gehen
/ˈɡeːən/
The German verb for 'to go' is gehen.
Gehen is primarily used to describe moving through space, specifically moving from one place to another. Additionally, the verb is used in the common greeting 'Wie geht es dir?', which literally translates to 'How is it going for you?' to ask 'How are you?'
Meaning: to move through space (especially from one place to another) (verb)
Which one should you use?
While gehen means to go on foot, you should use fahren when the movement involves a vehicle such as a car, bus or train. If you want to indicate the starting of an action or movement informally, you might use Los. For a more formal or official tone, especially in written language, you can use the phrase Sich begeben.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of gehen is ging, and the past participle is gegangen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡeːən/
Did you know?
- The German word gehen is a linguistic hybrid. Its present tense comes from an ancient root meaning 'to leave' while its past forms like gegangen come from a different root meaning 'to walk'.
- In German, gehen is often used to describe the functioning of a machine. If a watch or a clock is working, a German speaker says it geht.
- When a German speaker says das geht, they are not talking about movement but are saying 'that works' or 'that is feasible'.
Examples in context
- Wir gehen zu Tom.We'll go see Tom.This sentence shows the use of gehen to express going to a person.Tatoeba #6641280 by Felixjp, translation #2986293 by CK
- Wir gehen zu Fuß.We'll go on foot.This sentence illustrates the phrase for going on foot using gehen.Tatoeba #10504582 by wolfgangth, translation #6790865 by shekitten
- Gehen Sie zu Fuß!Go on foot.This sentence shows an imperative command using gehen.Tatoeba #12182602 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6391753 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Können Sie bitte gehen?Can you please go?
- Lass uns losgehen!Let's go!
- 3681 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are deciding whether to leave the park.
- HannahWollen wir jetzt gehen?Do we want to go now?
- JulianJa, ich möchte gehen.Yes, I want to go.
- HannahGehen wir zur Bushaltestelle?Shall we go to the bus stop?
- JulianJa, lass uns gehen.Yes, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries gehen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
