Word phrases in germany

Have you ever wanted to learn German?

Or are you planning a trip to a German-speaking country?

To get started and have your first basic conversations in German, you’re going to need to learn some words!

In this post, you’ll learn 92 basic German phrases and words that will help you on your travels or just at home. 

To make it easier for you, I’ve divided the phrases into different categories.

1. German Greetings & Introductions
2. “I do not understand!” – Getting Out Of Sticky Situations
3. Numbers In German
4. Visiting A German Restaurant
5. Transport – Getting Around In Germany
6. Asking For Directions
7. Shopping In German
8. Dealing with Medical Emergencies
9. Finding Hidden Gems

Whether you’re going to Germany or Austria or Switzerland, chances are you can get by in English. But if you learn basic German too, you’ll be able to connect more with German speakers. 

Having a few common German phrases will make you experience these countries in a completely different way.

And even at home, learning German will allow you to learn more about German culture and connect with native German speakers in your local community.

You don’t need to have a natural flair for language learning. Learning a few key phrases and being able to use them is a great start. And German isn’t as hard as its reputation suggests, especially for native English speakers. 

You never know, maybe learning these phrases will motivate you to go on and learn to speak German fluently.

Note: Want to go beyond basic German phrases and learn German with confidence and fluency? The best way to do so is by working through a comprehensive and well designed course.

My top recommendation is German Uncovered, my in-depth online German course for beginners that teaches you through the power of story. If you’re ready to get started, click here for a 7-day FREE trial.

German Greetings & Introductions

If you want to make a good impression with German speakers, you’ll need a few basic phrases to meet and greet people.

After all, you’re going to use greetings every time you have a conversation in German!

These phrases are simple, easy to remember and will help you make new German friends. 

#1 Hallo – Hello [any time of day]

#2 Hallo, wie geht’s? – Hello, how are you?

#3 Guten Morgen – Good morning

#4 Guten Tag [lit. good day] – Good afternoon

#5 Guten Abend – Good evening

#6 Gute Nacht – Good night

#7 Vielen Dank – Thank you very much

#8 Ich danke Ihnen auch – Thank you, too [in reply to “thank you” from someone else else]

#9 Tschüss, bis zum nächsten Mal – Goodbye, see you next time

#10 Schönes Wetter heute, nicht wahr? – It’s lovely weather today, is not it?

#11 Mein Name ist _ – My name is _____

#12 Ich bin Amerikaner, Kanadier, Engländer (male) – I’m American / Canadian / English

#13 Ich bin Amerikanerin, Kanadierin, Engländerin (female) – I’m American / Canadian / English

#14 Woher kommen Sie? – Where are you from?

#15 Freut mich – Nice to meet you!

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“I Do Not Understand!” – Getting Out Of Sticky Situations

It might seem a little intimidating to speak German, especially if you’re new to the language. German people will be understanding if you’re struggling to get your message across or catch what they say.

At the same time, don’t hesitate to use these expressions to help the conversation run smoothly if you don’t understand something or need a little help.

#16 Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe nicht – I’m sorry, but I do not understand

#17 Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch – I do not speak German very well

#18 Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? – Could you say that again please?

#19 Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? – Could you say that more slowly please?

#20 Schreiben Sie das bitte für mich auf – Please write that down for me

#21 Was bedeutet das? – What does that mean?

#22 Sprechen Sie Englisch? – Do you speak English?

#23 Es tut mir leid – I’m sorry

#24 Ich weiß nicht – I do not know

#25 In Ordnung – All right

#26 Macht nichts – never mind

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Numbers In German

Whether you’re at the supermarket, ordering in a restaurant, or just having a normal conversation, it’s essential to know how to use numbers in German. Eins, zwei, drei….let’s get to it!

