How to Say “How Are You?” in German: A Comprehensive Guide

Learning how to greet someone is one of the first and most important steps in mastering any language. In German, asking “How are you?” goes beyond a simple translation.

It involves understanding the nuances of formality, regional variations, and the context of the conversation. This article provides a detailed exploration of the various ways to express this common greeting in German, catering to learners of all levels.

Whether you’re a beginner just starting your German journey, an intermediate student looking to refine your conversational skills, or an advanced speaker aiming for fluency, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently greet others in German.

By understanding these greetings, you’ll not only improve your vocabulary but also gain a deeper appreciation for German culture and etiquette. Let’s dive in and explore the many ways to ask “How are you?” in German!

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition: “How Are You?” in German
• Structural Breakdown of Common Phrases
• Types of Greetings
  • Formal Greetings
  • Informal Greetings
  • Regional Variations
• Examples of “How Are You?” in German
  • Formal Examples
  • Informal Examples
  • Examples of Common Responses
  • Situational Examples
  • Regional Examples
• Usage Rules and Etiquette
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Conclusion

Definition: “How Are You?” in German

The phrase “How are you?” in German is not a direct, one-to-one translation. Instead, it encompasses several expressions, each with its own level of formality and context.

The most common translations include:

• Wie geht es Ihnen? (Formal “How are you?”)
• Wie geht es dir? (Informal “How are you?”)
• Wie geht’s? (Very informal “How’s it going?”)

These phrases are used to inquire about someone’s well-being and are typically followed by a response indicating the person’s state of health, mood, or general condition. The choice of which phrase to use depends heavily on your relationship with the person you are addressing and the social context of the interaction.

Understanding the nuances of these phrases is crucial for effective communication in German.

Structural Breakdown of Common Phrases

Let’s break down the structure of the most common phrases for asking “How are you?” in German:

• Wie geht es Ihnen?
  • Wie: How
  • geht: goes (from the verb gehen, to go)
  • es: it
  • Ihnen: to you (formal, dative case)

  Literally, this translates to “How goes it to you?”

• Wie geht es dir?
  • Wie: How
  • geht: goes (from the verb gehen, to go)
  • es: it
  • dir: to you (informal, dative case)

  Literally, this translates to “How goes it to you?”

• Wie geht’s?
  • Wie: How
  • geht’s: Shortened form of geht es (goes it)

  This is a shortened, very informal version of “Wie geht es?”

The verb gehen (to go) is used in these expressions in a figurative sense, referring to how things are “going” for the person being addressed. The dative pronouns Ihnen and dir indicate to whom the question is directed, with Ihnen being the formal and dir the informal form.

Types of Greetings

The German language, like many others, distinguishes between formal and informal greetings. Choosing the correct type is essential for showing respect and maintaining appropriate social boundaries.

Formal Greetings

Formal greetings are used when addressing people you don’t know well, individuals in positions of authority (such as your boss or a professor), or older people. The key phrase to remember is “Wie geht es Ihnen?” This form uses the formal pronoun Ihnen, which indicates respect and politeness.

In a formal setting, you might also use a person’s title (e.g., Herr Doktor, Frau Schmidt) when greeting them. For example, “Guten Tag, Herr Doktor.

Wie geht es Ihnen?” (Good day, Dr. [Name]. How are you?).

Informal Greetings

Informal greetings are appropriate when speaking to friends, family members, close colleagues, or anyone you’re on familiar terms with. The most common informal phrase is “Wie geht es dir?”, using the informal pronoun dir. A much shorter version “Wie geht’s?” is also widely used in everyday conversations. Slang variations such as “Was geht ab?” or “Was ist los?” can also be used among younger people, but should typically be avoided with people you are not close to.

Regional Variations

German has several regional variations in greetings. While “Wie geht es Ihnen/dir?” are widely understood, some regions have their own preferred phrases.

For instance:

• “Wie geht’s denn so?” is common in Northern Germany.
• In Bavaria, you might hear “Wie geht’s?” or “Servus, wie geht’s?”
• In Switzerland (Swiss German), you might hear “Wie geht’s?” or even Swiss-German specific forms.

Being aware of these regional variations can help you better understand and connect with people from different parts of the German-speaking world.

Examples of “How Are You?” in German

Understanding the context and formality of each greeting is essential. Here are a variety of examples to illustrate how these phrases are used in different situations.

