{"id":93079,"date":"2023-08-21T23:42:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T03:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/beginner-german-conversation\/"},"modified":"2025-06-09T10:06:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T14:06:01","slug":"beginner-german-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/beginner-german-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"German Conversation: Phrases, Tips and Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why are beginner German conversation skills so important?<\/p>\n

Well, the point of learning German<\/a> is to use it! There’s no reason to wait.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just read the post below from beginning to end and you’ll be well on your way to sounding like a native German speaker in no time.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Essential German Phrases You Should Keep Handy<\/h2>\n

Basic German Phrases<\/h3>\n

Some of the first words you pick up in beginner German conversation are bitte <\/em><\/strong>(please) and danke <\/strong><\/em>(thank you). They’re not only useful in a variety of real-life situations (like someone opening a door for you), but also for those instances when someone hands you a suitcase full of cash because you look cool.<\/p>\n

Other basic phrases that will come in handy for everyday life in a German-speaking country (that will also make you look cool) are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Basic German Phrases<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hallo!<\/em><\/td>Hello!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guten Tag!<\/em><\/td>Good day!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich hei\u00dfe ...<\/em><\/td>My name is ...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wie hei\u00dfen Sie?<\/em><\/td>What is your name?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wie geht\u2019s?<\/em><\/td>How are you?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mir geht\u2019s gut.<\/em><\/td>I\u2019m doing well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Woher kommen Sie?<\/em><\/td>Where do you come from?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich komme aus ...<\/em><\/td>I come from ...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Und Sie?<\/em><\/td>And you?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich bin in ... geboren.<\/em><\/td>I was born in ...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bis sp\u00e4ter!<\/em><\/td>See you later!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tsch\u00fc\u00df!<\/em><\/td>Bye!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich verstehe das nicht.<\/em><\/td>I don\u2019t understand that.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Complimenting Germany
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When in Germany, the question M\u00f6gen Sie Deutschland? <\/em><\/strong>(Do you like Germany?) will likely come up. If your aim is to keep the conversation going, you’re probably going to want to say yes.<\/p>\n

You can also reply as follows, depending on the context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Compliments<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ich mag das Essen sehr.<\/em><\/td>I like the food very much.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Die Leute hier sind sehr freundlich.<\/em><\/td>The people here are very friendly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hier ist es \u00e4u\u00dferst sauber.<\/em><\/td>It's extremely clean.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Travel Expressions<\/h3>\n

Of course, you’re not going to get by in Germany solely on compliments! You need a few phrases to help you get around too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Travel Expressions<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Wo?<\/em><\/td>Where?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entschuldigung, wo ist \u2026 ?<\/em><\/td>Excuse me, where is \u2026 ?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Halten Sie bitte hier an.<\/em><\/td>Please stop here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Es ist da.<\/em><\/td>It\u2019s there.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Geradeaus<\/em><\/td>Straight ahead<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zur\u00fcck<\/em><\/td>Back<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nach links<\/em><\/td>To the left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nach rechts<\/em><\/td>To the right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Um die Ecke<\/em><\/td>Around the corner<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Jetzt geht es nach Hause.<\/em><\/td>Now it\u2019s (time to go) home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
F\u00fchl dich wie zu Hause.<\/em><\/td>Make yourself at home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Shopping Phrases<\/h3>\n

What’s a trip to Germany without taking home a souvenir or two? The country may be famous for its food (specifically, sausages and beer), but it also has kitchen utensils, seasonal tablecloths and wooden toys for children<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Shopping Phrases<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Haben Sie Souvenirs?<\/em><\/td>Do you have souvenirs?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Verkaufen Sie ... ?<\/em><\/td>Do you sell ... ?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Was kostet das?<\/em><\/td>How much is that?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haben Sie etwas Billigeres?<\/em><\/td>Do you have something cheaper?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kann ich mit Kreditkarte bezahlen?<\/em><\/td>May I pay with a credit card?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Haben Sie eine Kundenkarte?<\/em><\/td>Do you have a customer card?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Restaurant Phrases<\/h3>\n

In Germany, you can usually take your own seat without having a waiter do it for you<\/a>, unless you’re at a particularly high-end place. On the other hand, you shouldn’t expect to automatically get things like added ice and water refills\u2014you have to ask for them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Restaurant Phrases<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte sehen?<\/em><\/td>Can I see the menu, please?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich h\u00e4tte gern ...<\/em><\/td>I would like ...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ein Glas Wasser, bitte.<\/em><\/td>A glass of water, please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Noch einmal, bitte!<\/em><\/td>Another one, please!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wo ist die Toilette?<\/em><\/td>Where is the bathroom?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Die Rechnung, bitte.<\/em><\/td>The check, please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Darf ich eine Quittung haben, bitte?<\/em><\/td>Can I have a receipt, please?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Kebab Phrases<\/h3>\n

