how are you
This is the most common way to ask "how are you" in Russian. It literally translates to "how are your affairs," focusing on the state of one's current business or life situation. Imagine checking in on a friend's general well-being or progress on a project. It is primarily used in casual settings among friends, family, or peers. While it is widely understood, it is not appropriate for very formal business meetings or with strangers, where you would use a more polite "Как у вас дела?" instead.
In conversation
Meeting a friend at a cafe
Привет! Как дела?
Hi! How are you?
Привет! Всё отлично, а у тебя?
Hi! Everything is great, and you?
This is the standard, most natural way to start a conversation.
Checking in via text
Слушай, как дела с проектом?
Listen, how are things with the project?
Потихоньку движется.
It's moving along slowly.
Can be used to ask about progress on a specific task, not just life in general.
Examples
Привет! Как дела?
Hi! How are you?
Как дела в университете?
How are things at the university?
Расскажи, как дела на работе, всё в порядке?
Tell me, how are things at work, is everything alright?
