Basic German phrases for travel

Excuse me

ent-SHOOL-dee-goong

The universal opener, great for getting a waiter’s attention, stopping a stranger for directions, or squeezing past someone on the metro. Lead with it and everything after goes smoother.

Please

BIT-teh

Attach it to almost any request. It softens everything, and locals notice when visitors use it.

A hardworking word: please, you’re welcome, here you go, and pardon? — all “bitte”.

Thank you

DAHN-keh

You can never say it too often. Use it for every small service such as handing over change, bringing a dish, giving directions.

Thank you very much

FEE-len DAHNK

For when someone has gone out of their way and to show that extra bit of gratitude.

You’re welcome

GEHR-neh

The universal response to thank you.

The modern everyday reply — literally “gladly”. “Bitte schön” and “gern geschehen” work too.

• More formal Gern geschehen gehrn geh-SHEH-en ▶

I’m sorry

es toot meer LITE

For bumping into someone, knocking over a glass, or any small offence.

Yes

yah

Everyone knows when to say yes, and being able to say it in the local language can be a really helpful way to navigate social interactions.

No

nine

Similar to yes, everyone knows when to use it and being able to say it in the local language can help across all sorts of situations.

Okay

in ORD-noong

An all-purpose acknowledgement whether you’re confirming a price, a meeting point, a plan. Generally used the same way across languages.

“Alles klar” — all clear — is the relaxed version you’ll hear constantly.

• Casual Alles klar AH-les KLAR ▶

Perfect

pehr-FEKT

Warmer than a plain “okay”, and a great way to show you’re happy with a suggestion, a price, or a plan.

That works for me

dahs PAHST meer

Accepting a suggestion — a later table, a different room, an earlier train. Signals easy-going agreement.

No problem

kine proh-BLEHM

Reassuring someone who apologises, or waving off a small inconvenience. Keeps the mood light on both sides.

One moment, please

EYE-nen moh-MENT BIT-teh

Buying yourself a few seconds when digging for your wallet, checking your phone, or holding a shop queue while you decide. Locals will be more patient when you can ask it in the local language

Could you help me, please?

KUH-nen zee meer BIT-teh HEL-fen

The polite way to open any request for assistance. Locals will be even more enthused to help when you ask it in their language.

Hello

HAH-loh

A must know in every language. A “hello” in the local language tends to get smiles, open doors, and has locals more eager to help.

Hi

high

The casual “hello” for friends, colleagues, and anyone you know well. A friendly opener that works in most situations.

Yes, just “hi” — Germans use it too. Regionally you’ll hear “Moin” in the north and “Servus” in the south.

• North Moin moyn ▶
• South Servus SEHR-voos ▶

Good morning

GOO-ten MOR-gen

Use it until around midday. A warm way to greet hotel staff, waiters and shopkeepers at the start of the day.

Good afternoon

GOO-ten TAHK

For the stretch between lunch and sunset, in languages that use it. If you’re unsure of the cutoff, locals will forgive you either way.

German’s daytime greeting covers morning to evening — there’s no separate “good afternoon”.

Good evening

GOO-ten AH-bent

The greeting for later in the day — walking into a restaurant for dinner, or checking in after dark.

Goodbye

owf VEE-der-zayn

Leaving a shop, ending a chat, stepping out of a taxi. Locals will notice when you say it in their language, and it’s a nice way to close any encounter.

The formal farewell. In everyday life nearly everyone says “tschüss”.

• Everyday Tschüss chewss ▶

See you later

biss SHPAY-ter

The friendly farewell for people you’ll cross paths with again such as hotel staff, your regular barista, new acquaintances.

Have a good day

SHUH-nen TAHK nokh

A warm sign-off after any small exchange. A great one to know in any language because locals will always appreciate it after an interaction.

Literally “a nice day still” — the standard shop-counter farewell.

My name is [name]

ish HIGH-seh [NAH-meh]

It’s always useful being able to introduce yourself in the local language. A great way to build friends in your travels.

How are you?

vee GAYT es EE-nen

The polite version for strangers and staff. In a lot of countries it’s seen as a genuine question, so be ready for a real answer.

• Casual Wie geht’s? vee GAYTS ▶

I’m well, thank you

goot DAHN-keh

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Bounce the question back with a smile and you’ve just had your first conversation!

Nice to meet you

froyt mish

Always a great one to say when meeting someone new on your travels. Knowing it in the local language is a nice touch that locals will appreciate.

Short for “it pleases me” — no gender endings, always right.