Your course of study might not require you to learn German, but getting through daily life will be nearly impossible without the most basic of German language skills.
Paying, figuring out public transportation and exchanging pleasantries in German will go a long way to improving your study abroad experience.
Here are 40 important German language phrases to know before you study abroad.
SKIP TO PHRASES FOR …
Daily life
Emergencies and legal
Eating and drinking
Traveling
Money and shopping
14 phrases for daily life while traveling in Germany
In-the-moment interactions are the most likely places you’ll get tripped up while trying to speak to people in German. Memorize these 14 German phrases to make simple conversations much easier during your trip.
- Hello: Hallo
- Goodbye: Verabschiedung
- Yes: Ja
- No: Nein
- Please: Bitte
- Thank you: Danke
- I’m sorry: Es tut mir Leid
- Excuse me: Verzeihung
- My name is ____: Ich heiße _____
- How are you?: Wie geht es dir?
- Where is ____?: Wo ist ____
- Where is the bathroom?: Wo ist die toilette
- Can you show me on this map?: Kannst du es mir auf dieser Karte zeigen?
- I don’t understand: Ich verstehe nicht
11 phrases for emergency or medical situations while traveling in Germany
Emergencies happen when you least expect them. Be ready to react at a basic level with these key German phrases.
- This is an emergency: Das ist ein notfall
- Fire!: Feuer!
- I need a doctor: Ich brauche einen arzt
- I feel sick: Mir ist schlecht
- I need medicine: Ich brauche medizin
- I’m allergic to ______: Ich bin allergisch gegen _____
- I would like to speak with a lawyer: Ich möchte mit einem anwalt sprechen
- I would like to speak with my embassy: Ich würde gerne mit der botschaft sprechen
- I need help: Ich brauche hilfe
- Where is the police station?: Wo ist die polizei station?
- Stop that thief!: Haltet den dieb!
Four phrases for eating and drinking in Germany
We all get hungry. Know these four German phrases for when you need to eat.
- May I please have a menu?: Die speisekarte, bitte
- May I have the bill/check?: Die rechnung, bitte
- Where is the market/grocery store?: Wo ist der markt
- Is this water safe to drink?: Ist das wasser trinkbar?
Six phrases to know while traveling in Germany
You’ll likely rely on public transportation or walking during your time abroad. Knowing how to say these six phrases – most of which are questions – will make getting around a lot easier.
- What does a ticket cost?: Was kostet ein ticket?
- How long is this trip?: Wie lange dauert diese reise?
- When does it arrive? (for any mode of transportation): Wann kommt es an?
- Where is the bus stop?: Wo ist die bushaltestelle?
- Where is the metro/subway?: Metro nerede?
- Please take me to the airport: Flughafen, bitte
Five phrases you need to know while shopping in Germany
Shop owners can be busy, and many won’t have a lot of time for you to fumble through a phrase book. Here are five questions that will help you in stores and at markets.
- How much does this cost?: Wie viel kostet es?
- Are there student rates/prices?: Gibt es studententarife?
- Do you take credit cards?: Akzeptieren sie kreditkarten?
- Where can I exchange money?: Wo ist der geldwechsel?
- Where is the closest ATM?: Wo ist der geldautomat?
