“What’s up” is one of the most common greetings. It is similar to “How are you” or “What’s going on.” Whether you are a native English speaker or not, it can be difficult to know how to respond. How to respond to “What’s up?”
When someone says “What’s up,” a common response is “Nothing,” “Not much,” or “Not much, you?” In this context, the appropriate response is to return the greeting or confirm that everything is okay.
The proper response to this question largely depends on the one who is asking and the situation it was asked.
When a person asks, “What’s up?” they want to know what you are doing or if you have time to talk. The context of how it was asked has everything to do with the meaning of it. In other words, your response will depend on the circumstances by which the question was asked.
Read on to learn more about how to respond to what’s up, including many example responses.
How to Respond to “What’s Up?”
When someone greets you with “What’s up,” you can respond with any of the following:
- “Nothing”
- “Not much”
- “Not much, you?”
A person may pop the question “What’s up?” because of one of the following reasons: 1) to show politeness in a limited context, 2) to start a small talk, or 3) to show genuine interest.
1. “What’s Up?” from Someone You’re Acquainted With
In the first scenario, “What’s up?” could be asked by someone you are acquainted with but not that much. So out of politeness, they will give this greeting to acknowledge your unexpected encounter.
2. “What’s Up?” from Someone Who Admires You
In the second situation, the person may ask you, “What’s up?” in their desire to start a conversation. Maybe the person is someone who admires you or is someone who wants something from you.
3. “What’s Up?” from a Close Friend in the Past
In the third scenario, the person could be a close friend with whom you have lost contact for some time and you have just had a chance encounter. Your friend may want to know your present situation, or what you have been up to, and stuff like that.
So, you can see that your response to “What’s up?” will largely depend on the person asking and the conditions wherein the question was asked. There is really no one answer that may apply to all these three scenarios.
For instance, a person may ask, “What’s up?” because they notice that a coworker seems distressed or has some trouble. The question is a non-intrusive and polite way to know what’s going on and if they could offer any assistance. It’s just like asking, “What’s the matter?” or “Are you alright?”
There is a notion that this phrase is short for “What’s the update?” That means the person asking is basically just checking up on what you have been up to or how things are going. Eventually, it became a general greeting for people in the United States and the U.K.
So, you will know how to respond when the other person asks, “What’s up?” As a general response, you can either say “Not Much,” or “Alright,” or “Nothing.” In that context, the other person gets the feeling that you are just returning his greeting.
Treat People How They Treat You – Meaning and Should You?
What Is the Expected Answer to “What’s Up?”
In general, when someone greets you with “What’s up?” they are not really expecting an in-depth answer from you. Any polite response that you can come up with will be appropriate. It is proper to return the greeting with “Oh, hi (name of the person).” You really didn’t answer the question, but they won’t think that you are aloof.
Here are some appropriate responses that you can consider:
- “Same as always,” or “Same old,” or “As usual.”
- “The roof,” if you are indoors or “The sky,” when you are outdoors.
- “My blood pressure,” after a meeting with your boss.
- “Gas prices,” if you are feeling sarcastic.
- “Good, how are you?” or “I’m good, yourself?” if you want to return the greeting.
- “I’m selling my house,” if you want the other person to know your current condition and if you both have the time to talk about it.
How to Respond to “What’s Up?” from a Close Friend?
You can be more flexible in answering a friend who pops the question, “What’s up?” Your answer could be funny, sarcastic, or neutral, depending on the intent of your friend.
Below are some examples of how to respond to what’s up from a close friend:
“Can’t complain.”
This will tell your friend that everything is going fine with you and that nothing is bothering you at the moment.
“All is good.”
This simply means everything is okay at the moment.
“I’m screwed.”
You can say this to a friend who notices that you are worried and seem to be in trouble. This is a good start to tell them what’s wrong at the moment or what’s currently going on with your life.
“That’s for me to know and for you to find out.”
You can use this quip in two ways. Use it sarcastically when you are not in the mood, or use it as a joke if you want to intrigue your friend.
“Rent.”
If you want to be funny, you can tell your friend that your rent has just gone up. This can start a lively discussion between the two of you.
“My blood pressure.”
This response is appropriate if you are getting old. It can tickle the bones of your friend and still let them know about your present health condition. You can also use this reply even if you have no problem with your blood pressure. It could mean that you are feeling stressed.
Wassup and sup or slang versions of “what’s up.” How to respond to wassup? How to respond to sup? You can respond to wassup or sup with “All good,” “Nothing much,” or “Nothing.” Or you can use any of the other examples listed below.
How to Respond to What’s Up on Tinder or Bumble?
How to respond to what’s up text messages on Tinder or Bumble? How to respond to wassup? How to respond to sup?
