What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mir geht es gut literally translates to "to me it goes well".
Which one should you use?
While mir geht es gut describes your state of being or well-being, the phrase ich bin gut describes your character or competence.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Swiss German, you can say Mir geit's guet, merci. In Austrian German, you express well-being by saying Es geht ma guat, danke.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase uses the verb gehen (to go) in an impersonal construction, you must use the dative pronoun mir (to me) instead of the nominative ich.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say ich bin gut to mean they are doing well. However, in German, ich bin gut implies that you are a good person or highly skilled at something. Instead, use mir geht es gut.
When do people say it?
To show politeness after responding, you can say Und Ihnen? to mean "And you?"
Did you know?
- In Swiss German, the word merci is commonly used instead of danke to express gratitude.
- In some contexts, mir can mean 'we' instead of 'me' due to an ancient linguistic blend of wir and other verb endings.
- German treats well-being as something that 'goes' for a person rather than a state the person 'is' in.
Examples in context
- Mir geht's gut, danke. Und dir/Ihnen?I am good, thank you. And you?
- Mir geht es auch gut, danke!I am good as well, thank you!
- Mir geht es gut, danke.I am good, thank you.
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah meet at a cafe.
- LukasHallo Sarah, wie geht es dir?Hello Sarah, how are you?
- SarahMir geht es gut, danke, Lukas.I am good, thank you, Lukas.
- LukasDas freut mich zu hören.I am happy to hear that.
- SarahUnd wie geht es dir?And how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries danke, es, gut, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
