how=怎樣
are you=you are發問時寫法=你是?
說How are you?,原意就是:你是怎樣了?例如見朋友不慎跌倒,你走前扶起他,說How are you?(你怎樣了?)Are you hurt?...
不過How are you?也是見面時打招呼慣用的口頭禪,意思近於:你好嗎?很多時更省畧為Hi!哩。
舉例:
A) -- How are you?
B) -- Fine, how are you today?
A) -- Fine also. Did you get the birthday gift from Peter yesterday?
B) -- Yes, a very nice doll. Thank you.