German Phrase
Mir geht's gut.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say you are feeling fine or doing well in German. It literally translates to 'To me it goes well,' using the dative case to express a state of being rather than a permanent trait. The 's is a contraction of the impersonal pronoun 'es'.
When to use
Use this phrase as a response to the question 'Wie geht es dir?' or 'Wie geht's?'. It is suitable for almost any social context, from meeting friends to professional small talk.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Mirgeht'sgut
Dative Case (Mir)
In German, feelings and states are often expressed using the dative case ('mir' instead of 'ich') to show that the condition is happening to you.
The Impersonal 'es'
The 's in geht's stands for 'es' (it). In German, you don't 'are' well, but rather 'it goes well' for you.
🗨In Conversation
Hallo! Wie geht es dir heute?
Hello! How are you doing today?
Mir geht's gut, danke. Und dir?
I'm doing well, thanks. And you?
✕Common Mistakes
Ich bin gut.
Avoid using 'sein' (to be) to describe your well-being; this sounds like you are saying you are a 'good person' or 'good at a task'.
Mir geht gut.
The phrase requires the impersonal pronoun 'es' (or the contraction 's) to function correctly.
↔Alternatives
Sehr gut, danke!
Very well, thanks!
Es geht so.
I'm doing okay / So-so.
Mir geht es blendend.
I'm doing fantastic.
Cultural Tip
While 'Mir geht's gut' is the standard polite answer, Germans are sometimes known for giving a more honest assessment of their day than English speakers. In casual settings, don't be surprised if someone answers with a more nuanced explanation of their mood instead of just a generic 'fine'.