How are you doing?

[0011] How've you been?

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English Idioms
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Explanation

  • A question asking about someone's well-being over a period of time since you last saw them.
  • Used when greeting someone you haven't seen recently. Contraction of How have you been?.

Origin

  • A natural development from How are you?, using the present perfect tense (have been) to cover the span of time since the last meeting.
  • Standard greeting for acquaintances or friends you don't see every day.
  • Signals recognition that some time has passed and invites a slightly broader update than How are you?.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • How have things been?
  • What have you been up to? (Focuses more on activities)
  • How's life been treating you?
  • How are you doing? (Can be used, but doesn't specifically emphasize the time gap)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • What's been shakin'? (Casual, asks about recent events/news)
  • How's tricks? (Older slang, asks how things are going)
  • What's the haps? / What's happening? (Casual, asks for updates)

Vulgar/Emphatic (Usually implies surprise or a very long time):

  • How the hell have you been?!
  • Where the fuck have you been? (More accusatory or strongly surprised)

Milder/Standard:

  • It's been a while, how are things?
  • How have you been keeping?

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Perfect for reunions, bumping into old friends or colleagues.
  • Less appropriate for daily greetings with people you see regularly.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Learners might confuse it with the simple How are you? and give a very brief, present-moment answer. Emphasize that it invites a slightly broader summary of the time since the last meeting.

Examples

  • Hey David! Long time no see. How've you been?
  • It's great to run into you! How've you been?

Dialogue

Sarah: Mark! Wow, I haven't seen you in ages. How've you been?

Mark: Sarah! Great to see you! I've been really good, actually. Started a new job last month. How about you?

Sarah: Oh wow, congrats! I've been good too, just busy with the kids.

Social Media Examples

  • Facebook message to an old friend: Hey [Name]! Saw your profile suggestion. How've you been? It's been years!
  • Post after meeting someone unexpectedly: Ran into my old college roommate today! So great to see him. 'How've you been', man? Felt like old times. #reunion #friends
  • DM: Hey [Name], saw your post about graduating congrats! How've you been otherwise? We should catch up soon.

Response Patterns

  • Pretty good, thanks! How about you?
  • Doing well, keeping busy.
  • Not bad, same old same old. (Meaning nothing much has changed)
  • Can't complain.
  • Sometimes a more detailed answer if the relationship is close or significant events have occurred: Actually, things have been a bit rough... or Really good! I got a new job.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After asking How've you been?:

  • Listen for updates or general state.
  • Express interest (Oh really? Tell me more, That's great news!).
  • Answer the reciprocal question (I've been good, thanks!).

After responding (Pretty good, thanks! How about you?):

  • Listen to their update.
  • Continue catching up, perhaps asking more specific questions (How's the family?, Still working at...?).

Conversation Starter

  • Yes.
  • Excellent for reconnecting with someone you haven't seen in a while.

Intonation

  • Friendly, often implies warmth and interest due to the lapsed time.
  • Rising intonation at the end. HOW'VE you BEEN?
  • Stress usually falls on HOW'VE and BEEN.

Generation Differences

  • Used by all generations when reconnecting.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all English-speaking regions.
How are you doing?
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