When you're learning Korean at an A2 level, you're starting to have basic conversations. The phrase 잘 지내다 is really useful for talking about how someone is doing or how life is going.
It literally means 'to live well' or 'to get along well'. You'll often hear it in greetings or when people are catching up.
It's a polite and common way to ask or state that things are generally good.
You can use it when asking 'How are you?' or saying 'I'm doing well.'
When Koreans ask “잘 지냈어요?” they are asking “Have you been doing well?” or “How have you been?” You can respond to this question by saying, “네, 잘 지냈어요.”, meaning, “Yes, I have been doing well.” If you want to ask them back, you can say, “○○님은 잘 지내셨어요?”, meaning “How have you been, (name)?” You can also use this expression when you part ways. You can say “잘 지내세요.”, which means, “Please be well.”
§ Similar Phrases and When to Use 잘 지내다
You've learned that 잘 지내다 means 'to live well' or 'to be doing well'. Now let's look at how it compares to other common Korean expressions and when it's the best choice.
- DEFINITION
- 잘 지내다 (jal jinaeda): To live well, to get along well, to be doing well. This phrase focuses on the overall well-being or current state of someone's life.
§ Other Common Phrases and Their Nuances
Here are some other phrases you might encounter and how they differ:
잘 있어요 (jal isseoyo) / 잘 있어 (jal isseo): This literally means 'stay well' and is often used as a farewell to someone who is staying in a place while you are leaving. It's not about their general well-being in the same way 잘 지내다 is.
저는 갈게요. 잘 있어요! (I'm leaving. Stay well!)
건강하세요 (geon-gang-haseyo): This means 'be healthy' and is a more specific greeting or farewell focusing on physical health. While part of 'living well' is being healthy, 잘 지내다 is broader.
어르신, 항상 건강하세요. (Elder, please always be healthy.)
안녕하다 (annyeonghada): This is the root of '안녕하세요' (annyeonghaseyo), meaning 'to be peaceful' or 'to be well'. It's a very general greeting but less commonly used in its verb form 안녕하다 to ask about someone's ongoing state of life. '안녕하세요?' is a standard 'how are you?' or 'hello'.
안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다. (Hello, nice to meet you for the first time.)
잘 살다 (jal salda): This also means 'to live well' but often implies living a prosperous or successful life, especially in terms of finances or social standing. While related, 잘 지내다 is more about general contentment and daily life.
우리 부모님은 잘 사셨어요. (My parents lived a good/prosperous life.)
§ When to Use 잘 지내다
Use 잘 지내다 when you want to:
Ask someone how they've been since you last saw them. This is the most common use.
요즘 잘 지내세요? (Are you doing well these days?)
State that you or someone else is doing well in their life, generally speaking.
네, 저는 잘 지내요. (Yes, I'm doing well.)
Talk about someone getting along well in a new environment or situation.
새 학교에서 잘 지내고 있어요. (I'm getting along well at the new school.)
As a polite closing in a letter or message to wish someone well.
다음에 만날 때까지 잘 지내세요! (Until we meet next time, take care!)
In summary, while there are other phrases concerning well-being, 잘 지내다 is your go-to for general inquiries and statements about how someone is living or coping with life broadly. It's versatile and polite, making it essential for everyday conversations in Korean.
豆知識
This phrase is a very common greeting and way to inquire about someone's well-being in Korean culture.
レベル別の例文
요즘 어떻게 잘 지내세요? 오랜만이에요!
How have you been doing these days? It's been a long time!
A common greeting, asking about someone's well-being. '어떻게' means 'how', '오랜만이에요' means 'it's been a long time'.
걱정 마세요, 저는 잘 지내고 있어요. 덕분에 모든 것이 순조로워요.
Don't worry, I'm doing well. Thanks to you, everything is going smoothly.
'걱정 마세요' means 'don't worry'. '덕분에' means 'thanks to' or 'because of'. '순조롭다' means 'to be smooth' or 'to go well'.
새로운 환경에 적응하는 데 시간이 좀 걸렸지만, 지금은 잘 지내고 있어요.
It took some time to adjust to the new environment, but now I'm doing well.
'환경에 적응하다' means 'to adapt to an environment'. '시간이 걸리다' means 'to take time'.
