'have been'

[Carolyna]

Hello There,


What is the difference between 'how are you' and 'how have you been?'

Is how have you been more formal or used when it's been a long time since I heard from that person?

[Casiopea]

Welcome, Carolyna.

[1] How are you? <present tense> / I'm fine, thank you.
=> How are you today, now, at the present time.

[2] How have you been? <present perfect> / I've been fine, thank you.
=> From some unspecified time in the past all the way up to now, today.

Both are of equal weight.

All the best.

[rewboss]

"How have you been" often means "...since I last saw you?" So the first sentence is just asking after your health now, at this moment; while the second is asking for a complete medical history.

(Well, not too complete. A couple of short sentences is usually enough.)

[Tdol]

Yes; keep it concise.