“What’s Up” in Chinese: 10 Fun Expressions for Beginners

Learn to say “What’s up?” in Chinese. Use simple greetings, get pronunciation tips, and see real-life examples for everyday chats.

How to Say “What’s Up” in Chinese

Want to greet a Chinese friend casually, like saying “What’s up?” in English? In Mandarin, greetings depend on context, tone, and culture. Luckily, there are plenty of friendly, easy ways to say “What’s up?” in Chinese. This guide will teach you the most common casual greetings, their pronunciation, and how to use them in real life. You’ll confidently start conversations in Mandarin from day one. With clear examples and cultural tips, you’ll sound more natural, whether for travel, school, or daily use.

Common Phrases and Pronunciations

In English, “What’s up?” is informal, friendly, and flexible. In Chinese, there is no single exact equivalent, but several phrases carry the same casual meaning. Below are the most useful ones for beginners.

1. 你好吗？(Nǐ hǎo ma?) – “How are you?”

• Pronunciation: nee how ma
• Tone tip: 你 (third tone), 好 (third tone), 吗 (neutral tone)

This is often the first greeting learners know. While it literally means “How are you?”, it can sometimes feel more formal than “What’s up?”. However, it is still widely used and safe for beginners.

When to use it:

• With classmates or new friends
• In polite but friendly situations

2. 最近怎么样？(Zuì jìn zěn me yàng?) – “How’s it going lately?”

• Pronunciation: zway-jin zen-meh-yahng

This is one of the closest matches to “What’s up?” in daily Chinese conversations. It sounds natural, warm, and conversational.

Why it works: It asks about someone’s recent life, not just their mood at this exact moment.

When to use it:

• With friends you have not seen in a while
• At the start of a relaxed conversation

3. 在干嘛？(Zài gàn ma?) – “What are you doing?”

• Pronunciation: zai gahn ma

This phrase is extremely common in spoken Mandarin and often replaces “What’s up?” among friends.

Cultural note: In English, “What are you doing?” can sometimes sound intrusive. In Chinese casual greetings, it is friendly and normal.

When to use it:

• With close friends
• In text messages or casual chats

4. 怎么啦？(Zěn me la?) – “What’s going on?”

• Pronunciation: zen-meh la

This phrase is used when you notice something unusual or want to check in casually.

When to use it:

• When someone looks tired or surprised
• When reacting to a situation

Real-Life Examples: Saying “What’s Up” in Chinese

Learning Chinese casual greetings becomes much easier when you see them in action. Below are simple dialogues you can practice right away.

Example 1: Meeting a Friend

A: 最近怎么样？ B: 还不错，你呢？ A: 也挺好的。

Translation: A: How’s it going lately? B: Not bad. You? A: Pretty good too.

Example 2: Chatting Online

A: 在干嘛？ B: 在看电视，你呢？

Translation: A: What’s up? (What are you doing?) B: Watching TV. How about you?

Example 3: Showing Care

A: 你看起来有点累，怎么啦？ B: 昨晚睡得太晚了。

Translation: A: You look a bit tired. What’s going on? B: I stayed up too late last night.

These examples show how flexible Chinese greetings are. Instead of memorizing one phrase, you learn to choose based on the situation.

How to Use “What’s Up” in Chinese Naturally

Understanding culture is just as important as learning vocabulary. To sound natural in Chinese casual greetings, you need to pay attention to context, tone, and small social cues. Here are some practical tips and examples:

1. Context Matters More Than Literal Meaning

In Mandarin, greetings often depend on your relationship with the person and the situation. For example:

• Asking 在干嘛？(Zài gàn ma?) to a close friend is friendly and casual.
• Asking the same phrase to a teacher, elder, or colleague you don’t know well can feel too informal or even disrespectful.

Fun tip: In casual settings, you can even playfully exaggerate your response. For example, if a friend asks 在干嘛？, you might jokingly reply “拯救世界呢！” (Saving the world!). These playful exchanges are common among young people and help build rapport.

2. Tone and Facial Expression Are Important

A relaxed tone, slight smile, or casual body language can make a greeting feel warm and friendly. In Chinese, how you say something often matters as much as what you say.

Example:

• Walk into a classroom and say 最近怎么样？ with a smile—your tone signals friendliness even before words are understood.
• Over text, a simple emoji like 😊 or 😸 can carry the warmth you’d normally show face-to-face.

Tip for learners: Practicing in front of a mirror or recording your voice can help you adjust tone and rhythm naturally.

3. Short Answers Are Normal

Chinese speakers often reply briefly, unlike English speakers who tend to give detailed updates. This keeps the conversation light and polite.

Example scenarios:

• A: 最近怎么样？
• B: 挺好！(Pretty good!)
• A: 在忙什么呢？
• B: 工作呢！(Work!)

Cultural insight: Short answers are a form of politeness. Giving too much detail may feel unnatural unless you’re very close with the person.

4. Texting vs. Speaking

Some greetings, like 在干嘛？, are especially popular in text messages, social apps, and group chats. In texting:

• People often reply with a single emoji, sticker, or short phrase.
• Over the phone or in person, you can extend the greeting slightly to sound friendlier.

Practical tip: Try using casual greetings in both formats to get comfortable. For example, you might text 在干嘛？to a friend and then use the same phrase with playful intonation face-to-face. This helps your Mandarin feel consistent across situations.

How to Practice Chinese Casual Greetings Effectively

To truly master phrases like “What’s up?” in Chinese, practice is essential.

• Say the phrases out loud daily
• Practice with role-play dialogues
• Listen to native pronunciation

At Wukong Education, our international Chinese courses target beginners and young learners. They include interactive speaking practice and real-life scenarios. You can explore lessons on daily Chinese conversations and beginner Mandarin phrases. This will help you build a strong foundation.

Conclusion

Learning how to say “What’s up?” in Chinese is a small step that makes a big difference. By using phrases like “最近怎么样？”, “在干嘛？”, and “怎么啦？”, you can sound more natural and confident in everyday conversations. These Chinese casual greetings help you connect with people. They also let you understand the culture and enjoy speaking Mandarin easily.

Join Wukong Education’s online Chinese classes. You’ll get guided practice, real conversations, and beginner-friendly lessons. Our structured courses help learners turn simple greetings into real communication skills. Start practicing today, and make Mandarin a natural part of your daily life.

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Mao Ying | WuKong Chinese Teacher

Master’s degree in International Chinese Education from Peking University. Dedicated to the field of Chinese language education, with 7 years of experience as an international Chinese language teacher.