Introduction

Let me guess: when someone asks "How are you?", do you always answer "I'm fine, thank you. And you?" This is what most Japanese students learned in school, right? It's grammatically correct, but here's a secret: native English speakers rarely say this! They use many different responses, and these responses sound much more natural and friendly.

Many Japanese learners tell me they feel like robots when they speak English. They use the same phrases again and again – the phrases they memorized in school. But real conversation is not like a textbook! Real people use variety. They change their responses based on how they feel and who they're talking to.

Today, I'll teach you natural, varied responses that native speakers actually use. You'll learn many ways to respond to greetings, compliments, apologies, and "thank you." After reading this blog, you'll sound less like a textbook and more like a real person! Let's learn to speak more naturally together.

Main Tips

Responding to "How Are You?" – Many Natural Options

In real English conversation, people use many different responses to "How are you?" Here are natural options from most positive to most negative:

When you're feeling good:

• "I'm great, thanks!"
• "Pretty good! How about you?"
• "I'm doing well, thanks for asking!"
• "Not bad! And you?"
• "Can't complain!" (This means "I'm doing okay")

When you're feeling okay (not great, not bad):

• "I'm alright. How are you?"
• "Not too bad. And you?"
• "Same as usual!"
• "Hanging in there!" (This means "I'm managing, but it's a bit tough")

When you're feeling tired or stressed (with friends, not in formal situations):

• "I'm tired! How about you?"
• "I'm okay, just busy. And you?"
• "It's been a long day!"

Notice something? Native speakers often use contractions (I'm, it's, how's), and they usually ask back, "How about you?" or "And you?" This keeps the conversation flowing!

Responding to Compliments – Accept Them!

This is very different from Japanese culture! In Japan, when someone compliments you, you often say "いいえ、そんなことないです" (No, that's not true) to show humility. But in English culture, you should accept compliments! If you deny a compliment, it might seem rude or like you disagree with the person.

When someone says, "Your English is really good!" or "I like your jacket!":

Natural responses:

• "Thank you! I've been practising a lot."
• "Thanks! That's nice of you to say."
• "Oh, thank you! I appreciate that."
• "Thanks! I got it in Tokyo."

You can also add a compliment back:

• "Thank you! Your Japanese is great too!"
• "Thanks! I like your jacket as well!"

Responding to "Thank You" – Not Just "You're Welcome"

"You're welcome" is correct, but native speakers use many other responses too:

Casual responses (with friends, colleagues):

• "No problem!"
• "No worries!"
• "Sure!"
• "Anytime!"
• "Happy to help!"

More formal responses (with customers, bosses):

• "You're very welcome."
• "My pleasure."
• "Of course!"

Very casual (with close friends only):

• "Yeah, sure!"
• "No prob!"

Responding to Apologies – It's Okay!

When someone says "I'm sorry," you want to show that it's not a big problem. Here are natural ways to respond:

If it's a small problem:

• "No worries!"
• "That's okay!"
• "Don't worry about it!"
• "It's fine!"
• "No problem at all!"

If it's a bigger problem, but you forgive them:

• "It's alright. These things happen."
• "That's okay. I understand."
• "Don't worry. It's fine now."

In Japanese culture, apologies are very common and serious (すみません is said very often). In English culture, small apologies are lighter. "No worries!" and "That's okay!" are used a lot for small things.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Response Role-Play

Imagine these situations and practice different responses. Say them out loud! Try to use a different response each time (not the same one every time).

Situation 1: Your coworker asks, "How are you?" on Monday morning.

• Try response: "Not bad! And you?"

Situation 2: Your friend compliments your new haircut: "Your hair looks great!"

• Try response: "Thank you! I just got it cut yesterday."

Situation 3: You helped someone and they say, "Thank you so much!"

• Try response: "No problem! Happy to help!"

Situation 4: Someone accidentally bumps into you and says, "I'm sorry!"

• Try response: "That's okay! No worries!"

Exercise 2: Daily Variety Challenge

This week, challenge yourself to use a DIFFERENT response each day. Write down which response you'll use:

Monday: "Pretty good! How about you?" Tuesday: "Not bad! And you?" Wednesday: "I'm doing well, thanks!" Thursday: (You choose!) Friday: (You choose!)

Every morning, practice your response for that day three times. Then use it in real conversations!

Exercise 3: Watch and Learn

Watch a TV show or YouTube video in English. Every time you hear "How are you?" or "Thank you," pause the video. Listen to the response. Write it down. This helps you learn natural responses from real native speakers!

Try to collect 5 different responses this week. You'll be surprised how many different ways people respond!

Conclusion

Now you know that English conversation has much more variety than textbook phrases! Instead of always saying "I'm fine, thank you," you can say "Pretty good!" or "Not bad!" or "Can't complain!" Each response sounds natural and friendly. Instead of "You're welcome," you can say "No problem!" or "Happy to help!"

The key is variety. Don't use the same response every single time. Mix it up! This makes you sound more natural and less robotic. It shows that you're comfortable with English and can express yourself in different ways.

Remember: there's no "perfect" response. All of these options are correct and natural. Choose the ones that feel comfortable for you. Practice them until they become automatic.

If you want to practice natural conversation with real feedback, I'd love to help you in a Cafetalk lesson. We can role-play different situations and build your confidence. You're doing great – keep practising!