How to say it · Following the conversation

Answering "How are you?"

"How are you?" comes at you all day, and "I'm fine, thank you, and you?" sounds like a school book. A short, honest answer plus a question back works much better.

6 ways to say it

By the lift in a block of flats, Mia answers her neighbour's greeting; her speech bubble shows a sun peeking from behind a cloud.

How upbeatLowUpbeat

Good, thanks. How about you?best default Really well, actuallygenuinely great Not badrelaxed middle Busy, but goodwork small talk Hanging in therecoping Bit of a rough day, to be honesthonest low

Way 1 · best default

Good, thanks. How about you?

Short, friendly and safe with anyone. Asking back keeps the chat going.

How upbeatUpbeat

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Oh hi! Good, thanks. How about you?

"Morning, Jo. How are you?" "Good, thanks. How about you? Nice weekend?"

In a conversation

A: Hey, how are you?
B: Good, thanks. How about you?

Common mistake

Not: ~~I'm fine, thank you, and~~ you?

Say: Good, thanks. How about you?

Not wrong, but it's the line everyone learns at school, so it sounds memorised. Keep it shorter and more relaxed.

Practice saying this

Next: Really well, actually

Way 2 · genuinely great

Really well, actually

Something good is happening. "Actually" invites the other person to ask why.

How upbeatVery upbeat

ToneNeutral

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Really well, actually. I just got the job!

I'm doing really well, actually. The new flat is great.

In a conversation

A: How's it going?
B: Really well, actually. We're off to Da Nang on Friday.

Practice saying this

Next: Not bad

Way 3 · relaxed middle

Not bad

Nothing special, nothing wrong. The most common answer between friends.

How upbeatMiddle

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Not bad, thanks. Just tired after work.

"How was your week?" "Not bad. Pretty quiet."

Common mistake

Not: ~~I'm normal.~~

Say: Not bad, thanks.

In English, "I'm normal" sounds like you're saying you're not strange. To say life is OK, use "not bad".

Practice saying this

Next: Busy, but good

Way 4 · work small talk

Busy, but good

Life is full but fine. A very natural answer to a colleague in the kitchen or lift.

How upbeatMiddle

ToneNeutral

Use itAt work

Examples

Busy, but good. We've got a big launch next week.

Honestly? Busy, but good. How's your team?

In a conversation

A: Long time no see! How are things?
B: Busy, but good. You?

Practice saying this

Next: Hanging in there

Way 5 · coping

Hanging in there

Things are hard right now, but you're managing. People may ask what's wrong.

How upbeatLow

ToneCasual

Use itAnywhere

Examples

Hanging in there. Exams finish next week.

I'm hanging in there, thanks. The baby still isn't sleeping.

Practice saying this

Next: Bit of a rough day, to be honest

Way 6 · honest low

Bit of a rough day, to be honest

You had a bad day and you're happy to talk about it. Best with friends, not a shop assistant.

How upbeatVery low

ToneCasual

Use itWith friends

Examples

Bit of a rough day, to be honest. My laptop died.

It's been a bit of a rough day, to be honest.

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which would you say?

Pick the right one

Which would you say?

Read the moment, then choose the way that fits it best.

Now say it out loud

Pick one and practise it in a real conversation. Save the ones you want to remember.

Good, thanks. How about you?Really well, actually Not bad Busy, but good

Which would you say?

Now say it out loud

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