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How to Say ‘How are you? (informal)’ in German

Wie geht es dir?

VEE gayt es deer

[VEE gayt es deer]

🇩🇪 In Germany: Germans usually treat this as a real question and may give an honest answer, so don't use it as a passing hello with someone you barely know.

Phrase Breakdown

Wie geht

VEE gayt

How goes

'Wie' sounds like 'vee' and 'geht' sounds like 'gate'. This is the start of the common question 'How are you?'

Example

Wie geht das?

How does that work?

Words in this phrase

Wie

[VEE]

how

In what way or manner.

Example

Wie geht es dir?

How are you?

geht

[gayt]

goes; is going

Used in es geht to talk about someone's condition.

Example

Uns geht es gut, danke, nach dem langen Tag.

We are doing well, thank you, after the long day.

es dir?

es deer

it for you? (informal)

'Es dir' together completes 'How are you?' for friends and family. 'Dir' sounds like 'deer'. The voice rises at the end.

Example

Wie gefällt es dir?

How do you like it?

Words in this phrase

[es]

A neutral pronoun used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

Es ist ein schöner Tag.

It is a beautiful day.

dir

[deer]

you (to you)

"Dir" is the informal dative form of "du" and means to you or for you.

Example

Passt dir der Handwerkertermin am Nachmittag?

Does the repair appointment in the afternoon work for you?

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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