German Phrase
Wie geht's weiter?
Meaning
Literally ‘How does it go further?’, this phrase is used to ask what will happen next or how a situation will continue. It can refer to a plan, a story, a project, or any ongoing process.
When to use
Use it after a discussion, meeting, or when you’re following a story and want to know the next steps. It works both in informal chats and in more formal business settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wiegeht'sweiter?
Wie (question word)
‘Wie’ asks ‘how’ and is used at the start of a question to inquire about manner or condition.
geht's (geht es)
‘geht’ is the 3rd‑person singular present of ‘gehen’. The contraction ‘geht’s’ stands for ‘geht es’, literally ‘does it go’.
weiter (adverb)
‘weiter’ means ‘further’, ‘onward’ or ‘next’. It modifies the verb to ask about the continuation of a process.
Verb‑subject order
In German yes‑no and ‘wie’‑questions the verb comes directly after the question word (V2‑order).
🗨In Conversation
Wir haben das Konzept fertig. Wie geht's weiter?
We have finished the concept. What’s the next step?
Als Nächstes erstellen wir den Prototyp.
Next we’ll create the prototype.
✕Common Mistakes
Wie geht weiter?
Missing the pronoun ‘es’; the correct contraction is ‘geht’s’ or the full ‘geht es’.
Wie geht es weiter?
While correct, learners sometimes use it in overly informal spoken contexts where the contraction ‘geht's’ sounds more natural.
Wie geht's du weiter?
Do not add a subject like ‘du’ – the phrase already contains the impersonal ‘es’. Incorrect: ‘Wie geht's du weiter?’
↔Alternatives
Wie geht es weiter?
How does it continue?
Was kommt als Nächstes?
What comes next?
Wie geht es jetzt weiter?
How does it go on now?
Cultural Tip
German speakers appreciate clear, direct questions. ‘Wie geht's weiter?’ is perfectly polite in both casual and professional contexts, but in very formal meetings you might prefer the full form ‘Wie geht es weiter?’. In southern Germany the contraction ‘geht’s’ is used less often; you’ll hear the full version more frequently.