German · Real conversations
How to respond to “Wie geht es dir?” in German
You can answer briefly or share a little more. Returning the question keeps a casual check-in balanced.
What you might hear
Wie geht es dir?
How are you?
Choose a reply that fits
Gut, danke. Und dir?
Fine, thanks. And you?
A brief positive answer that returns the question.
Ein bisschen müde, aber sonst gut.
A little tired, but okay.
An honest short update without a long explanation.
Sehr gut, danke.
Very well, thanks.
A positive answer suitable for a routine check-in.
Ich hatte einen schwierigen Tag.
I've had a difficult day.
Share a difficulty only if you want to discuss it.
Two short exchanges
A routine check-in
Wie geht es dir?
How are you?
Gut, danke. Und dir?
Fine, thanks. And you?
A friend asking how you have been
Wie ist es dir in letzter Zeit gegangen?
How have you been?
Ein bisschen müde, aber sonst gut.
A little tired, but okay.
Your turn
Give a short positive answer to a routine check-in.
Reveal a sample reply
Sehr gut, danke.
Very well, thanks.
This response guide in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
