Basic German Greetings & Phrases

Cards · 55

Hallo

Hello / Hi - Universal greeting suitable for any informal or casual situation.

Guten Morgen

Good morning - Polite greeting used from early morning until around midday in both formal and informal settings.

Guten Tag

Good day / Hello - Standard formal and polite greeting used throughout the daytime.

Guten Abend

Good evening - Polite greeting used after sunset or roughly from 6 PM onwards.

Gute Nacht

Good night - Used strictly when departing late in the evening or right before going to sleep.

Moin

Hi / Hello - Casual, friendly greeting common in Northern Germany, usable at any time of day.

Grüß Gott

Greetings / Hello - Traditional and polite regional greeting widely used in Southern Germany and Austria.

Servus

Hello / Goodbye - Friendly, informal greeting and farewell common in Bavaria and Austria.

Auf Wiedersehen

Goodbye - Standard, polite farewell suitable for formal and everyday business situations.

Auf Wiederhören

Goodbye (on the phone) - Formal way to end a telephone conversation.

Tschüss

Bye - Very common, casual farewell used with friends, family, and in casual shops.

Bis später

See you later - Informal farewell when you expect to see someone later that same day.

Bis bald

See you soon - Informal farewell when you expect to see someone again soon.

Bis morgen

See you tomorrow - Informal or neutral farewell when meeting again the next day.

Schönen Tag noch!

Have a nice day! - Friendly, polite closing remarked by cashiers, colleagues, or acquaintances.

Schönes Wochenende!

Have a nice weekend! - Polite farewell used on Fridays with colleagues and friends.

Bitte

Please / You're welcome - Versatile word used when making polite requests or replying to thanks.

Danke

Thank you / Thanks - Standard expression of gratitude for everyday interactions.

Danke schön

Thank you very much - Polite, widely used expression of thanks in both formal and informal settings.

Vielen Dank

Many thanks - More formal and emphatic way to say thank you.

Bitte schön

You are very welcome / Here you go - Polite response to thanks, or said when handing something to someone.

Gerne

With pleasure / You're welcome - Natural, informal way to reply when someone thanks you for helping.

Kein Problem

No problem - Informal response to thanks or minor apologies.

Nichts zu danken

Don't mention it - Polite response indicating a favor was no trouble at all.

Entschuldigung

Excuse me / Sorry - Polite way to get attention, pass someone, or offer a mild apology.

Verzeihung

Pardon me - Slightly more formal way to apologize or ask someone to repeat themselves.

Es tut mir leid

I am sorry - Sincere apology used for genuine mistakes or to express sympathy.

Wie geht es Ihnen?

How are you? - Formal inquiry used with strangers, clients, elders, or professional contacts.

Wie geht's?

How's it going? - Casual, informal greeting among friends, peers, and family.

Wie geht es dir?

How are you? - Standard informal greeting addressed to a single friend or peer.

Mir geht es gut, danke

I am doing well, thank you - Polite standard reply to an inquiry about your wellbeing.

Sehr gut

Very good - Positive, neutral response to 'How are you?'.

Es geht

So-so / I'm managing - Casual response indicating you are doing okay, neither great nor bad.

Nicht so gut

Not so good - Honest, informal response used when things are going poorly.

Und Ihnen?

And you? - Formal reciprocation asking how the other person is doing.

Und dir?

And you? - Informal reciprocation asking how a friend is doing.

Ja

Yes - Standard affirmative answer.

Nein

No - Standard negative answer.

Vielleicht

Maybe / Perhaps - Neutral response when unsure.

Genau

Exactly / That's right - Very common conversational filler indicating agreement.

Alles klar

All clear / Alright - Informal acknowledgment meaning everything is understood or fine.

Freut mich

Pleased to meet you - Friendly, concise remark when introduced to someone.

Sehr erfreut

Very pleased to meet you - Formal remark used upon introductions in professional settings.

Wie heißen Sie?

What is your name? - Formal question used to ask an unfamiliar adult's name.

Wie heißt du?

What is your name? - Informal question used with children or peers in social situations.

Ich heiße...

My name is... - Standard, neutral way to introduce your name.

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Do you speak English? - Formal, essential question when traveling or speaking to locals.

Ich verstehe nicht

I don't understand - Useful phrase when you need clarity in any situation.

Können Sie das wiederholen?

Could you repeat that? - Polite, formal request when you did not catch what was said.

Langsamer, bitte

Slower, please - Polite request when someone is speaking too fast for a learner.

Guten Appetit!

Enjoy your meal! - Polite and universal wish said right before starting to eat.

Prost!

Cheers! - Informal toast used when clinking glasses, especially with beer.

Zum Wohl!

To your health / Cheers! - Slightly more formal toast, often used with wine.

Gesundheit!

Bless you! - Universal polite exclamation said after someone sneezes.

Viel Glück!

Good luck! - Encouraging phrase for exams, challenges, or performances.