geht es dir gut?
The English phrase 'are you good?' can be translated into German as geht es dir gut?
This phrase is used to ask if someone is feeling well or is in a good state.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, geht es dir gut? translates to 'does it go to you well?'
Which one should you use?
While geht es dir gut? asks about well-being, avoid using Bist du gut? to mean this, as that version asks if a person is skilled or proficient at something.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask a group of people if they are doing well, use the plural form geht es euch gut? For a formal singular subject, use geht es Ihnen gut?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not say Bist du gut? if you want to ask how someone is feeling. This will instead sound like you are asking if they are good at a specific task or skill.
When do people say it?
If someone asks you this, a standard response is Ja, mir geht es gut. (Yes, I am doing well). If you are feeling mediocre, you can say Es geht. (It's okay / So-so).
Did you know?
- The German word gut is a distant relative of the English word 'good', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰedʰ-, which meant 'to unite' or 'to suit'.
- In German, the phrase geht es dir gut? uses the dative case for dir (you), meaning the well-being is not something you 'are', but something that is happening 'to' you.
- The common response Es geht (It's okay) literally means 'It goes', treating a person's state of mind as a process in motion rather than a fixed condition.
Examples in context
- Moin, Lisa! Alles klar?Hi, Lisa! Everything okay?
Example conversation
Hannah meets Felix at a park after he looked pale.
- HannahFelix, geht es dir gut?Felix, are you doing well?
- FelixJa, es geht mir sehr gut, danke.Yes, I am doing very well, thanks.
- HannahDas freut mich zu hören.I am happy to hear that.
- FelixUnd geht es dir auch gut?And are you doing well too?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dir, es, gut, CC BY-SA 4.0.
