50 Most Useful German Phrases for Everyday Situations

Why Everyday Phrases Matter

Learning German can feel overwhelming when you first encounter compound nouns and grammatical cases. The good news is that a relatively small set of well-chosen phrases will carry you through most daily interactions. Once you have these basics down, you can navigate shops, restaurants, public transport, and social gatherings with confidence.

This article brings together 50 of the most practical German phrases, organized by situation. Each phrase comes with its English translation and a brief note on when and how to use it.

Greetings and Basics

First impressions start with a greeting. In German-speaking countries, choosing the right greeting depends on the time of day and the formality of the situation.

1. Guten Morgen — Good morning (used until about 10 a.m.)
2. Guten Tag — Good day (the standard formal greeting)
3. Guten Abend — Good evening
4. Hallo — Hello (informal, all-purpose)
5. Tschüss — Bye (informal)
6. Auf Wiedersehen — Goodbye (formal)
7. Wie geht es Ihnen? — How are you? (formal, using Sie)
8. Wie geht’s? — How are you? (informal)
9. Mir geht es gut, danke — I’m fine, thank you
10. Freut mich — Nice to meet you

In southern Germany and Austria, you will often hear Grüß Gott instead of Guten Tag. In Switzerland, the equivalent is Grüezi. These regional greetings are perfectly normal and widely understood.

Asking for Help

When you need assistance in an unfamiliar city, these phrases will save you. Politeness goes a long way in German culture, so start requests with bitte (please) whenever possible.

11. Entschuldigung — Excuse me (to get someone’s attention)
12. Können Sie mir helfen? — Can you help me?
13. Ich verstehe nicht — I don’t understand
14. Sprechen Sie Englisch? — Do you speak English?
15. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? — Could you repeat that, please?
16. Wie sagt man das auf Deutsch? — How do you say this in German?
17. Was bedeutet das? — What does that mean?
18. Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch — I speak a little German

A helpful tip: even though many Germans speak excellent English, they genuinely appreciate it when visitors make an effort to communicate in German. Even a basic attempt opens doors.

Shopping

Shopping in Germany tends to be straightforward. Store assistants may not approach you as proactively as in some countries, but they are happy to help when asked.

19. Was kostet das? — How much does this cost?
20. Ich möchte das kaufen — I would like to buy this
21. Haben Sie das in einer anderen Größe? — Do you have this in another size?
22. Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? — Can I pay by card?
23. Die Rechnung, bitte — The bill, please
24. Das ist zu teuer — That’s too expensive
25. Ich schaue nur — I’m just looking

One thing to note: Germany still relies heavily on cash. Many smaller shops, bakeries, and even some restaurants do not accept card payments. Always carry some cash with you.

At the Restaurant

German cuisine is diverse, and eating out is an integral part of travel and everyday life. These phrases will get you through any dining situation smoothly.

26. Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte — A table for two, please
27. Die Speisekarte, bitte — The menu, please
28. Ich hätte gerne… — I would like… (polite way to order)
29. Was empfehlen Sie? — What do you recommend?
30. Ich bin allergisch gegen… — I am allergic to…
31. Das schmeckt sehr gut — This tastes very good
32. Zahlen, bitte — The check, please
33. Stimmt so — Keep the change

Tipping in Germany differs from many English-speaking countries. A tip of about 5 to 10 percent is customary in restaurants, usually by rounding up the total when paying.

Finding Your Way

Navigating an unfamiliar city requires a few key expressions. Germans are generally happy to give directions when asked politely.

34. Wo ist…? — Where is…?
35. Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof? — How do I get to the train station?
36. Ist es weit von hier? — Is it far from here?
37. Links / Rechts / Geradeaus — Left / Right / Straight ahead
38. Die nächste Haltestelle — The next stop
39. Ich habe mich verlaufen — I’m lost

Social Situations

German social interaction follows certain conventions. These phrases will help you make a good impression and join conversations naturally.

40. Woher kommen Sie? — Where are you from? (formal)
41. Ich komme aus… — I come from…
42. Was machen Sie beruflich? — What do you do for a living?
43. Das finde ich interessant — I find that interesting
44. Können wir uns duzen? — Can we use the informal “du”?
45. Prost! — Cheers!
46. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag — Happy birthday
47. Gute Besserung — Get well soon
48. Viel Erfolg — Best of luck / Much success
49. Es tut mir leid — I’m sorry
50. Macht nichts — No worries / It doesn’t matter

The phrase Können wir uns duzen? deserves special attention. In German culture, the shift from the formal Sie to the informal du is a meaningful social step. It is typically initiated by the older person or the one in a higher position. Never assume informality — wait for the invitation or ask politely.

How to Practice Effectively

Reading phrases is a start, but you need to make them part of your active vocabulary. Here are some proven strategies:

Repeat out loud. German pronunciation has sounds that do not exist in English, such as the ch in “ich,” the ü in “Tschüss,” and the uvular r. Listen to native speakers and mimic their pronunciation.

Simulate situations. Imagine yourself at a restaurant or in a shop and run through the conversation in German. This mental rehearsal helps phrases stick.

Use authentic materials. Listening to German podcasts or watching the news builds your ear for the language. Deutsche Welle offers excellent learning materials for all levels, including slow-speed news broadcasts and interactive exercises.

Flashcards still work. Write the German phrase on one side and the English translation on the other. Review daily and move mastered phrases to the back of the deck.

Wrapping Up

These 50 phrases give you a solid foundation for everyday life in a German-speaking environment. Perfect pronunciation and flawless grammar are not the goal — confidence and willingness to try are. Germans appreciate the effort, and every conversation is a chance to improve.

Start with the five phrases most relevant to your current situation and gradually add more. Before you know it, speaking German will feel like a natural part of your routine.