How to Say How Are You in German: 15+ Expressions From Formal to Casual

The Short Answer

The most common way to ask "how are you" in German is Wie geht es Ihnen? (vee gayt ess EE-nen) for formal situations and Wie geht's? (vee gayts) for casual ones. But here is the crucial cultural difference: in German-speaking countries, this is a genuine question, not a greeting ritual. Expect an honest answer.

German is spoken by over 130 million people across six countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium) according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. Across all of these, asking someone how they are follows the same core grammar, but the register, regional flavor, and expected response vary significantly. Whether you're looking up "how are you in german" for travel, study, or conversation, this guide covers everything you need.

"In German communicative culture, the question 'Wie geht es Ihnen?' carries informational weight that the English 'How are you?' has largely lost. It requests genuine disclosure about one's state, and the responder is socially permitted, even expected, to give an honest answer."

(Brown & Levinson, Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage)

This guide covers 15+ ways to ask "how are you" in German, organized by formality: formal, standard, casual, slang, and regional variants. Each includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and the cultural context you need to use it correctly.

Quick Reference: German "How Are You" Phrases

Formal Expressions

These are essential for professional settings, first meetings, interactions with elders, and any situation where you use the formal Sie pronoun. The Duden, Germany's authoritative dictionary reference, classifies these as standard High German (Hochdeutsch).

Wie geht es Ihnen?

This is the textbook formal version. The pronoun Ihnen signals the formal Sie register, which is non-negotiable in many German interactions. Use this with anyone you do not know well, anyone older, and in all professional contexts.

A key difference from English: when a German asks Wie geht es Ihnen?, they are often genuinely interested. A response like Ganz gut, danke (quite well, thanks) or even Es könnte besser sein (could be better) is perfectly appropriate. The Goethe-Institut notes that this directness is a core feature of German communicative culture, where honesty is valued over social pleasantries.

Wie befinden Sie sich?

Wie befinden Sie sich? is a register above Wie geht es Ihnen?. You will hear it from doctors addressing patients, in diplomatic settings, or at very formal social occasions. The verb sich befinden (to find oneself, to be situated) gives this phrase a more introspective, health-oriented nuance.

In everyday conversation, using this phrase would sound overly formal, like saying "How do you fare?" in English. Reserve it for situations where elevated language is expected.

Standard / Everyday Expressions

These are the workhorses of daily German conversation. They work with friends, coworkers you know well, and in any setting where you use du.

Wie geht es dir?

This is the full, uncontracted informal version. It carries slightly more weight than the abbreviated Wie geht's? because using the full form signals that you are genuinely asking, not just tossing out a casual greeting. Parents asking their children, close friends catching up after time apart, or a concerned colleague will often use the full Wie geht es dir?

Wie geht's?

Wie geht's? is the phrase you will hear most often in everyday German life. It is a contraction of Wie geht es (dir)? with the pronoun dropped entirely. You can extend it by adding the pronoun back for either register: Wie geht's dir? (casual) or Wie geht's Ihnen? (formal-casual hybrid).

This phrase frequently pairs with Hallo as a combined greeting: Hallo, wie geht's?, the German equivalent of "Hey, how's it going?"

Wie läuft's?

Wie läuft's? uses the verb laufen (to run) instead of gehen (to go), giving it a slightly different flavor. While Wie geht's? asks about general well-being, Wie läuft's? often targets a specific situation: Wie läuft's mit dem neuen Job? (How's it going with the new job?). It is casual, warm, and shows genuine interest.

Casual and Slang Expressions

These are the greetings you will hear among friends, young people, and in relaxed social settings. They blur the line between "hello" and "how are you."

Alles klar?

Alles klar? is one of the most versatile phrases in casual German. It works as a greeting ("Hey, alright?"), a check-in ("Everything okay?"), and a confirmation ("Got it?") depending on context and intonation. As a greeting, it expects a brief Ja, alles klar! (Yeah, all good!) or Ja, bei dir? (Yeah, you?) in response.

The phrase perfectly captures German efficiency: two words that simultaneously say hello, ask how someone is, and check if everything is in order.

