German · Real conversations
How to respond to “Was gibt's Neues?” in German
A casual opening may invite a quick update rather than a literal explanation of what is above you.
What you might hear
Was gibt's Neues?
What's up?
Choose a reply that fits
Nicht viel. Und du?
Not much. And you?
Keep it casual and return the question.
Ich bin auf dem Weg zur Arbeit.
I'm heading to work.
Mention what you are doing next.
Ich hatte viel mit meinen Kursen zu tun.
I've been busy with classes.
Share a short update about your recent activities.
Ich habe gute Neuigkeiten.
I have some good news.
Use when you have news you want to share.
Two short exchanges
A casual encounter
Was gibt's Neues?
What's up?
Nicht viel. Und du?
Not much. And you?
Catching up with a friend
Was hast du in letzter Zeit gemacht?
What have you been up to?
Ich bin auf dem Weg zur Arbeit.
I'm heading to work.
Your turn
Give a short update about being busy with classes.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich hatte viel mit meinen Kursen zu tun.
I've been busy with classes.
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.
