If you only know a few words of German, having the ability to be polite will make those few words go a lot farther because people will appreciate your effort to be courteous and respectful in their language. Below you’ll find a collection of common, everyday German greetings (Grüße) and courtesies (Nettigkeiten). Be aware that German makes a clear distinction between formal and familiar forms of expression (Sie = formal form and du / first name = familiar form). Phrases marked “familiar” or “casual” should only be used in informal, first-name situations.
Everyday Pleasantries
Guten Tag! / Tag! –> Hello! / Hi!
Grüß Gott! –> Hello! (southern Germany & Austria)
Grüß dich! –> Hello! (familiar, informal)
Guten Morgen! – Morgen! –> Good morning! – Morning!
Guten Abend! –> Good evening!
Gute Nacht! –> Good night!
Wie geht es Ihnen? –> How are you?
Wie geht’s? –> How are you? (familiar, informal)
Danke, gut. –> Fine, thanks.
Sehr gut. –> Great.
Es geht. –> Okay. So-so.
Nicht so gut. –> Not so well.
Auf Wiedersehen. –> Good-bye.
Tschüs! –> Bye! See you later. (casual)
Requests
Was möchten Sie? –> What would you like?
Ich möchte… –> I would like…
Darf ich? –> May I?
Können Sie mir helfen? –> Can you help me?
Yes/No – Thanks – You’re Welcome
Bitte! – Ja, bitte! –> Please! – Yes, please!
Danke! –> Thanks! – No thanks!
Danke schön! –> Thank you!
Vielen Dank! –> Thanks a lot! – Many thanks!
Bitte schön! –> You’re welcome! (in response to Danke schön!)
Nein, danke! –> No thanks!