• null – zero
• eins – one
• zwei – two
• drei – three
• vier – four
• fünf – five
• sechs – six
• sieben – seven
• acht – eight
• neun – nine
• zehn – ten
• elf – eleven
• zwölf – twelve
• dreizehn – thirteen
• vierzehn – fourteen
• fünfzehn – fifteen
• sechzehn – sixteen
• siebzehn – seventeen
• achtzehn – eighteen
• neunzehn – nineteen
• zwanzig  – twenty
• einundzwanzig – twenty-one
• zweiundzwanzig – twenty-two
• dreiundzwanzig  – twenty-three
• vierundzwanzig – twenty-four
• fünfundzwanzig – twenty-five
• sechsundzwanzig – twenty-six
• siebenundzwanzig  – twenty-seven
• achtundzwanzig – twenty-eight
• neunundzwanzig – twenty-nine
• dreißig – thirty
• einunddreißig – thirty-one
• zweiunddreißig – thirty-two
• vierzig – forty
• fünfzig – fifty
• sechzig – sixty
• siebzig – seventy
• achtzig – eighty
• neunzig – ninety
• hundert – one hundred
• zweihundertfünfzig – two hundred and fifty
• fünfhundert – five hundred
• siebenhundertdreiundachtzig – seven hundred and eighty three
• tausend – one thousand

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Visiting A German Restaurant

One of the most enjoyable cultural experiences you can have in a German-speaking country is visiting a restaurant and trying out some of the delicious local dishes.

The following phrases cover all the questions and statements you need to make when eating out, from asking for a table to paying the bill!

#27 Ein Tisch für eine Person bitte – A table for one, please

#28 Ein Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte – A table for two, please

#29 Haben Sie schon auf? – Are you open yet?

#30 Können wir (auf einen Tisch) warten? – Can we wait (for a table)?

#31 Können wir dort sitzen? – Can we sit over there?

#32 Entschuldigung! – Excuse me! [Calling a waiter]

#33 Was empfehlen Sie? – What do you recommend?

#34 Was ist das beliebteste Gericht? – What’s your most popular dish?

#35 Was ist das? – What is this?

#36 Was für Bier haben Sie? – What type of beer do you have?

#37 Ein kleines Bier bitte – A small beer, please

#38 Ein großes Bier bitte – A large beer, please

#39 Bringen Sie mir bitte eine Auswahl von leckeren Sachen – Please bring me a selection of nice things

#40 Bitte wählen Sie etwas – It’s up to you / You can decide

#41 Die Rechnung, bitte – The bill, please

#42 Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? – Can I have the menu, please?

By the way, if you’re interested in food and drink as it relates to German culture, take a look at this post about Oktoberfest, the world-famous Bavarian beer festival. 

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Transport – Getting Around In Germany

There are lots of practicalities to consider when taking a trip to Germany, including finding your way around. Finding the right train or bus on time isn’t always easy and you don’t want to end up being the ‘foreigner’ who is holding up the ticket queue!

In this section, you’ll learn some key transport phrases that will help you quickly and easily navigate your way around any German-speaking city or country.

#43 Ich möchte nach _____ – I want to go to

#44 Wann fährt der nächste Zug / Bus nach _____? – What time is the next train/bus to __?

#45 Was kostet das? – How much is it?

#46 Einmal/ zweimal (nach _____), bitte – 1 ticket / 2 tickets (to _____), please

#47 Wie lange dauert das? – How long does it take?

#48 Wohin muss ich jetzt gehen? – Where should I go now?

#49 Wann fährt er ab? – When does it leave?

#50 Wie spät ist es (jetzt)? – What time is it (now)?

#51 Hält der Zug/ Bus in _? – Does this train/bus stop in _____?

#52 Entschuldigen Sie, ist dies _____?– Excuse me, is this _____ ? [Useful when you’re on the bus / train and are not sure when to get off]

#53 Können Sie das bitte für mich aufschreiben? – Can you write that down for me?

#54 Zeigen Sie mir das bitte auf der Karte? – Can you show me on the map?

#55 Wo ist _____ auf der Karte? – Where is _____  on the map?

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Asking For Directions In German 

Public transport in Germany is notoriously excellent, but there are some places you’ll need to walk or drive to yourself. And for most of us, that means occasionally getting lost and asking for directions!

