Everyday & DACH German Phrasebook

Greetings omit the verb "ich wünsche dir/Ihnen", leaving "der Morgen" in the accusative masculine (-en ending on the adjective "gut"). Used until roughly 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Standard polite greeting across Germany from late morning until roughly 6 p.m. Like "Guten Morgen", the masculine noun "der Tag" takes the strong accusative adjective ending -en.

Used from around 6 p.m. onward when arriving somewhere. Note that "Gute Nacht" is ONLY a farewell when going to sleep, never an evening arrival greeting.

Uses the impersonal subject "es" + singular verb "geht" and puts the person in the dative case ("Ihnen" = to you, capitalized). Unlike English, Germans usually answer honestly with a sentence or two rather than treating it as an empty greeting.

Spoken contraction of "Wie geht es dir?". The pronoun "dir" is the dative form of "du". Dropping "dir" ("Wie geht’s?") works for informal settings with a group or close friends.

Short for "Es freut mich..." (it pleases me). Notice the separable verb "kennenlernen" takes "-zu-" inside the two parts ("kennen-zu-lernen") in the infinitive clause at the end.

Literally "until we see each other again". On the telephone, however, Germans say "Auf Wiederhören!" (upon again-hearing) because you are only hearing the other speaker.

The standard casual goodbye among friends, classmates, and younger colleagues. Double "s" follows the short vowel ü (Tschüss); older spelling sometimes writes "Tschüß".

The preposition "bis" builds effortless time-based goodbyes ("bis gleich" = in a moment, "bis morgen" = tomorrow, "bis dann" = until then).

Implies "Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag noch". Notice "noch" adds the warm nuance "for the rest of today", and it works equally well with strangers in a bakery or colleagues.

Literally the feminine noun "die Entschuldigung". Use it both to get someone’s attention politely ("Entschuldigung, eine Frage...") and when bumping into someone in a crowded train.

Short for "Es tut mir leid". Unlike English "I am sorry", German puts the emotion into the fixed expression "leidtun" with you in the dative ("mir"). Use it for genuine apologies or empathy, not just passing someone in an aisle.

Stronger and warmer than a bare "Danke". Notice "Dank" is singular ("vielen Dank", not *"viele Dänke"), just like "Herzlichen Dank!" or "Tausend Dank!".

"Bitte" is Germany’s Swiss-army word: it means "please" when requesting, "here you go" when handing an item over, "you’re welcome" after thanks, and "pardon?" when spoken with rising tone.

Uses the past participle "geschehen" (happened) without an auxiliary verb ("Es ist gern geschehen"). Very polite and natural after someone thanks you for a favor.

Uses the negative article "kein" before the neuter noun "das Problem" (German never says *"nicht Problem" for nouns). Used both to accept apologies and to reassure someone asking a favor.

Two essential rules in one sentence: "könnten" (Konjunktiv II) sounds much softer than "können", and "helfen" ALWAYS takes a dative object ("mir", never *"mich").

"fragen" takes an accusative person ("Sie" / "dich"), unlike "helfen". Starting with "Darf ich..." (may I) immediately signals respect in shops, offices, and classrooms.

In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, switching from formal "Sie" to informal "du" ("das Duzen") is an explicit social milestone — typically offered by the older or higher-ranking person.

Ellipsis of "Das macht nichts" (that makes nothing / does not matter). One of the quickest, friendliest ways to wave off an apology.

Uses the Konjunktiv II of "haben" ("hätte") + "gern(e)" instead of a blunt "Ich will". Whatever you order follows in the accusative case ("einen Kaffee", "ein Brötchen", "eine Brezel").

"Hieressen" and "Mitnehmen" are verbs turned into neuter nouns (nominalized infinitives), which contract with "zu dem" to form "zum" (dative). Every German bakery and café asks this.

Short polite request; or add "Könnten wir die Speisekarte haben?" In restaurants, "die Karte" alone also means the menu.

Using the bare infinitive "zahlen" with "bitte" is completely standard in German cafés and beer gardens — it does not sound rude.

Paying separately ("getrennt zahlen") is completely normal among friends, colleagues, and couples in DACH restaurants — servers always ask before printing the bill.

Said when handing over cash (or before tapping a card) when you do not want change back, OR after naming the rounded total ("Machen Sie zwanzig!"). Never leave coins lying silently on the table after paying if you want to say thanks directly — hand-to-hand rounding is standard in DACH.