Alles gut?

Alles gut? is the warmer sibling of Alles klar?. While Alles klar? feels efficient and breezy, Alles gut? carries a touch more genuine concern. You might use it when a friend looks stressed, when someone returns from a trip, or simply as a soft opener in conversation.

Na?

Na? is peak German linguistic efficiency: an entire greeting-plus-question compressed into one syllable. It roughly translates to "Well?" or "Hey, what's up?" and is used exclusively among people who know each other. The classic response is Na? echoed right back, often followed by a pause and then actual conversation.

According to the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (GfdS), Na is one of the most frequently used discourse particles in spoken German. It can express surprise (Na so was!), encouragement (Na, komm schon!), or, in its question form, serve as this ultra-compact greeting.

Was geht?

Was geht? is the German "What's up?", used primarily by younger speakers in casual settings. The extended Was geht ab? adds an extra layer of informality. Both are understood nationwide but would be out of place in any formal or semi-formal context.

Was geht ab?

The intensified version of Was geht?, adding the separable prefix ab for emphasis. Was geht ab? is firmly in youth slang territory and often pairs with Alter (dude) or Leute (guys). It is the phrase you would use texting friends about weekend plans, not greeting your professor.

Regional Variants

German-speaking regions have developed distinct ways of asking "how are you" that reflect local identity. As linguist Ulrich Ammon has documented, these are not substandard; they are fully legitimate regional forms.

Wie geht's da?

In Bavarian dialect, dir shifts to da, giving this phrase its distinctive regional sound. You will hear it throughout Bavaria and in parts of Austria, typically paired with regional greetings like Servus or Grüß Gott. Using it shows familiarity with southern German culture.

For authentic examples of Bavarian German in action, check out our guide to the best movies for learning German. Austrian and Bavarian films are excellent for hearing these regional forms naturally.

Wie gaht's?

Swiss German (Schweizerdeutsch) transforms geht into gaht, reflecting the Alemannic dialect base. The formal version, Wie gaht's Ine?, mirrors standard German's Wie geht's Ihnen? but with Swiss pronunciation. In German-speaking Switzerland, using Wie gaht's? instead of standard Wie geht's? signals cultural awareness and is always appreciated.

Moin, alles gut?

Northern Germans often combine their signature greeting Moin with a brief check-in like alles gut? or alles klar?. This combination (Moin, alles gut?) is the quintessential northern German greeting-plus-how-are-you in just three words. It reflects the northern reputation for being friendly but economical with words.

How to Respond: Typical German Answers

Here is where German culture diverges most from English. While "How are you?" in English typically gets an automatic "Fine, thanks," Germans give real answers. The Goethe-Institut describes this as Direktheit (directness), a core value in German communication.

Positive Responses

Neutral and Honest Responses

Negative Responses (Perfectly Normal in German)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Understanding a few cultural pitfalls will save you from awkward moments:

Do not treat "Wie geht's?" as a throwaway greeting. Unlike English "How are you?", Germans expect you to pause and listen to the answer. Walking past someone while tossing out Wie geht's? without stopping would seem dismissive.

Match the du/Sie register. Saying Wie geht es dir? to your boss or a stranger is a social misstep. When in doubt, use Wie geht es Ihnen? and let the other person propose switching to du.

Do not over-ask. In German culture, asking Wie geht's? every time you see someone, multiple times a day, can feel excessive. A single check-in at the start of the day is sufficient. After that, a simple Hallo or Moin does the job.

Practice With Real German Content

Reading about these phrases is a solid start, but hearing them in natural conversation is what makes them stick. German-language films and shows are excellent for this: Dark for standard German, Tatort for regional dialects and realistic everyday interactions, and Austrian productions for hearing Wie geht's Ihnen? paired with Grüß Gott.

Wordy lets you take this further. You can watch German movies and shows with interactive subtitles, tapping on any phrase to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from authentic conversations with natural intonation.

For more German content, explore our blog for guides including the best movies to learn German. You can also visit our German learning page to start practicing with native content today.