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.
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Instructions
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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."
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Introduce yourself by saying "Ich heisse" (ikh HEYESS-eh) and then your name.
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Make copious use of "bitte" (BIT-eh) and "danke" (DAHNK-eh) to say "please" and "thank you."
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Say "ja" (ya) for "yes" and "nein" (neyen) for "no." Of course, nodding or shaking your head works, too.
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Say "wo" (voh), which means "where," if you're looking for something.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Comments
View all 21 Comments-
Anisullah
Oct 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 -
Anisullah
Oct 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
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Mar 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.
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Nov 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.
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Nov 22, 2005
Tschuss (choo-ss) is the most commonly used parting phrase. It is familiar but is used by everyone. Be sure to always say tschuss as you leave a store. It is considered rude to depart silently.
