hvað segirðu

How Are You? (Hvað Segirðu)

Level 1

Hvað segirðu? means how are you? or how's it going? A short answer is Allt gott (all good).

How It Works

Hvað segirðu? is the most common way to ask how are you? It literally means what do you say? The ending -ðu is þú joined to the verb, as in joined forms. People often add gott: Hvað segirðu gott?

Answers:

  • Allt gott. All good.
  • Allt fínt. All fine.
  • Ég segi allt gott. I'm doing well. (I say all good.)

Then turn the question back with En þú? (And you?).

Hvernig hefurðu það? literally means how do you have it? It uses hafa, and the answer keeps the same shape: Ég hef það gott (I'm doing well), Ég hef það fínt. The word gott stays in the neuter because it goes with það, not with you.

To a group, use the plural verb: Hvað segið þið? and Hvernig hafið þið það?

Another friendly question is Hvað er að frétta? (What's new?), often answered Ekkert sérstakt (nothing special). Said with surprise, Hvað segirðu? can also mean Really? or You don't say!

Examples (5)

  1. Hvað segirðu? – Allt gott, en þú?

    How are you? – All good, and you?

    Word by Word: What say-you? – All good, but you?

  2. Hvað segirðu gott?

    How's it going?

    Word by Word: What say-you good?

  3. Hvernig hefurðu það? – Ég hef það fínt, takk.

    How are you doing? – I'm doing fine, thanks.

    Word by Word: How have-you it? – I have it fine, thanks.

  4. Hvað segið þið?

    How are you all?

    Word by Word: What say you(plural)?

    The plural verb segið is used for a group.

  5. Hvað er að frétta? – Ekkert sérstakt.

    What's new? – Nothing special.

    Word by Word: What is to hear-news? – Nothing special.

Common Mistakes

  • Making gott agree with yourself after hafa það.

    Ég hef það góður.
    Ég hef það gott.

    In this phrase the word goes with það, so it is always the neuter gott, fínt or ágætt, whoever is speaking.

  • Using the one-person form for a group.

    Hæ öll, hvað segirðu?
    Hæ öll, hvað segið þið?

    Segirðu asks one person. For several people, use the plural segið þið.

How It Connects

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

hvað segirðuLevel 1How Are You? (Hvað Segirðu)

Learn This First

hvað segirðu is a greeting question with a joined form.

Words in This Pattern

hvað segirðuallt gottallt fínthvernig