Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hoe gaat het? | ||
| hoe is het? | ||
| alles goed? | /ˈɑləs ɣut/ (word by word) | informal |
These phrases are used as greetings to ask how someone is doing. Hoe gaat het? is a common and versatile way to ask how someone is, primarily used in informal conversations. Hoe is het? is a popular expression among friends and in casual conversations. Alles goed? is an informal, shortened way to ask how someone is, similar to "all good?" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hoe gaat het? literally translates to "how goes it?"
Which one should you use?
Hoe gaat het? is the standard way to ask how someone is doing, whereas hoe is het? is more focused on the general state of things or a specific situation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use Hoe gaat het met u? to politely ask how someone is doing or Hoe is het met u? as a formal option for addressing someone politely. In informal settings, you may use hoe gaat het?, hoe is het? or alles goed?
Is it said differently in some regions?
Hoe is 't ermee? is an informal variation often used in the southern regions of the Netherlands.
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize the person you are speaking to, you can add met jou to the end of the phrase: hoe gaat het met jou?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to hoe gaat het? is goed, dank je (good, thank you).
Did you know?
- While English speakers often use 'how are you' as a passing greeting without expecting a real answer, a Dutch person might actually answer the question hoe gaat het? more literally.
- The word alles in alles goed? is technically a genitive form, a grammatical case that has largely disappeared from modern Dutch except in a few specific words.
- Dutch speakers often answer hoe gaat het? with niet slecht, meaning 'not bad', as a way of remaining modest or understated.
Examples in context
- Hoi, hoe gaat het?Hello, how are you?This sentence shows a greeting followed by hoe gaat het?Tatoeba #481239 by Dorenda, translation #138868 by CK
- Hoi Mimi! Hoe gaat het?Hi, Mimi! How are you doing?This sentence uses hoe gaat het? to ask how someone is doing.Tatoeba #384489 by Dorenda, translation #54601 by Zifre
- Hallo Tom! Hoe gaat het?Hello Tom! How are you?This sentence uses hoe gaat het? as a greeting to Tom.Tatoeba #6117118 by Raizin, translation #6116393 by Adelpa
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas meets Lisa at a cafe.
- LucasHoi Lisa, hoe gaat het?Hi Lisa, how are you?
- LisaMet mij gaat het goed, dank je.I am doing well, thank you.
- LucasDat is fijn om te horen.That is good to hear.
- LisaEn met jou, Lucas?And with you, Lucas?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how are you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (alles, goed) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alles, goed, het, hoe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