Here are the phrases you need to ask and receive directions in German:

#56 Entschuldigung, darf ich Sie etwas fragen? – Excuse me, could I ask you something?

#57 Ich möchte nach _____ – I want to go to _ [If you know the name of your destination]

#58 Ich möchte dahin – I want to go here [Pointing to your destination on the map]

#59 Ich habe mich verlaufen – I’m lost (on foot)

#60 Ich habe mich verfahren – I’m lost (by car)

#61 Wie komme ich dahin? – How can I get there?

#62 Geht es hier lang? – Is it this way? [Useful for checking if you’re walking in the right direction]

#63 Zeigen Sie mir das bitte auf der Karte? – Can you show me on the map?

#64 Wo ist __?– Where is _ ?

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Whether you’re at the supermarket, the shopping centre or the local farmer’s market you’re going to buy things at some point or another!

And even haggle a bit –  just like you would in English. Grab a bargain in German with these sentences. 

#65 Das gefällt mir – I like this

#66 Was kostet das? – How much is this?

#67 Bitte wiederholen Sie das – Can you say that again please?

#68 Schreiben Sie das bitte für mich auf? – Can you write that down for me?

#69 Und wenn ich das alles kaufe? – If I buy these together? [A useful way to knock the price down]

#70 Das ist mir zu teuer – it’s too expensive for me

#71 Geben Sie mir einen Rabatt? – Can you give me a discount?

#72 Ich suche nach _____ – I’m looking for a _____

#73 Ich schaue mich nur um – I’m just looking around

#74 Danke, ich suche noch weiter – Thank you, I’ll keep looking [if you’re getting hassled to buy something]

#75 Moment, bitte – Just a moment

#76 Ja, bitte – Yes, please

#77 Nein, danke – No, thanks

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Dealing With Medical Emergencies In German 

Hopefully, you’ll never need the phrases in this section! Nonetheless, it’s always good to know some basic medical vocabulary so that you can handle an emergency if you’re unwell or have an accident.

#78 Können Sie mir bitte helfen? – Can you help me, please?

#79 Ich brauche einen Arzt – I need to see a doctor

#80 Es geht mir nicht gut – I do not feel well

#81 Es geht ihm/ihr nicht gut – he / she does not feel well

#82 Gibt es ein Krankenhaus in der Nähe? – Is there a hospital near here?

#83 Fahren Sie mich bitte zum Krankenhaus – Take me to the hospital [To a taxi driver]

#84 Es tut hier weh – It hurts here [pointing to body part]

#85 Ich brauche Medizin – I need some medicine

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Finally, let’s learn a few more phrases that don’t fall into any particular category. These final examples of basic vocabulary will allow you to sound more polite and natural.

I’ve included a couple of questions you can ask the locals, so you can find the hidden gems in their cities and have a more authentic German experience!

#86 Es tut mir leid, Sie zu stören, aber… – I’m sorry to bother you, but …

#87 Kann ich Sie schnell etwas fragen? – Could I ask you something quickly?

#88 Ich suche ein Restaurant mit gutem Essen hier in der Nähe – I’m looking for a place with good food around here

#89 Ich suche ein nettes Café in der Nähe – I’m looking for a nice cafe in the area

#90 Wissen Sie etwas über _____? – Do you know anything about _____ ?

#91 Gibt es hier in der Nähe etwas Interessantes zu sehen? – Is there anything interesting to see in this area?

#92 Trotzdem danke – Thank you anyway [if the person can not help you]

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Your Next Steps In German

So there you have it: a collection of German expressions to help you get started on your new adventure!

With these phrases in your back pocket, you’ll soon find yourself having your first basic conversations and getting excited about continuing to improve your German.

So now that you’ve learned the basics, are you ready to take the next step in your German adventure?

I’m a big believer in the power of story to enable you to learn a language. That’s why I’ve created an entire beginner course to help you learn German online by immersing yourself in a compelling story.

It’s my German Uncovered course, and it’s designed to take you from beginner to B1 Intermediate level.

