Accept you ever wondered how to say the all besides familiar "How are you?" in German? Whether you are looking to practice your High german, strike up a conversation with a stranger or just exist polite, "Wie geht'south" is always a great mode to first an substitution.

In this mail service we'll show you how and when to use "Wie geht's" and how to reply. We'll also swoop into the alternatives for  "Wie geht's" and as a bonus, y'all'll fifty-fifty learn how to say "Wie geht'southward" in Austria and Switzerland.

Read next: x Ways to Say How Are You in German and How to Reply

When and Where to Use "Wie geht's"

Wie Gehts How Are You in German Chatting Friends

"Wie geht's" is really the brusk form of "Wie geht es" (How'due south information technology going) or "Wie geht es Dir/Ihnen" (How are you doing). Information technology is used in formal (Ihnen) and informal (Dir) situations, y'all can utilize it to start a conversation with whoever yous meet.

In English language "how are you lot" often doesn't require an respond, or your chat partner directly asks "how are you?" back. This confuses many Germans. Depending on where you are located in Germany a more or less lengthy reply is expected, but an answer is always expected. Not to respond at all or throwing the question correct dorsum at the other person comes off as confusing at best and rude at worst.

Germans from the North of the state tend to give a more detailed answer to "Wie geht's" than people from the S of Germany, where answers are kept short and simple.

Read next: 18 Ways To Say Proficient Morning time in German

How to Respond to "Wie geht'southward"

Y'all tin answer to "Wie geht'due south" with only a few words or you can tell your chat partner all near your day. Information technology is mutual and even expected to follow up any answer with "und dir/Ihnen?" (what about y'all?) or with "und selbst?" (and yourself?).

Be prepared to mind to the other person really tell you nearly themselves for a minute or 2. The shorter your reply, the more you are letting the person you're speaking with know that you're not up for a chat.

If you're not looking to divulge much, you tin respond simply "Gut. Und dir?", which will rapidly end that part of the chat.

See beneath for some options for responding to Wie gehts.

German English
Alles gut. Everything is good.
Alles klar Everything is alright
Super Great
Gut Good
Ok Okay
Nicht so gut Non and then proficient
And so lala So so
Schlecht Bad
Frag lieber nicht Don't even inquire.

Read next: five Common Means of Saying Proficient Afternoon in German

Alternatives to "Wie geht'south"

Depending on your location and the demographic you're dealing with, there are a couple of different alternatives to "Wie geht's" that you lot might hear ofttimes. All of them are informal, then don't use them in a formal business setting.  "Was läuft?" and "Was geht ab?" are primarily used among young people.

German language English
Alles klar? Is everything alright?
Alles gut? Is everything good?
Na? Well?
Was läuft? How is it going?
Was geht ab? What'south up?
Nicht so gut Not so good
So lala So so
Schlecht Bad
Frag lieber nicht Don't even inquire.

Read adjacent: Negation in German – Deviation Betwixt Nein, Nicht and Kein

How to say "Wie geht's" in Austria and Switzerland

When yous are in Austria you will almost oft hear "Wie lid's di" as a way of saying "How are you" in High german. In Switzerland yous accept a variety of fun choice such equally "Wie gaht's", "Wie gohts" or "Wiä häsches". Pick the i that is easiest to pronounce for you and run with it.

Conclusion

No matter what conversation starter you lot end upwards using, information technology's always polite to inquire someone how they are doing. If you're nervous having lengthy conversations with strangers, this is actually not very likely to happen. Most Germans are busy, somewhat introverted and will non become off into lengthy monologues. It'due south more probable you'll have a pleasant, brusk and sweetness interaction when asking someone Wie geht'southward. And so give information technology a go! Good luck!

Sarah was built-in and raised in Germany by a French mom and a Polish dad. Languages are her passion and pedagogy is her purpose. She splits her life between Germany and Honduras.