Formal & Informal Greetings in German

Video Transcript

"While traveling in Germany it might be helpful to know something about greetings and how to introduce yourself. There’s a big difference in German and American language. The Germans distinguish between formal and informal talking to people. If you don’t know somebody you would be always formal, which is different that informal. So, for instance if you would greet somebody you don’t know, you would say in German, “Guten Tag, wie geht es Ihnen.” Hello how are you doing. Once again in German, “Guten Tag, wie geht es Ihnen.” If you would be informal with somebody for instance it is a friend of yours or it is a child or it is somebody you really know very well like a family member you would say “Guten Tag, wie geht es dir” In English this is also Hello, how are you doing. Once again in German, “Guten Tag, wie geht es dir” If you want to introduce yourself in German you would say, “Guten Tag, Ich heibe Marc Smith und komme aus Amerika.” Hello I am Mark Smith from the United States. Once again in German, “Guten Tag, Ich heibe Marc Smith und komme aus Amerika.” The Germans also distinguish the greeting depending on the type of the day it is. For example in the morning you would say “Guten Morgen.” In English, Good Morning. “Guten Morgen.” You would say this until 12 noon. After 12 you would say “Guten Tag” good day or hello. “Guten Tag” In the afternoon lets say after 5:00 pm you would say “Guten Abend” in English, Good Evening. Once again in German, “Guten Abend” Another difference is that in English if you meet somebody at night and you would say goodbye, you would say Good Night which would be in German “Guten Nacht” but it is not an equivalent. In German you would just use the phrase “Auf Wiedersehen.” You would not say good night that would mean literally I am going to sleep and I wish you a pleasant sleep. So never say good night to somebody, say “Auf Wiedersehen.”"