Wurst<\/em>, potatoes and\u00a0sauerkraut<\/em> are no longer the only foods that define Germany. Since the mass migration of Turkish workers to the country in the middle of the 20th century, Turkish food has infiltrated German life\u2014and the kebab is its most famous ambassador.<\/p>\n

A kebab is a piece of bread loaded with meat, vegetables and sauces. Not the healthiest food, but certainly pretty delicious. Fast food stands selling these delicacies are all over Germany\u2019s major cities, and in many of its small towns as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Phrases Used at the Kebab Shop<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hallo! Was darf es sein?<\/em><\/td>Hello! What\u2019s it to be?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich h\u00e4tte gern einen D\u00f6ner, bitte.<\/em><\/td>I\u2019d like a kebab, please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
mit Fleisch?<\/em> <\/td>With meat? <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mit alles?<\/em><\/td>With everything?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gem\u00fcse?<\/em><\/td>Vegetables?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ohne Zweibeln.<\/em><\/td>Without onions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Okay. Und welche So\u00dfe?<\/em><\/td>Okay. And which sauce?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scharf und Knoblauch, bitte.<\/em><\/td>Spicy and garlic, please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Drinking Phrases<\/h3>\n

In Germany, you’ll find a Kneipe<\/em> everywhere. A Kneipe<\/em> is sort of like a bar, sort of like a British pub, but really,\u00a0Kneipen<\/em> are their own institution. It’s a corner bar, usually a bit dingy and very neighborhood-oriented, where Germans go to hang out, drink, smoke, play pool and socialize.<\/p>\n

In Berlin, you\u2019ll find hipster Kneipe<\/em> where the decorations are artfully shabby and the clientele are all young Brits or Americans. You\u2019ll also find decidedly unfashionable Kneipe<\/em> founded in 1913 that cater to Germans who have lived in the city since before the Wall fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Phrases Used at the Kneipe<\/em> (and Other Drinking Places)<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ist hier noch frei?<\/em><\/td>Is this (seat) free?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Leider nicht. Eine Freundin kommt noch.<\/em><\/td>Sadly, no. A friend is coming.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ein Schl\u00fcckchen f\u00fcr dich und mich.<\/em><\/td>A sip for you and me.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prost!<\/em>
\nZum Wohl!<\/em><\/td>		Cheers! (translation for both phrases)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Phrases for the Apotheke <\/em>(Pharmacy)<\/h3>\n

An\u00a0Apotheke <\/em>is a German pharmacy\u2014but it\u2019s a bit different from pharmacies in the United States. Whereas an American pharmacy usually appears at the back of a store like Rite Aid, CVS or Walgreens, German pharmacies are separate stores that typically only sell medicines or remedies.<\/p>\n

You need a prescription to buy certain medications at the pharmacy, but you can also buy non-prescription treatments for maladies such as dry eye or the common cold. The best part? Pharmacists are there to help you figure out just what you need to buy to get better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Phrases Used at the Apotheke<\/em><\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hallo. Ich brauche Augentropfen.<\/em><\/td>Hello. I am looking for eye drops.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Warum? Haben Sie ein Problem mit Ihren Augen?<\/em><\/td>Why? Do you have a problem with your eyes?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kein gro\u00dfes Problem, aber meine Augen werden manchmal trocken.<\/em><\/td>Not a big problem, but sometimes my eyes get dry.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Okay. Nehmen Sie diese Augentropfen bis zu viermal t\u00e4glich. <\/em><\/td>Okay, do you need a bottle, or one-time-use drops?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Super, danke. <\/em><\/td>Great, thanks. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Phrases for the Doctor’s Office<\/h3>\n

Doctor\u2019s offices in Germany are probably different from what you would expect. They tend to be small, cozy rooms on the first floors of apartment buildings. Most of them offer walk-in hours rather than appointments, and visits are very cheap (approximately \u20ac20 or $21), even without insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Phrases Used at the Doctor's Office<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ich habe R\u00fcckenschmerzen.<\/em><\/td>I have back pain.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seit wann haben Sie diese Schmerzen?<\/em><\/td>How long have you had this pain?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seit Dienstag. Ich glaube, ich habe mich im Fitnessstudio verletzt.<\/em><\/td>Since Tuesday. I think I injured myself in the gym. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Okay, ich werde Ihnen eine \u00dcberweisung an einen Facharzt ausstellen.<\/em><\/td>Okay, I\u2019ll write you a referral to see a specialist. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Expressions to Ask for Help<\/h3>\n

“K\u00f6nnen Sie mir helfen?” <\/em><\/strong>Those words might save your life… or at least lead to a better German conversation.<\/p>\n

