"how are you" vs "what's the matter with you"

Question

"how are you" vs "what's the matter with you"

These two phrases have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'How are you' is a common greeting used to ask about someone's well-being, while 'What's the matter with you' is used to inquire about a specific issue or problem someone may be experiencing. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last Updated: April 05, 2024

This phrase is used as a polite way to inquire about someone's health or general state. It is a common greeting in English.

Examples:

Hi John, how are you?
How are you feeling today?
How are you doing?
How are you coping with the situation?
How are you holding up?

This phrase is used to ask about a particular problem or concern someone may have. It is not a general greeting like 'How are you.'

Examples:

What's the matter with you? You seem upset.
What's the matter with you? You look pale.
What's the matter with you? You're not yourself today.
What's the matter with you? You seem distracted.
What's the matter with you? You're acting strange.

Answer 1

how are you

This phrase is correct and commonly used as a greeting to ask about someone's well-being.

Answer 2

what's the matter with you

This phrase is correct and used to inquire about a specific issue or problem someone may be experiencing.