German – Week 1

There are many ways of learning basic German. Follow the following instructions and start your journey here. Read this more detailed pronunciation guide for better understanding.

Hallo!

• Pronunciation: Hah-loh!
• Meaning: Hello!

Examples

• Hallo, Vater!
  Hah-loh, fah-ter
  Hello, father!
• Hallo, Mutter!
  Hah-loh, moo-ter
  Hello, mother!
• Hallo, Freund!
  Hah-loh, froint
  Hello, friend!
• Hallo, Schwester!
  Hah-loh, shves-ter
  Hello, sister!
• Hallo, Bruder!
  Hah-loh, broo-der
  Hello, brother!
• Hallo, Opa!
  Hah-loh, oh-pah
  Hello, grandpa!
• Hallo, Oma!
  Hah-loh, oh-mah
  Hello, grandma!
• Hallo, Onkel!
  Hah-loh, on-kel
  Hello, uncle!
• Hallo, Tante!
  Hah-loh, tan-teh
  Hello, aunt!
• Hallo, Nachbar!
  Hah-loh, nahkh-bar
  Hello, neighbor!

Guten Morgen!

• Pronunciation: Goo-ten Mor-gen!
• Meaning: Good morning!

Examples

• Guten Morgen, Lehrer!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Lay-rer.
  Good morning, teacher!
• Guten Morgen, Kollege!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Koh-lay-ge.
  Good morning, colleague!
• Guten Morgen, Fischer!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Fish-er
  Good morning, fisherman!
• Guten Morgen, Koch!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Kohkh!
  Good morning, chef!
• Guten Morgen, Arzt!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Artst
  Good morning, doctor!
• Guten Morgen, Schüler!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Shue-ler!
  Good morning, student!
• Guten Morgen, Nachbar!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Nahk-bar!
  Good morning, neighbor!
• Guten Morgen, Freund!
  Goo-ten Mor-gen, Froint!
  Good morning, friend!

Guten Tag!

• Pronunciation: Goo-ten Tahg!
• Meaning: Good day!

In Use

• Guten Tag, Arzt!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Artst!
  Good day, doctor!
• Guten Tag, Krankenschwester!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Kran-ken-shves-ter!
  Good day, nurse!
• Guten Tag, Chirurg!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Khee-roorg!
  Good day, surgeon!
• Guten Tag, Anästhesist!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Ah-nest-hay-zist!
  Good day, anesthetist!
• Guten Tag, Physiotherapeut!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Fyu-zee-o-teh-rap!
  Good day, physiotherapist!
• Guten Tag, Apotheker!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Ap-oh-tay-ker!
  Good day, pharmacist!
• Guten Tag, Radiologe!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Rah-dee-oh-loh-ge!
  Good day, radiologist!
• Guten Tag, Laborant!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Lah-boh-rant!
  Good day, lab technician!
• Guten Tag, Sozialarbeiter!
  Goo-ten Tahk, Zoh-tsial-ar-bite-er!
  Good day, social worker!

Guten Abend!

• Pronunciation: Goo-ten Ah-bent!
• Meaning: Good evening!

Wie geht’s?

• Pronunciation: Vee gehts?
• Meaning: How’s it going?

Alternatives

• Wie geht’s?
  Vee gates
  How’s it going?
• Wie geht es dir?
  Vee gate es deer
  How are you? (Informal)
• Wie geht es Ihnen?
  Vee gate es ee-nen
  How are you? (Formal)
• Alles klar?
  Al-les klahr
  Everything okay?

Examples

• Wie geht’s, Vater?
  Vee gates, fah-ter.
  How are you, father?
• Wie geht’s, Mutter?
  Vee gates, moo-ter
  How are you, mother?
• Wie geht’s, Lehrer?
  Vee gates, lay-rer
  How are you, (male) teacher?
• Wie geht’s, Lehrerin?
  Vee gates, lay-rer-in
  How are you, (female) teacher?
• Wie geht’s, Freund?
  Vee gates, froint
  How are you, friend?
• Wie geht’s, Nachbar?
  Vee gates, nahkh-bar
  How are you, neighbor?
• Wie geht’s, Kollege?
  Vee gates, koh-lay-guh
  How are you, (male) colleague?
• Wie geht’s, Chefin?
  Vee gates, she-fin
  How are you, (female) boss?
• Wie geht’s, Enkel?
  Vee gates, en-kel
  How are you, grandson?
• Wie geht’s, Tante?
  PVee gates, tan-teh
  How are you, aunt?

