Ein großes Bier, bitte. German idioms are a constant source of hilarity, especially when directly translated into English. When being introduced to a new group of people, there are several things you might be asked, such as: Wo kommst du her? How can I get there best? Wie komme ich am besten dorthin? ixh fair-shtay-er nixht: Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? Auf Englisch darf man zwischen Englisch und darf ein Komma setzen. In this blog post I’d like to introduce you to one hundred (yes, one hundred!) If you just simply want to state what country you are from, you could say: Ich komme aus Amerika/Kanada/Spanien. — When is the next bus to Mitte leaving? → This phrase comes in handy when the salesperson is a little too enthusiastic. Other than that, I hope these examples will come in handy when traveling through Germany and communicating with native speakers of German! There are plenty of different dialects in German so listening to a range of fluent speakers speaking German during your language learning journey is essential. In m… The figurative translation may look different, but when translated literally, the German person is saying “come,” “good,” “to” and “house.” In that phrase, 75% of the words are pretty close to English, with nach (to) being a notable difference (but preposition differences tend to … Ich brauche einen Krankenwagen. — Thank you, but I’d like to look around a bit more. German terms common in English academic context, German terms mostly used for literary effect, Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Volksmarsch / Volkssport / Volkswanderung, the whole is more than the sum of its parts, List of pseudo-German words adapted to English, "Productivity Measures: Business Sector and Major Subsectors", "Modeling Unanticipated Shocks: An Illustrative GAMS/MCP Model", http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-german/out%20+%20hand, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_German_expressions_in_English&oldid=1014471460, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from March 2019, All articles needing additional references, Articles that may contain original research from March 2019, All articles that may contain original research, Articles with multiple maintenance issues, Pages that use a deprecated format of the math tags, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, German cultural artifacts, especially foods, have spread to English-speaking nations and often are identified either by their original German names or by German-sounding English names. Nowadays it is quite common to use English greetings, like “hi” and “bye bye”, but … Können Sie mir bitte helfen? — How long would we have to wait for a table? Haben Sie ein Handy? [halɔ] — Hello (can be used both in formal and informal occasions and is very common in German) 1. — I’d like one portion of fries red and white, please. Wann fährt der letzte Zug/Bus nach Tübingen? Ich hätte gerne einen Tisch für eine Person, bitte. — Do you have a children’s menu as well? — One ticket/two tickets to Stuttgart-Vaihingen, please. Would you like something to drink? Guten Tag [gu:tən ta:k] — Good day (I… Ich glaube, ich habe mir etwas gebrochen. — A large beer, please. (Maria is seeking advice from her friends.) — Please call the police. Especially when in an unfamiliar area it is important to know some basics in case you need to ask for directions. If you need the waiter’s or the waitress’ attention, usually signing with your hand or your finger (by simply lifting it up in the air) is enough to get somebody’s attention. Is this the sound of Jens making the "ch" sound in German? Learn how to say some basic German phrases, including greetings and various expressions to help make yourself understood. (frm) Reply to 'How are you?' Leben Sie schon lange hier? Everyone should take the time to learn these Being polite are just as important in German-speaking countries as they are in America. Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen/eine starke Migräne. — Is there a hospital close by? — Is there a tourist information close by? → “Pommes” (short for pommes frites, which is French for “french fries”) is the casual term for fries in Germany. — Which wine would you recommend with this dish? or If I can, I will go with you. → This phrase works for pretty much any time of the day except for evenings. Or if you are talking to a younger crowd or in a less formal environment simply choose: Freut mich, dich/euch kennen zu lernen. Not every word is recognizable outside its relevant context. Similar Looking German Words vs English Ones. As you have learned before, there are two ways of addressing someone in German: a polite or formal way using “Sie” and a more casual way using “du”. Whether you are learning German “just because” or because you are planning to visit — or move to — Germany, getting familiar with some of the basics of German language is not only helpful in day-to-day life, but can also enhance your experience in a plethora of ways. Guten Morgen [gu:tən mɔrgən] — Good morning (In German, it’s used before midday) 1. Medium Rare: Mittleres seltenes: Well-done: Gut durchbraten: Rare: Blutig: What could you recommend? Der Bundesrat ist ein Verfassungsorgan Deutschlands. Your email address will not be published. — Please drive me to the nearest hospital. Gibt es hier in der Gegend interessante Sehenswürdigkeiten? — My hotel room was broken into. I don’t understand. Ich bin aus New York. You might notice that the German equivalent of the English “good afternoon” doesn’t really exist in German. Almost every fourth German has their heart skip a beat when listening to the softer-sounding variety of German, but they cringe when the Saxonian or Rhineland Palatinate dialect is within earshot.. German dialects usually only play a minor role in German class because the standard German (Hochdeutsch) is taught. → Usually this is the answer to the question “Darf es noch etwas sein?” (Is there anything else you need?). As phrases become more complex in German, the position of the verb is often very different from English and you’ll want to get lots of examples of this and opportunity to practise. Yet if using it at one of the Döner shops in Germany, everyone will understand what you mean: you do want the spicy red chili flakes on top that make this already pretty delicious treat even better. — He/she needs medication. Ich möchte nach Prenzlauer Berg. — I am looking for a (winter) hat. Wann fährt der Zug ab? → Note: When using “Ich habe mich verlaufen” it refers to being lost when walking on foot. With features such as Grammar Challenges, Cloze-Listening, and Cloze-Reading, the app will let you emphasize all the competencies necessary to become fluent in German. — I’d like/we’d like a table for two/three/four, please. Test your skills and see what you’ve learned from this article by playing a selection of sentences with useful German phrases and expressions. There are the same or very similar words in English and German. For instance, just as one could say either: I will go with you, if I can. — When is the last train/bus to Tübingen leaving? → This phrase would be commonly used when speaking to a taxi drive or sitting in a cab. — Is there a pediatrician’s office close by? — When is the train departing? Könnten Sie mir das bitte auf der Karte zeigen? Bieten Sie auch Gerichte zum Mitnehmen an? — Is there a public restroom close by? — Are there any interesting sights here in the area? English and German both belong to the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family. — How long have you been living in Stuttgart? — Do you have a dessert menu? — Do you know any good family physicians? Könnten Sie das bitte für mich zurücklegen? — Pleasure to meet you! — My car was broken into. Mein Auto wurde aufgebrochen. These are called “cognates”. Clozemaster is a game to learn and practice language in context. — I have a very bad headache/a bad migraine. — Is this the way to the Rathausplatz (city hall square)? (Or: I/we need to see a doctor.). Ich hätte gerne vier Laugenbrötchen. Take your German to the next level. Germany offers a variety of different restaurants and street food — from fine dining to your local Döner Kebap shop (which I highly recommend you give a try! Check out the The Great Translation Game. Haben Sie das auch in einer kleineren/größeren Größe? Developments and discoveries in German-speaking nations in science. Könnten Sie das bitte für mich zurücklegen? i've seen LOTS of ASMRtists do this but the one who inspired me in particular was Lizi ASMR! (formal), In this case, you could answer with either …. — Does this train stop at the stop “Feuersee”? — I am just looking, thank you. → This could more or less translate to “I mis-drove”, and is commonly used when you’ve gotten lost while driving. Danke, aber ich würde mich gerne noch ein bisschen umsehen. Ich hätte gerne die Rechnung. — Unfortunately, this doesn’t look good on me. Learn Basic German Phrases German phrases and vocabulary, with free audio! Usually you’d start saying “Guten Abend” around six o’clock in the evening, but some people might use it sooner than that. In most cities you will find both U-Bahn (“Untergrundbahn”, ‘underground train’) as well as S-Bahn (“Stadtschnellbahn”, basically an inner-city fast train), as well as regional trains commuting between larger cities (so-called ICE Zug or simply ICE, “Intercity Express”) or trains commuting between different cities which aren’t as fast as the ICE trains. Möchten Sie gerne etwas essen? Wann fährt der nächste Bus nach Mitte? Having a few common German phrases will make you experience these countries in a completely different way. Some of the expressions are relatively common (e.g. Ich bin auf der Suche nach einer Mütze. Otherwise, the staff will just assume that you’d like to stay a little bit longer, and won’t bother you at all. I gave the boy a ball. