okay
/oˈkeː/
The English phrase 'ok' can be translated into German using several forms, most commonly okay. Wiktionary also lists gut and in Ordnung.
Meaning: acknowledgement or acceptance (intj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| okay | /oˈkeː/ /oˈkɛɪ̯/ |
| gut | /ɡuːt/ (standard) /ɡʊt/ (colloquial) |
| in Ordnung |
In German, okay is the most common way to write this loanword, although you will frequently see OK used in digital communication. When you want to express acknowledgement or acceptance, you can use okay, gut or in Ordnung. Additionally, OK can be used in computing to signify activating an OK button.
Which one should you use?
While okay is common in casual speech, in Ordnung is a more formal way to express that something is acceptable or in order. When describing a state of being, such as in the phrase 'Es geht mir gut', gut means 'well' or 'good', whereas okay implies a more neutral or mediocre state.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈkeː/
Did you know?
- A German speaker might say alles gut to mean 'everything is OK' even when something has actually gone wrong, as a way to downplay a problem.
- The word gut descends from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to unite' or 'to suit'.
- In some professional German contexts, using okay can be seen as too Americanized, making in Ordnung the safer choice for politeness.
Examples in context
- Tom geht es gut.Tom's doing OK.This sentence shows how to use gut to say someone is doing OK.Tatoeba #1500187 by al_ex_an_der, translation #4394826 by CK
- Es geht mir gut.I'm OK.This sentence shows how to use gut to say you are OK.Tatoeba #2705321 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #433763 by CK
- Es geht uns gut.We're doing OK.This sentence shows how to use gut to say a group is doing OK.Tatoeba #5368983 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4397506 by CK
- Die Präsentation ist in Ordnung.The presentation is OK.
- Wir sind mit den Vertragsbedingungen einverstanden.We agree to the contract terms.
- Willst du ins Kino gehen? – Ja, alles klar!Do you want to go to the cinema? – Yes, OK!
- Kommst du zur Party? – Ja, passt!Are you coming to the party? – Yes, OK!
- Das Wetter wird gut sein, stimmt?The weather will be good, OK?
- 386 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are making plans for dinner.
- LauraTreffen wir uns um acht Uhr?Shall we meet at eight o'clock?
- MaximilianOkay, das passt mir gut.Okay, that suits me well.
- LauraSollen wir im Restaurant essen?Should we eat in the restaurant?
- MaximilianJa, das ist okay.Yes, that is okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ok” translations and entries okay, gut, in Ordnung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ordnung, gut, in, okay, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