Click here for more information on the course and how it’ll help you.

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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.

In this blog post I’d like to introduce you to one hundred (yes, one hundred!) German phrases and expressions that will help you navigate during your stay in Germany.

From introducing yourself to new friends or colleagues to navigating public transportation or letting others know that you’re having a hard time understanding — or making yourself understood — this blog post will hopefully cover all of your linguistic travel needs!

So without further ado, let’s jump into one hundred German phrases and expressions that you should learn to sound like a native speaker!

Introducing Yourself and Saying Hello

There are a variety of ways to introduce yourself in German or to simply say “hello” — some of them are more formal and some of them work in pretty much any situation.

These German phrases will serve as excellent “ice breakers”, especially when you are nervous about your first ventures into speaking German with native speakers.

Guten Tag! — Good day!

→ This phrase works for pretty much any time of the day except for evenings. You can use it when entering a store, approaching a stranger to ask for directions or when talking to somebody on the phone.

Guten Morgen! — Good morning!

→ Used both in person and on the phone, this is the common, yet more formal way to greet others in the morning.

Guten Abend! — Good evening!

→ This is the formal way of saying “good evening” in German. Usually you’d start saying “Guten Abend” around six o’clock in the evening, but some people might use it sooner than that.

You might notice that the German equivalent of the English “good afternoon” doesn’t really exist in German. Instead, you use “Guten Morgen” in the morning hours until approximately eleven o’clock, and after that you could opt for “Guten Tag”.

It is kind of a point of contention in Germany when to stop using “Guten Morgen” as well as when to start using “Guten Abend”, so if you want to be on the safe side, you can always opt for:

Hallo! — Hello!

→ This is a more informal way of greeting someone in German, but it can be used around any time of the day.

When it comes to more informal ways of greeting, you can also simply say “Hi!” — a widely used phrase in Germany as well.

If you’d like to learn more German greetings, check out our post on saying hello in German!

When being introduced to a new group of people, there are several things you might be asked, such as:

Wo kommst du her? — Where are you from? (informal)

or

Woher kommen Sie? — Where are you from? (formal)

In this case, you could answer with either …

Ich bin aus New York. or Ich komme aus New York. (for example) — I am from New York.

If you just simply want to state what country you are from, you could say:

Ich komme aus Amerika/Kanada/Spanien. — I am from the US/Canada/Spain.

You could also opt for saying:

Ich bin Amerikaner/Kanadier/Spanier. — I am American/Canadian/Spanish.

Note that this expression pertains to the guys. If you are female, the correct expression would be:

Ich bin Amerikanerin/Kanadierin/Spanierin.

After your initial introduction, you could simply say:

Freut mich, Sie kennen zu lernen. — Pleasure to meet you!

Or if you are talking to a younger crowd or in a less formal environment simply choose:

Freut mich, dich/euch kennen zu lernen. — Pleasure to meet you (guys)!

Wie lange lebst du schon in Stuttgart? — How long have you been living in Stuttgart?

Leben Sie schon lange hier? — Have you [polite] been living here for a long time?

On that note …

You are probably familiar with the difference between “Sie” and “du” in German — formal ‘you’ vs. the informal, more familial ‘you’.

When in doubt, always opt for the more polite “Sie”, especially if you have never met the person before.

Usually, when people are comfortable using a less formal way of addressing, they will offer the following.

“Sie können du zu mir sagen” or “Du kannst mich duzen”, which literally translates to “You can say you to me”.

While this phrase might sound rather confusing and illogical to you, it makes perfect sense for German natives!

Out and About — Navigating Public Transportation and Getting Around

It’s no secret that Germany has an excellent public transportation system. While it is somewhat of a national tradition to complain about the trains being a) always late, b) never clean, c) too cold, or d) too hot, deep down every German appreciates the convenience of not having to use their car when trying to get somewhere.

Especially if you are not used to riding on public trains and buses, navigating public transportation system can be hard at first.

With these helpful German phrases, you should have no problem getting around though! Next to that, I’ll be providing some other expressions that might come in handy when out and about in Germany.

