How to say “how are you” like a native speaker
A friendly question about how someone is feeling. It often works as a greeting, so a short answer and a question back are usually enough.
All phrases · Greetings
Hear “how are you” in real speech
Clip 1 · BBC Learning English
I enjoy flying ✈️ but airports are stressful 🛄 | Improve your listening with Real Easy English · 0:01
About this video
Becca and Neil discuss airports and flying in this BBC Learning English conversation. Becca talks about a coming trip to Montenegro, while they compare the stressful and relaxing parts of air travel.
In context
Hi Becca. Hi Neil.How are you?
Have you got any trips coming up soon?
Clip 2 · Sir Ken Robinson
Do schools kill creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson | TED · 0:27
About this video
Ken Robinson asks whether schools give creativity enough room. He discusses different forms of human ability and questions an education system that he says places university professors at the top.
In context
Good morning. How are you?
Good.
Clip 3 · Mel Robbins
How to stop screwing yourself over | Mel Robbins | TEDxSF · 0:18
About this video
Mel Robbins talks about changing habits and taking action on things people want to do. She introduces an exercise involving getting out of bed when an earlier alarm rings.
In context
TEDx – oh my God, blinding light!Hi, everybody! How are you?
Fine?! Oh my gosh! Okay, so...
When to use “how are you”
- Meeting a neighbour: “Hi, Rosa. How are you?”
- Checking on a friend after an illness: “How are you feeling today?”
Common learner mistake
Keep the verb before the subject in the question: “How are you?”, not “How you are?”
Possible connected-speech patterns in “how are you”
“How” and “are” can connect through a light W-like glide. “Are” is often weak; stress “you” when returning the question.
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