🗣️ Say This Instead: "最近怎么样? (zuìjìn zěnmeyàng)"

🗣️ Say This Instead:

Want to sound more native? Start here.

🚫 Textbook Chinese

你好吗？ (nǐ hǎo ma?) – Are you well?


Yes, it’s grammatically correct. 

But native speakers rarely use it in real conversations.

✅ Real Chinese

最近怎么样？ (zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?) – How’s everything recently?


This is what you’ll hear most often between friends, classmates, or colleagues. 

It feels casual, natural, and warm.

💡When to Use It

  • 👋 Catching up with someone you haven’t seen in a while
  • 💬 Starting a chat
  • 📞 Making a phone call
  • 🤝 Reconnecting with a friend or coworker

🧱 Example Sentences

1. 你最近怎么样？工作还顺利吗？

(Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng? Gōngzuò hái shùnlì ma?)

👉🏼 How have you been lately? Is work going well?


2. 好久不见, 最近怎么样？

(Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn, zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?)

👉🏼 Long time no see, how’s everything?


3. 最近怎么样？有没有什么新鲜事？

(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng? Yǒu méiyǒu shénme xīnxiān shì?)

👉🏼 How’s it going lately? Anything new?

🤓 Why It Sounds Better

  • It feels modern and natural
  • It shows you care about the person’s life, not just their “well-being”
  • It makes your Chinese sound more relaxed and fluent

⚠️ Common Mistake

❌ Saying: 最近怎么样吗？(zuìjìn zěnmeyàng ma?)

👉🏼 This is incorrect. “怎么样” already works as a question — you don’t need to add “吗”.


    ✅ Say: 最近怎么样？(zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?)

    👉🏼 It’s already a natural and complete question.

      🏆 Quick Practice

      Q: Your friend texts you after a month. How would you reply in Chinese?


      A. 你好吗？(nǐ hǎo ma?)

      B. 最近怎么样？(zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?)


      ✅ Correct Answer: B — That’s the natural choice!

      ✨ Final Thoughts

      Want to sound more natural in Chinese?

      Try saying 最近怎么样？(zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?) next time you greet someone.

      It’s simple, friendly, and what native speakers actually say.


      👉 Give it a try when chatting with a friend or language partner!