When Using Public Transportation

There are various types of trains in Germany. 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.

These following German phrases might come in handy when using public trains:

Mit welchem Zug/mit welcher U-Bahn/mit welcher S-Bahn komme ich nach Pankow? — Which train/U-Bahn/S-Bahn do I have to take to get to Pankow?

Von welchem Gleis aus fährt der Zug? — Which platform is the train leaving from?

Hält diese S-Bahn an der Haltestelle Feuersee? — Does this train stop at the stop “Feuersee”?

Wann fährt der Zug ab? — When is the train departing?

Ist dies der Zug/Bus nach Esslingen? — Is this the train/bus going to Esslingen?

Entschuldigen Sie, fährt dieser Zug/Bus nach …? — Excuse me please, is this train/bus going to …?

→ When approaching strangers to ask questions or for directions, the polite form “Sie” (you) should always be used.

Wann fährt der nächste Bus nach Mitte? — When is the next bus to Mitte leaving?

→ FYI: In this case, “Mitte” — center — refers to a district in Berlin. If you are not referring to the district, but simply to any city center, you could say:

Wann fährt der nächste Bus in die Innenstadt? — When is the next bus to the city center leaving?

Was kostet ein Ticket nach Stuttgart? — How much is a ticket to Stuttgart?

→ The German word “Ticket” (same as in English!) can be used for both bus and train tickets. If you want to be more specific, you can use the word “Zugticket” (train ticket) or “Busticket” (bus ticket). Generally speaking though, the word “Ticket” is usually enough for people to understand what you are referring to.

Ich möchte nach Prenzlauer Berg. Wie komme ich am besten dorthin? — I’d like to go to Prenzlauer Berg. How can I get there best?

Wann fährt der letzte Zug/Bus nach Tübingen? — When is the last train/bus to Tübingen leaving?

Ein Ticket/zwei Tickets nach Stuttgart-Vaihingen bitte. — One ticket/two tickets to Stuttgart-Vaihingen, please.

Exploring New Territories

One advantage of German cities and smaller towns is that a lot of landmarks and sights can be explored by foot. To get from A to B, you don’t necessarily need to use a car.

Especially when in an unfamiliar area it is important to know some basics in case you need to ask for directions. I’ve also included basics like asking for the time in the list below, since it’s something that can be very helpful when you don’t have a watch on you or your phone has run out of battery.

Entschuldigen Sie, ich habe eine Frage. — Excuse me please, I have a question.

Wie komme ich zur Stiftskirche? — How do I get to the Stiftskirche?

Gibt es hier in der Nähe eine Touristeninformation? — Is there a tourist information close by?

Kennen Sie einen Mietwagenverleih in der Nähe? — Do you know of any car rental services around here?

Komme ich auf diesem Weg zum Rathausplatz? — Is this the way to the Rathausplatz (city hall square)?

Könnten Sie mir das bitte auf der Karte zeigen? — Would you mind showing me this on the map, please?

Gibt es hier in der Gegend interessante Sehenswürdigkeiten? — Are there any interesting sights here in the area?

Wo ist der Bahnhof? — Where is the train station?

Gibt es hier in der Nähe eine öffentliche Toilette? — Is there a public restroom close by?

Geht es hier lang zum Museum? — Is it this way to get to the museum?

Geht es da lang? — Is it in this direction?

→ 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.

Ich habe mich verlaufen. — I am lost.

→ Note: When using “Ich habe mich verlaufen” it refers to being lost when walking on foot. It could literally be translated by “I mis-walked”. If you are driving by car and you are lost, you could say:

Ich habe mich verfahren. — I am lost (driving a car).

→ This could more or less translate to “I mis-drove”, and is commonly used when you’ve gotten lost while driving.

Wie viel Uhr ist es? — What time is it?

When Out Shopping …

Whether you’re taking a stroll across the Christmas market in Germany looking for some souvenirs to send home to loved ones, indulging in some retail therapy, or simply want to get some grocery shopping done, knowing how to ask for certain things can certainly prove to be helpful!