부모님은 건강하게 잘 지내시는지 궁금하네요.
I wonder if your parents are doing well and are healthy.
'궁금하다' means 'to be curious' or 'to wonder'. '건강하게' means 'healthily'.
친구들과는 여전히 잘 지내고 있어요. 주말마다 자주 만나요.
I'm still getting along well with my friends. We meet often every weekend.
'여전히' means 'still'. '자주 만나다' means 'to meet often'. '주말마다' means 'every weekend'.
헤어진 후에 그 사람 없이 잘 지낼 수 있을까 걱정했어요.
After we broke up, I worried if I could do well without that person.
'헤어진 후에' means 'after breaking up'. '없이' means 'without'. '걱정하다' means 'to worry'.
아이들이 학교에서 잘 지내고 있는지 선생님께 여쭤봤어요.
I asked the teacher if the children are doing well at school.
'학교에서' means 'at school'. '여쭤보다' is the honorific form of '물어보다' (to ask).
힘든 일이 많았지만, 서로 도와가며 다들 잘 지내고 있습니다.
There were many difficult things, but everyone is doing well, helping each other.
'힘든 일이 많다' means 'there are many difficult things'. '서로 도와가며' means 'helping each other'.
저의 부모님께서는 은퇴 후에도 여전히 잘 지내고 계십니다.
My parents are still doing well even after retirement.
계시다 is the honorific form of 있다 (to be).
오랜만에 만난 친구들은 어제 헤어진 것처럼 잘 지냈습니다.
Friends who met after a long time got along well as if they had parted yesterday.
-처럼 means 'like' or 'as if'.
새로운 환경에도 불구하고 아이들은 학교에서 잘 지내고 있다고 합니다.
Despite the new environment, the children are reportedly doing well at school.
-에도 불구하고 means 'despite' or 'even though'.
그는 어려운 시기에도 긍정적인 태도로 잘 지내려고 노력했습니다.
He tried to live well with a positive attitude even during difficult times.
-려고 노력하다 means 'to try to do something'.
이웃 주민들과는 오랫동안 서로 잘 지내며 지내왔습니다.
I have been getting along well with my neighbors for a long time.
서로 means 'each other' or 'mutually'.
떨어져 있어도 우리는 항상 서로의 안부를 물으며 잘 지내고 있습니다.
Even when we are apart, we always ask about each other's well-being and are doing well.
-어도 means 'even if' or 'even though'.
새로운 직장 동료들과 금세 친해져서 잘 지내고 있어요.
I quickly became close with my new colleagues and am getting along well.
금세 means 'quickly' or 'in no time'.
혼자 사는 것도 나쁘지 않아요. 나름대로 잘 지내고 있습니다.
Living alone isn't bad. I'm doing well in my own way.
나름대로 means 'in one's own way' or 'in its own way'.
語族
名詞
動詞
形容詞
語源
Native Korean
元の意味： Combination of '잘' (well) and '지내다' (to spend time, to pass).
Koreanic文化的な背景
<h3>Cultural Significance of 잘 지내다</h3><p>In Korean culture, asking '잘 지내다' is more than just a casual greeting; it's a genuine inquiry into someone's overall well-being and how they are navigating life. It reflects the importance Koreans place on social harmony and mutual care. When responding, it's common to express gratitude, often with '덕분에요' (thanks to you), which subtly acknowledges the collective support and good wishes one receives.</p>
自分をテスト 54 問
How do you ___? 요즘 어떻게 (잘 지내다)?
This is the polite present tense form often used when asking how someone is doing.
저는 요즘 ___ 지내고 있어요. (I am doing ___ these days.)
잘 (jal) means 'well' and is used to indicate that you are doing well.
새로운 직장에서 ___ 지내고 계세요? (Are you getting along ___ at your new job?)
잘 (jal) is used here to ask if someone is adapting and doing well in a new environment.
오랜만이에요! 그동안 어떻게 ___ 지내셨어요? (Long time no see! How have you been doing ___?)
This is a common greeting used when you haven't seen someone in a while, asking if they've been doing well.
휴가 동안 ___ 지내셨기를 바랍니다. (I hope you ___ during your vacation.)
This expresses a wish for someone to have done well or enjoyed themselves during their vacation.
저와 제 친구들은 ___ 지내요. (My friends and I get along ___.)
