What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Wie geht es dir? literally translates to "How goes it to you?"
Which one should you use?
While Wie geht es dir? is the standard informal way to ask how someone is, Wie geht's? is a shorter and more casual variation. Alles klar? literally means "Everything clear?" and is also used as a casual way to ask for someone's well-being.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use Wie geht es euch? when addressing a group of two or more people whom you address informally. Because of the dative case, you respond with Mir geht es… (To me it goes…) rather than using Ich bin… (I am…).
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 standard, polite response to being asked how you are is Gut, danke. This means "Good, thanks."
Did you know?
- In many German-speaking cultures, Wie geht es dir? is not a casual greeting like the English 'how are you?' It is often a genuine question, and answering with a simple 'good' when you are actually struggling may be seen as superficial.
- If someone asks Wie geht's? and you respond with Muss ja, you are using a common cultural shorthand. It literally means 'must yes' and implies that life is tolerable even if things are not great.
- In a professional or formal setting, using Wie geht es dir? can be seen as an overstep of boundaries because it uses the informal 'you'. You must use Wie geht es Ihnen? to maintain proper social distance.
Examples in context
- Ich habe gerade einen tollen Tag gehabt. Wie geht's dir?I've had a great day. How's it going for you?
- Hey, Thomas! Alles klar?Hey, Thomas! Everything alright?
- Guten Tag, Frau Müller! Wie geht es Ihnen heute?Good day, Mrs. Müller! How are you today?
- Herr Schmidt, wie geht es Ihnen heute?Mr. Schmidt, how are you today?
- Wie geht's dir so? Du hast lange nichts von dir hören lassen!How's it going? You haven't been in touch for a long time!
- Guten Tag, Frau Schumann! Wie geht es Ihnen denn heute?Good day, Mrs. Schumann! How are you today?
Example conversation
Hannah meets Maximilian at a local cafe.
- SarahHallo Maximilian, wie geht es dir?Hello Maximilian, how are you?
- JulianMir geht es sehr gut, danke!I am doing very well, thanks!
- SarahDas freut mich sehr zu hören.I am very happy to hear that.
- JulianUnd wie geht es dir, Hannah?And how are you, Hannah?
