When someone casually asks you “What’s up?”, your response matters more than you might think. A quick reply can help start a conversation or strengthen your rapport. However, an abrupt or disinterested answer may unintentionally convey the wrong impression.
The best way to reply is with an honest yet engaging answer that keeps the interaction positive and moving forward. Avoid one-word replies like “Nothing” or ambiguous responses that don’t invite further discussion.
20 Effective Phrases to “what’s up”
- Just hanging out, what have you been up to?
- Not much, just enjoying the nice weather we’re having.
- Taking it easy, how can I help you out?
- Just keeping busy, any plans for your day off?
- Doing well, just excited for the weekend – you?
- Oh you know, same old stuff. Anything new with you lately?
- Just relaxing, catching up on my reading. What have you been up to?
- Hey there! Just taking a break, enjoying the sunshine. How can I brighten your day?
- Not bad, just unwinding after a hectic week. Looking forward to relaxing this weekend – any plans?
- Oh you know, taking it one day at a time. What are you up to this fine day?
- Oh you know, just keeping busy. What brings you around today?
- Nothing much, just catching my breath! How can I help lift your day?
- Hey there, so great to see you! I’m just winding down – fill me in on what’s new with you.
- Oh you know, a little of this and that. Anything intriguing happening around your neck of the woods?
- Not much, just catching up on admin work actually. How can I make your day better?
- Doing alright! Catch me up – what have you achieved lately?
- Living the dream as always. Anything I can do for you on this fine day?
- Hanging in there, you? Hope you’re well – always here if you need an ear.
- Oh just been busier than bees lately! What have you got cooking up these days?
- Doing alright, taking it slow as the day allows. Catch me up on your world!
Explanations
1. Just hanging out, what have you been up to?
This question-as-response invites the other person to share more about their day as a way to get acquainted. It reflects your interest in them while also establishing an equal dialogue.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
2. Not much, just enjoying the nice weather we’re having.
This acknowledges the greeting positively while also making an innocuous remark about the environment. It provides a neutral jumping-off point to steer conversation in a more meaningful direction.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
3. Taking it easy, how can I help you out?
Offering assistance shows you care about the other person and their needs. It creates an opportunity for productive teamwork whether at home, work or elsewhere.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ❌ Friend ✅ Coworker
4. “Just keeping busy, any plans for your day off?
This displays interest in their lives outside of work while hinting at potential shared experiences on a day off. It’s a thoughtful option for colleagues you’re still gaining familiarity with.
❌ Boyfriend ❌ Girlfriend ❌ Family ❌ Friend ✅ Coworker
5. “Doing well, just excited for the weekend – you?”
Expressing positive energy and anticipation for shared time off builds connection. It invites a similar upbeat response to get conversations flowing smoothly.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
6. Oh you know, same old stuff. Anything new with you lately?
With familiar company, deflecting attention onto them can signal your comfort in the relationship. Repeated positive interactions help friendships and partnerships to deepen over time.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
7. Just relaxing, catching up on my reading. What have you been up to?
Mentioning a low-key activity like reading introduces a common interest to potentially bond over. Asking about their activities keeps an exchange balanced.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
8. Hey there! Just taking a break, enjoying the sunshine. How can I brighten your day?
For casual greetings, conveying sunshine and brightness spreads good cheer. Offering assistance adds a caring personal touch when acquaintance levels are still emerging.
❌ Boyfriend ❌ Girlfriend ❌ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
9. Not bad, just unwinding after a hectic week. Looking forward to relaxing this weekend – any plans?
Acknowledging shared experiences like busy schedules fosters empathy and rapport. Inquiring about weekend plans signals your availability for quality time together.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ✅ Coworker
10. Oh you know, taking it one day at a time. What are you up to this fine day?
For loved ones, expressing your day-to-day bond through familiar phrasing conveys comfort and intimacy. Curiosity about their activities reaffirms the relationship.
✅ Boyfriend ✅ Girlfriend ✅ Family ✅ Friend ❌ Coworker
11. Oh you know, just keeping busy. What brings you around today?
Asking what prompted the interaction shows interest while allowing them to steer where it goes. Useful for casual community connections.
✅ Friend ✅ Coworker ✅ Classmate ✅ Neighbor
12. Nothing much, just catching my breath! How can I help lift your day?
Admitting to being slightly overwhelmed invites the other to open up. Offering assistance builds empathy and goodwill.
✅ Friend ✅ Coworker ✅ Classmate ❌ Neighbor ❌ Family
13. Hey there, so great to see you! I’m just winding down -fill me in on what’s new with you.
A warm welcome with a question shifts focus to them, signaling your presence and invitation to chat further.
✅ Friend ✅ Coworker ✅ Classmate ✅ Neighbor ✅ Family
14. Oh you know, a little of this and that. Anything intriguing happening around your neck of the woods?
Taking mild interest in their daily lives through familiar phrasing builds comfort for those just starting to connect.
✅ Friend ❌ Coworker ✅ Classmate ✅ Neighbor ❌ Family
15. Not much, just catching up on admin work actually. How can I make your day better?
Admitting to mundane tasks amid helping others reflects care, focus and team spirit for colleagues.
❌ Friend ✅ Coworker ❌ Classmate ❌ Neighbor ❌ Family
16. Doing alright! Catch me up – what have you achieved lately?
Requesting updates on accomplishments conveys admiration and investment in their dreams.
✅ Mentor ✅ Coach ✅ Friend ❌ Coworker ❌ Classmate
17. Living the dream as always. Anything I can do for you on this fine day?
Lighthearted affirmation invites them to share how life’s going or offload anything troubling them.
✅ Friend ❌ Coworker ❌ Classmate ❌ Neighbor ❌ Family
18. Hanging in there, you? Hope you’re well – always here if you need an ear.
Caring check-in with an empathetic offer builds trust for those going through personal challenges.
✅ Friend ✅ Family ❌ Coworker ❌ Classmate ❌ Neighbor
19. Oh just been busier than bees lately! What have you got cooking up these days?
Admitting to being overwhelmed signals understanding if they’re also feeling harried. Curious about future plans.
✅ Friend ✅ Family ❌ Coworker ❌ Classmate ❌ Neighbor
20. Doing alright, taking it slow as the day allows. Catch me up on your world!
For close relationships, sharing life’s small pace sets an intimate relaxed tone to then focus on them.
✅ Partner ✅ Best Friend ✅ Family ❌ Coworker ❌ Others
Responses in Action
Friend: “Hey, what’s up?”
You: “Just hanging out, what have you been up to lately?”
Friend: “Not much, just been studying for my exam. It’s killing me!”
You: “I bet, those finals can be brutal. Want to grab a coffee and take a break?”
Coworker: “What’s up?”
You: “Taking it easy, how can I help you out?”
Coworker: “I’m swamped – could you please review these reports for me before our meeting?”
You: “No problem, just send them over.”
Sibling: “What’s up sib?”
You: “Oh you know, taking it one day at a time. What are you up to this fine day?”
Sibling: “Not much, just lazing around the house. Want to grab some lunch?”
You: “Sounds good to me!”
Conclusion
With practice, responding to “What’s up?” can become second nature across relationships. The goal is providing an engaging yet sincere acknowledgement of the greeting to spark further discussion. Tailor your choice of phrase to fit the context, relationship and conversational energy.