잘 (jal) indicates that the relationship between friends is good.
This is a common greeting, asking 'How are you doing?' or 'Are you doing well?'
This is a common response, meaning 'I am doing well.'
This is a casual way to ask 'How have you been doing lately?'
Someone is asking how you've been doing lately.
Someone is reassuring you that they are doing well.
You met a friend after a long time and asked if they were doing well.
Read this aloud:
네, 덕분에 잘 지내고 있습니다.
Focus: 덕분에 (deok-bu-ne)
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
가족 모두 잘 지내시죠?
Focus: 모두 (mo-du)
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
요즘 바빠서 잘 지내기가 어렵네요.
Focus: 어렵네요 (eo-ryeop-ne-yo)
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the most appropriate response to "요즘 어떻게 지내세요?" (How are you doing these days?)
The phrase '잘 지내다' is used to talk about how one is doing or getting along. Therefore, '잘 지내고 있어요' is the most natural and appropriate response to '요즘 어떻게 지내세요?'.
Which sentence uses "잘 지내다" correctly to express that someone is living well in a new place?
'잘 지내다' encompasses the idea of living well or getting along comfortably in a particular environment. The other options don't convey this meaning.
If you want to ask a friend if they are doing well after a long time, which question would you use with "잘 지내다"?
'그동안 잘 지냈어?' is a common and polite way to inquire about someone's well-being after a period of not seeing them, directly using '잘 지내다'.
The phrase "잘 지내다" can be used to ask about someone's health.
While '잘 지내다' broadly means 'to be doing well' or 'to get along well', it inherently includes a component of health and general well-being. Asking 'How are you doing?' often includes an inquiry about health indirectly.
If someone asks "잘 지내세요?", a suitable response is "네, 감사합니다." (Yes, thank you.)
Although '잘 지내고 있어요' is more specific, '네, 감사합니다' is a perfectly acceptable and polite short answer, implying that you are indeed doing well and appreciating the inquiry.
The phrase "잘 지내다" can only be used when referring to a single person.
'잘 지내다' can be used for individuals, groups, or even in a general sense about situations, e.g., 'They are doing well as a team' or 'Things are going well.'
How have you been doing lately?
Even though we met after a long time, we got along well.
I hope you get along well in your new environment.
Read this aloud:
친구들과 잘 지내는 것이 중요해요.
Focus: 지내는 것이
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
혼자서도 잘 지낼 수 있습니다.
Focus: 혼자서도 잘
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
요즘 바쁘지만 잘 지내고 있어요.
Focus: 바쁘지만 잘
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're catching up with an old friend you haven't seen in a while. Write a short message asking them how they've been doing and if they've been getting along well. Use '잘 지내다'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
잘 지내세요? 오랜만에 연락 드려요. 그동안 어떻게 지내셨는지 궁금하네요.
You just heard that your friend got a new job and moved to a new city. Write a sentence congratulating them and hoping they are settling in well there, using '잘 지내다'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
새로운 직장도 구하고 이사도 하셨다니 축하드려요! 그곳에서 잘 지내시길 바랍니다.
Describe a situation where someone might NOT be '잘 지내다' (not doing well). For example, they might be stressed with work or struggling with something. Write 2-3 sentences explaining this.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
요즘 회사 일이 너무 많아서 스트레스를 많이 받고 있어요. 그래서 잘 지내지 못하고 있어요. 좀 쉬고 싶어요.
What is the speaker worried about?
Read this passage:
친구가 요즘 연락이 없어서 걱정이 돼요. 혹시 건강이 안 좋은 건 아닌지, 아니면 새로운 환경에 잘 적응하고 있는지 궁금해요. 예전처럼 활기찬 모습으로 잘 지내고 있다면 좋겠는데….
What is the speaker worried about?
The passage states, '혹시 건강이 안 좋은 건 아닌지, 아니면 새로운 환경에 잘 적응하고 있는지 궁금해요.' which translates to 'I'm wondering if their health isn't good, or if they're adapting well to the new environment.'
The passage states, '혹시 건강이 안 좋은 건 아닌지, 아니면 새로운 환경에 잘 적응하고 있는지 궁금해요.' which translates to 'I'm wondering if their health isn't good, or if they're adapting well to the new environment.'
