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How to Respond to “What’s Up?”: 19 Great & Clever Replies

1. “Nothing much” is a pretty standard response to this question. Most of the time, “What’s up?” is used as an informal greeting to say, “How’s it going?” or “What’s going on?” The question can be coming from a friend, crush, coworker, or stranger, but it usually has the same polite sentiment. Basically, they want to know how you are, and you can respond honestly or, Check out these popular responses:
   • “Just the usual. You?”
   • “Same old, same old.”
   • “Hey! What’s up with you?”
   • “All good here! What about you?”
   • “I’m doing well. Thanks for asking!”

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1. 1 “Having a great day!” Whether you’re responding to a friend, coworker, or stranger, this is a to highlight the day. Try this type of response if you’re in a rush or don’t have too long to chat.
   • “It’s a beautiful day!”
   • “No rain today, so I’m doing swell.”
   • “Couldn’t have asked for better weather.”
2. 2 “Hey, just doing some work. How’s your new job coming?” State what you’re doing and inquire about their life. Whether you’re talking to a friend or partner, asking about something going on in their life will get you brownie points. Sometimes someone asks “What’s up?” so that you’ll ask them the same, so keep the communication going—it won’t go unnoticed.
   • “Just got done walking the dog. How was the concert last night?”
   • “Folding some laundry. How are things going with the new boyfriend?”
   • “Busy sorting the pantry. Speaking of, how are those renovations coming?”
3. 3 “Life’s been pretty good. What are you doing today?” Keep your response positive and, “What’s up?” is often used to say, “How are you?” This response is a nice way to let a friend or stranger know that your chin is held high. Plus, the ending question opens the floor for a,
   • “Life’s good! What about you?”
   • “Can’t complain. What’s up with you?”
   • “The sun’s shining, so I’m doing alright. What did you do today?”
4. 4 “Counting down till the weekend. You?” in your reply and ask about their day. Maybe you’re talking to an acquaintance or a stranger. Either way, this response is good for any getting-to-know-you situation. People generally open up when other people are genuine and seem interested in their lives.
   • “Saving up for a car. How about you?”
   • “Impatiently hoping dessert arrives soon. You?”
   • “Waiting for this rain to come. What about you?”
5. 5 “I’m hanging in there. It’s been a long week.” Be honest in your response if you’re talking to a friend and feeling low. They may be asking, “What’s up?” to check in on you. If you trust this person, to them.
   • “Getting there! Counting the days until Friday.”
   • “It’s been better. Lots of new changes are happening at work.”
   • “Feel like I’m sitting on the edge of my seat. That email better come soon.”
6. 6 “Me? I’ve been up since 6 AM.” Let them in on the long day you’ve had. We’ve all been there—long hours, little sleep—and it sure is hard. Expressing yourself to a friend or coworker could help you bond over a common understanding.
   • “It’s been a long day, brother.”
   • “Been running around since the crack of dawn. Is it always this busy?”
   • “Currently waiting for the day to be over. Friday can’t come fast enough.”
7. 7 “Hey, I’m a bit busy. Can we chat later?” Cut your response short if you have somewhere to be. Maybe your puppy is begging to go outside, or you’re rushing out the door to make a meeting on time. If someone stops or calls you with a “What’s up?”, let them know you want to talk at a later time—honesty won’t hurt any feelings!
   • “Hey, I’d love to chat, but I’ve got a meeting soon.”
   • “I’m super jam-packed with work. Can I call you later?”
   • “Let me get back to you on that. Fido is about to pee all over the apartment.

