How to Say "Speedy Recovery" in German

gute Besserung

The English phrase 'speedy recovery' can be translated into German as gute Besserung.

The phrase is used to wish someone that they get well soon after an illness or injury.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase gute Besserung literally translates to 'good improvement' or 'good betterment'.

While gute Besserung is the standard colloquial way to say 'get well soon', schnelle Genesung is a more formal way to express a 'speedy recovery'.

Gute Besserung! is most commonly used as an elliptical exclamation, meaning 'I wish you a good improvement'.

In German culture, it is common to say gute Besserung even for very minor ailments like a common cold, whereas English speakers might only save 'speedy recovery' for more serious injuries.
The verb bessern used in Besserung can also be used to describe someone 'amending' their behavior or 'reforming' their conduct.
The word Besserung shares a root with the English word 'better', as both derive from a Proto-Germanic ancestor meaning 'to improve'.

Gute Besserung an dein Väterchen. Ich wünsche eine schnelle Genesung.
I hope your dad gets well soon. I wish him a speedy recovery.
This sentence uses gute Besserung to express a wish for someone's recovery.
Tatoeba #5838711 by ruth_tatoeba, translation #11166065 by sundown
Gute Besserung, mein Lieber!
Speedy recovery, my dear!
Ich wünsche dir gute Besserung.
I wish you a speedy recovery.

Lukas visits Laura at her house because she is sick.

Lukas

Hallo Laura, wie geht es dir heute?
Hello Laura, how are you feeling today?
Laura

Nicht so gut, ich liege leider im Bett.
Not so good, unfortunately I am lying in bed.
Lukas

Oh je, gute Besserung!
Oh dear, speedy recovery!
Laura

Vielen Dank, Lukas.
Thank you very much, Lukas.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gute Besserung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries Besserung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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