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How do you politely ask an older stranger 'How are you?' in German?

Wie geht es Ihnen? is the formal how are you.

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  1. Wie geht es Ihnen? ✔
  2. Wie geht's dir?
  3. Wie heißen Sie?

Why: Wie geht es Ihnen? uses Ihnen, the polite you. Wie geht's dir? is for friends and Wie heißen Sie? asks for a name.

Huh, didn't know that: A common answer is 'Gut, danke, und Ihnen?', meaning fine thanks, and you?

The dad joke
Knock knock. Who's there? Hawaii. Hawaii who? I'm fine, Hawaii you?
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References

Answer: Wie geht es Ihnen?. Wie geht es Ihnen? uses Ihnen, the polite you. Wie geht's dir? is for friends and Wie heißen Sie? asks for a name.

  1. Wiktionary: wie geht es Ihnen en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wie_geht_es_Ihnen
    wie geht es Ihnen (formal singular) how are you
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Wiktionary: wie geht's en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wie_geht's
    wie geht's (informal) how are you?
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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