genki ccha genki) – “Well, I’m kinda good”

This phrase adds a playful, slightly hesitant nuance.

“っちゃ” (ccha) is a casual contraction implying “kind of” or “sort of.”

It’s very colloquial and used among close friends.

Example: “調子どう？ まあ元気っちゃ元気かな。” (Choushi dou? Maa genki ccha genki kana. / How’s it going? Well, I’m kinda good.)

Use it to sound authentic and informal.

21. バリ元気 (Bari genki) – “Super energetic” (Osaka dialect)

“バリ” (Bari / bah-ree) is an Osaka dialect intensifier meaning “very” or “super.”

Combined with “元気,” it means “super energetic.”

This slang shows local flavor and friendliness.

Example: “最近バリ元気やで！” (Saikin bari genki ya de! / I’m super energetic lately!)

Use this to add regional charm and enthusiasm.

22. めっちゃ元気 (Meccha genki) – “Really good” (Kansai slang)

“めっちゃ” (Meccha / mech-chah) is Kansai slang meaning “very” or “really.”

It’s popular among young people across Japan too.

Example: “元気？ めっちゃ元気！” (Genki? Meccha genki! / Good? Really good!)

Great for casual, lively conversations.

23. まあまあやな (Maa maa yana) – “I’m so-so” (casual Kansai dialect)

“やな” (yana) is a Kansai dialect sentence ending similar to “だね.”

This phrase sounds friendly and down-to-earth.

Example: “調子は？ まあまあやな。” (Choushi wa? Maa maa yana. / How’s it going? So-so.)

Use it for casual, regional flavor.

24. ぼちぼち頑張ってる (Bochibochi ganbatteru) – “Just doing my best”

“頑張ってる” (Ganbatteru / gahn-bah-tteh-roo) means “doing my best.”

This phrase shows effort and positivity in a casual way.

Example: “最近どう？ ぼちぼち頑張ってるよ。” (Saikin dou? Bochibochi ganbatteru yo. / How’s it going? Just doing my best.)

Use it to express humble perseverance naturally.

Concluding Thought

Exploring these authentic Japanese responses to “How are you?” shows how rich and nuanced everyday conversation can be.

From polite formalities to casual slang, each phrase adds color and personality to your speech.

Keep practicing and using these expressions, and you’ll sound more natural and connected in your Japanese conversations in no time!