If you unexpectedly received a “What’s up?”; “Wassup?”; or “Sup” message from someone on Tinder, Bumble, or some other dating app, here are some effective responses that you can use.
- My level of attraction, since you texted me.
- How much time do you have?
- I feel much better now that you asked me.
- If I told you, would you think about it?
- Everything is going fine now that you’re around.
- Thank God you’ve finally noticed me.
- Ugh, I have just developed a mental problem. I can’t get you out of my mind.
- I’m busy. However, I could add you to my to-do-list. Is that ok?
- That’s for me to know and for you to find out.
- On my way out to eat food. Would you care to join me for dinner?
- I’m socially predisposed to say, “Nothing much, what about you?”
- Living the dream.
- The opposite of down.
- I have a boyfriend/girlfriend.
- I feel much better now that you asked.
- All things seem to be fine now with you around.
- The best thing that happened to me today is when you asked about my day.
- How am I? Is this a pick-up line to pick me up?
- In case you are wondering, I am still single.
How to Respond to a “How Are You” Text
Now that you know how to respond to “what’s up” text messages, also (wassup or sup) from a friend or dating app, let’s see what would be an appropriate response when it is from a co-worker.
How to Respond to “What’s Up?” from a Friend at Work?
How to respond to “What’s up” if it’s from a co-worker? A close workmate sees you every day. So you can expect them to greet you with “What’s up?” not just once but several times a day. Here are some responses that you can use for your officemates or co-workers.
“I’m pretty tired today.”
You can use this phrase if you want your co-worker to know that you have had a hectic day and are looking forward to getting home for a rest. This could also start a talk that will help you while away until the clock hits five o’clock.
“I’m busy with this task; let’s talk later.”
If you don’t feel like talking, you can politely and gently give this reply. You will be able to avoid the conversation without being rude to your co-worker. But you impress upon him that it is still working hours and it’s not yet time to have a friendly talk.
“Nothing special.”
If the person is somebody you are not particularly close to and you’re not very interested in knowing, this is a good response because you are still showing them your niceties. It shows them respect and impresses them in a polite way that you don’t want to talk about.
“All sorts of stuff, have you heard that I’m promoted?”
If things are going great at work, you can use this reply. Give it so that it doesn’t sound that you are bragging but just sharing the good news. For sure your workmate will be happy to hear it.
“Counting the hours before the week ends.”
It’s best to give this reply to a co-worker on a Friday. You are both looking forward to the weekend when you can relax and forget all about work. If you are raring to get off from work because the past week has been terribly stressful, you can even use a depressed tone in your voice.
“Nothing much. How about you?”
This is a very typical response that most people expect. There’ll come a time that this will go out of our mouth instinctively if you are used to being asked, ‘What’s up?” But it is a very polite way to respond by asking almost the same question to your co-worker. It’s also a good way to start a conversation.
“I am hanging in there; it’s been a busy week.”
This is an apt and polite answer to an officemate with whom you are not particularly close. It is not too formal either, so the remark will not put them off. It’s a decent way of saying, “I’m exhausted, and I really want to go home.”
How to Respond to “What’s Up?” In a Funny Way?
Do you want to make fun of the phrase ‘what’s up?’ Here are some quips that will surprise the person who asked and possibly make them laugh or at least make them smile.
- A two-letter word that shows your ignorance. (This is meant to be a joke that you can only use on your closest friends).
- Sure ain’t my pay.
- Anything taller than me.
- The ceiling, or the roof, or the sky, or the stars.
- Nothing but the rent
- The price of gas.
- The number of obese people in the United States.
- The movie about an old guy who can make his house fly and kidnaps an Asian kid while flying his house.
- The ass of a chicken when it eats.
- My adrenaline after seeing you, buddy.
- It’s a bird, or it’s a plane.
- Apparently, my anxiety levels.
- My cholesterol.
- My blood pressure.
- Not me. I’ve been pretty depressed today.
- Oh, you know, just an old soup which I reheated.
- The opposite of down.
Oh I See [What Does It Mean and How to Respond?]
Conclusion: How Do You Respond to “What’s Up?”
When someone says “What’s up,” it is an everyday greeting that you can respond with one-liners such as “Nothing,” “Not Much,” or “Alright.” When asked this question, the appropriate response is to return the greeting or confirm that everything is normal.
The right response to this question largely depends on the person asking and the situation it was asked.
Sometimes, when a stranger asks, it is better and safer to nod your head so that you can acknowledge them. There is no need to say a word because the question came from someone you do not know. Again, it depends on the circumstances. Exercise discernment and use the example responses above to respond however you feel.
Read next:
How to Respond to Hey If You Want the Conversation to Continue