Cool MateHow are you doing today vs What's up?
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
How are you doing today
Top 1,000 (very common)
What's up?
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: How are you doing todayMost common: How are you doing today
| How are you doing today | What's up? | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //haʊ ɑː jʊ ˈduːɪŋ təˈdeɪ//🇺🇸 //haʊ ɑr jʊ ˈduɪŋ təˈdeɪ// | 🇬🇧 //wɒts ʌp//🇺🇸 //wɑts ʌp// |
| Meaning | A way to ask someone about their feelings or state. | A casual way to ask someone how they are or what's happening. |
| Example | Hey, how are you doing today? | When I saw my friend, I casually said, 'What's up?' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | how are you doing, doing good, doing fine, doing well, doing okay | What's up, buddy?, What's up, man?, What's up with that?, Hey, what's up?, So, what's up? |
| Antonyms | How are you feeling today, What is wrong with you today | - |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'doing', saying just 'How are you today?', Using inappropriately in formal emails., Not adjusting tone to match context. | Using it in a formal meeting where a respectful greeting is expected., Misunderstanding it as a question requiring a detailed answer., Not responding appropriately with a casual reply. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations, it may be too formal in very relaxed settings. Better suited for check-ins than close friends. | Used mainly in casual conversations among friends. It may not be appropriate in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: How are you doing today vs What's up?
What's the difference between How are you doing today and What's up??
How are you doing today: A way to ask someone about their feelings or state. What's up?: A casual way to ask someone how they are or what's happening.
Which is more formal: How are you doing today and What's up??
How are you doing today is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: How are you doing today and What's up??
How are you doing today is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
How are you doing today: Hey, how are you doing today? What's up?: When I saw my friend, I casually said, 'What's up?'
Can I use How are you doing today and What's up? interchangeably?
Not always. How are you doing today and What's up? are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.