“Can you help me?” is something you’ll invariably be asking, whether you’re living in a German-speaking country or just passing through<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you’re in an emergency, here are other expressions you can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Expressions to Ask for Help<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Hilfe!<\/em><\/td>Help!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ruf die Polizei!<\/td>Call the police! <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe ... verloren<\/em><\/td>I've lost ...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wie komme ich zum Krankenhaus?<\/em><\/td>How do I get to the hospital? <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mir geht\u2019s schlecht.<\/em><\/td>I don\u2019t feel well.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich habe mich verlaufen.<\/em><\/td>I got lost.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wie komme ich zur ... Botschaft?<\/em><\/td>How do I get to the ... embassy?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Expressions for Friends<\/h3>\n

If you managed to strike up a friendship with a native German speaker (congratulations, by the way!), you’re going to need a few phrases on hand to let them know how you feel at any given time. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Expressions for Friends<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Wir schaffen das schon!<\/em><\/td>We will make it!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ich freu mich.<\/em><\/td>I\u2019m glad.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
F\u00fchl dich gedr\u00fcckt.<\/em><\/td>Sending you a hug.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Das stimmt.<\/em><\/td>That\u2019s right.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Du kannst mich jederzeit anrufen!<\/em><\/td>You can call me anytime!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hab dich hier vermisst.<\/em><\/td>Missed you here.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ist alles OK?<\/em><\/td>Is everything okay?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wenn du meinst ...<\/em><\/td>If that\u2019s what you think ...<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Das sieht aber gut aus.<\/em><\/td>That looks good.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gerne<\/em><\/td>Would love to<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Muss ein toller Kerl sein.<\/em><\/td>Must be a nice fella\/bloke\/chap\/guy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Was hast du vor?<\/em><\/td>What are you up to?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Expressions for Significant Others<\/h3>\n

What if your friendship with that native German speaker progresses into something more? Well, here’s how you can let them know, in no uncertain terms, that your relationship has progressed beyond the platonic stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Expressions for Significant Others<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Schatz<\/em><\/td>Sweetheart, darling<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Er\/Sie ist sehr h\u00fcbsch. <\/em><\/td>He\/She is very cute. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Du kannst von mir jederzeit alles haben!<\/em><\/td>You can have anything from me anytime!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hast du Lust, heute Abend was trinken zu gehen? <\/em><\/td>Do you fancy getting a drink tonight? <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Negative German Expressions<\/h3>\n

Of course, not everything is going to be hunky-dory all the time. Sometimes, it’s all right to express displeasure\u2014though you do have to be careful who you’re being negative around!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Negative Expressions in German<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Ich glaube es gibt Verbesserungsbedarf.<\/em><\/td>I think there's room for improvement.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Furchtbar<\/em><\/td>Terrible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Du irrst dich.<\/em><\/td>You are wrong.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Das war echt anstrengend<\/em><\/td>That was really stressful<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Conversation Wayposts<\/h3>\n

Inevitably, the conversational German you’re going to hear in Germany or Austria is going to be slightly different from what you’re learning in formal study materials<\/a>. Much like in English, German speakers have a few words for interjecting conversations or signalling that the topic is about to change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Conversation Wayposts<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Bin jetzt schon ein bisschen neugierig<\/em><\/td>Now I am quite curious<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mal gucken<\/em><\/td>We shall see<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Thema wechseln<\/em><\/td>Change the subject<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vor allem<\/em><\/td>Above all, especially<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Slang<\/h3>\n

If you’re talking with younger people in German, you’re bound to come across a ton of lingo and idioms<\/a>. Throwing in some slang now and then should definitely score you bonus points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
German Slang<\/th>English Translation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Das ist Hammer<\/em><\/td>That is Hammer (i.e., \"That is awesome\")<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Das ist fett<\/em><\/td>That is fat (i.e., \"What you just said is impressive!)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Egal<\/em><\/td>Never mind<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ach was<\/em><\/td>Nonsense<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

German Conversation Tips<\/h2>\n

Practice Being Formal<\/h3>\n

Some of the hardest parts of a new language include those that don’t exist in your mother tongue. As such, the two types of “you” are sometimes a stumbling block for native English speakers: the informal\u00a0du<\/strong><\/em> and formal Sie<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Although most Germans would likely understand a new speaker doing their\u00a0best, using\u00a0Sie <\/em>ensures you’re not likely to commit any faux pas<\/em><\/a>. Practice using the formal conjugation at home, especially when you regularly speak to someone who isn’t a peer. Again, getting the Sie\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0du\u00a0<\/em>down is simple, but takes a little work at first.<\/p>\n

Concoct the Perfect Line<\/h3>\n

When first learning German in Germany<\/a>, I often sat quietly and awkwardly in the corner, trying to follow what the Germans were saying but not confident enough to butt in.<\/p>\n

For these situations, I riffed off\u00a0the motto of a grocery store:\u00a0“Wie Rewe, jeden Tag ein bisschen besser”<\/strong><\/em> (“Like Rewe, every day a little better”).<\/p>\n