Meaning
Informal check-in with a friend.
Cultural Background
The 'Russian Sincerity': Unlike the English 'How are you?', which is often a rhetorical greeting, Russians may actually tell you about their problems if you ask. Don't be surprised by a long answer! In big cities like Moscow, the phrase is becoming more 'Westernized' and used as a quick greeting where 'Нормально' is the only expected answer. Even in business, if you are close with a colleague, asking about 'дела' is a way to build 'doverie' (trust). It shows you value them as a person, not just a worker. In many Russian-speaking countries (Kazakhstan, Belarus), this remains the universal informal greeting, often followed by local slang variations.
The 'Normal' Rule
If you don't know what to say, just answer 'Нормально'. It's the most natural response.
Watch the 'T'
Never use 'твои' with your boss. It can be seen as a sign of disrespect or lack of professionalism.
Meaning
Informal check-in with a friend.
The 'Normal' Rule
If you don't know what to say, just answer 'Нормально'. It's the most natural response.
Watch the 'T'
Never use 'твои' with your boss. It can be seen as a sign of disrespect or lack of professionalism.
Add 'Ну'
Starting with 'Ну, как твои дела?' makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It adds a conversational 'well' to the start.
Listen!
In Russia, asking this question is a social contract. Be prepared to actually listen to the answer for a minute or two.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask a friend how they are.
Привет, Иван! Как ____ дела?
'Дела' is plural, so you must use the plural possessive pronoun 'твои'.
Which response is the most common and culturally 'safe' in Russia?
Как твои дела?
'Нормально' (Normal/Fine) is the standard, modest response in Russian culture.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
To whom would you say 'Как твои дела?'
This phrase is informal and only suitable for people you are on 'ты' terms with.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Привет! Как твои дела? B: Привет! Всё хорошо, ____?
'А у тебя?' (And with you?) is the standard way to return the question.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesПривет, Иван! Как ____ дела?
'Дела' is plural, so you must use the plural possessive pronoun 'твои'.
Как твои дела?
'Нормально' (Normal/Fine) is the standard, modest response in Russian culture.
To whom would you say 'Как твои дела?'
This phrase is informal and only suitable for people you are on 'ты' terms with.
A: Привет! Как твои дела? B: Привет! Всё хорошо, ____?
'А у тебя?' (And with you?) is the standard way to return the question.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! 'Как дела?' is even more common and works in almost any informal or semi-formal situation.
The question is addressed to one person (informal 'you'), but the word 'affairs' (дела) is plural.
'Как твои дела?' is slightly more personal and focused on the individual you are talking to.
You can say 'Не очень' (Not so great) or 'Так себе' (So-so).
No, you should use 'Как ваши дела?' to show respect.
Russian omits the verb 'to be' in the present tense. It's just understood.
It's a cute, diminutive form of 'дела'. Use it with kids or very close friends.
Yes, if the email is to a friend or a close colleague.
You would say 'Как ваши дела?', because 'ваши' is the plural 'your'.
Yes, but usually when you are worried about someone's health or emotional state.
Try 'Как оно?' or 'Что как?'.
More often than English speakers do, but 'Нормально' is still the most common 'polite' answer.
Related Phrases
Как дела?
similarHow are things?
Как ваши дела?
formalHow are you? (Formal)
Как жизнь?
similarHow is life?
Что нового?
builds onWhat's new?
Как делишки?
specialized formHow are 'little' things?
Всё хорошо
contrastEverything is good
