Gut vs Wohl
In German, gut and wohl touch on quality and condition, but they steer meaning differently: gut rates actual goodness, while wohl flags a speaker’s sense, comfort, or likelihood. This guide breaks down when to use each so you sound precise.
Gut
Gut describes something that is effective, of high quality, or satisfactory in a concrete way. Use it to judge performance, taste, ability, or results.
Wohl
Wohl expresses a speaker’s assumption, a state of comfort, or an intangible sense that things are as they should be. It often appears in contexts of probability or personal wellbeing.
Examples
| German Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ☕ Das Essen war gut, der Kaffee wohltuend. | The food was good, the coffee soothing. | Quality vs feeling |
| 🛋️ Ich habe gut gearbeitet und fühle mich wohl auf dem Sofa. | I worked well and feel comfortable on the sofa. | Function vs comfort |
| 🧴 Die Creme ist gut für die Haut und macht sie wohl. | The cream is good for the skin and makes it feel nice. | Effect vs sensation |
| 🛏️ Das Bett ist gut gebaut und lädt zum wohligen Schlaf ein. | The bed is well made and invites a cozy sleep. | Quality vs atmosphere |
| 🧑⚕️ Der Arzt sagte, ich sei gesund und fühle mich wohl im Alltag. | The doctor said I am healthy and feel well in daily life. | Objective vs subjective |
Summary
In short, use gut for clear, measurable quality and wohl for feelings, assumptions, or conditions of comfort. Paying attention to small shifts between them will make your German sound more natural and nuanced.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025