These German phrases should come in handy when hunting for the perfect gift to give to a friend (or to yourself) or when shopping at the supermarket.

Kann ich hier auch mit Kreditkarte bezahlen? — Do you accept credit cards as well?

Ich bin auf der Suche nach einer Mütze. — I am looking for a (winter) hat.

Haben Sie das auch in einer kleineren/größeren Größe? — Do you still have this in a smaller/larger size?

Haben Sie das auch in einer anderen Farbe? — Do you have this in a different color?

Ich schaue mich nur um, danke. — I am just looking, thank you.

→ This phrase comes in handy when the salesperson is a little too enthusiastic.

Das steht mir leider nicht. — Unfortunately, this doesn’t look good on me.

Könnten Sie das bitte für mich zurücklegen? — Could you please put this on hold for me?

Danke, ich suche erst einmal noch weiter. — Thanks, but for now I’ll keep looking.

Wie viel kostet ein halbes Kilo Kartoffeln? — How much is half a kilogram of potatoes?

Ich hätte gerne vier Laugenbrötchen. — I’d like four pretzel rolls, please.

Nein, das ist alles, danke. — No, thanks, that’s all for today.

→ Usually this is the answer to the question “Darf es noch etwas sein?” (Is there anything else you need?)

Einen Moment bitte. — Just a moment please.

Nein, danke. — No, thank you.

Ja, bitte! — Yes, please!

Danke, aber ich würde mich gerne noch ein bisschen umsehen. — Thank you, but I’d like to look around a bit more.

→ This phrase can be used when you actually want to shop around for something some more before making a final decision, but it also can be used when a salesperson is being a little too pushy, essentially giving a subtle hint you’re not intending to buy anything there (without bluntly stating that). Most sellers will get the hint when you state that you’d “like to look around some more”.

When Going Out To Eat

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!), there are plenty of delicious treats to discover.

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.

At a Restaurant

Haben Sie bereits geöffnet? — Are you open yet?

→ Some restaurants in Germany open their doors well after twelve o’clock noon (depending on if they serve dinner rather than lunch), so sometimes it is good to ask whether the establishment is open yet.

Ich würde gerne einen Tisch für zwei Personen für heute um sechs Uhr reservieren. — I’d like to reserve a table for two at six o’clock today.

→ This would usually be said when making a phone call, but can also be used in person.

Ich hätte gerne einen Tisch für eine Person, bitte. — I’d like a table for one, please.

Ich/wir hätten gerne einen Tisch für zwei/drei/vier Personen bitte. — I’d like/we’d like a table for two/three/four, please.

Wie lange ist die Wartezeit für einen Tisch? — How long would we have to wait for a table?

Haben Sie eine Speisekarte auf Englisch? — Do you have a menu in English?

Haben Sie auch eine Kinderkarte? — Do you have a children’s menu as well?

Was können Sie empfehlen? — What can you recommend?

→ If you want to be a bit more specific, you can also say:

Welches Gericht können Sie empfehlen? — Which dish can you recommend?

Welchen Wein würden Sie dazu empfehlen? — Which wine would you recommend with this dish?

Haben Sie auch Spezialitäten aus der Region? — Do you offer regional specialties as well?

Ein kleines Bier, bitte. — A small beer, please.

Ein großes Bier, bitte. — A large beer, please.

Haben Sie eine Dessertkarte? — Do you have a dessert menu?

Ich hätte gerne die Rechnung. — I’d like the check, please.

→ Alternatively, you can say:

Ich/wir würde/würden gerne bezahlen. — I/we would like to pay, please.

Please note: While in the US the check is always brought to your table, in Germany you have to request the check when eating at a restaurant. Otherwise, the staff will just assume that you’d like to stay a little bit longer, and won’t bother you at all.

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.

German Street food

Germany offers a variety of delicious treats that can be purchased at either permanent booths in towns and cities or at smaller shops, which usually aren’t as full as restaurants, but offer food to go and takeout/deliveries to your home.

