What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Wie geht's? is a contraction of Wie geht es?, which literally means "How goes it?"
Which one should you use?
Wie geht's? is informal, whereas Wie geht es Ihnen? is the standard and polite way to ask how someone is doing in formal situations. If you want to specifically inquire about someone's well-being today, you can use Wie geht es Ihnen heute?
How does it change in a sentence?
The contraction Wie geht's? can be expanded to the more grammatically complete Wie geht es dir? when speaking to one person informally.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say Ich bin gut to mean "I am doing well." In German, this actually means "I am a good person" or "I am good at something." Instead, use Mir geht es gut.
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to Wie geht's? is Gut, danke. (Good, thanks.).
Did you know?
- In very casual settings, Germans may shorten Wie geht's? even further to just Na?, which can simultaneously mean 'Hello', 'How are you?' and 'What's up?'
- The word wie in the phrase Wie geht's? shares a distant linguistic ancestor with the English word 'why'.
- In Germany, Wie geht's? is often used as a greeting rather than a genuine question. In some social circles, it is considered polite to answer briefly before asking the same back, even if you are not feeling well.
Examples in context
- Guten Tag! Wie geht es Ihnen?Good day! How is it going?
- Guten Morgen! Wie geht es Ihnen heute?Good morning! How is it going today?
- Hallo! Wie geht's?Hello! How is it going?
- Hey! Wie läuft's?Hey! How is it going?
- Wie geht's?How is it going?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- LauraHallo Julian, wie geht's?Hello Julian, how is it going?
- JulianGut, danke! Und bei dir?Good, thanks! And you?
- LauraAuch gut, danke.Also good, thanks.
- JulianSchön zu hören.Nice to hear.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries wie, CC BY-SA 4.0.
