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A1 phrase #800 mais comum 11 min de leitura

Wie geht's?

How are you? (common greeting question)

Top 800

At the A1 level, 'Wie geht's?' is introduced as a fixed phrase. Students learn it as a greeting alongside 'Hallo' and 'Guten Tag'. The focus is on the literal meaning 'How are you?' and the standard response 'Gut, danke. Und dir?'. At this stage, learners are not expected to understand the complex dative grammar behind the phrase, but rather to use it as a social tool. They learn that the 's' is a contraction of 'es'. The goal is to be able to initiate a basic social interaction and respond politely. Exercises often involve matching the question with the correct answer and practicing the pronunciation of the long 'e' and the final 'ts' sound. Learners also learn to distinguish between 'dir' (informal) and 'Ihnen' (formal) when expanding the phrase. This is one of the first conversational building blocks in any German course.

At the A2 level, learners begin to explore the grammatical structure of 'Wie geht's?' more deeply. They learn about the dative case and why 'dir' and 'Ihnen' are used instead of 'du' and 'Sie'. The curriculum expands to include more varied responses beyond just 'gut'. Students learn to say 'Es geht so' (It's okay), 'Nicht so gut' (Not so well), or 'Müde' (Tired). They also start to see how the phrase can be used to ask about others, such as 'Wie geht es deiner Mutter?' (How is your mother?). The focus shifts from rote memorization to understanding the 'why' behind the words. Learners are encouraged to use the phrase in short role-plays and to understand the cultural expectation of a slightly more honest answer than in English-speaking cultures.

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By B1, students are expected to use 'Wie geht's?' fluently in various social contexts. They learn more nuanced alternatives like 'Wie läuft's?' or 'Alles klar?'. The focus at this level is on the 'response loop' and maintaining a conversation. Students practice responding to negative answers with empathy, using phrases like 'Das tut mir leid' (I'm sorry to hear that) or 'Was ist passiert?' (What happened?). They also learn to use the phrase in informal writing, such as emails to friends or social media posts, and understand the appropriate level of formality for different situations. The grammatical focus includes the use of the dative with other verbs, reinforcing the pattern established by 'Wie geht es...'.

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At the B2 level, the focus shifts to professional and semi-formal contexts. Learners practice using 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' in business settings and understand the subtle social cues that indicate when it is appropriate to switch to the informal 'Wie geht's?'. They explore regional variations and slang, such as 'Was geht ab?' or 'Wie schaut's aus?'. The curriculum also covers the use of the phrase in literature and media, where it can be used to establish character relationships or set a specific mood. Students are expected to handle more complex responses, including describing emotional states or professional progress, and to use the phrase as a transition into deeper topics of conversation.

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At the C1 level, 'Wie geht's?' is analyzed as a linguistic and cultural phenomenon. Students discuss the 'German honesty' associated with the phrase and compare it to greetings in other languages. They learn to use the phrase rhetorically or ironically. The focus is on stylistic mastery—knowing exactly which variation of the question to use to achieve a specific social effect. They also explore the etymology of the phrase and its historical development. Exercises might involve analyzing film dialogue or literary passages to determine the underlying social dynamics revealed by the choice of greeting. At this level, the learner should sound like a native speaker, using the phrase and its alternatives with perfect timing and intonation.

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At the C2 level, the learner has a near-native command of 'Wie geht's?' and all its nuances. They can participate in deep philosophical discussions about the nature of social greetings and the evolution of the German language. They are comfortable with all regional dialects and can mimic the specific greeting styles of different areas (e.g., the Northern 'Na?' vs. the Southern 'Servus'). The focus is on absolute precision and the ability to use the phrase in any possible context, from a street encounter to a high-level diplomatic meeting. They understand the psychological implications of the question and can use it to build rapport or maintain professional distance with expert skill.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

Wie geht's? em 30 segundos

'Wie geht's?' is the most common informal way to ask 'How are you?' in German, suitable for friends and family.
It is a contraction of 'Wie geht es?', often implying 'dir' (you, informal) or 'Ihnen' (you, formal).
Responses should use the dative case, such as 'Mir geht es gut' (I am doing well), rather than 'Ich bin gut'.
Cultural expectations in Germany often lead to more honest and detailed answers than the standard 'Fine' in English.

The phrase Wie geht's? is the quintessential German greeting, serving as the most common way to ask 'How are you?' in informal and semi-formal settings. Linguistically, it is a contraction of the full sentence 'Wie geht es dir?' or 'Wie geht es Ihnen?'. The 's' in 'geht's' stands for 'es', the impersonal pronoun 'it'. Literally translated, the phrase asks 'How goes it?'. This reflects a fundamental difference in how Germans and English speakers perceive well-being; while English speakers 'are' a certain way (using the verb to be), Germans describe how life 'goes' for them (using the verb to go).

Grammatical Structure: The phrase utilizes the dative case, which is implied in the short form but explicit in the long form 'Wie geht es dir?'. The subject is the impersonal 'es', and the person being asked is the indirect object.

Hallo Thomas, wie geht's dir heute?

