Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

how are you

/haʊ ˈɑɹ ju/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 6.06 in modern English

Syllables: how are y-ou
IPA: /haʊ ˈɑɹ ju/

18

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

phrase

An informal greeting, not requiring a literal response. In form a question, and thus followed by a question mark. Typical responses include

phrase

(Following a noun phrase; stress on are) An expression of derision, that the preceding referent is unworthy of the name. In form of an exclamation, and thus often followed by an exclamation mark.

Example Sentences

"I'm very well, thank you. How are you? (formal) I'm fine, thank you. / Fine, thanks. (informal) / Fine, and you? (informal)"
"1967 July 20: Questions. Oral Answers. — Free Travel for Old Age Pensioners. Dáil Éireann debates Mr. Dunne: "A small point", says the Minister for Justice. Mr. Ryan: Justice, how are you! He would not recognise it in this world or the next."
"'Christmas how are you!' exclaimed Jim O'Hanlon ruefully. 'We will remember this one for quite a while anyway.' He was grateful that at least no one was injured in the incident."

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /haʊ ˈɑɹ ju/
British English: /haʊ ˈɑː juː/

Inflected Forms

how're you (alternative, informal) HRU (alternative, initialism)

Frequently Paired Words

alright howdy hello goodbye

Synonyms

how do you do? how are you doing? how's it going? how's things? how's tricks? what's up? how's it hanging? my foot! my eye! my arse! my ass! indeed!

Questions

How do you pronounce how are you?: The recorded pronunciation is /haʊ ˈɑɹ ju/.
What does how are you mean?: An informal greeting, not requiring a literal response. In form a question, and thus followed by a question mark. Typical responses include

How to pronounce how are you

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “how are you”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/haʊ ˈɑɹ ju/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “how are you” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.