so weit, so gut
/zoː vaɪ̯t zoː ɡuːt/word by word
The English phrase 'so far so good' is expressed in German as so weit, so gut.
The phrase is used to indicate that a process or situation has proceeded without problems up to the current moment.
Meaning: up to this point, all is OK (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is a literal translation of the English equivalent, where so weit means 'so far' and so gut means 'so good'.
How do you pronounce it?
/zoː vaɪ̯t zoː ɡuːt/
Did you know?
- While so weit, so gut is a direct translation, Germans often prefer the phrase bisher läuft es gut in casual settings. This alternative literally suggests that the situation is 'running' well.
- The word gut and the English word 'good' are linguistic siblings, both descending from an ancient root meaning 'to unite' or 'to suit'.
- In German, the word weit can be used to mean both 'far' and 'wide'. This creates an ambiguity that doesn't exist in the English version of the phrase.
Examples in context
- So weit, so gut.So far, so good.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase so weit, so gut.Tatoeba #675965 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #55348 by CM
- Ich habe bisher alle Informationen erhalten, um den Bericht zu schreiben. Bislang läuft alles gut.I have received all the information so far to write the report. So far so good.
- Bis hierhin alles in Ordnung. Die Vorbereitungen für das Projekt gehen gut voran.So far everything is okay. The preparations for the project are going well.
- Bisher läuft alles gut. Ich hoffe, es bleibt so.So far so good. I hope it stays that way.
- So weit, so gut beim Projekt.So far so good with the project.
- Ich habe den Kurs angefangen, und so weit, so gut.I started the course, and so far so good.
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are discussing a new job.
- HannahWie läuft dein neuer Job, Maximilian?How is your new job going, Maximilian?
- MaximilianEs ist anstrengend, aber so weit, so gut.It is tiring, but so far so good.
- HannahDas freut mich für dich.I am happy for you.
- MaximilianDanke, Hannah.Thanks, Hannah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “so far so good” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (so, weit, gut) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gut, so, weit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