There are a couple of phrases or expressions that aren’t necessarily “proper” high German but often coined in dialects, yet they still come in extremely handy when ordering food on the go.

Ich hätte gerne eine Pommes rot-weiß. — I’d like one portion of fries red and white, please.

→ “Pommes” (short for pommes frites, which is French for “french fries”) is the casual term for fries in Germany. Rot-weiß (‘red-white’) stands for a way of topping the fries with both a heaping amount of ketchup and mayonnaise. It’s a delicious snack oftentimes served at (outdoor) pools and parks, although it’s definitely not for those watching their calorie intake.

Einen Döner “mit scharf”, bitte. — One Döner Kebap “with spicy”, please.

→ Before I even go into the details: be aware that in terms of grammar and vocabulary, this sentence is not correct whatsoever.

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.

Ein Döner mit allem, bitte. — One Döner with everything, please.

→ A pretty common modification of this phrase is to simply say “mit alles” (with everything) — this is also very much grammatically wrong, but the expression is sort of a cult classic in Germany, hence many people keep using it.

Zum mitnehmen, bitte. — To go, please.

Zum hier essen, bitte. — For here, please.

Bieten Sie auch Gerichte zum Mitnehmen an? — Do you offer takeaway meals as well?

Dealing with Emergencies

I really do hope that you will not run into any unpleasant situations in Germany — whether this might be getting sick and having to go to the doctor or the hospital, having to call the police or requesting an ambulance.

In this case, however, I think the rule “better safe than sorry” applies all too well.

The following German phrases are vital for any trip abroad — no matter if it’s a short vacation or a long-term stay.

Below you can find the most important German expressions that you might need when dealing with an emergency.

Können Sie mir bitte helfen? — Can you help me, please?

Haben Sie ein Handy? Ich brauche einen Krankenwagen. — Do you have a cell phone? I need an ambulance.

Rufen Sie bitte einen Krankenwagen. — Please call an ambulance.

Ich hatte einen Fahrradunfall/Autounfall. — I had a bicycle/car accident.

Ich brauche/wir brauchen einen Arzt. — I need/we need a doctor. (Or: I/we need to see a doctor.)

Ich bin verletzt. — I am hurt/injured.

Gibt es hier in der Nähe ein Krankenhaus? — Is there a hospital close by?

Bitte fahren Sie mich zum nächsten Krankenhaus. — Please drive me to the nearest hospital.

→ This phrase would be commonly used when speaking to a taxi drive or sitting in a cab.

Kennen Sie einen guten Hausarzt? — Do you know any good family physicians?

Gibt es hier in der Nähe einen Kinderarzt? — Is there a pediatrician’s office close by?

Es geht mir nicht gut. — I don’t feel well.

Ich habe eine Grippe. — I have the flu.

Ich habe starke Kopfschmerzen/eine starke Migräne. — I have a very bad headache/a bad migraine.

Ich glaube, ich habe mir etwas gebrochen. — I think I have broken something.

Es tut mir hier weh. — It hurts here.

→ This is commonly used when pointing at the respective body part.

Ich bin auf der Suche nach einer Apotheke. — I am looking for a pharmacy.

Haben Sie auch etwas, das ich ohne Rezept bekomme? — Do you have anything that I won’t need a prescription for?

Er/Sie braucht Medikamente. — He/she needs medication.

Bitte rufen Sie die Polizei. — Please call the police.

Gibt es hier in der Nähe eine Polizeistation? — Is there a police department in the vicinity?

Ich bin bestohlen worden. — I was mugged.

In meinem Hotelzimmer wurde eingebrochen. — My hotel room was broken into.

Mein Auto wurde aufgebrochen. — My car was broken into.

Ich bin unschuldig! — I am innocent!

( → In all seriousness though: I hope you will not need this one.)

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As I’ve already mentioned, I really do hope you won’t have to make use of any of the German phrases in the last section of this post.

Other than that, I hope these examples will come in handy when traveling through Germany and communicating with native speakers of German!

Viel Erfolg and until next time!

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