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

Wie geht es Ihnen?

vee gayt es EE-nen

[vee gayt es EE-nen]

💬 Usage Tip: The formal Sie changes to Ihnen here, just as du changes to dir in the informal version.

Phrase Breakdown

Wie geht

vee gayt

How goes

The same opening as the informal version. Say 'vee gate'.

Example

Wie geht es Ihrer Frau?

How is your wife?

Words in this phrase

Wie

[vee]

how

A word used to ask about the manner or degree of something.

Example

Wie geht es dir?

How are you?

geht

[gayt]

goes / is going

Part of the phrase meaning 'how is it going'.

Example

Wie geht es dir heute am Abend?

How are you today in the evening?

es Ihnen?

es EE-nen

it to you? (formal)

'Ihnen' is the formal 'to you' and sounds like 'EE-nen'. Use it with strangers and in formal situations.

Example

Gefällt es Ihnen?

Do you like it? (formal)

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.

Ihnen

[EE-nen]

you (formal, to you)

The formal dative form used when speaking politely to one person or more than one person.

Example

Ich zeige Ihnen ein anderes Zimmer.

I will show you another room.

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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