Greetings

1. Guten Tag

   Good day / Hello

   Usage

   The standard formal German greeting used during daytime hours

   Grammar Note

   "Tag" is in accusative case so "gut" becomes "guten". Same pattern: Guten Morgen, Guten Abend

2. Danke schön

   Thank you very much

   Usage

   Polite form of thanks, more emphatic than simply "Danke"

   Grammar Note

   "Schön" normally means beautiful, but here it functions as an adverb intensifying the thanks

3. Bitte

   Please / You're welcome

   Usage

   Used as "please" when requesting something and "you're welcome" in response to thanks

   Grammar Note

   "Bitte" is versatile: it means please, you're welcome, here you go, and pardon depending on context

4. Auf Wiedersehen

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Formal goodbye, more polished than the casual "Tschüss"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "until seeing again" — same meaning structure as French "au revoir"

5. Entschuldigung

   Excuse me / I'm sorry

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention or to apologize for minor inconveniences

   Grammar Note

   The noun "Entschuldigung" means excuse/apology, shortened from "Entschuldigen Sie bitte"

6. Guten Morgen

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting used from early morning until around midday

   Grammar Note

   Match the time of day: Guten Tag (afternoon), Guten Abend (evening)

7. Wie geht es Ihnen?

   How are you? (formal)

   Usage

   Formal greeting asking how someone is. Common reply: Danke, gut (Thanks, fine)

   Grammar Note

   "Ihnen" is the formal dative second person. With friends, use "Wie geht es dir?"

8. Es tut mir leid

   I'm sorry

   Usage

   A sincere apology, expressing deeper regret than "Entschuldigung"

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it does me suffering." "Leid tun" is an idiomatic expression for being sorry

9. Schön, Sie kennenzulernen

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   A polite greeting when meeting someone for the first time, common in business settings

   Grammar Note

   "Kennenlernen" is a separable verb (to get to know). The "zu" creates an infinitive clause

10. Herzlich willkommen in Deutschland!

    Welcome to Germany!

    Usage

    A warm welcome for visitors and travelers arriving in Germany

    Grammar Note

    "Herzlich" means heartily/warmly. "In Deutschland" uses the dative for location

11. Wo ist die Toilette?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    One of the most practically useful travel phrases — usable anywhere

    Grammar Note

    "Toilette" is feminine, hence "die". "WC" and colloquial "das Klo" are also widely used

12. Ich kann kein Deutsch sprechen.

    I can't speak German

    Usage

    Letting someone know you cannot speak German

    Grammar Note

    "Kein" negates a noun. "Ich spreche kein Deutsch" (word order variant) means the same thing

13. Ich komme wieder.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. Ich hatte eine tolle Zeit.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. Danke, bis bald!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

    Grammar Note

    More casual than "Auf Wiedersehen"; suited to someone you address with "du"

16. Gute Nacht.

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

17. Ich geh dann mal.

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. Ich bin wieder da.

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

19. Entschuldigen Sie, ich muss jetzt leider gehen.

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. Gern geschehen.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    An alternative to "Bitte" for replying to thanks

Browse all TravelPhrases languages