"Khỏe không?": how to ask "how are you" in Vietnamese

The standard way to ask "How are you?" in Vietnamese is "Bạn khỏe không?", literally "Are you healthy?" Swap bạn for the right pronoun (anh, chị, em, bác and so on) depending on who you're talking to, and answer with "Mình khỏe, cảm ơn" ("I'm well, thanks").

What does khỏe không mean?

• khỏe: healthy, strong, well
• không: a question marker at the end of a yes/no question (it also means "no")

So "khỏe không?" is "well or not?", a yes/no question about someone's health and well-being.

Pronunciation hint: "kweh kohm." Kh is a breathy sound made at the back of the throat, a bit like clearing your throat softly, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch." Khỏe has the hỏi tone, which dips and rises like a question. Không has a level tone and ends with "ng," often sounding like "kohm" because the lips close at the end.

Choosing the right pronoun

Vietnamese doesn't really use a neutral "you." Pick based on age and relationship:

• Anh khỏe không? — to a man somewhat older than you
• Chị khỏe không? — to a woman somewhat older than you
• Em khỏe không? — to someone younger
• Bác khỏe không ạ? — to someone around your parents' age or older; ạ adds politeness
• Bạn khỏe không? — to a friend or peer, or when unsure among young adults

For more on picking pronouns, see Vietnamese pronouns: anh, chị, em and how to choose.

You'll also often hear có added: "Anh có khỏe không?" It's a little fuller and a bit more formal.

How to answer

• Mình khỏe, cảm ơn. Còn bạn? — I'm well, thanks. And you?
• Dạ, con khỏe ạ. — I'm well. (Polite, to a parent or elder.)
• Cũng bình thường. — Just okay. / Same as usual.
• Không khỏe lắm. — Not so well.
• Khỏe re! — Doing great! (Casual and cheerful; re is an intensifier often heard in the South.)

Còn...? means "And...?" It's the easiest way to bounce the question back.

The casual ways people actually ask

"Khỏe không?" is correct and friendly, but among friends people often use other check-ins:

• Dạo này thế nào? — How've you been lately? (common in the North)
• Dạo này sao rồi? — How've things been? (common in the South)
• Khỏe hông? — the same as khỏe không, with the Southern hông
• Có gì mới không? — Anything new?
• Ăn cơm chưa? — Have you eaten yet? A caring greeting of its own; see ăn cơm chưa

Dạo này means "lately" or "these days," and it's what makes a greeting feel like you've missed someone.

When do people ask "khỏe không?"

Vietnamese speakers don't necessarily ask "How are you?" every time they meet, the way English speakers do in passing. It's most natural:

• when you haven't seen someone for a while
• when calling or messaging relatives
• when someone has been sick or busy
• at the start of a conversation with an elder, as a sign of respect

With someone you see every day, a simple greeting or "Ăn cơm chưa?" may feel more natural than asking about their health each time.

Putting it together: a mini conversation

• A: Chào chị! Dạo này chị khỏe không? — Hi! How have you been lately?
• B: Chị khỏe, cảm ơn em. Còn em? — I'm well, thank you. And you?
• A: Dạ, em cũng khỏe. — I'm well too.

Cũng means "also" or "too," and it's very handy in replies.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the pronoun. "Khỏe không?" alone is fine among close friends but can sound abrupt with elders.
• Using bạn with elders. It can feel too flat or even slightly cheeky. Choose a family-style pronoun.
• Forgetting ạ. With elders, ending with ạ is a small word that makes a big difference.

For the polite "yes" that starts many replies, read dạ and vâng: the polite yes in Vietnamese.

Learn "Dạo này ... khỏe không?" with the right pronoun in the gap. It covers almost every situation where you want to ask how someone is.