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Top 50 Phrases in German
These 50 essential German phrases cover greetings, transport, dining, and everyday situations — with native audio to help you sound natural from the start.
Practice in the LingoSwipe App →Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
👋 Begrüßungen — Greetings & Goodbyes
1.
Guten Tag.
Good day. / Hello. (Formal)
Guten Morgen in the morning, Guten Tag during the day, Guten Abend in the evening.
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2.
Hallo!
Hello! (Casual)
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3.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Goodbye. (Formal)
In Bavaria and Austria, you often hear Servus or Auf Wiederschauen instead.
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4.
Tschüss!
Bye! (Casual)
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5.
Wie geht es Ihnen?
How are you? (Formal)
Germans typically give short, honest answers rather than the automatic 'fine' common in English.
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6.
Wie geht's?
How's it going? (Casual)
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7.
Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
Pleased to meet you. (Formal)
A firm handshake is the standard greeting when meeting someone for the first time in Germany.
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8.
Bis bald!
See you soon!
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9.
Gute Nacht.
Good night.
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10.
Herzlich willkommen!
A warm welcome!
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🙏 Höflichkeit — Essential Politeness
11.
Danke.
Thank you.
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12.
Vielen Dank.
Many thanks. / Thank you very much.
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13.
Bitte.
Please. / You're welcome. / Here you go.
Bitte means please, you're welcome, here you go, and pardon? — all in one word.
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14.
Entschuldigung.
Excuse me. / Sorry.
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15.
Es tut mir leid.
I am sorry. (Sincere apology)
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16.
Ja.
Yes.
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17.
Nein.
No.
Germans value directness — a clear Nein is honest and respectful, not rude.
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18.
Genau!
Exactly! / Precisely!
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19.
Kein Problem.
No problem.
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20.
Alles klar.
All clear. / Understood. / OK.
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🗺️ Orientierung — Getting Around
21.
Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Do you speak English?
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22.
Ich verstehe nicht.
I don't understand.
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23.
Wo ist...?
Where is...?
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24.
Ich möchte...
I would like...
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25.
Was kostet das?
How much does that cost?
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26.
Die Rechnung, bitte.
The bill, please.
It is perfectly normal to pay separately in Germany. Say getrennt for separate or zusammen for together.
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27.
Ich spreche wenig Deutsch.
I speak a little German.
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28.
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
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29.
Hilfe!
Help!
Emergency numbers in Germany: Police 110 · Ambulance and Fire 112.
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30.
Ich bin verloren.
I am lost.
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🍺 Essen und Trinken — Food & Drink
31.
Ein Bier, bitte.
A beer, please.
In Bavaria you can order a Maß — a full litre of beer. Prost is the German toast.
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32.
Prost!
Cheers!
Always make eye contact when clinking. Drinking before the toast is considered rude.
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33.
Guten Appetit!
Enjoy your meal!
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34.
Das schmeckt sehr gut!
That tastes very good!
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35.
Ich bin Vegetarier.
I am vegetarian.
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36.
Ohne Fleisch, bitte.
Without meat, please.
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37.
Noch ein Wasser, bitte.
Another water, please.
Tap water is not automatically served in Germany. Still water is stilles Wasser, sparkling is Sprudelwasser.
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38.
Zum Mitnehmen.
To take away.
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39.
Einen Kaffee, bitte.
A coffee, please.
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40.
Das war lecker!
That was delicious!
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🏙️ Alltag — Everyday Life
41.
Wo ist die Toilette?
Where is the toilet?
Public toilets in Germany often require a coin (usually 50 cents). Keep small change ready.
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42.
Ich suche...
I am looking for...
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43.
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I am learning German.
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44.
Kann ich mit Karte bezahlen?
Can I pay by card?
Germany still uses a lot of cash — always ask before assuming card is accepted.
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45.
Das ist zu teuer.
That is too expensive.
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46.
Ich weiß nicht.
I don't know.
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47.
Bitte warten Sie kurz.
Please wait a moment.
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48.
Wie spät ist es?
What time is it?
Punctuality is extremely important in German culture. Arriving on time — or even a few minutes early — is expected.
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49.
Rufen Sie einen Arzt!
Call a doctor!
Medical emergency: call 112. Police: 110. Both 112 and 110 work from any phone.
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50.
Das ist wunderschön!
That is wonderful! / Beautiful!
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