Kako ste?
kako ste
How are you?
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential formal greeting used to ask 'How are you?' when speaking to elders, strangers, or in professional settings.
- Means: 'How are you?' in a formal or plural context.
- Used in: Business meetings, shops, or when meeting someone older.
- Don't confuse: With 'Kako si?', which is strictly for friends and family.
Explanation at your level:
意思
A formal way to ask about someone's well-being.
文化背景
Asking 'Kako ste?' is the mandatory prelude to a 'kafa' (coffee) session. It is not a quick question; be prepared for a 10-minute answer about family, work, and politics. When entering someone's home for their Slava, you greet the host with 'Srećna Slava' followed by a formal 'Kako ste?' to the elders of the house. In some villages, children still address their parents or grandparents with 'Vi' (Kako ste?) as a sign of traditional patriarchal respect. If you don't ask 'Kako ste?' back, you might be considered 'nevaspitan' (uneducated/rude). The reciprocity is as important as the initial question.
The Reciprocity Rule
Always follow up your answer with 'A Vi?' (And you?). It's the most important part of the exchange.
Don't 'Ti' the Elderly
Even if an elderly person is very friendly, never switch to 'Kako si?' unless they explicitly ask you to.
意思
A formal way to ask about someone's well-being.
The Reciprocity Rule
Always follow up your answer with 'A Vi?' (And you?). It's the most important part of the exchange.
Don't 'Ti' the Elderly
Even if an elderly person is very friendly, never switch to 'Kako si?' unless they explicitly ask you to.
The 'Fine' Trap
If you say 'Dobro sam' too quickly and walk away, it might seem like you are in a rush or being cold.
自我测试
You are meeting your new boss for the first time. What do you say?
Dobar dan, gospodine, _______?
In a professional setting with a superior, the formal 'kako ste' is required.
Complete the sentence using the correct form of the verb 'biti'.
Kako ____ Vi, profesore?
The formal pronoun 'Vi' always takes the verb form 'ste'.
Match the phrase to the person you are talking to.
1. Kako si? 2. Kako ste?
Informal for friends, formal for officials.
Finish the polite exchange.
A: Kako ste? B: Dobro sam, hvala. _______?
To be polite, you should return the question using the same level of formality.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
Formal vs Informal
常见问题
10 个问题Yes, that is the primary way to be formal and respectful to a single individual.
'Dobro sam, hvala' (I'm fine, thanks) or 'Evo, ide' (It's going).
Yes, it is very polite and will likely get you better service.
Don't worry, as a learner, people will understand, but try to correct yourself with 'Ovaj, kako ste?'.
In text messages or emails, yes, it's a sign of respect. In general books, it's often lowercase.
Yes, it is identical and used the same way across the entire Serbo-Croatian linguistic area.
It sounds a bit too formal. Use 'Kako si' or 'Kako ste, deco' if there are many children.
It's the same: 'Kako ste?'. The context makes it clear you are addressing the group.
'Dobar dan' is 'Good day'. 'Kako ste' is the question that usually follows it.
It's a warmer, more affectionate version of 'How are you', often used by family elders.
相关表达
Kako si?
similarHow are you? (informal)
Šta ima?
slangWhat's up?
Kako ide?
similarHow's it going?
Šta se radi?
similarWhat's being done?
Kako zdravlje?
specialized formHow is your health?
在哪里用
At the Doctor's
Pacijent: Dobar dan, doktore, kako ste?
Doktor: Dobro sam, hvala. Kako ste Vi? Šta Vas boli?
Meeting a Neighbor
Mlađi komšija: Dobro jutro, gospođo Marija, kako ste?
Starija komšinica: Evo, sine, polako. Noge me bole, ali guram.
Job Interview
Kandidat: Drago mi je što smo se upoznali. Kako ste danas?
Intervjuer: Odlično, hvala na pitanju. Da počnemo?
In a Bakery (Pekara)
Mušterija: Dobar dan! Kako ste? Mogu li dobiti jedan burek?
Prodavačica: Dobar dan, može naravno. Umorna sam, ali dobro.
Addressing a Group
Vođa puta: Pažnja svima! Kako ste? Jeste li se odmorili?
Turisti: Jesmo! Super smo!
Formal Email
Student: Poštovani profesore, nadam se da ste dobro...
Profesor: Hvala na pitanju, kolega, dobro sam.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'COCO' (Kako) nut that 'STAYED' (ste) on the tree because it was too polite to fall.
Visual Association
Imagine a man in a very stiff, formal tuxedo bowing deeply to a giant letter 'V' (for Vi/Formal). The 'V' is wearing a crown.
Rhyme
Kad je neko stariji i nosi šešir, 'Kako ste?' je tvoj najbolji manir.
Story
You enter a grand Serbian ballroom. You see your old professor. You want to be polite, so you don't just say 'Hi'. You remember the 'V' for 'Very important' and say 'Kako ste?'. He smiles and offers you a rakija.
Word Web
挑战
Go to a local Serbian shop or cafe and use 'Kako ste?' with the clerk. Note if they respond with a simple 'Dobro' or a longer story.
In Other Languages
¿Cómo está usted?
Serbian uses the 2nd person plural for formality, Spanish uses the 3rd person singular.
Comment allez-vous?
French uses 'go', Serbian uses 'be'.
Wie geht es Ihnen?
German is an impersonal construction ('How goes it'), Serbian is personal ('How are you').
お元気ですか (O-genki desu ka?)
Japanese formality is built into the noun and verb endings, Serbian into the pronoun choice.
كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa halak?)
Arabic is gender-specific (haluka/haluki), Serbian 'Kako ste' is gender-neutral.
您好吗? (Nín hǎo ma?)
Chinese adds a question particle 'ma', Serbian uses intonation or word order.
어떻게 지내세요? (Eotteoke jinaeseyo?)
Korean has multiple levels of formality; Serbian only has two.
Como está o senhor / a senhora?
Portuguese often uses titles as pronouns; Serbian uses the plural verb form.
Easily Confused
Sounds very similar to 'Kako ste Vi?'.
Listen for the 'o' vs 'ako'. 'Ko' means 'Who'.
Learners think it's a way of asking how someone is.
This actually means 'What did you say?' or 'How did you say that?'.
常见问题 (10)
Yes, that is the primary way to be formal and respectful to a single individual.
'Dobro sam, hvala' (I'm fine, thanks) or 'Evo, ide' (It's going).
Yes, it is very polite and will likely get you better service.
Don't worry, as a learner, people will understand, but try to correct yourself with 'Ovaj, kako ste?'.
In text messages or emails, yes, it's a sign of respect. In general books, it's often lowercase.
Yes, it is identical and used the same way across the entire Serbo-Croatian linguistic area.
It sounds a bit too formal. Use 'Kako si' or 'Kako ste, deco' if there are many children.
It's the same: 'Kako ste?'. The context makes it clear you are addressing the group.
'Dobar dan' is 'Good day'. 'Kako ste' is the question that usually follows it.
It's a warmer, more affectionate version of 'How are you', often used by family elders.
