잘 지내요, 감사합니다.

When to use

Use this as a standard, polite reply when someone asks you 'How are you?' (어떻게 지내세요?). It is a safe and natural default answer.

How it works

This phrase combines a positive state with gratitude.

• 잘: An adverb meaning 'well'.
• 지내요: The polite informal conjugation of 지내다 (to spend time/live).
• 감사합니다: A formal polite expression meaning 'Thank you'.

Speech Level

This response mixes speech levels naturally. '잘 지내요' is polite informal (해요체), while '감사합니다' is formal polite (하십시오체). This mix is common, showing friendliness first and adding extra respect with the thanks.

Sound Changes

In the word '감사합니다', the 'ㅂ' batchim in '합' is followed by the nasal consonant 'ㄴ' in '니'. This triggers nasalization, changing the 'ㅂ' sound to an 'ㅁ' sound. It is pronounced [감사함니다]. There is no liaison between '잘' and '지내요' because '지' starts with a consonant, so the 'ㄹ' remains distinct.

Omitted Subject/Object

The subject '저는' (I) is omitted from '잘 지내요', as it is completely understood from context. Korean frequently drops pronouns when the speaker is obvious.

Notes

A brief, polite, and positive response to 'How are you?'.