The common English expressions, “how you been?” and “how you doing?,” are casual greetings between friends, often used in casual contexts, such as a party. They are not as common or even considered acceptable in professional contexts, unless the speakers are friends.
These expressions are similar in that both are formed by dropping the auxiliary verbs, have and are—and also by saying doin’ instead of doing. Both of these can be signals of slang and other types of very informal English.
People often speak in this casual style to signal that they want to communicate in a comfortable, friendly, non-judgmental way.
In American culture, informality—being down-to-earth—is highly valued. Many Americans do not like signs of class-difference and privilege—including higher education. If you speak to Americans in educated or formal English, you might come across to some people as snotty—as if you think you are better than they are.
So, Americans often use language that is informal, nonstandard, or even slang—as a sign of friendliness.
Variations of the Phrases, “How you been?” and “How you doing?”:
Here are some variations of these common English phrases, showing formal and informal versions.
Standard: What have you been up to?
Informal: What you been up to?
Standard: Where have you been?
Informal: Where you been?
Standard: Is everything good?
Informal: Everything good?
Standard: You alright?
Informal: Are you alright?
Note: One easy way to make a phrase more informal is to pronounce any -ing verb-form without the final g:
I’m doin’ fine.
I was just thinkin’.
However, be aware that if you speak in this style in the wrong context, it may be considered rude—so save it for friends if you want to play it safe.
“How you doin’?” in Pop Culture
The phrase, “how you doin’?” has its own special place in English-language pop culture, and no discussion of this phrase would be complete without mentioning it. I’m referring, of course, to the corny pick-up line routinely uttered by Joey Tribbiani, the beloved and simple-minded character from the television show Friends: