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German Phrase

Wohin geht's?

/ˈvoːhɪn ˈɡeːts/
Meaning"Where are you going?"
💡

Meaning

A casual, spoken way to ask someone where they are heading. It can refer to a person’s immediate destination (e.g., ‘Where are you going?’) or, in a broader sense, to the direction of an event or plan.

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When to use

Use in informal conversation with friends, family, or peers. It’s perfect for travel‑related small talk, meeting someone at a café, or when you want a quick, friendly check on someone’s next stop. Avoid in formal emails or business meetings where a full sentence is preferred.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Wohingeht's

1

Wohin

Interrogative adverb meaning ‘to where’ or ‘where to’, used for asking about direction or destination.

2

geht

3rd‑person singular present of the verb gehen ‘to go’. In this construction the subject is the dummy pronoun es.

3

's (es)

Contraction of the pronoun es. In colloquial German the subject pronoun is often dropped and merged with the verb (geht’s).

🗨In Conversation

A

Hey, ich sehe dich mit dem Rucksack. Wohin geht's?

Hey, I see you with a backpack. Where are you going?

Ich gehe zum Hauptbahnhof, um den Zug nach Berlin zu nehmen.

I’m heading to the main station to catch the train to Berlin.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Wo geht's?

    "Wo" asks for a location (where something is), not a direction. Use "Wohin" for ‘where to’.

  • Wohin geht du?

    The verb must agree with the subject. The correct form is "gehst du".

  • Wohin geht es?

    Grammatically correct but sounds formal; in casual conversation native speakers prefer the contraction "Wohin geht's?".

↔Alternatives

  • Wohin gehst du?

    Where are you going?

  • Wohin fährst du?

    Where are you driving/traveling to?

  • Wohin geht es?

    Where is it going? (more formal)

  • Wohin soll ich gehen?

    Where should I go?

de

Cultural Tip

Germans value directness, so asking "Wohin geht's?" is perfectly normal and shows genuine interest. However, be aware that some people consider destination a private matter, especially if you’re not well‑acquainted. In southern Germany (Bavaria, Austria) you’ll also hear the longer form "Wohin geht es?" more often, while the contraction is typical in the north and in everyday speech.