Formal Examples

These examples are suitable for professional environments, interactions with strangers, or when addressing someone with respect.

The following table illustrates formal greetings in German along with their English translations and example scenarios.

German Greeting	English Translation	Example Scenario
Wie geht es Ihnen, Herr Schmidt?	How are you, Mr. Schmidt?	Greeting a colleague at a business meeting.
Guten Tag, Frau Müller. Wie geht es Ihnen heute?	Good day, Mrs. Müller. How are you today?	Addressing a client at a formal event.
Sehr geehrte Frau Professorin, wie geht es Ihnen?	Dear Professor, how are you?	Emailing a university professor.
Entschuldigen Sie, wie geht es Ihnen?	Excuse me, how are you?	Addressing a stranger politely.
Wie geht es Ihnen heute Morgen, Herr Direktor?	How are you this morning, Mr. Director?	Greeting your boss at the office.
Ich hoffe, es geht Ihnen gut. Wie geht es Ihnen?	I hope you are well. How are you?	Starting a formal letter.
Wie geht es Ihnen, seit unserem letzten Treffen?	How have you been since our last meeting?	Catching up with a formal acquaintance.
Darf ich fragen, wie es Ihnen geht?	May I ask how you are?	A very polite way to inquire about someone’s well-being.
Wie geht es Ihnen und Ihrer Familie?	How are you and your family?	Inquiring about someone’s family in a formal setting.
Guten Abend, Herr Weber. Wie geht es Ihnen heute Abend?	Good evening, Mr. Weber. How are you this evening?	Greeting a guest at a formal dinner.
Wie geht es Ihnen gesundheitlich, Frau Lehmann?	How is your health, Mrs. Lehmann?	Asking about someone’s health in a formal context.
Ich hoffe, Sie hatten eine angenehme Woche. Wie geht es Ihnen?	I hope you had a pleasant week. How are you?	Starting a conversation after a week apart.
Wie geht es Ihnen mit der neuen Aufgabe, Herr Klein?	How are you doing with the new task, Mr. Klein?	Asking about someone’s progress on a project.
Wie geht es Ihnen nach der Reise, Frau Schulz?	How are you after the trip, Mrs. Schulz?	Asking about someone’s well-being after a trip.
Es ist mir eine Freude, Sie wiederzusehen. Wie geht es Ihnen?	It is a pleasure to see you again. How are you?	Greeting someone you haven’t seen in a while.
Wie geht es Ihnen und Ihrem Team, Herr Braun?	How are you and your team, Mr. Braun?	Inquiring about someone’s team in a formal business context.
Ich hoffe, es geht Ihnen besser. Wie geht es Ihnen heute?	I hope you are feeling better. How are you today?	Asking about someone who has been ill.
Guten Tag, wie geht es Ihnen in diesen schwierigen Zeiten?	Good day, how are you in these difficult times?	Showing concern during challenging circumstances.
Wie geht es Ihnen mit den Vorbereitungen, Frau Wagner?	How are you doing with the preparations, Mrs. Wagner?	Asking about someone’s progress on preparations for an event.
Darf ich fragen, wie es Ihnen bei diesem Projekt geht?	May I ask how you are doing with this project?	Inquiring about someone’s well-being related to a specific project.

Informal Examples

Use these examples when talking to friends, family, or people you know well.

The following table illustrates informal greetings in German along with their English translations and example scenarios.

German Greeting	English Translation	Example Scenario
Wie geht es dir?	How are you?	Greeting a friend you haven’t seen in a while.
Wie geht’s?	How’s it going?	Casual greeting among friends.
Na, wie geht’s?	Hey, how’s it going?	More colloquial greeting.
Alles klar bei dir?	Everything alright with you?	Checking on a friend’s well-being.
Was machst du so?	What are you up to?	Informal way to start a conversation.
Wie läuft’s?	How’s it running? (How’s it going?)	Asking about someone’s life or work.
Was geht ab?	What’s up?	Slang, mostly used among younger people.
Na, alles fit?	Hey, all good?	Very informal way to check on someone.
Wie fühlst du dich?	How do you feel?	Asking about someone’s feelings or health.
Was ist los?	What’s going on?	Asking if something is wrong.
Wie war dein Tag?	How was your day?	Asking about someone’s day.
Und selbst?	And yourself?	Responding to “Wie geht es dir?” and asking the same in return.
Alles gut bei dir?	Is everything good with you?	Checking on a friend’s general well-being.
Was gibt’s Neues?	What’s new?	Asking about recent events in someone’s life.
Wie war’s?	How was it?	Asking about a specific event or experience.
Was treibst du so?	What are you doing?	Another way to casually ask what someone is up to.
Geht’s dir gut?	Are you doing well?	Directly asking if someone is doing well.
Na, du?	Hey, you?	Very casual greeting.
Wie geht es deiner Familie?	How is your family?	Asking about someone’s family members.
Alles beim Alten?	Same as always?	Inquiring if anything has changed.
Wie war dein Wochenende?	How was your weekend?	Asking about someone’s weekend.
Und so?	And so?	Short for “Und wie geht es so?” (And how’s it going?)

