How to Say ‘Have you been well?’ in Japanese
元気だった？
genki datsu ta
[gen-kee da tah]
💬 Usage Tip: だった is the past form of だ "is", so 元気だった？ literally asks "were you well?" about the whole time since you last met. The polite version is お元気でしたか？.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This casual form is what your in-laws would say to you. Answering their 元気だった？ with your own 元気だった？ could sound a bit too familiar, so the polite version is safer.
Phrase Breakdown
元気
genki
[gen-kee]
energetic; well
A common word meaning healthy, energetic, or doing well.
今日は元気です。
I am energetic today.
だっ
datsu
[da]
was
The past form of 'is', indicating a past state of being.
彼は学生だった。
He was a student.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense marker
Indicates past tense.
彼は来た。
He came.
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