German Phrases
Essential expressions for every situation. From greetings to emergencies, master the phrases you will actually use in Germany.
Greetings
Say hello and start conversations
Danke
Thank you
Vielen Dank
Many thanks / Thank you very much
Bitte
Please / You're welcome
Danke, gut
Fine, thanks
Guten Tag
Good day / Hello
Guten Morgen
Good morning
Mir geht es gut
I'm doing well
Guten Abend
Good evening
Wie geht's?
How's it going?
Wie geht es Ihnen?
How are you? (formal)
Hallo
Hello
Grüß Gott
Hello (southern German greeting)
Servus
Hi / Bye (southern informal)
Introductions
Introduce yourself and meet new people
Small Talk
Keep the conversation going
Haben Sie Hobbys?
Do you have any hobbies?
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Do you speak English?
Ich lerne Deutsch
I'm learning German
Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch
I speak a little German
Ich wohne in...
I live in...
Wie ist das Wetter?
How is the weather?
Ich komme aus...
I come from...
Woher kommen Sie?
Where are you from? (formal)
Was machen Sie beruflich?
What do you do for work?
Farewells
Say goodbye properly
Ordering Food
Navigate restaurants and cafes
Ich möchte...
I would like...
Ein Wasser, bitte
A water, please
Die Speisekarte, bitte
The menu, please
Ich nehme...
I'll have...
Die Rechnung, bitte
The bill, please
Zahlen, bitte
Check, please / I'd like to pay
Zusammen oder getrennt?
Together or separate?
Ich hätte gern...
I would like...
Stimmt so
Keep the change
Was können Sie empfehlen?
What can you recommend?
Shopping
Buy things and ask about prices
Asking Directions
Find your way around
Travel
Get around by train, bus, and more
Daily Life
Everyday expressions you will use often
Guten Appetit
Enjoy your meal
Ich verstehe nicht
I don't understand
Ich habe Durst
I'm thirsty
Ich habe Hunger
I'm hungry
Das schmeckt gut
That tastes good
Ich bin müde
I'm tired
Prost!
Cheers!
Was ist das?
What is that?
Wie heißt das auf Deutsch?
What's that called in German?
Wie bitte?
Pardon? / Excuse me?
Können Sie langsamer sprechen?
Can you speak more slowly?
Können Sie mir helfen?
Can you help me?
Workplace
Communicate professionally in German
Opinions
Express your thoughts and views
Apologies
Say sorry and make amends
Phone Calls
Handle phone conversations with confidence
Emergencies
Get help when you need it most
Ready to Test Your German?
Take our free assessment to discover your CEFR level and get personalized learning recommendations.
Start Free Assessment