You’ve just started learning German. You’re excited, motivated, and ready to practice with a native speaker. Suddenly, someone smiles at you and says: “Wie geht’s?”
Your mind freezes. You know this phrase means “How are you?” — but how do you respond? Should you say you’re fine? Should you explain your day? Should you keep it short and polite?
This is where many German learners stumble. And that’s exactly why this guide exists.
In this comprehensive article, you’ll discover 10 common responses to "Wie geht’s?", from simple beginner-friendly answers to more natural and nuanced phrases used by native speakers. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to give the perfect reply to how are you doing in German in any situation — whether it’s casual, formal, or somewhere in between.
So, let’s dive into the world of everyday German conversation.
Why "Wie Geht’s?" Matters
“Wie geht’s?” is more than just a greeting. It’s a doorway into connection. When you answer well, you show not only your understanding of the language but also your ability to interact naturally in social contexts.
Just like in English, where “How are you?” has many possible answers beyond “I’m fine,” Germans use a wide range of expressions depending on their mood, context, or relationship with the person they’re speaking to.
If you can master how to reply to how are you doing in German, you’ll immediately feel more confident in conversations.
The Basics of "Wie geht’s?"
Before jumping into responses, let’s break down the phrase:
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“Wie” = How
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“geht” = goes
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“es” = it
Literally, Wie geht’s? translates to “How goes it?”
It’s a contraction of Wie geht es dir? (informal, used with friends and peers) or Wie geht es Ihnen? (formal, used in professional settings or with strangers).
Knowing this difference is important. If someone says “Wie geht es Ihnen?” and you respond too casually, it may sound impolite.
10 Common Responses to "Wie Geht’s?"
Now, let’s explore the most common ways to respond. For each, we’ll include the German phrase, its meaning, when to use it, and a sample dialogue.
1. Mir geht’s gut. (I’m good.)
This is the go-to reply to how are you doing in German for beginners.
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Meaning: “I’m good” or “I’m fine.”
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Context: Neutral, friendly, safe in almost all situations.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Mir geht’s gut, danke!”
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It’s simple, polite, and shows you understand the structure: Mir (to me) + geht’s (it goes) + gut (good).
2. Es geht. (It’s going.)
Sometimes life isn’t amazing, but it’s not terrible either. This is your phrase.
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Meaning: “It’s going” or “So-so.”
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Context: Neutral to slightly negative, showing things are okay but not great.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Es geht.”
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This is very common in German culture, where people often give honest answers rather than always saying “fine.”
3. Nicht so gut. (Not so good.)
When things aren’t going well, honesty is key.
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Meaning: “Not so good.”
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Context: Informal and formal, but use carefully; the other person may ask follow-up questions.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Nicht so gut.”
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This is direct but polite.
4. Mir geht’s sehr gut! (I’m very good!)
If you’re in a great mood, this is a cheerful way to show it.
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Meaning: “I’m very good!”
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Context: Friendly, informal, but also fine for polite settings.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Mir geht’s sehr gut, danke!”
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It adds enthusiasm compared to the standard Mir geht’s gut.
5. Super! (Great!)
A short and modern answer.
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Meaning: “Great!” or “Awesome!”
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Context: Informal, casual, often used with friends.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Super!”
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One of the easiest ways to sound natural as a learner.
6. Ganz okay. (Quite okay.)
This phrase sits in the middle — not too good, not too bad.
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Meaning: “Quite okay” or “Pretty okay.”
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Context: Informal conversations.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Ganz okay.”
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It communicates neutrality without sounding negative.
7. Mir ist langweilig. (I’m bored.)
Not technically an answer to “How are you?” but used conversationally.
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Meaning: “I’m bored.”
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Context: Casual, among friends.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Mir ist langweilig.”
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It makes the conversation more personal.
8. Alles bestens! (Everything’s great!)
A cheerful and informal phrase.
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Meaning: “Everything’s great!”
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Context: Casual, often with friends or colleagues.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Alles bestens!”
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It shows positivity beyond just “I’m fine.”
9. Könnte besser sein. (Could be better.)
For those days when you’re not feeling great.
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Meaning: “Could be better.”
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Context: Both informal and formal, shows mild negativity.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Könnte besser sein.”
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This is common and conversational.
10. Danke, gut. Und dir/Ihnen? (Thanks, good. And you?)
The polite way to return the question.
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Meaning: “Thanks, good. And you?”
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Context: Always appropriate; shows good manners.
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Example:
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Person A: “Wie geht’s?”
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Person B: “Danke, gut. Und dir?” (informal)
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Person B: “Danke, gut. Und Ihnen?” (formal)
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This is one of the most important replies to how are you doing in German because it keeps the conversation flowing.
Tips for Responding Naturally
Learning set phrases is useful, but here are extra tips to sound more natural:
Match the Tone
If someone is casual, respond casually. If they’re formal, use Ihnen instead of dir.
Add Emotion
Don’t just say gut — emphasize with sehr gut (very good), wirklich gut (really good), or nicht so toll (not so great).
Ask Back
Always return the question (Und dir/Ihnen?). This shows you care about the other person.
Be Honest
Germans appreciate honesty. Saying Es geht or Nicht so gut is perfectly fine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Using the wrong pronoun.
Don’t mix dir (informal) with Ihnen (formal). -
Translating directly from English.
Avoid saying Ich bin gut (“I am good”). It sounds strange. Use Mir geht’s gut instead. -
Forgetting to ask back.
Conversation is a two-way street. Always add Und dir/Ihnen?
Expanding Beyond "Wie geht’s?"
Once you’ve mastered how to reply to how are you doing in German, try these alternatives to ask the question yourself:
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Wie läuft’s? — How’s it going? (informal)
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Alles klar? — Everything okay?
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Na, wie geht’s dir so? — So, how are you doing? (very casual)
These make you sound even more natural.
Conclusion
Mastering 10 common responses to "Wie geht’s?" isn’t just about learning phrases. It’s about building confidence in real conversations. By knowing when to use Mir geht’s gut, Es geht, or Danke, gut. Und dir?, you’re already bridging the gap between textbook German and authentic human interaction.
Whether you’re a beginner practicing polite exchanges or an intermediate learner aiming for natural fluency, remembering how to give the right reply to how are you doing in German will make every conversation smoother and friendlier.
So next time someone asks “Wie geht’s?”, don’t freeze. Smile, choose the response that fits your mood, and keep the conversation flowing.