Slang meaning
What does HBU mean?
HBU stands for “how about you?” You tack it on after answering a question, to hand the same question back: “I’m good, hbu?” It is a quick, friendly way to keep a chat going.
Updated 6 October 2026
HBU means “how about you?”: you answer a question, then ask the same one back.
What HBU can mean
1. Returning the question
The usual use. Someone asks how you are, what you are doing or what you want to eat, you answer, and “hbu” sends it back. It always follows an answer; on its own it would be confusing.
2. A polite way to keep talking
A reply with no HBU can feel like the end of the conversation. Adding it shows you want to hear from the other person, which makes it a small courtesy as much as an abbreviation.
How people use it on Instagram and Facebook
DMs
The natural home of HBU. After “how was your weekend?” an answer of “quiet, got a lot of sleep, hbu?” keeps the exchange going. It appears when two people are warming up rather than sharing news.
Story replies
People reply to a Story with a question and the owner answers and adds “hbu.” It reads as casual and low pressure, so it is common between friends and followers who barely know each other.
Facebook Messenger and Marketplace
Buyers and sellers use it a bit in small talk, but less than friends do. In a sales chat a plain “and you?” sounds slightly more polite.
HBU in real conversations
- Direct messagedoing alright, bit tired. hbu?same, long week. Glad it's Friday
- Story replyngl i'm obsessed with this song rn, hbu what are you playingon repeat: the new one from this morning
- Instagram commentlove the colour on this one! I went with blue, hbu?green, I couldn't resist
- Direct messagepizza or tacos tonight? I'm leaning tacos, hbu?tacos, obviously
How to reply to HBU
Questions people ask
What is the difference between HBU, WBU and HRU?
HBU is “how about you,” used after you answer something. WBU is “what about you,” which means almost the same. HRU is “how are you,” which starts the exchange instead of returning it.
Do I have to answer when someone sends HBU?
You do not have to, but it is polite to. HBU is the other person's invitation to say something about yourself, so replying with a line or two keeps the conversation friendly.
Can HBU be used for any question?
Almost any, as long as you have already given your own answer. It works for “how are you,” “what are you doing,” “what did you eat” and similar. It makes little sense for factual questions with a single answer.
Is HBU fine for a business account to use?
In a friendly DM thread, yes, but in a first message to a customer it can sound too casual. “And how about you?” written out in full is safer in a formal reply.
Related slang
- WBUWBU means “what about you?”: a short way to ask the other person the question they just asked you.
- HRUA quick “how are you?”, usually a hello that expects a short answer, sometimes a sincere check-in after something has happened.
- WYD“What (are) you doing?”: a casual opener asking what you're up to, sometimes a hint that they'd like to meet up.
- WYMA clipped “what do you mean?”: it asks for an explanation or reacts in disbelief, and in “ik wym” it means you agree.
- HYDHYD means “how you doing”: a quick, casual way to ask how someone is, often as a DM opener.
- SBSB usually means “somebody” in texts and “snap back” on Snapchat. It can also stand for “small business”.
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