What does the passage imply about the friends?
Read this passage:
오랜만에 고향 친구들을 만났어요. 다들 여전히 밝고 건강하게 잘 지내고 있더라고요. 서로의 근황을 나누면서 즐거운 시간을 보냈습니다. 다음 만남이 벌써 기대돼요.
What does the passage imply about the friends?
The phrase '오랜만에 고향 친구들을 만났어요' means 'I met my hometown friends after a long time.'
The phrase '오랜만에 고향 친구들을 만났어요' means 'I met my hometown friends after a long time.'
How is the person doing at their new company after a month?
Read this passage:
새로운 회사에 입사한 지 한 달이 지났습니다. 처음에는 모든 것이 낯설고 어려웠지만, 동료들이 많이 도와줘서 이제는 제법 잘 지내고 있어요. 앞으로도 열심히 해서 좋은 성과를 내고 싶습니다.
How is the person doing at their new company after a month?
The passage says, '동료들이 많이 도와줘서 이제는 제법 잘 지내고 있어요.' which means 'My colleagues helped me a lot, so now I'm doing quite well.'
The passage says, '동료들이 많이 도와줘서 이제는 제법 잘 지내고 있어요.' which means 'My colleagues helped me a lot, so now I'm doing quite well.'
This is a common greeting meaning 'How are you doing?'
This phrase means 'It seems like they are doing well.'
This translates to 'I wonder if my family is doing well.'
다음 중 '잘 지내다'의 의미로 가장 적절한 것은 무엇입니까?
'잘 지내다'는 주로 안부를 물을 때 사용되며, 건강하게 잘 지내고 있다는 의미를 가집니다.
친구가 오랜만에 연락해서 '요즘 어떻게 잘 지내?'라고 물었다면, 어떤 답변이 가장 자연스러울까요?
'잘 지내다'는 현재의 안녕을 묻는 표현이므로, 같은 표현을 사용하여 '잘 지내고 있다'고 답하는 것이 가장 자연스럽습니다.
다음 문장에서 '잘 지내다'가 사용된 맥락이 어색한 것은 무엇입니까?
'잘 지내다'는 사람의 안녕을 나타내는 표현이지, 숙제와 같은 사물을 처리하는 데 사용되지 않습니다. '숙제를 잘 했다'가 올바른 표현입니다.
'잘 지내다'는 주로 오랜만에 만난 사람이나 안부를 묻는 상황에서 사용된다.
'잘 지내다'는 안부를 묻거나 오랜만에 만난 사람에게 근황을 물을 때 자주 사용되는 표현입니다.
해외에 있는 친구에게 '거기서도 잘 지내니?'라고 묻는 것은 어색한 표현이다.
해외에 있는 친구에게도 그곳에서 건강하고 행복하게 지내는지 안부를 묻는 것은 매우 자연스러운 표현입니다.
아픈 사람에게 '잘 지내세요?'라고 묻는 것은 적절하지 않다.
아픈 사람에게는 '잘 지내세요?'보다는 '몸은 좀 어떠세요?'나 '쾌차하세요'와 같이 건강 상태를 직접 묻거나 회복을 기원하는 표현이 더 적절합니다.
The speaker is wondering about a friend's well-being.
Imagine meeting an old classmate after a long time.
The person always responds positively when asked about their well-being.
Read this aloud:
요즘 어떻게 잘 지내고 계세요?
Focus: 요즘, 어떻게, 잘 지내고, 계세요
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
덕분에 저는 잘 지내고 있습니다.
Focus: 덕분에, 저는, 잘 지내고, 있습니다
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
잘 지내시죠? 저도 덕분에 잘 지내요.
Focus: 잘 지내시죠, 저도, 덕분에, 잘 지내요
あなたの回答：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
例文
요즘 어떻게 잘 지내세요?
関連コンテンツ
generalの関連語
몇몇
A2An unspecified small number of; some or a few.
조금
A1A little/a bit
적게
A1A little / Few
약간
A2A little; slightly; somewhat.
많이
A1A lot/much
잠시
A2For a moment; briefly.
잠깐
A2For a short time; a moment.
아까
A2A little while ago, earlier.
대해
A2About, concerning.
~에 대해서
A2Concerning or regarding a particular subject; about.
