Wie geht es Ihnen?
[vee GAYT es EE-nen]
How are you? (formal)
Literal gloss:“How goes it to-you (dative formal)?”
When to use:Used with strangers, service staff, officials, doctors, and colleagues you address as Sie.
Word-by-Word Structure
| German | Meaning | Grammar Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wie | how | — |
| geht es | is it going | Verb "gehen" in 3rd-person singular (V2 order) |
| Ihnen | to you (dative formal) | Always capitalized |
Example Sentences in Context
Greeting a neighbor or client
Guten Tag, Herr Klein! Wie geht es Ihnen?
Hello Mr. Klein! How are you?
Polite follow-up
Danke, mir geht es gut — und Ihnen?
Thank you, I am doing well — and you?
Natural Alternatives
- Wie geht es dir?Informal (du)
With friends, family, or children (dative of du)
- Wie läuft’s?Everyday / Spoken
Casual "How are things going?"
Common Replies You Will Hear
- Danke, sehr gut! Und Ihnen?Formal (Sie)
Thanks, very well! And you?
- Es geht mir gut, danke der Nachfrage.Formal (Sie)
I am doing well, thanks for asking.