Said at the start of any meal — and even to strangers sitting nearby at a train-station table or canteen! Notice masculine "der Appetit" takes strong -en ("Guten Appetit").

Works everywhere — formal dinners, wine tastings, or casual bars — and "Prost!" is even friendlier among friends. In German culture, make brief eye contact when clinking glasses!

Uses the Perfekt tense ("hat geschmeckt") — remember "schmecken" puts the taster in the dative if you mention who enjoyed it ("Es hat mir sehr gut geschmeckt").

"allergisch" pairs with the accusative preposition "gegen" (against), never *"zu"! Essential for restaurants, bakeries, and pharmacies.

German commonly asks "What does that cost?" ("Was kostet...?") or "Wie viel kostet das?". For plural items, switch to "Was kosten die...?"

In Germany, many smaller bakeries, kiosks, and cafés still prefer cash ("Barzahlung") or require a minimum for cards, so asking "Geht das mit Karte?" upfront saves surprises.

Cashiers ask this at the end of nearly every supermarket checkout in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany and Austria shops must issue a receipt, but you don't have to take it, so the cashier asks whether you want it.

Shoppers across DACH bring reusable cloth bags ("Stofftaschen"), and store bags cost extra ("Die Tüte kostet 20 Cent").

Separable reflexive verb "sich umschauen": the prefix "um" splits to the very end, and "mich" stays right after the conjugated verb.

Notice German uses "eine Nummer" (a number/size, acc. f.) + comparative adjective ("größer", or "kleiner" = smaller), even for shoes and clothes.

Unlike English, "umtauschen" means exchanging for another size/item, whereas "zurückgeben" means returning it for a refund. Separable prefix "um-" creates a bracket after modal "kann".

In Germany ("das Pfand"), most plastic bottles, cans, and glass beer bottles carry an 8–25 cent deposit refunded by the "Pfandautomat" machine at supermarkets.

Used at checkout, market stalls, or the kiosk when paying for several items together.

Two classic German rules together: "auf" takes dative ("welchem Gleis") because the train is located at a platform, and "abfahren" splits "ab" to the end.

In German, trains "have" delay ("Verspätung haben") rather than *"are" delayed. Similarly, people say "Ich habe Verspätung" or "Ich bin zu spät".

"umsteigen" uses "sein" in the past tense ("Ich bin in Köln umgestiegen") because it describes changing physical location. Note also "einsteigen" (board) and "aussteigen" (get off).

Essential on German ICE trains! Check the overhead digital strip first: "ggf. freigeben" or a city-to-city route indicates a reservation ("reserviert").

Use "nach" before cities and countries without articles ("nach Berlin", "nach Wien"), whereas "zu" goes to local places ("zum Flughafen", "zur Stadtmitte").

"zum" merges "zu + dem" (masculine/neuter dative), while feminine destinations take "zur" ("zur U-Bahn", "zur Haltestelle", "zur Post").

Core direction vocabulary: "geradeaus" (straight ahead), "links" (left), "rechts" (right), "an der Ampel" (at the traffic light), "über die Brücke" (across the bridge).

"zu Fuß" (on foot) is an idiomatic fixed expression without an article ("mit dem Bus" / "mit dem Fahrrad" / "zu Fuß").

"der Anschluss" changes to masculine accusative "meinen Anschluss" after "erreichen". Standard question to ask a train conductor ("Zugbegleiter/in") when your train is late.

Crucial tip in DACH cities (like Berlin, Munich, Vienna): single paper tram/U-Bahn tickets are NOT valid until stamped at the yellow/blue machine ("Entwerter") BEFORE boarding.

In Germany and Austria ("Meldezettel"), residents register their address shortly after moving in ("die Anmeldung"). Notice "sich anmelden" is both reflexive ("mich") and separable ("anmelden", held together after modal "möchte").

Always check whether a German office ("Amt") or doctor ("Praxis") requires booking in advance — "ohne Termin" walk-ins are often turned away. "der Termin" becomes "einen Termin" after "haben".

"die Unterlagen" is almost always plural in German bureaucracy — from contracts ("Arbeitsvertrag") to landlord confirmations ("Wohnungsgeberbestätigung").

"unterschreiben" (inseparable stress on -schrei-) means to sign; the noun is "die Unterschrift". Notice it stays together ("unterschreiben") at the end of the modal clause.

German rental listings distinguish "Kaltmiete" (base rent) from "Warmmiete" (base rent + heating/water "Nebenkosten"). Always verify electricity ("Strom") and internet separately!

