Useful Japanese Phrases: Part 7

Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners
Part 7: Responding to Someone Asking How You Are in Japanese

1. Yes, thanks to you : はい、おかげさまで Hai, okage sama de (Formal)

2. Yes, thanks to you, I am well : はい、おかげさまでげんきです Hai, okage sama de genki desu (Formal)

Okage sama de literally means “by means of your respectful shadow = being protected by you.” It is a phrase to show our gratitude to each other and keep the harmony in the society. The phrase is used only by mature grownups. Young children don’t use this one.

3. Yup, I’m well : うん、げんき Un, genki (Informal)

4. I am managing it somehow : なんとかやってます Nantoka yattemasu (Formal)

5. I am managing it somehow : なんとかやってるよ Nantoka yatteru yo (Informal)

6. I’ve been busy : いそがしいです Isogashii desu (Formal)

7. I’ve been busy : いそがしいよ Isogashii yo (Informal)

8. So-so : まあまあ Maa maa (Informal)

9. I’m OK : だいじょうぶです Daijoobu desu (Formal)

10. I’m OK : だいじょうぶ Daijoobu (Informal)

Related Post:
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Japanese Conversation for work – Part 1