How to Learn Key Phrases in German

Even if you don't speak a word of German, it will only take a few minutes to learn some basic phrases that will help you communicate. Germans will appreciate even the most rudimentary attempts to speak their language.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• German Dictionaries
• German Phrase Books

1. Use "guten tag" (pronounced "GOOT-en TAK") for "hello" and "auf wiedersehen" (owf VEED-uh-zain) for "goodbye." Or utter "servus," which means "hello" or "goodbye."

2. Introduce yourself by saying "Ich heisse" (ikh HEYESS-eh) and then your name.

3. Make copious use of "bitte" (BIT-eh) and "danke" (DAHNK-eh) to say "please" and "thank you."

4. Say "ja" (ya) for "yes" and "nein" (neyen) for "no." Of course, nodding or shaking your head works, too.

5. Say "wo" (voh), which means "where," if you're looking for something.

6. Use "Ich möchte" (ikh MERKH-teh), which means "I would like," in many situations. Just point to whatever you want, remembering to tack on a "bitte" at the end.

7. If all of the above fails, ask, "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" (SHPREKH-en zee ENG-lish), or "Do you speak English?" If your new German friend doesn't, he or she can probably find someone who does.

Tips & Warnings

• If you carry around a small phrase book or dictionary, you can look up words you don't know - and even point to them if you can't pronounce them.
• Be aware of the power of body language. Pointing, drawing, gesturing and pantomiming will all help you get your point across.

[Anisullah]

on 10/29/2008 once I was in Germany

but I couldn't speak a word, I was afraid if I make mistake and the people get angry with me.
But What I understand was they don't like English at all, even if they know English, they refuse most of the time to speak

on 3/21/2006 Be very careful! Some German speakers are very old-fashioned when it comes to whether you speak formally or casually to someone. If you do not know them well, never use "Tschus" (Ts-USH), "Tschau" (C-ow), or "Wie Geht's" (vie GEH-ts). Instead, use Auf Wiedersehen (owf VIEDER-sehn), or Wie gehts es ihnen (vie GEH-ts es ee-nen).

Also, please note that German cashiers are generally not as polite as American cashiers. It is not common that cashiers and workers will greet you, ask you how you are, ask if they can help you. Do not feel ignored or unwanted; this is normal. Alternatively, do not ask how they are unless they ask you first.

on 11/22/2005 In Germany, if you ask for a "wasser" (water), you will most likely recieve carbonated water. To ask for regular, non-carbonated tap water, you must ask for "stilles wasser" (pronounced shtill-ess vas-ser).

on 11/22/2005 The easiest, and most accurate phrase to remember (and use) to refer to the bathrooms is: Wo ist die Toilette, bitte? (Phonetically: Vo ist dee toyletteh bitteh?) Please don't ask for the Badezimmer, as that term refers to the room in which you usually find the tub and shower. Even in German homes that room is separate from the toilet or water closet.

on 11/22/2005 If you are at a restaurant or biergarten and need to find the bathrooms (quick) you can ask someone who works there: "Wo sind die Badezimmer?" (Voh zint dee Bad-uh-tsimmer?") They will usually point you in the right direction, or more often, they will detect your accent and tell you in English.