In German culture, this question is often more than just a polite filler. While in the United States 'How are you?' is frequently used as a synonym for 'Hello' with no expectation of a real answer, Germans may interpret 'Wie geht's?' as a genuine inquiry into their state of mind. If you ask a German friend this question, be prepared for a response that might include details about their health, work, or personal life. However, in a passing greeting on the street, a simple 'Gut, danke' is perfectly acceptable. The contraction is so common that writing out 'Wie geht es?' can sometimes feel overly stiff or robotic in casual conversation. It is the bread and butter of German social interaction, bridging the gap between a cold silence and a meaningful dialogue.

Social Context: In the workplace, 'Wie geht's?' is common among peers. Between a subordinate and a superior, the formal 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' is safer until a closer relationship is established.

Na, wie geht's, wie steht's?

Understanding the nuance of this phrase involves recognizing that it is not just a question but a social signal of friendliness and openness. It invites the other person to share their current state, even if only briefly.

Regional Variation: In Northern Germany, you might hear a simple 'Na?' which functions as both 'Hello' and 'How are you?'. In the South, 'Wie schaut's aus?' is a popular alternative.

Servus! Wie geht's euch beiden?

Moin moin, wie geht's an der Küste?

Using Wie geht's? correctly requires an understanding of its flexibility. It can stand alone as a complete sentence, or it can be expanded to specify who you are asking. When you add a person, you must use the dative case. For example, 'Wie geht es dir?' (informal singular), 'Wie geht es euch?' (informal plural), or 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' (formal). The beauty of the short form 'Wie geht's?' is that it bypasses the need to choose between formal and informal pronouns, making it a safe bet in many ambiguous social situations.

The Response Loop: A typical exchange follows a predictable pattern: Person A: 'Wie geht's?' Person B: 'Gut, danke. Und dir?' Person A: 'Auch gut.' This 'Und dir?' (And you?) is essential for maintaining social harmony.

A: Wie geht's? B: Muss ja, und selbst?

The response 'Muss ja' (It must [go]) is a uniquely German way of saying 'I'm getting by' or 'Can't complain,' often delivered with a shrug. It reflects a pragmatic, slightly stoic worldview. When using the phrase in writing, such as in a text message or an informal email, the apostrophe is technically required because it represents the omitted 'e' in 'es'. However, in very casual digital communication, you might see it written as 'Wie gehts' without the apostrophe.

Expanding the Question: You can ask about specific things: 'Wie geht's der Familie?' (How is the family?) or 'Wie geht's mit der Arbeit?' (How is it going with work?).

Sag mal, wie geht's eigentlich deinem Bruder?

Und, wie geht's im neuen Job?

In professional emails, it is common to start with 'Ich hoffe, es geht Ihnen gut' (I hope you are doing well), which is a more formal extension of the 'Wie geht's' sentiment.

Negative Responses: If you are not doing well, you can say 'Nicht so gut', 'Schlecht', or 'Beschissen' (very informal/slang). Germans appreciate honesty over fake positivity.

Ehrlich gesagt, wie geht's dir wirklich?

Wie geht's denn so im Allgemeinen?

You will hear Wie geht's? everywhere in German-speaking countries. From the moment you step into a local bakery to a casual meeting at a tech startup in Berlin, this phrase is the background noise of social life. In a 'Bäckerei' (bakery), the clerk might greet a regular customer with 'Morgen! Wie geht's uns heute?'. The use of 'uns' (us) here is a friendly, slightly paternalistic way of asking how the customer is doing.

The University Scene: Among students, 'Wie geht's?' is often shortened even further to just 'Und?' or combined with slang like 'Was geht?'. It is the standard way to open a conversation before a lecture.

Hey Alter, wie geht's? Alles fit?

In the workplace, during the 'Kaffeepause' (coffee break), colleagues will use 'Wie geht's?' to transition from work-related talk to personal chat. It serves as a social lubricant. However, in a high-stakes business meeting with external partners, you are more likely to hear the full, formal 'Wie geht es Ihnen?'. On German television, talk show hosts almost always begin their interviews with some variation of this question. It sets a tone of approachability. In literature and film, the choice between 'Wie geht's?' and 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' is a powerful tool for defining the relationship between characters.

Public Spaces: At a 'Stammtisch' (regular's table) in a pub, the greeting is almost always 'Wie geht's?'. It signals membership in a social circle.

Na, ihr Landratten, wie geht's euch?

Schön dich zu sehen! Wie geht's denn so?

Even in digital spaces like WhatsApp groups or Discord servers, 'Wie geht's?' is the standard opener. It is the universal key to German conversation.

The 'Na' Phenomenon: In some regions, 'Na?' is the ultimate short form. The response to 'Na?' is often 'Na!'. This wordless exchange effectively communicates 'How are you?' and 'I'm fine, and you?'.

Hallo Oma, wie geht's dir heute Morgen?

Mensch, lange nicht gesehen! Wie geht's dir?

