Mir geht's gut
The English phrase "I am good" is expressed in German as Mir geht's gut.
This phrase is used as a response to indicate that you are feeling well or are in good health when someone asks how you are.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "To me it goes well".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Mir geht's gut is a shortened, informal version of the full phrase Mir geht es gut, which is used in more formal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the dative pronoun Mir (to me) instead of the nominative Ich (I) because the German construction describes how things are going "to" you.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying Ich bin gut to mean you are feeling well. In German, Ich bin gut typically means "I am a good person" or "I am good at something".
When do people say it?
After saying Mir geht's gut, it is common to follow up with Und dir? (And you?) to return the question. You may also use the word Toll, which is similar to "great" in English, to express a similar sentiment.
Did you know?
- In some German dialects, the word mir can actually mean 'we' instead of 'me', a remnant of an old linguistic process where the plural form 'we' merged with the verb.
- Because Mir geht's gut describes how life is going 'to' the speaker, it mirrors a logic where the person is the recipient of their wellbeing rather than the cause of it.
Examples in context
- Mir geht's gut.I am good.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase Mir geht's gut.Tatoeba #341452 by MUIRIEL, translation #1120792 by cntrational
- Mir geht's toll!I am feeling great!
- Ich fühle mich wirklich gut.I feel really good.
- Mir geht es fantastisch.I am feeling fantastic.
- Danke, mir geht's gut.Thanks, I am good.
- Mir geht's gut, danke der Nachfrage.I am doing well, thanks for asking.
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura meet at a cafe.
- LukasHallo Laura, wie geht es dir?Hello Laura, how are you?
- LauraMir geht's gut, danke!I am good, thanks!
- LukasDas freut mich zu hören.I am happy to hear that.
- LauraUnd wie geht es dir, Lukas?And how are you, Lukas?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gut, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