Examples of Common Responses

Knowing how to respond to “How are you?” is just as important as knowing how to ask it. Here are some common responses:

The following table illustrates common responses to “How are you?” in German, categorized by formality and sentiment.

German Response	English Translation	Formality	Sentiment
Mir geht es gut, danke.	I am doing well, thank you.	Formal	Positive
Es geht mir sehr gut.	I am doing very well.	Formal/Informal	Very Positive
Nicht schlecht, danke.	Not bad, thank you.	Formal/Informal	Neutral
Es könnte besser sein.	It could be better.	Formal/Informal	Negative
Mir geht es nicht so gut.	I am not doing so well.	Formal/Informal	Negative
Danke, gut. Und Ihnen?	Thank you, good. And you?	Formal	Positive (with return question)
Sehr gut, vielen Dank.	Very good, thank you very much.	Formal	Very Positive
Ganz gut, danke der Nachfrage.	Quite good, thank you for asking.	Formal	Positive
Es geht.	It’s going.	Informal	Neutral
Super!	Great!	Informal	Very Positive
Klar!	Alright!	Informal	Positive
Bestens!	Perfect!	Informal	Very Positive
Nicht viel Neues.	Not much new.	Informal	Neutral
Alles beim Alten.	Same as always.	Informal	Neutral
So lala.	So-so.	Informal	Neutral
Ich bin müde.	I am tired.	Informal	Negative
Ich bin beschäftigt.	I am busy.	Informal	Neutral
Ich bin gestresst.	I am stressed.	Informal	Negative
Ich bin glücklich.	I am happy.	Informal	Positive
Ich bin aufgeregt.	I am excited.	Informal	Positive
Es läuft.	It’s running (going well).	Informal	Positive
Es könnte schlimmer sein.	It could be worse.	Informal	Neutral

Situational Examples

Here are some examples of how to use these greetings in specific situations:

The following table illustrates situational examples of “How are you?” in German, showcasing appropriate greetings and responses in various contexts.

Situation	Greeting	Response
Meeting your boss in the morning	Guten Morgen, Herr Schmidt. Wie geht es Ihnen heute?	Guten Morgen, Frau Müller. Mir geht es gut, danke. Und Ihnen?
Greeting a friend at a coffee shop	Hey Lisa, wie geht’s?	Hi Tim, mir geht’s gut. Und dir?
Emailing a professor	Sehr geehrte Frau Professorin, ich hoffe, es geht Ihnen gut.	Sehr geehrte/r [Student Name], vielen Dank, mir geht es gut.
Talking to a neighbor	Guten Tag, Herr Weber. Wie geht es Ihnen heute?	Guten Tag, Frau Lehmann. Mir geht es gut, danke.
Chatting with a colleague	Na, wie geht’s so?	Ach, es geht so. Nicht viel Neues.
Visiting a doctor	Guten Tag, Herr Doktor. Wie geht es Ihnen heute?	Guten Tag. Mir geht es gut, danke. Was führt Sie zu mir?
Meeting someone at a party	Hallo! Wie geht es dir?	Hallo! Mir geht’s super, danke! Und dir?
Calling a friend on the phone	Hey Markus, wie geht’s dir?	Hi Julia, mir geht’s gut. Was machst du so?
Meeting a client	Guten Tag, Frau Klein. Wie geht es Ihnen?	Guten Tag, Herr Meier. Mir geht es gut, danke. Schön, Sie kennenzulernen.
Talking to a store clerk	Guten Tag. Wie geht es Ihnen heute?	Guten Tag. Mir geht es gut, danke. Kann ich Ihnen helfen?
Greeting a long-lost friend	Mensch, Anna! Wie geht es dir denn?!	Oh, hallo Stefan! Mir geht es prima! So lange nicht gesehen!
Talking to a classmate	Hey, wie geht’s?	Hey, mir geht’s ganz gut. Bist du bereit für die Prüfung?
Meeting a new acquaintance	Guten Tag. Wie geht es Ihnen?	Guten Tag. Mir geht es gut, danke. Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
Talking to a family member	Hallo Mama, wie geht’s dir?	Hallo mein Schatz, mir geht’s gut. Und dir?
Greeting someone after a long trip	Willkommen zurück! Wie geht es Ihnen nach der Reise?	Vielen Dank! Mir geht es gut, obwohl ich etwas müde bin.
Checking on a sick friend	Hey, wie fühlst du dich heute?	Hey, es geht schon etwas besser, danke.
Talking to a gym buddy	Na, alles fit?	Ja, alles super! Bereit für ein Workout?
Greeting a colleague after a vacation	Willkommen zurück! Wie war dein Urlaub?	Danke! Er war fantastisch! Mir geht es erholt und gut.
Talking to a student	Hallo, wie geht es dir heute in der Schule?	Hallo, mir geht es gut, danke!
Meeting a new neighbor	Guten Tag, ich bin [Your Name]. Wie geht es Ihnen?	Guten Tag, ich bin [Neighbor’s Name]. Mir geht es gut, danke. Willkommen in der Nachbarschaft!