German uses "wie hoch" (how high) for amounts like rent ("Miete"), deposit ("Kaution"), or fees ("Gebühr"). Legally in Germany, residential "Kaution" cannot exceed three months of Kaltmiete.

"eine Bescheinigung ausstellen" is the gold-standard Amtsdeutsch phrase for getting an official confirmation letter — such as a "Meldebescheinigung" (residence confirmation) or "Immatrikulationsbescheinigung".

Crucial at banks, immigration offices, and health insurance ("Krankenkasse"). "dauern" expresses duration (how long something takes).

Fixed reflexive verb + preposition: "sich interessieren FÜR + Accusative". Opening flat-share ("WG") messages politely in German sharply boosts response rates.

Never say "Auf Wiedersehen" on a German phone call unless you have a video camera on! Even then, business calls end with "Auf Wiederhören!".

"hinterlassen" has an inseparable prefix here ("hinter-" with final stress) meaning "to leave behind a message/note". Notice "ausrichten" is the pair for passing a message to someone ("Soll ich ihr etwas ausrichten?").

Standard office switchboard request. "jemanden mit jemandem verbinden" takes the person in the accusative ("mich").

"sich zurückmelden" is the go-to workplace verb for following up or replying to a message/email later ("Ich melde mich morgen bei Ihnen").

"die Rückmeldung" covers both "reply/response" and "feedback" in German emails — far more idiomatic in office correspondence than borrowing "Feedback" everywhere.

Notice "im Homeoffice" (in dem Homeoffice) is standard modern German workplace terminology — whereas English says "working from home", German uses the pseudo-anglicism "das Homeoffice". Also observe TeKaMoLo: temporal "heute" precedes local "im Homeoffice".

Use "einen Termin einstellen" or "ein Meeting ansetzen" when inviting colleagues via calendar. "sollen" in a "wir" question is German’s polite "Shall we...?".

"der Feierabend" has no exact English one-word equivalent: it means the welcome end of the workday when office hours are over and free time begins.

German expresses physical sensations with dative pronouns + "sein", NOT *"Ich bin schwindelig" (which would sound odd) or *"Ich bin kalt" (which means cold-hearted!): say "Mir ist kalt / schlecht / schwindelig".

Combine almost any body part + plural "-schmerzen" ("Bauchschmerzen", "Halsschmerzen", "Rückenschmerzen", "Zahnschmerzen"). Notice German uses plural without an article!

Masculine "der Arzt" shifts to "einen Arzt" after "brauchen". For a female doctor, say "eine Ärztin". In Germany, call **116 117** for the non-emergency medical on-call service, or **112** for emergencies.

At German pharmacies ("Apotheken", marked by the red A), even basic ibuprofen and cold tablets sit behind the counter — ask the pharmacist using "etwas gegen..." (something against...).

Emergency number **112** reaches fire and medical rescue across all of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (plus all of the EU). "der Krankenwagen" takes "einen" in the accusative.

Notice "die nächste" means both "the next" and "the nearest/closest" in German (superlative of "nah": nah — näher — am nächsten).

Short for "Ich wünsche dir/Ihnen gute Besserung!" — the universal get-well wish in texts, sick-leave emails, and cards.

In Germany, employees notify their workplace first ("sich krankmelden") and provide an electronic sick note ("eAU" / Krankschreibung) from a doctor if absent past the company limit.

One of the highest-frequency phrases in spoken German: use it with rising intonation as a greeting ("Alles klar?" = Everything good?), or flat as "Got it / Works for me!".

Verb "stimmen" means "to be right/accurate" (never *"Das ist recht" for agreeing with a fact!).

"sich (dat.) einer Sache sicher sein" puts the person in the dative ("mir"), and "da" stands in for the whole topic ("about that") at position 1, triggering verb-subject inversion ("da BIN ich").

Short for "Ich habe keine Ahnung" — natural among friends or colleagues, though in very formal meetings prefer "Das kann ich leider nicht genau sagen".

Preposition "nach" can sit AFTER a dative feminine noun ("meiner Meinung nach") and pushes the entire phrase into position 1, so the conjugated verb MUST come immediately next ("Meiner Meinung nach IST...").

Separable fixed-preposition verb "ankommen auf + Akkusativ" with "darauf" acting as the pronoun placeholder for "on what?". Spoken German loves shortening "darauf" to "drauf" ("Kommt drauf an!").

