Did you know that German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe, with over 95 million native speakers? Whether you’re traveling to Germany, chatting with a German friend, or learning the language for fun, one of the first phrases you’ll want to master is “How are you?”
This simple question helps you start conversations, build connections, and show respect in both casual and formal situations. But in German, it’s not always as straightforward as it is in English. There are different ways to say it depending on who you’re talking to, where you are, and how formal the setting is.
In this guide, we’ll break down all the ways to say “How are you?” in German—from polite to playful—and help you understand when and how to use each one the right way.
1. Why “How Are You?” Matters in German
In English, “How are you?” is often just a greeting that doesn’t require an honest answer. In German-speaking cultures, however, people tend to be more sincere and literal. When you ask someone how they are, it’s expected that you are genuinely interested in the answer.
This cultural difference is key to using the phrase appropriately. It reflects Germany’s value on directness and authenticity—an essential consideration for learners.
2. The Standard Expressions: Formal and Informal
2.1. Informal: “Wie geht’s?”
- Literal translation: How goes it?
- Pronunciation: vee gates
- Usage: With friends, family, peers, and people your age.
This is the most common informal way to ask someone how they are. It’s short, friendly, and widely understood.
Example Conversation:
A: Hallo Anna! Wie geht’s?
B: Mir geht’s gut, danke. Und dir?
Grammar Note:
“Wie geht’s?” is a contraction of “Wie geht es dir?” which is the full informal version. The “es” is often dropped in casual speech.
2.2. Formal: “Wie geht es Ihnen?”
- Translation: How are you?
- Pronunciation: vee gate ess ee-nen
- Usage: In professional settings, with older people, or strangers.
The pronoun “Ihnen” is the dative case of the formal “Sie.” Using this version shows respect and politeness.
Example Conversation:
A: Guten Tag, Herr Müller. Wie geht es Ihnen?
B: Danke, sehr gut. Und Ihnen?
3. Variations with Context and Emotion
German also offers nuanced variations to express concern, excitement, or specific emotions.
3.1. Wie geht’s dir?
- Full version of “Wie geht’s?”
- Adds emphasis on “you” (dir), used when you genuinely care about the answer.
3.2. Wie geht’s euch?
- Used when addressing a group informally.
- “Euch” is the plural informal “you.”
3.3. Wie geht es dir heute?
- “How are you today?”
- Adds warmth and a personal touch, useful when checking in on someone.
4. Regional and Dialect Variants
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are full of regional dialects. Here’s how “How are you?” can vary:
| Dialect | Phrase | Translation | Region |
| Bavarian | Wia geht’s da? | How’s it going (to you)? | Southern Germany, Austria |
| Swiss German | Wie gaht’s? | How’s it going? | Switzerland |
| Berlinerisch | Na, wie jeht et? | How’s it going? | Berlin (colloquial) |
Tip: In formal settings, always use Standard German (Hochdeutsch) unless you’re fluent in the dialect.
5. Casual and Slang Alternatives
Just like English has “What’s up?” or “How’s it hanging?”, German has casual options:
5.1. Alles klar?
- Translation: Everything clear?
- Tone: Light and friendly.
- Often used among young people.
5.2. Na, wie geht’s?
- The word “Na” adds familiarity, similar to “Hey” or “So.”
5.3. Was geht ab?
- Translation: What’s up? / What’s happening?
- Very informal; mostly used by teens or in urban slang.
6. How to Respond to “How Are You?” in German
Knowing how to ask is only half the conversation—you also need to respond appropriately.
6.1. Positive Responses
| German | Meaning |
| Gut, danke. | Good, thank you. |
| Sehr gut. | Very good. |
| Mir geht’s prima! | I’m great! |
| Alles bestens. | Everything’s perfect. |
6.2. Neutral Responses
| German | Meaning |
| Es geht. | It’s okay. / I’m alright. |
| So lala. | So-so. |
| Nicht schlecht. | Not bad. |
6.3. Negative Responses
| German | Meaning |
| Nicht so gut. | Not so good. |
| Mir geht’s schlecht. | I’m feeling bad. |
| Ich bin müde. | I’m tired. |
6.4. Follow-up Phrases
- Und dir? (Informal): And you?
- Und Ihnen? (Formal): And you?
7. Cultural Considerations
Understanding German etiquette around greetings can prevent awkward moments:
- Avoid superficial small talk unless you know the person well.
- Germans value honesty. If someone says they’re not well, they usually mean it.
- Physical touch like hugs or pats may not accompany greetings—stick to a handshake in formal settings.
- Don’t interrupt a person when they respond; give them time to answer honestly.
8. When Not to Ask “How Are You?”
Sometimes, asking “Wie geht’s?” is not appropriate:
- In passing: Unlike in English, you shouldn’t shout “Wie geht’s?” when walking by someone without expecting a response.
- In serious situations: In settings like funerals or somber events, it might come across as tone-deaf.
- To strangers in the street: Unless you’ve initiated a conversation, Germans may find this intrusive.
9. Summary Table
| Phrase | Meaning | Use Case |
| Wie geht’s? | How’s it going? | Informal, casual |
| Wie geht es Ihnen? | How are you? | Formal |
| Wie geht’s dir? | How are you? | Informal, slightly more emphatic |
| Wie geht’s euch? | How are you all? | Informal, group setting |
| Alles klar? | Everything okay? | Casual, friendly |
| Was geht ab? | What’s up? | Very informal/slang |
| Wie geht’s heute? | How are you today? | Caring, personal tone |
10. Practice Dialogue
Here’s a sample conversation to put everything together:
Lisa: Guten Morgen, Herr Becker. Wie geht es Ihnen?
Herr Becker: Guten Morgen, Lisa. Danke, mir geht’s gut. Und Ihnen?
Lisa: Auch gut, danke.
And informally:
Tom: Hey Ben! Na, wie geht’s?
Ben: Alles klar. Und dir?
Tom: Nicht schlecht. Danke!
Final Thoughts
Saying “How are you?” in German is more than just learning a phrase. It’s about understanding social dynamics, levels of formality, and genuine communication. With this comprehensive guide, you can confidently greet people in a way that suits the situation—whether you’re in a casual setting or a formal meeting.
As you continue your German language journey, practicing these phrases in real conversations will deepen your fluency and cultural understanding.
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