Regional Examples

These examples showcase how the greeting “How are you?” might vary across different German-speaking regions:

The following table illustrates regional variations of “How are you?” in German, highlighting different expressions and their usage across various German-speaking regions.

Region	Greeting	English Translation	Notes
Northern Germany	Wie geht’s denn so?	How’s it going then?	Common in casual conversations.
Bavaria	Wie geht’s? / Servus, wie geht’s?	How’s it going? / Hello, how’s it going?	“Servus” is a common Bavarian greeting.
Switzerland (Swiss German)	Wie goht’s?	How’s it going?	Spoken in Swiss German dialect.
Austria	Wie geht’s da so?	How’s it going there?	Similar to the Northern German variation.
Rhineland	Wie isset?	How is it?	Dialectal, very informal.
Berlin	Na, wie schauts aus?	Well, how does it look?	Informal and colloquial.
Hamburg	Moin, wie geht’s?	Moin, how’s it going?	“Moin” is a typical Northern German greeting.
Swabia	Wie geht’s dr denn so?	How’s it going with you then?	Uses the Swabian dialect.
Saxony	Wie geht’s denn nu?	How’s it going now then?	Uses the Saxon dialect.
Hesse	Wie gehts dann so?	How’s it going then?	Similar to other regional variations.
East Frisia	Na, wie steiht dat so?	Well, how stands it so? (How’s it going?)	Uses Low German dialect.
Palatinate	Wie geht’s dann?	How’s it going then?	Common in casual conversations.
Thuringia	Wie geht’s denn heite so?	How’s it going today then?	Regional variation with “heute” (today).
Vorarlberg (Austria)	Wia goht’s denn so?	How’s it going then?	Uses the Vorarlberg dialect.
Salzburg (Austria)	Wie geht’s denn heit?	How’s it going today then?	Regional variation with “heit” (today).
Tyrol (Austria)	Wia geht’s enk denn so?	How’s it going with you all then?	Uses the Tyrolean dialect, addressing multiple people.
Carinthia (Austria)	Wie geht’s denn eigentlich so?	How’s it actually going then?	Includes “eigentlich” (actually) for emphasis.
Styria (Austria)	Wie geht’s denn so bei dir?	How’s it going with you then?	Includes “bei dir” (with you) for personal emphasis.

Usage Rules and Etiquette

When asking “How are you?” in German, it’s important to follow certain usage rules and etiquette guidelines:

• Formality: Always choose the appropriate level of formality based on your relationship with the person you are addressing. Use “Wie geht es Ihnen?” for formal situations and “Wie geht es dir?” or “Wie geht’s?” for informal ones.
• Context: Consider the context of the conversation. If you know the person has been ill or is going through a difficult time, you might choose a more empathetic greeting, such as “Wie fühlen Sie sich?” (How do you feel?) or “Wie fühlst du dich?”.
• Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact while greeting someone, as this shows respect and sincerity.
• Handshake: In formal situations, a handshake is customary. In informal settings, a simple nod or wave may suffice.
• Responses: Be prepared to respond to the question yourself. It’s polite to reciprocate the greeting by asking the other person how they are doing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes that learners often make when asking “How are you?” in German:

