What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of mir geht es gut, which literally translates to "to me it goes well".
Which one should you use?
To say you are not doing well, instead of using gut (well), you can use schlecht (badly) to say mir geht's schlecht.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The contracted form mir geht's gut is common in spoken, informal German. For formal writing or very polite speech, you should use the uncontracted form mir geht es gut.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the dative pronoun mir (to me) because the German construction describes how things are going "to" a person.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say ich bin gut to mean "I am doing well". In German, saying ich bin gut can imply that you are a "good person" or "skilled at something" rather than describing your well-being.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Wie geht es dir? – Mir geht's gut, danke!How are you? – I'm doing well, thanks!
- Danke, mir geht's gut.Thanks, I am doing well.
- Ja, mir geht's gut, danke der Nachfrage.Yes, I am doing well, thanks for asking.
- Mir geht's gut, ich bin fit.I am doing well, I am fit.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe and greet each other.
- FelixHallo Sarah, wie geht es dir?Hello Sarah, how are you?
- SarahMir geht's gut, Felix. Und dir?I am doing well, Felix. And you?
- FelixMir geht es auch sehr gut.I am also doing very well.
- SarahDas freut mich zu hören.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gut, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
