Embarking on a journey to Germany or a German-speaking region? Whether you're exploring the enchanting streets of Berlin, savouring the beauty of the Bavarian Alps, or indulging in the culinary delights of Vienna, having a grasp of basic German phrases can enhance your travel experience. In this blog post, we'll equip you with essential phrases for greetings, asking for directions, ordering food, and everyday interactions.
1. Greetings and Polite Expressions: Mastering greetings is the first step to engaging with locals and immersing yourself in the culture. Here are some essential phrases:
Hello/Hi:
German: Hallo
Good morning:
German: Guten Morgen
Good afternoon:
German: Guten Tag
Good evening:
German: Guten Abend
Good night:
German: Gute Nacht
Please:
German: Bitte
Thank you:
German: Danke
You're welcome:
German: Bitte schön
Excuse me:
German: Entschuldigung
You'll find alternatives on how to say please and thank you in German and a post on how to check into a hotel in German on our blog.
2. Asking for Directions: Navigating a new city can be an adventure in itself. Here are phrases to help you ask for directions in German:
Excuse me, where is...?
German: Entschuldigung, wo ist...?
Can you help me find...?
German: Können Sie mir helfen, ... zu finden?
Is it far from here?
German: Ist es weit von hier?
How do I get to...?
German: Wie komme ich zu...?
Where is...?
German: Wo ist...?
How do I get to...?
German: Wie komme ich zu...?
Train station
Bahnhof
Bus stop
Bushaltestelle
Airport
Flughafen
Taxi
Taxi
3. Ordering Food: Exploring local cuisine is a delightful part of travel. Be ready to order your favourite dish with these phrases:
I would like to order...
German: Ich möchte ... bestellen.
The menu, please:
German: Die Speisekarte, bitte.
Can I have the bill, please?
German: Die Rechnung, bitte.
Water (still/sparkling):
German: Wasser (still/sprudelnd)
Coffee/Tea:
German: Kaffee/Tee
4. Everyday Phrases for Tourists: Interact with locals and fellow travellers using these common phrases:
Where is the bathroom?
German: Wo ist die Toilette?
I need help:
German: Ich brauche Hilfe.
How much does this cost?
German: Wie viel kostet das?
I don't understand:
German: Ich verstehe nicht.
Excuse me, can you take a photo of us?
German: Entschuldigung, können Sie ein Foto von uns machen?
Arming yourself with these #basicGermanphrases will not only make your travel experience more enjoyable but also earn you the appreciation of locals. Don't be afraid to practice and embrace the language—it's a fantastic way to connect with the culture and people! If you're interested to learn more basic phrases in German and fascinating statistics about the German language, then check out our German language blog.