• Using the wrong pronoun: Confusing Ihnen (formal) and dir (informal) is a common mistake. Make sure to use the correct pronoun based on the situation.
• Overusing slang: While slang can be fun, it’s not appropriate in all situations. Avoid using slang with people you don’t know well or in formal settings.
• Ignoring regional variations: While “Wie geht es Ihnen/dir?” is widely understood, it’s helpful to be aware of regional variations and use them when appropriate.
• Not reciprocating: Forgetting to ask the other person how they are doing is impolite. Always remember to reciprocate the greeting.

Here is a table illustrating common mistakes when asking “How are you?” in German, along with corrections and explanations.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Wie geht es du?	Wie geht es dir?	“dir” is the correct informal dative pronoun.
Wie geht es dich?	Wie geht es dir?	“dich” is the accusative form, not dative.
Wie geht es Sie?	Wie geht es Ihnen?	“Ihnen” is the correct formal dative pronoun.
Wie geht es dein?	Wie geht es dir?	“dein” is a possessive pronoun, not dative.
Wie geht es Ihre?	Wie geht es Ihnen?	“Ihre” is a possessive pronoun, not dative.
Was geht Ihnen ab?	Wie geht es Ihnen?	“Was geht ab?” is informal slang and not suitable for formal settings.
Wie geht es? (to a formal acquaintance)	Wie geht es Ihnen?	Shortened forms are usually informal.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises:

Exercise 1: Choose the correct greeting

Select the most appropriate greeting for each scenario.

1. You are meeting your boss in the morning.
   • a) Wie geht’s?
   • b) Wie geht es Ihnen, Herr/Frau [Name]?
   • c) Was geht ab?
2. You are greeting a friend at a coffee shop.
   • a) Wie geht es Ihnen?
   • b) Wie geht es dir?
   • c) Guten Tag.
3. You are emailing a professor.
   • a) Hey, wie geht’s?
   • b) Sehr geehrte/r Herr/Frau Professor/in, wie geht es Ihnen?
   • c) Was ist los?
4. You are talking to a neighbor you know well.
   • a) Guten Tag, wie geht es Ihnen?
   • b) Hallo, wie geht’s?
   • c) Servus!
5. You are meeting a client formally.
   • a) Na, wie geht’s?
   • b) Guten Tag, Herr/Frau [Name]. Wie geht es Ihnen?
   • c) Alles klar?
6. You are greeting a long-lost friend informally.
   • a) Wie geht es Ihnen?
   • b) Mensch, [Name]! Wie geht es dir denn?!
   • c) Guten Tag, Herr/Frau [Name].
7. You are talking to a classmate casually.
   • a) Wie geht es Ihnen?
   • b) Hey, wie geht’s?
   • c) Sehr geehrte/r Herr/Frau [Name].
8. You are meeting a new acquaintance formally.
   • a) Hallo, wie geht’s?
   • b) Guten Tag. Wie geht es Ihnen?
   • c) Servus!
9. You are talking to a family member informally.
   • a) Wie geht es Ihnen?
   • b) Hallo Mama/Papa, wie geht’s dir?
   • c) Guten Tag, Herr/Frau [Name].
10. You are greeting someone after a long trip formally.
    • a) Na, wie geht’s?
    • b) Willkommen zurück! Wie geht es Ihnen nach der Reise?
    • c) Alles klar?

Answer Key:

1. b
2. b
3. b
4. b
5. b
6. b
7. b
8. b
9. b
10. b

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, here are some topics to further enhance your understanding of greetings in German:

• Subjunctive Mood: Using the subjunctive mood to express politeness or indirectness when asking about someone’s well-being.
• Complex Sentence Structures: Constructing more complex sentences to inquire about specific aspects of someone’s life or health.
• Idiomatic Expressions: Learning idiomatic expressions related to health and well-being.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding the cultural nuances of discussing personal matters in different German-speaking regions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Mastering the art of asking “How are you?” in German involves understanding the nuances of formality, regional variations, and cultural etiquette. By learning the various phrases and practicing their usage in different contexts, you can confidently greet others and engage in meaningful conversations.

Remember to choose the appropriate greeting based on your relationship with the person you are addressing and the social setting. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient German speaker.