Jul 13 / Rebecca

9 British Ways to Say “I’m Fine” - Plus a Bonus Tip

If you’ve ever chatted with friends, family, or colleagues in the UK and asked, “How are you?”, you might have noticed that the usual reply isn’t “I’m fine, thanks.” And it’s not because people aren’t doing well, it’s just that here in Britain, we rarely say “I’m fine” in everyday conversation.

Today I’m going to share with you nine natural, British expressions you can use instead of the standard “I’m fine.” These phrases will help you sound more like a native speaker, and stick around until the end because I’ve got a bonus tip that will make your responses even more authentic.

1. “I’m good, thanks!”
This is probably the most common casual response you’ll hear around here. It sounds friendly, relaxed, and very natural.

Example:
🧓“How are you?”
🧑“I’m good, thanks! How about you?”

2. “Not bad, thanks.”
A classic British understatement. Even if your day’s been brilliant, you might say “Not bad” just to keep things modest and polite.

Example:
🧓“How’s it going?”
🧑“Not bad, thanks!”

3. “Yeah, not too bad!”
Similar to the previous one, this is another understated way to say you’re doing quite well, without sounding boastful.

Example:
🧓“How are you doing?”
🧑“Yeah, not too bad. You?”

4. “Can’t complain!”
This means you’re doing alright, even if things aren’t perfect. It’s humble and very commonly used here.

Example:
🧓“How’s your day?”
🧑“Can’t complain!”

5. “Pretty good, thanks.”
A little more enthusiastic than the ones before, but still natural and straightforward.

Example:
🧓“How are things?”
🧑“Pretty good, thanks!”

6. “I’m OK, thanks.”
This one really depends on your tone. Said cheerfully, it means things are fine. Said with a sigh, it suggests you’re just managing.

Example:
🧓“How are you?”
🧑“I’m OK, thanks.” (with a smile = all good)

“I’m OK...” (with a sigh = a tough day)

When You’re Not Doing So Well
Sometimes, you need to be honest but still polite. Here are three gentle ways to say you’re not feeling great.

7. “I’ve been better.”
A polite, reserved way to say things aren’t perfect, without giving too much away.

Example:
🧓“How are you feeling?”
🧑“I’ve been better.”

8. “Not great.”
A bit more direct but still controlled and honest.

Example:
🧓“How’s everything going?”
🧑“Not great, to be honest.”

9. “Not the best.”
Another gentle, honest phrase. Adding a positive spin is easy, too.

Example:
🧓“How are things?”
🧑“Not the best — but getting there.”

🎉 Bonus Tip: Combine Expressions!
What’s really interesting — and something most textbooks won’t teach you — is that native speakers often blend these phrases together to give a fuller picture of how they’re feeling. This makes your answer sound natural and honest without being too formal or too negative.

For example:

“I’m OK — just busy, but can’t complain!”
“Pretty good, just tired.”
“Not the best, but getting there.”

Mixing expressions like this helps you sound fluent and genuine — just like a Brit would.

So there you have it: nine authentic British ways to respond to “How are you?” plus a handy bonus tip. Give these a go next time you’re chatting, and you’ll sound more natural in no time.

If you want to keep improving your English with real-life expressions, pronunciation tips, and exclusive course offers, don’t forget to subscribe to my free newsletter. 

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