Helpful German to Know
I don’t speak German!
Overall, almost everyone you meet in Germany will speak English to some degree. However, it is polite to at least attempt speaking German. A pocket dictionary is a great going away gift, but here are some daily phrases that will get you started.
Courtesy Phrases:
Danke: thak you
Bitte: you’re welcome or please
Entschuldigung: excuse me
Hallo: hi
Gesundheit: bless you
Darf ich?: may I?
Kann ich?: can I?
Guten Morgen: good morning
Guten Tag: good day
Guten Abend: good evening
Guten Nacht: good night
Auf Wiedersehen: good bye
Es tut mir leid: I’m sorry
Ich wohne in Baumholder, Deutschland: I live in Baumholder, Germany
Wieviel kostet das?: How much is this?
Nehmen Sie Dollar?: Do you take dollars?
Wo ist der/die/das…?: Where is the __________?
Example: Toilette/ Toilet
Was ist das? What is this?
Wieviel Uhr ist es? What time is it?
Sprechen Sie….English?: Do you speak English?
Wo ist das?: Where is it?
Kannst du mir helfen?: Can you help me?
In welcher Richtung ist?: Which was is ________?
Emergency Phrases:
Wo ist..... die Polizeistation? Where is.....the Police Department?
die Feuerwehrstation? the Fire Department?
die Krankenhaus? a hospital?
Signs on doors:
Drücken: push
Ziehen: pull
Damen: ladies
Herren: gentlemen
Signs inside:
Aufzug: elevator
Rolltreppe: escalator
Notausgang: emergency exit
WC/Toiletten: restrooms
Pronunciation:
i = says e like in bee
a = says ah
u = says oo like in boot
ei = says i
ie = says e
eu = like in boy
au = like in mouse
ä = like in bear
ö = like in earth
v = /f/ sound
z = /ts/ sound
w =/v/ sound
ch = throat sound (pretend to clear it) or between teeth sound like in Michigan
j = like y