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with Wie geht's? is responding with 'Ich bin gut'. In English, 'I am good' is a standard response to 'How are you?'. However, in German, 'Ich bin gut' translates to 'I am a good person' or 'I am good at a specific skill'. To say you are doing well, you must use the dative construction: 'Mir geht es gut' or simply 'Gut'. This is because the question 'Wie geht es?' literally asks how things are going *to you*.

The Case Error: Learners often say 'Wie geht es du?' instead of 'Wie geht es dir?'. Remember that the person is the indirect object (dative), not the subject (nominative).

Falsch: Ich bin gut. Richtig: Mir geht's gut.

Another common error is using 'Wie geht's?' in situations that are too formal. While it is becoming more common in modern business, using it with a high-ranking official, a doctor you don't know well, or an elderly person can come across as slightly disrespectful or overly familiar. In these cases, always use the full 'Wie geht es Ihnen?'. Spelling is also a pitfall. Many learners forget the apostrophe in 'Wie geht's?'. While 'Wie gehts' is common in texts, it is technically incorrect in formal writing. The apostrophe indicates the elision of the 'e' in 'es'.

Oversharing: While Germans are more honest than Americans in their responses, there is still a limit. Responding to a casual 'Wie geht's?' from a cashier with a 10-minute list of your medical problems is still considered 'too much information'.

Falsch: Wie geht es dich? Richtig: Wie geht es dir?

Falsch: Wie geht's Ihnen? (Mixing informal contraction with formal pronoun). Richtig: Wie geht es Ihnen?

Lastly, avoid using 'Wie geht's?' as a literal translation for 'What's up?'. While similar, 'Was geht?' or 'Was läuft?' are better translations for the very casual 'What's up?'. 'Wie geht's?' specifically asks about well-being.

Pronunciation Pitfall: Ensure you pronounce the 'h' in 'geht'. It is a long 'e' sound, like the 'ay' in 'say', but without the 'y' glide. 'GAY-ts'.

A: Wie geht's? B: Ich bin müde. (This is a correct way to describe a state, but 'Mir ist langweilig' would use dative for boredom).

A: Wie geht's? B: Es geht so. (A very common 'middle-of-the-road' response).

While Wie geht's? is the most versatile option, German offers a rich variety of alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey. For a very casual vibe, similar to 'How's it hanging?' or 'How's it going?', you can use 'Wie läuft's?' (literally: How is it running?). This is very common among friends and younger people.

Casual Alternatives: 'Was geht?' (What's up?), 'Alles klar?' (Everything okay?), 'Wie steht's?' (How do things stand?), and 'Was läuft?' (What's running/happening?).

Na, wie läuft's bei dir im Studium?

If you want to be more specific about someone's life, you might ask 'Wie ist die Lage?' (How is the situation?) or 'Wie ist das Befinden?' (How is the state of health/mind?). The latter is quite formal and often used ironically among friends or seriously by a doctor. In professional settings, 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' remains the gold standard. However, you can also use 'Wie ist Ihr Befinden?' if you are discussing health, or 'Wie kommen Sie voran?' (How are you getting along/progressing?) if you are asking about a specific task.

Regional Flavors: In Switzerland, you might hear 'Wie gahts?' or 'Was isch los?'. In Austria, 'Wie schaut's aus?' is very popular. These regionalisms add character to your German.

Servus, wie schaut's aus bei euch?

Moin, alles fit im Schritt?

Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your speech to the person you are talking to. 'Wie geht's?' is your safe, all-purpose tool, but 'Was geht ab?' makes you sound like a local in a Berlin club.

Summary of Alternatives: 1. Wie geht es Ihnen? (Formal) 2. Wie läuft's? (Casual) 3. Alles klar? (Informal) 4. Was geht? (Slang) 5. Wie schaut's aus? (Austrian/Bavarian).

Hallo! Wie ist das Befinden heute?

Wie geht's uns denn heute, Herr Müller?

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutro

Informal

Child friendly

Gíria

Curiosidade

The contraction 'Wie geht's?' is so common that it is often treated as a single word in the minds of native speakers, though the apostrophe reminds us of its multi-word origin.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /viː ɡeːts/

US /vi ɡeɪts/

The stress is on the word 'geht'.

Rima com

steht's weht's dreht's mäht's näht's spät's gerät's verrät's

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'W' as an English 'W' (liquid) instead of 'V'.
Making the 'e' in 'geht' too short.
Forgetting to pronounce the 't' before the 's'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize as a standard greeting.

Escrita 2/5

The apostrophe and the dative responses can be tricky for beginners.

Expressão oral 2/5

Requires correct pronunciation of the 'W' and the long 'e'.

Audição 1/5

Very common and easy to hear in conversation.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

Hallo Ich Du Gut Danke

Aprenda a seguir

Mir Dir Ihnen Schlecht Müde

Avançado

Befinden Ergehen Lage Zustand Wohlergehen

Gramática essencial

Dative Case for Personal Pronouns

Wie geht es DIR? (not DU)

Contractions with 'es'

Wie geht's? (geht + es)

Impersonal 'es' as Subject

Es geht mir gut.

Word Order in Questions

Wie (Question Word) + geht (Verb) + es (Subject)?

Dative with 'gehen' for well-being

Dem Kind geht es gut.