What does "How's tricks?" mean?

A casual British greeting meaning 'How are things going?' An informal, slightly old-fashioned British greeting asking how things are. Friendly and chatty.

How do you use "How's tricks?" in a sentence?

How's tricks?' 'Not bad, you? Alright, how's tricks? So, how's tricks with you? How's tricks, old boy?

How's tricks?

Slang Term British ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: A casual British greeting meaning 'How are things going?'

英式随意问候，意为'最近怎么样？'

Un saludo británico casual que significa '¿Cómo van las cosas?'

「調子はどう？」を意味するカジュアルなイギリス式挨拶

'잘 지내?'를 뜻하는 캐주얼한 영국식 인사

An informal, slightly old-fashioned British greeting asking how things are. Friendly and chatty.

非正式的、略显老派的英式问候，询问对方近况。友好且健谈。

Un saludo británico informal, ligeramente anticuado, que pregunta cómo van las cosas. Amistoso y conversacional.

くだけた、少し古風なイギリスの挨拶で、調子を尋ねる。フレンドリーでおしゃべり的。

근황을 묻는 비격식적이고 약간 구식인 영국식 인사. 친근하고 수다스러운 느낌.

Examples

How's tricks?' 'Not bad, you?
最近怎么样？'不错，你呢？
¿Qué tal? 'No está mal, ¿y tú?
調子どう？「悪くないよ、君は？」
어때, 별일 없어?」「나쁘지 않아, 너는?
Alright, how's tricks?
嘿，最近怎么样？
Bueno, ¿qué tal?
やあ、調子どう？
안녕, 잘 지내?
So, how's tricks with you?
那么，你最近怎么样？
Entonces, ¿cómo te va?
で、調子はどう？
그래서, 요즘 어때?
How's tricks, old boy?
老伙计，最近怎么样？
¿Qué tal, viejo amigo?
調子どう？
잘 지내나?

Pronunciation

/haʊz trɪks/

Usage Guide

Context: friends, acquaintances, British

Tone: friendly, slightly dated

✓ Do Say

How's tricks?
最近怎么样？
¿Qué tal?
調子どう？
요즘 어때?
So, how's tricks?
那么，怎么样？
Entonces, ¿qué tal?
で、調子は？
그래서, 잘 지내?
How's tricks with you?
你怎么样？
¿Cómo te va?
君の調子はどう？
요즘 어떻게 지내?

✗ Don't Say

Somewhat dated
有点过时
Algo anticuado
やや古風
다소 구식인 표현
Very British
非常英式
Muy británico
とてもイギリス的
매우 영국적인 표현

Common Mistakes

Sounds a bit old-fashioned to younger speakers
British expression

Origin & History

Possibly from card games or magic tricks, asking how the 'tricks' (situations) are going.

Etymology: Possibly from card game terminology

First recorded: British, early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early-mid 20th century

Generation: Older speakers

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British films; Older British TV

Regional notes: British phrase. Somewhat dated but still used.

Variations

How's tricks?How's tricks with you?