Buzz
1. What is How do you do?
Typically, English learners often confuse How do you do as an inquiry about health, similar to How are you, but in fact, this phrase is not used for that purpose.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, How do you do means How have you been lately? A formal greeting for someone you haven't met before (translation: a formal greeting for someone you haven't met before)
Therefore, How do you do is used as a greeting for someone you meet for the first time, in a very polite and formal context. This is not a question about someone's health, even misunderstood by many people
E.g.:
- Greetings, my name is Edward Black. (Xin chào, tên tôi là Edward Black.)
- How do you do? I’m Jacqueline Smith. (Xin chào. Tôi là Jacqueline Smith.)
2. How to use the structure of How do you do in English
The structure of How do you do is often used in situations of first meetings or in formal and solemn contexts (meeting business partners, meeting people of high status,…).
2.1. Situations where the structure How do you do can be used
Gặp gỡ lần đầu
- A: How do you do?
- B: How do you do?
Trả lời câu How do you do? từ đối phương
- A: How do you do?
- B: How do you do?
Chào hỏi tình huống trang trọng
- A: How do you do?
- B: How do you do?
You should note that the question How do you do? does not actually require a detailed answer about someone's state or life.
Instead, it is merely a polite greeting and is often responded with the same phrase, not conveying specific emotional or personal information about someone.
2.2. When to use the structure How do you do
The structure How do you do? is typically only used in situations of first meetings or formal greetings. It is usually not used in casual conversations or when meeting friends or acquaintances,...
Instead, other greetings such as Hello, Hi, How are you?, Nice to meet you, Nice to see you again, How have you been? are used.
3. Responding to the question How do you do
To respond to the question How do you do, one would reply similarly with How do you do, because as mentioned earlier, How do you do is not used to inquire about health but as a formal greeting, similar to Hello or Hi but more formal. This phrase has become somewhat archaic and rarely appears in daily life.
In case someone asks How do you do, one can also respond with other formal greetings such as:
- Nice to meet you. (Rất vui được gặp bạn.)
- It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. (Rất vui được làm quen với bạn.)
- Good morning/ afternoon/ evening, I’m [Name]. (Chào buổi sáng/chiều/tối, tôi là [Tên].)
- Welcome, it’s lovely to meet you. (Chào mừng, rất vui được gặp bạn.)
- Greetings, I’m [Name]. (Xin chào, tôi là [Tên].)
- Allow me to introduce myself, I’m [Name]. (Cho phép tôi tự giới thiệu, tôi là [Tên].)
- It’s an honour to meet you. (Thật vinh dự được gặp bạn.)
- I’m delighted to make your acquaintance. (Tôi rất vui được làm quen với bạn.)
4. Distinguishing How do you do and How are you in English
As mentioned, many English learners confuse the usage of How do you do and How are you. Mytour advises distinguishing these two phrases as follows:
4.1. How do you do?
This is not a question. It is a very formal way to say Hello. The British often use this phrase more than in the US or other English-speaking countries, and it is typically used only when meeting someone for the first time.
The correct response to How do you do? is Pleased to meet you or simply responding with How do you do. The simplest reply is Hello.
4.2. How are you?
This is a question about health, but at a casual level. Therefore, if asked and not too familiar with the asker, one should respond in a casual manner. The most common response is: I’m fine, thank you. And you? or How about you?
Other common responses to How are you? include:
Tích cực
- I’m doing well, thank you. How about you? (Tôi vẫn ổn, cảm ơn bạn. Còn bạn thì sao?)
- I’m great! Thanks for asking. How are you doing? (Tôi tuyệt vời! Cam ơn vi đa hỏi. Bạn dạo này thế nào?)
- I’m feeling good today. And you? (Hôm nay tôi cảm thấy khá tốt. Và bạn?)
- I’m fine, thanks. How about you? (Tôi khỏe, cảm ơn. Còn bạn thì sao?)
- I’m doing alright. How are things with you? (Tôi đang làm đúng. Mọi việc với bạn thế nào?)
Trung lập
- I’m doing alright, thanks. And you? (Tôi vẫn ổn, cảm ơn. Còn bạn thì sao?)
- So-so, thank you nothing out of the ordinary. (Cũng bình thường thôi, cảm ơn bạn—không có gì khác thường cả.)
- I’m fine, thanks. Can’t complain. (Tôi khỏe cảm ơn. Không thể phàn nàn gì cả.)
- I’m doing decently well. How about you? (Tôi đang làm rất tốt. Còn bạn thì sao?)
Tiêu cực
- I’m not doing so great, to be honest. It’s been a tough day. (Thành thật mà nói thì tôi làm không tốt lắm. Đó là một ngày khó khăn.)
- I’m feeling a bit down today. Things haven’t been going well. (Hôm nay tôi cảm thấy hơi chán nản. Mọi chuyện không được suôn sẻ.)
- I’m having a rough time lately. Thanks for asking, though. (Gần đây tôi đang có một khoảng thời gian khó khăn. Cám ơn bạn đã hỏi thăm nhé.)
- I’m struggling a bit at the moment. I hope things will get better soon. (Bây giờ tôi không phải là người giỏi nhất. Đối phó với một số thách thức.)
5. Sample dialogue using How do you do
- Person A: How do you do? My name is Catherine, Catherine Earnshaw.
- Person B: How do you do? I’m Edward Moonshine.
- Person A: So, what brings you here today?
- Person B: I’m here for a business conference. How about you?
- Person A: I’m attending a workshop on marketing strategies. It’s great to meet someone else with similar interests.
- Person B: Absolutely! It’s always nice to connect with like-minded individuals. Have you been to this venue before?
- Person A: No, it’s my first time here. It seems like a lovely place.
- Person B: Yes, it’s quite impressive. The facilities are top-notch. By the way, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
- Person A: Likewise, Edward. I hope we can exchange ideas and insights during the conference.
- Person B: Definitely, I’m looking forward to it. Enjoy the rest of your day!
- Person A: You too. Take care and see you around.
