What does it mean word for word?
The phrase wie geht's is a contraction of wie geht es, which literally translates to 'how goes it'.
Which one should you use?
The form wie geht's is an informal, contracted version used with friends and family. In contrast, the formal version is wie geht es Ihnen?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavarian regions, Grüß Gott is a common greeting. In southern Germany and Austria, the informal Servus is popular and can be used as both a hello and a goodbye. In northern Germany, the informal Moin is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking formally, use the phrase wie geht es Ihnen to say 'how are you?' In this context, Ihnen is the formal form of 'you'.
When do people say it?
When someone asks how you are, common responses include Gut, danke! (Good, thanks!), Mir geht es gut, danke. (I'm doing well, thank you.), Es geht so. (So-so.), or Nicht so gut. (Not very well.).
Did you know?
- The word hallo was once a specific command used to call out to ferrymen on the opposite bank of a river to fetch their boat.
- Because the phrase wie geht's focuses on how life is 'going' rather than how a person 'is', the standard response Mir geht es gut literally translates to 'It goes well to me'.
- The word hallo is related to the French word holà, which is used to tell someone to stop.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- MaximilianHallo wie geht's, Laura?Hello, how are you, Laura?
- LauraMir geht es gut, danke!I am doing well, thanks!
- MaximilianDas freut mich zu hören.I am glad to hear that.
- LauraUnd bei dir, Maximilian?And how about you, Maximilian?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hallo, wie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
