How to say "How are you? / How are things?" in Russian
Как дела?
Kak de-LA?
What does it mean?
Literally translates as "How are affairs?". This is the most popular and natural phrase in Russian to find out how things are going with your conversation partner.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings when talking to friends, family, or colleagues with whom you are on a first-name basis (using "ты"). It sounds great right after a greeting: "Hi, how are you?" ("Привет, как дела?").
When NOT to use
Avoid this phrase in strict business correspondence, when addressing superiors, or unfamiliar older people. For formal situations, it is better to use "Как ваши дела?" or get straight to the point.
Example dialogue
— Привет! Как дела?
— Hi! How are you?
— Спасибо, всё отлично! А у тебя?
— Thanks, everything is great! And you?
Cultural note
Unlike the American "How are you?", which often serves merely as a greeting, in Russia, people expect at least a short but honest answer to this question. Russians usually do not answer "I am fine" if they are having a bad day. The most common neutral response is "Нормально" (Fine/Okay) or "Хорошо, спасибо" (Good, thanks).
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