Translation guide
How to express that someone is in good health or staying healthy in Japanese, including common greetings and phrases.
The speaker wants to ask if the listener is in good health, often as a polite greeting.
Standard polite way to ask 'How are you?' or 'Are you well?'. Used with acquaintances, colleagues, or people you haven't seen in a while.
お久しぶりです。お元気ですか。
Long time no see. How have you been?
Casual way to ask 'How are you?' among friends, family, or close colleagues.
最近どう？元気？
How have you been lately? You doing okay?
Very polite, formal expression meaning 'I hope you have been well'. Often used in letters or formal speech.
その後、お変わりありませんか。
I hope you have been well since we last met.
The speaker wants to state that they or someone else is in good health.
Standard response meaning 'I'm fine/well'. Polite form.
おかげさまで、元気です。
I'm doing well, thank you.
Means 'I'm keeping well' or 'I'm staying healthy'. Slightly more descriptive than just 元気です.
毎日運動して、元気にしています。
I exercise every day and am keeping well.
Means 'I am healthy'. Focuses more on physical health condition.
おかげさまで、健康です。
Thankfully, I am in good health.
The speaker wants to express a wish that the listener stays in good health.
Common way to say 'Take care' or 'Stay well' when parting. Polite.
それでは、お元気で。
Well then, take care.
Means 'Take care of yourself' (literally 'be careful with your body'). Often used when someone is unwell or during seasonal changes.
寒くなってきたので、お体に気をつけてください。
It's getting cold, so please take care of yourself.
Formal expression meaning 'Please take care of yourself'. Often used in written correspondence or formal speeches.
時節柄、ご自愛ください。
In this season, please take care of yourself.
The speaker wants to say that a third person is in good health.
Means 'is doing well' or 'is keeping well'. Casual form; can be made polite with しています.
田中さんは元気にしているよ。
Tanaka-san is doing well.
Polite hearsay expression: 'I hear that (someone) is well'.
先生はお元気だそうです。
I hear that the teacher is well.
元気 (genki) refers to general vitality, energy, and well-being, both mental and physical. 健康 (kenkou) specifically refers to physical health and absence of illness. When asking how someone is, 元気 is more common and natural.
元気がないね。どうしたの？
You look down. What's wrong?
健康のために毎日歩いています。
I walk every day for my health.
The English phrase 'keeping well' does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese. Avoid trying to translate 'keeping' literally. Instead, use the expressions provided based on context.