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. After your initial introduction, you could simply say: Freut mich, Sie kennen zu lernen. ), there are plenty of delicious treats to discover. → This phrase comes in handy when the salesperson is a little too enthusiastic. It’s a delicious snack oftentimes served at (outdoor) pools and parks, although it’s definitely not for those watching their calorie intake. — Can you help me, please? The big immigration happened after World War II, during the 50s, 60s, and even 70s when more than three million German crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled in America. (for example) — I am from New York. Nein, das ist alles, danke. It is distinguished from a calque, or loan translation, where a meaning or idiom from another language is translated into existing words or roots of the host language. hamburger), but most are comparatively rare. — Do you offer takeaway meals as well? (The Federal Council is a constitutional body of Germany.) I need an ambulance. Most sellers will get the hint when you state that you’d “like to look around some more”. In this section, you’ll find useful German phrases for making a reservation at a restaurant as well as very specific German expressions that you can use when ordering food. — I am American/Canadian/Spanish. Germans get swept off their feet when they hear the dialect spoken in Bavaria. I can't speak German (well). → Used both in person and on the phone, this is the common, yet more formal way to greet others in the morning. → This is a way to ask for confirmation after you’ve already asked for directions, such as to make sure you’re actually going in the right direction. What to Do After Duolingo: The Definitive Guide, Best Way to Learn a Language: A Complete Guide from Beginner to Fluent, Comprehensible Input – How Clozemaster Mirrors Natural Acquisition, How Cloze Tests Help You Learn A Language 5x Faster. — Do you know of any car rental services around here? — When is the next bus to the city center leaving? Need more German? The following German phrases are vital for any trip abroad — no matter if it’s a short vacation or a long-term stay. Wie lange ist die Wartezeit für einen Tisch? — I don’t feel well. In fact, there are lots of letters that make the same sound in German and English: f, h, k, l, m, n, p, t. Ch sounds. mixpanel.track_links('.box-promo-link', 'Blog box promo link click'); jQuery('body').on('click', '#boxzilla-overlay, .boxzilla-close-icon', function() { mixpanel.track('Blog box promo closed'); }); Stay up to date on the latest from Clozemaster and the Clozemaster blog. Danke, ich suche erst einmal noch weiter. — Unfortunately, this doesn’t look good on me. Kennen Sie einen guten Hausarzt? These German phrases will serve as excellent “ice breakers”, especially when you are nervous about your first ventures into speaking German with native speakers. Haben Sie auch etwas, das ich ohne Rezept bekomme? peccator - "at the same time a righteous. Welchen Wein würden Sie dazu empfehlen? [...] person and a sinner" - to describe the apparently paradoxical situation of the person who has faith in the saving grace of Christ, who is now regarded by God as justified yet remains a sinner until the final day of Christ. — I am just looking, thank you. Das steht mir leider nicht. Ich hoffe, es geht euch gut! — Where is the train station? In recent years, however, many English words have been borrowed directly from German. A German expression in English is a German loanword, term, phrase, or quotation incorporated into the English language. Ich kann nicht [so gut] Deutsch sprechen. — Please call an ambulance. — I need/we need a doctor. — I was mugged. (inf) Wie geht es dir? — Do you have a cell phone? A loanword is a word borrowed from a donor language and incorporated into a recipient language without translation. → FYI: In this case, “Mitte” — center — refers to a district in Berlin. kern-en zee dâs bi-te vee-der-hoh-len? — Is it this way to get to the museum? — Have you [polite] been living here for a long time? Practice writing out and translating full sentences. — Excuse me please, is this train/bus going to …? — Excuse me please, I have a question. — Do you accept credit cards as well?