German Phrase
Was geht?
Meaning
'Was geht?' is a ubiquitous informal German greeting that literally translates to 'What goes?'. Much like the English 'What's up?', it is used to check in on someone's current state or to ask what is happening in their life at that moment.
When to use
This phrase is strictly informal and best suited for friends, peers, or younger family members. It is commonly used as a casual 'hello' when passing someone or starting a conversation in a relaxed environment.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wasgeht
Was
An interrogative pronoun meaning 'what', used here to start the informal inquiry.
Geht
The third-person singular conjugation of 'gehen' (to go), functioning idiomatically to mean 'happening' or 'going on'.
🗨In Conversation
Hey Lukas, was geht?
Hey Lukas, what's up?
Nicht viel, ich gehe gerade zum Sport.
Not much, I'm just heading to the gym.
✕Common Mistakes
Was geht Sie?
This phrase is inherently informal; using the formal pronoun 'Sie' is grammatically incorrect and socially mismatched.
Wie geht?
Learners often confuse 'Was geht?' with 'Wie geht es dir?'. Use 'Was' for this specific slang expression.
↔Alternatives
Was geht ab?
What's going down?
Wie läuft's?
How's it going?
Alles fit?
Everything good?
Cultural Tip
In Germany, particularly among younger generations, 'Was geht?' is often answered with 'Nicht viel' (Not much) or simply another 'Was geht?'. In some regions like Hamburg, it is a staple of daily life, though in very formal parts of Bavaria, it might still be viewed as overly slangy.