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German Phrase

Hey! Wie geht's?

/heɪ viː ɡeːts/
Meaning"Hey! How's it going?"
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Meaning

This is a very common and informal greeting in German used to ask someone how they are. It is a shortened version of the more formal 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' or the informal 'Wie geht es dir?'.

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When to use

Use this phrase in casual settings with friends, family, or peers. It is the perfect icebreaker for social gatherings or quick check-ins with people you know well.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Hey!Wiegeht's

1

Wie

The question word for 'how' in German.

2

geht's

A contraction of 'geht es'. The verb 'gehen' (to go) is used idiomatically to ask about well-being.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hey! Wie geht's?

Hey! How's it going?

Ganz gut, danke! Und bei dir?

Pretty good, thanks! And you?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Wie geht es?

    While technically correct, omitting the contraction or the person (dir/Ihnen) sounds stiff and unnatural in casual speech.

  • Wie geht's Ihnen?

    Mixing the casual 'Hey' and the contraction 'geht's' with the formal 'Ihnen' creates a confusing register mismatch.

↔Alternatives

  • Was geht ab?

    What's up?

  • Wie läuft's?

    How's it running/going?

  • Alles klar?

    Everything okay?

de

Cultural Tip

In German culture, 'Wie geht's?' is often treated as a genuine question rather than just a polite filler. Be prepared for the person to actually tell you how they are doing, rather than just saying 'fine' and moving on.