Mir geht es gut.

Pronunciation: Meer geht es goot.
Meaning: I’m fine.

In Use

Let’s learn a little longer sentence now. We will also learn the use of “because” in this section.

• Mir geht es gut, weil ich Wasser trinke.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish Vah-ser trink-eh.
  I am doing well because I drink water.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich Milch habe.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish Milch hah-beh.
  I am doing well because I have milk.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich laufe.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish lau-feh.
  I am doing well because I am running.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich Obst esse.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish Obst ess-eh.
  I am doing well because I eat fruit.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich jogge.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish yoh-guh.
  I am doing well because I jog.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich genug schlafe.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish geh-nook shlah-feh.
  I am doing well because I sleep enough.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich Wasser trinke.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish Vah-ser trink-eh.
  I am doing well because I drink water.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich meditieren kann.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish meh-dee-tee-ren kahn.
  I am doing well because I can meditate.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich meine Freunde treffe.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish my-neh Froin-deh treff-eh.
  I am doing well because I meet my friends.
• Mir geht es gut, weil ich gerne lese.
  Meer gayt es goot, vail ish gehr-neh leh-zeh.
  I am doing well because I like to read.

Danke!

Pronunciation: Dahn-keh!
Meaning: Thank you!

In Use

• Danke, Herr Peter.
  DAHN-kuh, hehr PEH-tuh
  Thank you, Mr. Peter.
• Danke, Frau Müller.
  DAHN-kuh, frow MUE-luhr
  Thank you, Ms. Müller.
• Danke, Herr Schmidt.
  DAHN-kuh, hehr SHMIHT
  Thank you, Mr. Schmidt.
• Danke, Frau Schneider.
  DAHN-kuh, frow SHNY-dur
  Thank you, Ms. Schneider.
• Danke, Herr Braun.
  DAHN-kuh, hehr BROWN
  Thank you, Mr. Braun.
• Danke, Frau Weber.
  DAHN-kuh, frow VAY-bur
  Thank you, Ms. Weber.
• Danke, Herr Fischer.
  DAHN-kuh, hehr FIH-shur
  Thank you, Mr. Fischer.
• Danke, Frau Becker.
  DAHN-kuh, frow BEH-kuhr
  Thank you, Ms. Becker.
• Danke, Herr Wagner.
  DAHN-kuh, hehr VAH-gner
  Thank you, Mr. Wagner.
• Danke, Frau Hoffmann.
  DAHN-kuh, frow HOFF-mahn
  Thank you, Ms. Hoffmann.

Conclusion: 

• Danke /DAHN-kuh/ “Thank you.”
• Herr /hehr/ Mr
• Frau /frow/ Ms

Bitte.

Pronunciation: Bit-teh.
Meaning: Please / You’re welcome.

In German, “Bitte” has multiple uses and meanings depending on the context:

“Please” – Used to make a polite request.

• Example: “Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen?”
  KERN-ten zee meer BEE-tuh HEL-fen
  Could you please help me?

“You’re welcome” – Used in response to “Thank you” (Danke).

• “Danke!” – “Bitte!”
  (DAHN-kuh – BEE-tuh)
  You’re welcome!

“Here you go” – When handing something to someone.

• “Hier ist Ihr Kaffee. Bitte.”
  heer ißt eer KAH-fay. BEE-tuh
  Here is your coffee. Here you go.

“Pardon?” or “Excuse me?” – When asking someone to repeat themselves.

• “Wie bitte?”
  (vee BEE-tuh)
  “Pardon?” / “Excuse me?”

So, “Bitte” is a versatile word used for politeness, responses, and requests in German.

Entschuldigung.

Pronunciation: Ent-shool-di-gung.
Meaning: Excuse me / I’m sorry.

Wie heißen Sie?

