German Phrase
Nein, mir geht's nicht gut.
Meaning
This phrase is a direct way to communicate that you are feeling unwell, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. It uses the dative 'mir' and the impersonal 'es geht' construction, which translates literally to 'it goes to me'.
When to use
Use this when someone asks 'Wie geht es dir?' and you want to be honest about your negative state. It is appropriate for friends, family, or medical professionals.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Neinmirgeht'snichtgut
Dative Case (mir)
The verb 'gehen' used for well-being requires the dative case to indicate the person experiencing the state.
Contraction (geht's)
This is a contraction of 'geht es', where 'es' is a placeholder subject common in impersonal German expressions.
🗨In Conversation
Wie geht es dir heute?
How are you doing today?
Nein, mir geht's nicht gut.
No, I'm not doing well.
✕Common Mistakes
Nein, ich bin nicht gut.
Avoid using 'sein' for feelings of well-being; 'ich bin gut' implies you are a good person or good at a skill.
Nein, mir geht's nicht gute.
The word 'gut' acts as an adverb here and does not take an adjective ending.
↔Alternatives
Mir geht es schlecht.
I feel bad / I am doing poorly.
Nicht so gut.
Not so good.
Ich fühle mich nicht wohl.
I don't feel well.
Cultural Tip
In German culture, 'Wie geht es dir?' is often a sincere question rather than a standard greeting. If you answer that you aren't doing well, expect the listener to show concern or ask for more details, as Germans value authentic communication over polite small talk.