How Are You

Level 1

Use Kako si? with friends, Kako ste? with strangers, and Šta ima? as a casual hello.

How It Works

After hello, Bosnians usually ask how you are. With a friend, use Kako si? With a teacher, an older person or a stranger, use Kako ste?

Common answers:

  • Dobro sam, hvala. I am well, thanks.
  • Super sam. I am great.
  • Tako-tako. So-so.

Then ask back with A ti? (friend) or A vi? (polite).

Šta ima? means what is up. It is casual, and the answer is usually short: Ništa posebno (nothing special) or Sve u redu (all fine). Both questions are small talk, so a short, friendly answer is enough.

Examples (5)

  1. Zdravo, Harise, kako si?

    Hi, Haris, how are you?

    Si goes with ti.

  2. Dobro sam, hvala. A ti?

    I am well, thanks. And you?

    A normal answer and a question back.

  3. Dobar dan, kako ste?

    Good day, how are you?

    Ste is the polite form.

  4. Šta ima, Ajla?

    What is up, Ajla?

    A casual friendly opener.

  5. Ništa posebno, evo radim.

    Nothing special, just working.

    A relaxed answer to Šta ima?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

How Are YouLevel 1

Learn This First

Asking after someone follows the basic greetings.

Words in This Pattern

kakoštaima