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1. 1 “Just sitting here thinking about you.” Be a little in your reply if you like them. Maybe it’s a crush or partner asking you, “What’s up?” In this case, why not reply with a message that pairs well with a wink? Tell them they’re on your mind, and see what happens next.
   • “Not much. Thinking about you.”
   • “Wishing you could be sitting next to me.”
   • “Busy, but counting down the hours till I see you.”
2. 2 “My serotonin levels now that I’ve seen you.” Tell your crush they make you the happiest person in the world with this response. Not only is it a cute way to say how much you, but it’s bound to make them blush.
   • “My heart rate now that you’re here.
   • “I can’t seem to get this amazing girl out of my head.”
   • “I’m trying to figure out how to tell the guy that just walked in I like him.”
3. 3 “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Add some sexual suave to your reply. If your significant other is asking, “What’s up?”, be a little with them, especially if you’re feeling frisky. Toss in a smirk with a sultry tone, and you’re golden.
   • “Who’s asking?”
   • “I’d like to say you.”
   • “My feelings for you, babe.”
   • “Just thinking about how cute you looked the last time we hung out.”
   • “The ceiling, as usual. What about you?”
4. 4 “Hi! I was hoping to hear from you!” Reply with an earnest and enthusiastic attitude. If this is someone you care about, chances are you think about them all the time. This flirty response is super subtle, but will let them know how happy they make you.
   • “Hello! You’ve made my day by asking that.”
   • “Hey! I’ve been waiting for you to call all day!”
   • “Hi! I’d say it’s better now that you’ve dropped by.”
5. 5 “Feeling cute, but not as cute as you.” This sweet and flirty response is a fun way to let your crush or partner know you think they’re attractive. They’re on your mind, so don’t be afraid to send them a flirtatious compliment!
   • “How can I complain when I have you?”
   • “Doing fine, but not nearly as fine as you.”
   • “Alright, but I’ll be better when I see your handsome face.”
   • “I’ve been thinking about your smile all day.”

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1. 1 “The sky.” Toss a little into your response. This blunt but simple joke is a great way to get a friend, stranger, or crush laughing. If dry humor’s your thing, go with this reply!
   • “My rent.”
   • “Gas prices.”
   • “My blood pressure.”
2. 2 “You know, living the dream!” Be a little with your response. This is a clever way to make a friend chuckle and share that you’re hanging in there.
   • “You know, I’ve been better.”
   • “Not my paycheck! That’s for sure.”
   • “Living the perfect life, if you know what I mean.”
3. 3 “Do you really want to know?” Add a bit of dark humor to your response with raised brow and sarcastic tone. You’ve had one busy day, and this is a funny way to ask a friend or partner if they’re really up to hearing all about it.
   • “How much time do you have?”
   • “Doubt you want to be put through it, dude.”
   • “You don’t want to know what I’ve been through.”
4. 4 “A movie about an old guy who makes his house fly with balloons.” Make a cultural reference to get your friends or a crush laughing. Opt for something they know like the Pixar movie Up or the Superman movie.
   • “It’s a birdIt’s a planeIt’s Superman!”
5. 5 “Sorry, but that’s confidential information.” This cleverly sassy yet funny remark is sure to make a friend or partner laugh. They’re bound to ask you even more questions just to learn what you’re hiding that’s so “confidential.”
6. 6 “Not a thing but a chicken wing!” A short, silly rhyme is a great response when you’re feeling peppy. Try saying this to a friend or even a stranger with a big smile—they’re sure to chuckle!

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Advertisement Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about internet language, check out our in-depth with, This article was co-authored by and by wikiHow staff writer,, Kelli Miller is a Psychotherapist based in Los Angeles, California.

Elli specializes in individual and couples therapy focusing on relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, communication, parenting, and more. Kelli also facilitates groups for those struggling with alcohol and drug addiction as well as anger management groups. She is the author of “Professor Kelli’s Guide to Finding a Husband” and the award-winning and best-selling book “Thriving with ADHD”.

Kelli co-hosted an advice show on LA Talk Radio and is a relationship expert for The Examiner. She received her MSW (Masters of Social Work) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Sociology/Health from the University of Florida. This article has been viewed 834,549 times.

• Co-authors: 8
• Updated: April 17, 2023
• Views: 834,549

Categories: Medical Disclaimer The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 834,549 times.

