Most Germans speak English, especially younger people in the bigger cities, so you probably won’t have a hard time getting around this diverse country.
Still, a little German can go a long way. The language has a rich history and is the third most widely taught foreign language in the United States. It may surprise you to learn that it is the second most widely spoken Germanic language (after English) and one of the major languages in the world. In short, it is a useful language to know.
Give it a try when out for dinner or train travel, or especially at Oktoberfest. Or start your first Deutsch lesson here, and learn common German greetings and basic vocabulary that will come in handy in many situations.
(You will find the pronunciation in parentheses. Just read it aloud, the capitalized part of the word should be emphasized).
Dialects in Germany
For a medium-sized country, Germany has a very diverse set of dialects. Linguists say there are up to 250 different German dialects.
This becomes even more difficult to understand for strangers in different countries who share a language, such as Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. Vocabulary, accent, and phrases vary greatly and some native speakers cannot even understand their fellow German speakers.
Theoretically, everyone learns Hochdeutsch (High German) and should be able to communicate.
Note that the pronunciation of “Ich” or “I” depends on the dialect. In general, the sound is harsher like “Ikh” in the south, while it is softer like “Ish” in the north, particularly in Berlin. However, there are many exceptions. We have used the softer pronunciation “Ish” in this guide.
Basic German Words Every Traveler Should Know
Yeah ha (yeah)
No – Nein (nine)
Thank you – Danke (DAHN-kuh – not like the very popular Wayne Newton song)
Please and you’re welcome – Bitte (BITT-uh)
Disculpe – Excuse me (ent-SHOOL-degen see)
Lo siento – I’m sorry (ehs toot meer lite)
Where? – Wo? (Vo?)
Where is the restroom? – Who is Toilette? (Vo ist dee toy-LET-uh)
Left / Right – Links / Rechts (linx / rechts)
¿Tienes … – Do you … Right (Haaben ze …)
Entry and exit – Eingang and Ausgang (Eyen-Gong and Ow-S-Gang)
Men and Women – Herren / Männer and Damen / Frauen (Hair-en / Menner and Dom-en / FR-ow-en)
Greetings germans
Hello / Good morning – Guten Tag (GOOT-en tahk)
Good morning – Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MOR-gen)
Buenas tardes – Good evening (GOO-ten AH-bent)
Good evening – Gute Nacht (GOO-tuh nahdt)
Adiós – Goodbye (Ouf VEE-der-zane)
Hasta luego – See you later (Biss Sch-PAY-ter)
Leave informal – Tschust (T-ch-time)
German Talk
Mi nombre es – My name is…. (Mine NAH-muh is …)
¿Cuál es tu nombre? (formal) – What’s your name? (vee hie-ssen zee)
Pleasure – is freut mich. (Like froit mish)
¿Cómo estás? (formal) – How are you? (vee gayt it ee-nen)
How are you? (informal) – Wie geht`s? (small doors)
(Muy) Bueno – ( Very ) Good ( zair goot ) / Malo – Bad (shlekht)
I am doing it right. – The entrails of Mir geht. (MIR GOOt doors)
Do you speak English? (informal) – Sprichst du englisch? (Shprikhst doo English)
Me gustaría … – I would like … (Ish het-a Gar-en)
I’m from … [USA US / Canada / Australia / UK]. – Ich komme aus… (den United States / Kanada / Australia / Großbritannien)
Do you speak English? – Sprechen Sie Englisch? (SPRA-shun see ANG-lish)
No entiendo – I don’t understand (Ish VARE-stahe nisht)
No puedo hablar alemán – I don’t speak German. (Ish kun kine doitsh)
How much does that cost? – Wieviel kostet das? (Vee-veal cost-it DAs?)
Aclamations! – Prost! (PRO-st)
Have a good trip! – Gute Reise! ( GOOta Rise-a)
Regional German
North Germany
Hello (informal) – Moin (Moi’n) Can it also be used to ask if someone is good? ( Moin ?), And you answered right! well! ( Moin ! Moin !)
Good – Jut (YOU-t)
Southern germany
Hello / Goodbye – Servus! (Sir-VUS)
Hola (formal) – Grüß Gott o S’Gott (GRu-S GOT)
Que Dios te proteja (adiós informal) – Protect yourself ( God ) (Ba-Hewta DICK)
Yes! (strong) – Jawohl (Yes VULL)
German numbers
- Uno – one
- Dos – two
- Tres – three
- Cuatro – four
- Five – five
- Seis – six
- Siete – seven
- Ocho – eight
- Nueve – nine
- Diez – ten
- Once – Elfo
- Doce – twelve
Days of the week in German
- Lunes – Monday
- Martes – Tuesday
- Miércoles – Wednesday
- Jueves – Thursday
- Viernes – Friday
- Sábado – Saturday
- Domingo – Sunday
Months in German
- January – january
- February – February
- March – März
- April – April
- May – Mai
- June – Juni
- July – Juli
- August – August
- September – September
- October – Oktober
- November – November
- December – Dezember
