Russians Don't Say 'Как дела' — Here's What They Actually Say

Added: 2026-06-01

[00:00:00]You think Russians say just one phrase for how are you? No, we have at least 10 ways and they all sound different. If you use just kak dela, you sound like a textbook. Today, I'll show you how Russians actually say how are you in real life. Payekhali? The first one is the most standard one. You can use it everywhere. Kak dela? How are you?

[00:00:28]How are things? Kak dela? Khorosho.

[00:00:31]Good. Another one is how people actually speak with friends.

[00:00:36]Ty kak?

[00:00:38]Ty kak? You okay?

[00:00:40]Ty kak? Normal'na. Normal'na. Normal'na.

[00:00:44]I'm okay. The next one sounds relaxed and warm.

[00:00:48]Nu cho, kak ty?

[00:00:50]Nu cho, kak ty? So, how are you? Nu cho, kak ty?

[00:00:55]Da, normal'no vsyo.

[00:00:57]Da, normal'no vsyo.

[00:00:59]Da, normal'no vsyo. Yeah, everything's good. Another one is super casual. Cho kak? Cho kak? What's up? Cho kak? Da tak.

[00:01:11]Da tak.

[00:01:12]Just, you know. Another one sounds more direct and personal and pay attention on gender. Kak sam? For male. Kak sama?

[00:01:23]For female. Kak sam?

[00:01:25]How are you?

[00:01:27]Otlichno.

[00:01:28]Great. Another one is more emotional.

[00:01:32]This is not just how are you, it's deeper.

[00:01:35]Nu cho, kak zhizn'?

[00:01:37]Kak zhizn'?

[00:01:38]Kak zhizn'?

[00:01:39]How's life?

[00:01:41]Potikhon'ku.

[00:01:42]Potikhon'ku. Getting by.

[00:01:45]Potikhon'ku. Another one is very natural and very Russian.

[00:01:50]Kak ono? Kak ono? How is it going? Kak ono? Kak ono?

[00:01:56]Vsyo okay.

[00:01:57]It's okay. Everything's okay.

[00:02:00]It's all normal.

[00:02:02]It's all normal.

[00:02:03]It's all normal.

[00:02:04]Everything's okay. Another one is used after time if you haven't seen the person.

[00:02:10]Nu kak ty tam?

[00:02:11]Nu kak ty tam?

[00:02:12]How are things there?

[00:02:14]Poydyot. Poydyot. It's okay. Poydyot.

[00:02:18]Another one sounds softer, a bit more adult.

[00:02:22]Kak pozhivayesh?

[00:02:24]Kak pozhivayesh?

[00:02:26]How have you been?

[00:02:28]Kak pozhivayesh?

[00:02:29]Ne ochen. Ne ochen. Not great. Ne ochen.

[00:02:34]Next one is about feelings. It focuses on emotion. Kak nastroyeniye? Kak nastroyeniye?

[00:02:42]How's your mood? Kak nastroyeniye?

[00:02:45]Tak sebe.

[00:02:46]Tak sebe. So-so. Tak sebe. So, what's the difference? In English, we have one phrase. In Russian, there are many options. And we choose based on situation, relationship, tone, or if you are just tired to use kak dela all of the time. And remember that Russians don't give long answers. Uh if you ask someone kak dela or other phrases that we learned today, you just can hear normal'na or norm.

[00:03:21]Khorosho.

[00:03:22]Poydyot. It's short, simple, and natural. Now, write in the comments which one do you like most. And if you want to understand real Russian like this faster, I have a free guide understand real Russian in 5 minutes.

[00:03:38]And if you want full scripts, dialogues, and exercises, check my Patreon. You will find the link in the description.

[00:03:47]Poka poka. Uvidimsya.