“Someone said to me over text, “What’s up?” and I just wanted to be funny and say something back. So I came onto this website and it helped me, they said it made them laugh.”,”

: How to Respond to “What’s Up?”: 19 Great & Clever Replies

What’s up with you?

‘What’s up with you’ is another way of saying ‘ What is new in your life ‘ or ‘Tell me what you have been doing recently’. Just reply to it as you would these questions 🙂 Excellent! Just in case, you don’t know.

Is it good to say what’s up?

Using “What’s up?” as a greeting – Asking how someone is and the reply of, “Good. How are you?” has become a kind of greeting. It’s a longer, more detailed way of saying hello. Not only are you saying hi, but you’re also being a little more friendly and asking how they are.

In one sense the words are rote and empty, but in another way you’re still showing you an interest in the other person. Another way I always thought of it is, if you see a co-worker coming down the hall, simply saying ‘hey’ doesn’t take up enough time. You’d greet them when they were fifteen feet away or so, then be left with a silence while you finished passing each other.

The What’s Up? Good exchange fills that dead air. The right response in these situations is to just be friendly and go through the routine. Over thinking it will drive you mad. It doesn’t really matter that everyone says they’re “fine”, even if they may not be.

Can I reply nothing to what’s up?

The response depends on who asked the question – “What’s up?” This is a question so often used that we don’t usually take it seriously. But really, what’s the appropriate response to this? The answer is, it depends on who asked the question. Acquaintance You can just say “nothing much” “everything’s fine”,

1. Acquaintances usually just ask this question as a form of greeting.
2. Superior When a superior asked you this question, you can give updates on your current projects or tasks.
3. Friend You can be vulnerable to a friend.
4. If you are asked this question, you can share life updates or anything you are currently struggling with.

Partner You could share the tiniest details with your partner if they asked you this. They would appreciate your honesty and willingness to share stuff.

Is What’s up the same as Hello?

Hey what’s up? is just a friendly way of starting a conversation. It’s less formal than Hi, how are you?, and it’s a way of getting the other person to open up and start talking.

Should I say what’s up or how are you?

What is the difference between what’s up and how are you? Both these phrases can be used to send the social message that you are making a friendly greeting. In other words, they can be used phatically. Used so both phrases mean the the same, but the social propriety of each may differ.

In general, “How are you” is formal, always polite, but perhaps a bit too stiff for close acquaintances in any casual context. “What’s up” is informal and may be viewed as lacking in gravity or respect. If you are being introduced to the Secretary General of the U.N. for the first time and say, “What’s up, Tony,” you are likely to be thought a boor.

If you are happy to see your sister for the third time this week, you might well say, “What’s up today.” Of course, these phrases can also be used non-phatically. For example, if you have just been in a car wreck and a cop asks “how are you,” he is asking about your sense of physical wellbeing rather than sending a friendly greeting.

What does chat up with you mean?

Phrasal verb chatted up; chatting up; chats up. informal. : to talk informally with (someone, such as someone one is attracted to)

What are you up to in texting?

What does “Up To” Mean? – “Up to” is one of those pesky little phrasal verbs that you can’t translate literally. It just means doing something. So the question “What are you up to?” just means “What are you doing?” Here’s a sample conversation between friends: Jana: Hi, Rob, how are you? Rob: Hey, Jana.

How are you and what’s up?

What is the difference between what’s up and how are you? Both these phrases can be used to send the social message that you are making a friendly greeting. In other words, they can be used phatically. Used so both phrases mean the the same, but the social propriety of each may differ.

In general, “How are you” is formal, always polite, but perhaps a bit too stiff for close acquaintances in any casual context. “What’s up” is informal and may be viewed as lacking in gravity or respect. If you are being introduced to the Secretary General of the U.N. for the first time and say, “What’s up, Tony,” you are likely to be thought a boor.

If you are happy to see your sister for the third time this week, you might well say, “What’s up today.” Of course, these phrases can also be used non-phatically. For example, if you have just been in a car wreck and a cop asks “how are you,” he is asking about your sense of physical wellbeing rather than sending a friendly greeting.