“What’s up?” is a common phrase used to greet someone and ask how they are doing. However, there are many other ways to say this in English, both formally and informally. In this article, we will explore various ways to say “What’s up?” in English, including formal, informal, idiomatic, playful, and professional ways.
Formal ways to say What’s up?
List of formal ways to say What’s up?
- How are you?
- How do you do?
- What’s new?
- What’s happening?
- What’s going on?
- What’s the news?
- How’s everything?
- How’s life?
- How have you been?
- How’s your day going?
- How’s your day been?
- How’s things?
- How’s everything going?
- How’s life treating you?
- How are things with you?
- How are you faring?
- How are you making out?
- What’s the word?
- What’s the latest?
- What’s the story?
- What’s the buzz?
- How are things progressing?
How to use them correctly
Here are a few examples of how to use some common formal ways to say “What’s up?”:
- “How are you?” This is a classic formal greeting and can be used in almost any situation. It is appropriate to use in a business setting, a professional setting, or with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
- “How do you do?” This is another formal greeting that is often used when meeting someone for the first time. It’s polite, courteous and shows formality.
- “What’s new?” This can be used as a formal way to ask someone how they’ve been or what’s been going on in their life. It can also be used to ask about recent events or developments in a given subject or industry.
- “How’s everything?” this phrase is a polite way to ask about the general well-being of someone, showing interest in their life and making small talk. It can be used in a business or professional setting, or with friends and family.
- “How’s life treating you?” Similar to above, this phrase shows interest in how someone’s life is going overall and could be used as a casual, but formal way to inquire about someone’s well-being.
In all of the above cases, a response such as “I’m good, thanks for asking,” or “Everything is going well, thanks,” would be appropriate.
Informal ways to say What’s up?
List of informal ways to say What’s up?
- What’s up?
- Sup?
- What’s good?
- What’s crackin’?
- What’s happening?
- What’s shakin’?
- How’s it going?
- How’s everything?
- How’s life?
- How’s the day going?
- How are you doin’?
- What’s the haps?
- What’s the dilly?
- What’s the deal?
- What’s the 411?
- What’s cookin’?
- What’s the word?
- What’s the scoop?
- What’s the buzz?
- How’s it hangin’?
- How you been?
- How you doin’?
- Yo, what’s happenin’
- Hey, what’s happenin’?
- ‘sup?
- Yo, what’s good?
- Hey, what’s good?
- What’s the happenin’?
- What’s the word, friend?
- How’s everything?
- How’s life?
- How’s the day going?
- How’s the day been?
- How’s things?
- How’s everything going?
- How’s life treating you?
- How are things with you?
- What’s been good?
- What’s been going on?
- How’s it all?
- How’s by you?
- How are you holding up?
- What’s the go?
- What’s the rush?
- Howdy!
- Howzit going?
- Hey, What’s new?
- Hey, what’s going on?
- Hey, how’s it going?
- Heya!
- Yo, What’s new?
- Yo, what’s going on?
- Yo, how’s it going?
- Hey, what’s new with you?
- Hey, how have you been?
- What’s the newness?
- What’s the happenings?
- Hey, what’s been good?
- What’s the good word?
- What’s the situation?
- What’s the situation, good buddy?
- Howdy, how’s it going?
- Yo, what’s the story?
- What’s the word on the street?
- Hey, what’s the latest?
- What’s been going on with you?
- How’s the good life?
- What’s the good word?
- What’s been good?
- Howdy, partner!
- Sup, dude?
- Hey, wassup?
- Wasuuuuup
- Wazzup?
- Yo, wazzup?
- Whazzup?
- Whassup?
- Wassup?
- Wassssssssssssssssup!
- Yo, what’s new?
- How you livin’?
- How’s it all?
- What’s the good word?
- What’s the haps?
- Yo, what’s the haps?
- Yo, what’s the deal?
- Hey, what’s the deal?
- What’s the dealio?
- Yo, what’s the dealio?
- Hey, what’s the dealio?
- Yo, what’s the scoop?
- Hey, what’s the scoop?
- Yo, what’s the word?
- Hey, what’s the word?
- Yo, what’s the buzz?
- Hey, what’s the buzz?
- Yo, what’s the biz?
- Hey, what
How to use them correctly
Here are a few examples of how to use some common informal ways to say “What’s up?”:
- “What’s up?” This is a casual and informal way of greeting someone and asking how they are. It can be used with friends, family, or casual acquaintances.
- “Sup?” This is a shortened version of “What’s up?” and is also informal and casual. It’s often used as a quick greeting or quick check-in with someone.
- “What’s good?” This is another casual and informal way to ask how someone is doing, often used among friends or in a casual setting.
- “What’s crackin’?” This is an informal way of asking what’s going on or how someone is doing. It’s slang and should be used among friends or in a casual setting
- “What’s the haps?” This is an informal way of asking what’s going on or how someone is doing. It’s also slang and should be used among friends or in a casual setting
- “What’s been good?” This is another casual and informal way of asking someone about their recent experiences or what’s been happening in their life.
As with the formal way, the most common answer you’ll get from this informal question would be something like “Not much,” “Nothing much,” “Just hanging out,” or “Same old, same old.” or something more elaborate.
Idiomatic ways to say “What’s up?”
Here are a few idiomatic ways to say “What’s up?”:
- “How’s it going?” This is a common idiomatic expression that is used as a casual and informal way of asking someone how they are doing.
- “How’s everything?” This is another idiomatic expression that is used as a polite and casual way of asking someone how they are doing or what’s been going on in their life.
- “What’s the story?” This is an idiomatic expression that is used as an informal way of asking someone what’s been happening or what’s going on.
- “What’s the latest?” This is an idiomatic expression that is used as an informal way of asking someone what’s new or what’s been happening recently.
- “What’s cookin’?” This is an idiomatic expression that is used as an informal and playful way of asking someone what’s going on or how they are doing.
- “What’s the word?” this idiomatic phrase is used to ask for information or news on something.
- “What’s new, buttercup?” this idiom, is more playful and affectionate, it’s more appropriate for close friends or family, it’s often used as a casual greeting.
As these expressions are idiomatic, they might not be as widely used and known, but are still considered informal ways of asking ‘what’s up’.
Professional ways to say “What’s up?”
Here are a few professional ways to say “What’s up?”:
- “Good morning/afternoon/evening, how are you?” This is a polite and professional way of greeting someone and asking how they are. It’s appropriate to use in a business or professional setting.
- “Hello, how are you today?” This is a polite and professional way of greeting someone and asking how they are. It’s appropriate to use in a business or professional setting.
- “What’s new in your department/field/industry?” This can be used as a professional way of asking someone about recent developments in their area of expertise.
- “How can I assist you today?” This can be used as a professional way of asking if someone needs any help or assistance. It’s often used by customer service or helpdesk representatives.
- “Is there anything I can assist you with today?” This is a polite and professional way of asking if someone needs help or assistance.
- “How’s everything with you?” this is a polite and professional way of making small talk or showing interest in someone’s well-being, it’s appropriate to use in a business setting or with colleagues
- “What’s been happening on your end?” this phrase can be used as a polite and professional way of asking someone about their recent work or development in the field, often used by colleagues.
- “What’s the status on project/task X?” this phrase is a professional way of inquiring about the progress of a project or task that someone is working on.
In all of the above cases, a response such as “Everything is going well, thanks,” or “I’m good, thanks for asking,” would be appropriate. Keep in mind that in a professional setting, it’s always good to avoid too much personal information and focus on work-related matters and projects.
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