wie geht es dir?

Translations

• How are you?
• How are you doing?

Literal Translation

How goes it to you?

Forms

Usage Notes

The response typically uses the dative pronoun 'mir' (to me) with the same structure: 'Mir geht es gut' (I am doing well).

Etymology

This phrase comes from the verb 'gehen' (to go) used impersonally with the dative pronoun to ask about someone's state or condition.

Cultural Context

This is one of the most common greeting phrases in German, used after the initial hello. The response typically begins with 'Danke' (thank you) as seen in the text.

• Think of 'how goes it' as an old-fashioned English expression that's similar in structure
• Remember that 'es geht' literally means 'it goes' but refers to how things are going for you