How do you do? is a formal greeting used when you are introduced to someone, like “pleased to meet you”. It isn't a question about how you are, so you don't talk about your health or mood: you reply with the same phrase. People say it when they are introduced formally, for example at a business meeting; in everyday life Nice to meet you is more common.
Want to use how do you do in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
How do you do? → How do you do? / Nice to meet you; How are you? → Fine, thanks
- 'Professor Hale, this is my colleague, Dr Ivanova.' 'How do you do?'
- At the formal dinner, the ambassador shook my hand and said, 'How do you do?'
- 'How do you do?' 'How do you do? I'm Anna, the new project manager.'
What changed
First versionHi Dima! How do you do? Did you enjoy your holiday?
RevisionHi Dima! How are you? Did you enjoy your holiday?
How do you do looks like a question about how someone is, but it is used only when you meet someone for the first time, and it sounds formal. To a friend you have known for years, say How are you?
Don't confuse it with How are you doing? That is an informal “how are things?” for people you know: Hey, Sam, how are you doing? The words are almost the same, but the situations are different: a formal introduction and a friendly chat.
Your turn
At the conference, I was introduced to a director, who said, 'How do you do?' I replied, '___'
Show the answer
How do you do? — The director isn't asking how you are but greeting you as you are introduced, so the right reply is the same phrase. I'm fine, thanks answers How are you?
Describe a formal introduction: who introduced you to whom and where it happened. Use How do you do in direct speech.
At the board meeting, my manager introduced me to the CEO, and I said, 'How do you do?'
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.