Signification
Indicating an average, moderate, or neither good nor bad state.
Contexte culturel
Germans value 'Ehrlichkeit' (honesty) over 'Höflichkeit' (politeness) in small talk. Saying 'Es geht so' is seen as more authentic than a fake 'Gut'. In the North, people are known for being 'wortkarg' (laconic). 'Es geht so' or 'Muss ja' are standard, almost positive responses. Swiss German speakers might use 'Es gaht so' (Swiss dialect version). The Swiss often prefer even more cautious understatements. Austrians might use 'Es geht so' but often lean towards 'Passt schon' or 'Eh okay' to express the same sentiment with a bit more 'Gemütlichkeit'.
The Shrug
When saying 'Es geht so', a slight shoulder shrug and a neutral facial expression make you sound 100% more native.
Not for Bosses
Avoid using this with your boss when they ask about your work progress. It sounds like you don't care or are failing.
Signification
Indicating an average, moderate, or neither good nor bad state.
The Shrug
When saying 'Es geht so', a slight shoulder shrug and a neutral facial expression make you sound 100% more native.
Not for Bosses
Avoid using this with your boss when they ask about your work progress. It sounds like you don't care or are failing.
The 'Ach' Addition
Adding 'Ach' at the beginning ('Ach, es geht so') makes you sound more natural and slightly more resigned.
Honesty is Key
Don't be afraid to use this! Germans appreciate that you aren't pretending to be 'perfect' all the time.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the common response.
A: Wie geht es dir heute? B: Ach, ___ ___ ___.
'Es geht so' is the standard impersonal response for 'so-so'.
Which response is most appropriate if you thought a movie was mediocre?
War {der|m} Film gut?
'Es geht so' indicates the movie was neither great nor terrible.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: You have a slight cold and someone asks how you are.
It accurately reflects a non-critical but non-perfect health state.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural German phrase.
Kellner: Schmeckt {das|n} Essen? Gast: ____. Es ist etwas kalt.
The guest is providing a mild criticism, making 'Es geht so' the perfect fit.
Match the German phrase to its English equivalent.
1. Es geht so. 2. Mir geht es gut. 3. Schlecht.
Simple vocabulary matching.
In which situation should you AVOID saying 'Es geht so'?
Context: Professionalism
In a professional context, 'Es geht so' sounds non-committal and potentially negative.
🎉 Score : /6
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Banque d exercices
6 exercicesA: Wie geht es dir heute? B: Ach, ___ ___ ___.
'Es geht so' is the standard impersonal response for 'so-so'.
War {der|m} Film gut?
'Es geht so' indicates the movie was neither great nor terrible.
Situation: You have a slight cold and someone asks how you are.
It accurately reflects a non-critical but non-perfect health state.
Kellner: Schmeckt {das|n} Essen? Gast: ____. Es ist etwas kalt.
The guest is providing a mild criticism, making 'Es geht so' the perfect fit.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Simple vocabulary matching.
Context: Professionalism
In a professional context, 'Es geht so' sounds non-committal and potentially negative.
🎉 Score : /6
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. It's an honest answer. However, using it for a gift someone gave you might be a bit hurtful.
Yes! 'Geht so' is very common in casual speech and texting.
'Naja' is more of a filler like 'Well...' while 'Es geht so' is a complete answer about quality or well-being.
You could say 'Es ist annehmbar' (It is acceptable) or 'Es ist befriedigend' (It is satisfactory).
No, it literally means 'in the middle'. It's not bad, but it's not good either.
You can use it to describe how someone is doing, but describing a person as 'Es geht so' (meaning they are a mediocre person) is unusual and sounds strange.
Yes, it is universally understood and used throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
There isn't one direct opposite, but 'Sehr gut' (Very good) or 'Hervorragend' (Excellent) are the positive extremes.
Yes: 'Es ging so' (It was so-so).
Because in German, your well-being is something that 'happens' or 'goes' to you. It's an impersonal state.
Expressions liées
Geht so
synonymShortened version of 'Es geht so'.
Wie geht's?
builds onHow are you?
Muss ja
similarIt has to (go).
Passt schon
similarIt's fine / It fits.
Nicht so gut
contrastNot so good.
Lala
synonymSo-so.
