Expression of the Week

Jung-hwan: 오랜만이다. 

It’s been a long time.

Hye-yeong: 오랜만이에요, 선배. 

It’s been a long time, Jung-hwan.

Jung-hwan: 8년 만이지? 

It’s been eight years, hasn’t it?

Hye-yeong: 아, 그런가? 벌써? 어떻게 잘 지냈어요?

Oh, really? Already? Have you been doing well?

Jung-hwan: 나야, 뭐, 그럭저럭. 

I’ve been alright.

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잘 지냈어요? (Have you been doing well?)

잘 – (adv.) well
Comfortably and without difficulties
지내다 – (v.) live
To live in a certain state or condition.


Casual – 잘 지냈어?
Semi-polite – 잘 지냈어요?
Polite – 잘 지내셨어요?

>>”잘” means “well” as in doing well in health and body or staying safe and healthy. “지냈어요?” is from the verb “지내다” which means to live or spend time.

>>In other words, “잘 지냈어요” is a greeting to ask someone how they have been doing, or if they have been doing well.

>>Similar expressions of greeting include “잘 있었어요?” which means “Have you been well?” or “오랜만이에요” which is also used in the dialogue and means “it’s been a long time (how are you).”