Notice the modal particle "doch" softens or pushes back gently ("Wait — that makes sense after all!"), while "ergibt Sinn" is preferred in formal written essays.

Emphatic agreement: placing "Genau so" at position 1 creates natural V2 inversion ("ist es") to emphasize agreement.

"schade" is only used as a predicate ("Das ist schade!" / "Wie schade!"), never directly before a noun.

"sich treffen" means "to meet up with each other" — notice plural "uns" serves as the reciprocal "each other" here (no extra *"mit uns"* needed).

German asks "How late is it?" ("Wie spät ist es?") or "Wie viel Uhr ist es?". Watch out for "halb vier" = **3:30** ("halfway toward 4"), NOT 4:30!

"klappen" is the idiomatic verb for plans, schedules, or logistics working out ("Es hat super geklappt!"). Pair with dative "bei mir" / "bei Ihnen".

Inseparable verb "verschieben" ("ver-" never detaches, past participle "verschoben"). Specify the new day with "auf + Akkusativ": "auf nächste Woche verschieben".

Uses "sein" in Perfekt ("ist ... gekommen") because "kommen" is a motion verb, and puts the affected person in the dative ("Mir"). Polite, face-saving reason when canceling or shifting plans.

Notice German uses the present tense ("ich bin") + time adverb ("gleich" = in a couple of minutes) instead of future *"ich werde ... sein" for imminent arrival.

Fixed idiom "es eilig haben" (literally "to have it urgent"). Also useful with modal particles: "Ich habe es leider ein bisschen eilig."

Short passive/participle exclamation from "abmachen" (to agree on / arrange). Snap confirmation once time and place are settled.

"verstehen" has the inseparable prefix "ver-" (so never *"verstehe ge-" or splitting "ver" off!) and "nicht" sits after the conjugated verb (or after a pronoun object: "Ich verstehe das nicht").

Notice "langsamer" is the comparative adverb (literally "more slowly" — German adds "-er" with no "more"!). Paired with modal "könnten", the infinitive "sprechen" moves to the very end.

Watch the stress on "wiederholen"! With stress on "-ho-" (inseparable), it means "to repeat" ("Sie hat das wiederholt"). With stress on "wie-", it means "to fetch back".

Never say *"Was?"* (What?!) to strangers or elders in German — it sounds abrupt. Always ask "Wie bitte?" with a rising tone when you didn’t hear something.

Use "bedeuten" for the meaning of a word, sign, or phrase ("Was bedeutet ‚Ausfahrt‘?"), whereas "meinen" expresses what a person intends ("Was meinst du damit?").

Uses the impersonal pronoun "man" (one/people — always lowercase, singular verb "sagt") + "auf Deutsch" (no article, capitalized because "Deutsch" is a language noun here).

Separable verb "aufschreiben" (to write down) — indispensable for unfamiliar addresses, last names, and doctor instructions.

Notice two details: "sprechen" is a stem-changing verb in "du sprichst / er spricht", and "ein bisschen" (a little bit) is always lowercase.

Standard everyday greeting across Austria, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg — completely secular in daily use (even between strangers in shops, trains, and offices).

Derived from "Gott grüße Sie" (may God greet you). In German-speaking Switzerland, "Grüezi" is the polite Sie greeting; add "mitenand" when entering a shop, doctor’s office, or elevator with several people.

Works as BOTH hello and goodbye among friends, teammates, and younger speakers across Bavaria, Austria, and parts of southwestern Germany — similar to Italian "ciao".

Arguably the most versatile reassurance phrase in Austria and southern Germany: accept an apology, wave off exact change, or approve a plan with two syllables.

Instead of crossing fingers, German speakers press/squeeze their thumbs inside their fists ("die Daumen drücken") for luck — with the lucky person in the dative ("dir" / "Ihnen").

Classic German idiom dating back to WWI soldiers longing only for the train station home: when jargon gets overwhelming, you understand nothing except "Bahnhof"!

Watch the tone! "Mir ist es egal!" with heavy stress can sound dismissive ("I don’t care!"), whereas "Das ist mir eigentlich gleich / egal, entscheide du!" warmly means "I have no preference, you pick!"

Uses a nominalized present participle ("das Laufende" → dative "dem Laufenden") after "auf". Swap "dich" to "Sie" in work emails: "Ich halte Sie auf dem Laufenden."

Medieval competitions awarded a pig as a consolation prize, so "Schwein haben" means enjoying unexpected good fortune — always in a lighthearted tone.