10 Easy Ways to Say ‘OK’ in German
Just like in English, there are loads of different ways to say OK in German. This common phrase is used to express agreement with something or to describe a situation as acceptable. However which OK word you choose depends on the context of the conversation and the usage.
After reading this post you will know:
- Straightforward ways to say OK in German such as OK, in Ordnung & gut
- How to use OK to agree & alternative words
- How to use all these words with example sentences
Simple Ways to Say ‘OK’ in German
The word OK can have a few different uses. It can be used to describe a situation as acceptable and it can be used to agree with a statement.
First of all, let’s get the easiest word out of the way:
OK = OK
| We’ll meet at 7pm, OK? |
It doesn’t get more straightforward than that. Germans also use the same word ‘OK’ as English speakers, and in the same situations. We could just stop there and make this a very short post, but there’s loads more to learn.
In Ordnung = (lit. in order) = OK / all right
I always imagine that the phrase in Ordnung is the real German version of OK, and that it was likely the preferred word before the German language adopted the English ‘OK’. It’s used to describe a situation as acceptable.
The most common phrase you’ll probably hear is:
| Is everything OK / all right? |
And there are various simple phrases such as:
| Of course it’s not OK. | |
| The breakfast at the hotel was OK. |
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Gut also means ‘good’ or ‘well’ but can be used as ‘OK’ or ‘fine’. Again, it’s used to describe an acceptable situation. You’ll hear it used in the common phrase:
| Everything OK with you? [informal] |
Some other examples of gut being used as OK are:
| Everything will be OK. | |
| It’s OK. |
How to Use ‘OK’ to Agree
The other way to use the word OK in German is to agree with a statement. There are many different words and phrases which fall into the ‘OK’ family and are used to show agreement:
Na gut = OK / all right
Na gut is a useful phrase if you want to say OK, but you’re slightly reluctant or hesitant, a bit like saying ‘very well…’ You’re still agreeing, but you’re not 100% happy.
| OK, I’ll come. | |
| All right, I’ll tell you everything. |
Alles klar = (lit. everything clear) = all right
Alles klar is often used as a stand alone phrase to say ‘OK’ or ‘all right’. It can be used to agree with something as describe a situation as OK.
Klar = (lit. clear) = Sure / OK
Similar to alles klar, a simple ‘klar’ can be used on its own to mean ‘sure’ or ‘OK’. It can also be used as part of a sentence to mean the same thing:
| I’ll be OK / fine. | |
| Of course! / Sure thing! |
Mach ich = (lit. I will) = will do / OK
Mach ich is used on it’s own to agree or acknowledge what someone has said, use it in the same way as the English ‘will do!’
| Can you bring the dessert? | |
| Will do. |
Gerne = gladly
Gerne is a very versatile German word which translates as ‘gladly’ and can be used to say ‘OK’ in a positive way.
| Could I have another coffee? | |
| Gladly / OK. |
Other Ways to Say OK in German
There are a few other words which can be used instead of a simple OK, how you use them depends on the context.
Verstanden = understood
Verstanden is used slightly more serious situations to add more gravity to a phrase. In the following examples you can see how the phrase using verstanden feels more serious:
| Speak to the teacher about it, understood? | |
| Speak to the teacher about it, OK? |
Das passt = that fits / that works
A useful phrase fit arranging appointments and meetings, you could simply say OK, but to add a bit of variety and to sound more advanced in your German, try das passt:
| Shall we meet at 8am? | |
| That works. |
So now you know 10 ways to say OK in German. Don’t forget that many of these words are interchangeable, so in the Nachtisch example earlier, you could answer in any of the following ways:
| Kannst du den Nachtisch mitbringen? | Can you bring the dessert? |
| Mach ich | Will do |
| Gerne | Gladly |
| Na klar | Of course / sure thing |
| Klar | Sure |
| Na gut | OK then (reluctant) |