In German, the most common way to ask "How are you?" is Wie geht’s? (short for Wie geht es dir?). This phrase is used to inquire about someone's well-being. You can use it in informal situations with friends, family, or acquaintances.
- Wie geht’s? — "How’s it going?" (informal, very common)
- Wie geht es dir? — "How are you?" (informal, full form)
- Wie geht es Ihnen? — "How are you?" (formal)
- Wie läuft’s? — "How’s it going?" (informal, slang)
- Wie steht’s? — "How are things?" (informal, slightly old-fashioned)
Usage Notes
- Use dir for informal singular (du form).
- Use Ihnen for formal singular or plural (Sie form).
- The short form Wie geht’s? is less formal but widely used.
- You don’t always have to respond with a full sentence; simple replies like Gut, danke. or Nicht so gut. are common.
Sample Dialogs
Here are some examples of how these phrases appear in conversation:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| A: Wie geht’s? B: Gut, danke. Und dir? | A: How’s it going? B: Good, thanks. And you? |
| A: Wie geht es dir heute? B: Es geht. Ich bin müde. | A: How are you today? B: So-so. I’m tired. |
| A: Wie geht es Ihnen, Herr Müller? B: Sehr gut, danke. | A: How are you, Mr. Müller? B: Very well, thank you. |
Now let's look at some common responses you might hear or use.
Flashcards (1 of 3)
- English: A: How’s it going? B: Good, thanks. And you?
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