Pronunciation: Vee hi-sen zee?
Meaning: What’s your name? (formal)

To ask someone’s name in German, you can use these common phrases:

Wie heißen Sie?
(Vee HAI-sen zee)
“What is your name?” (formal)

Wie heißt du?
(Vee HAI-st doo)
“What is your name?” (informal)

Wie ist Ihr Name?
(Vee ist eer NAH-muh)
“What is your name?” (formal)

Wie ist dein Name?
Vee ist dine NAH-muh)
“What is your name?” (informal)

The formal versions (“Wie heißen Sie?” and “Wie ist Ihr Name?”) are used with people you don’t know well or in professional settings, while the informal (“Wie heißt du?” and “Wie ist dein Name?”) is used with friends, family, or people of the same age.

Ich heiße…

Pronunciation: Ish hi-seh…
Meaning: My name is…

Freut mich.

Pronunciation: Froyt mish.
Meaning: Nice to meet you.

Ich komme aus…

Pronunciation: Ish koh-meh ows…
Meaning: I come from…

Wie alt bist du?

Pronunciation: Vee alt bist doo?
Meaning: How old are you?

Ich bin [age] Jahre alt.

Pronunciation: Ish bin … yah-reh alt.
Meaning: I am [age] years old.

Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Pronunciation: Shpre-ken zee Eng-lish?
Meaning: Do you speak English?

Ich spreche kein Deutsch.

Pronunciation: Ish shpre-khe kighn doy-tsh.
Meaning: I don’t speak German.

Können Sie mir helfen?

Pronunciation: Kön-nen zee meer hel-fen?
Meaning: Can you help me?

Wo ist die Toilette?

Pronunciation: Vo ist dee toy-let-te?
Meaning: Where is the bathroom?

Wie viel kostet das?

Pronunciation: Vee feel koss-tet dahs?
Meaning: How much does this cost?

Ich verstehe nicht.

Pronunciation: Ish fer-shteh-eh nisht.
Meaning: I don’t understand.

Ich habe eine Frage.

Pronunciation: Ish hah-beh i-neh frah-geh.
Meaning: I have a question.

Was machst du?

Pronunciation: Vahs makhst doo?
Meaning: What are you doing?

Ich bin müde.

Pronunciation: Ish bin mü-deh.
Meaning: I’m tired.

Ich habe Hunger.

Pronunciation: Ish hah-beh hung-er.
Meaning: I’m hungry.

Ich habe Durst.

Pronunciation: Ish hah-beh doorst.
Meaning: I’m thirsty.

Ich bin glücklich.

Pronunciation: Ish bin glück-lich.
Meaning: I’m happy.

Ich bin traurig.

Pronunciation: Ish bin trou-rig.
Meaning: I’m sad.

Ich bin krank.

Pronunciation: Ish bin krank.
Meaning: I’m sick.

Ich liebe dich.

Pronunciation: Ish lee-beh dish.
Meaning: I love you.

Ich vermisse dich.

Pronunciation: Ish fer-mis-seh dish.
Meaning: I miss you.

Woher kommst du?

Pronunciation: Vo-her komst doo?
Meaning: Where are you from?

Ich brauche Hilfe.

Pronunciation: Ish brow-khe hil-feh.
Meaning: I need help.

Gute Nacht.

Pronunciation: Goo-teh Nahkt.
Meaning: Good night.

Schlaf gut.

Pronunciation: Shlaf goot.
Meaning: Sleep well.

Schönen Tag noch!

Pronunciation: Shöhn-en tahg nokh!
Meaning: Have a nice day!

Willkommen!

Pronunciation: Vill-kom-men!
Meaning: Welcome!

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!

Pronunciation: Al-les goo-teh tsoom geh-burt-stahg!
Meaning: Happy Birthday!

Viel Glück!

Pronunciation: Feel glük!
Meaning: Good luck!

Ich bin beschäftigt.

Pronunciation: Ish bin beh-shef-tigt.
Meaning: I’m busy.

Ich habe Zeit.

Pronunciation: Ish hah-beh tsait.
Meaning: I have time.

Es tut mir leid.

Pronunciation: Es toot meer lite.
Meaning: I’m sorry.

Was ist das?

Pronunciation: Vahs ist dahs?
Meaning: What is that?

Kann ich hier sitzen?

Pronunciation: Kahn ish heer sit-zen?
Meaning: Can I sit here?

Ich habe es vergessen.

Pronunciation: Ish hah-beh es fer-ges-sen.
Meaning: I forgot.

Wie spät ist es?

Pronunciation: Vee shpeht ist es?
Meaning: What time is it?

Ich bin hungrig.

Pronunciation: Ish bin hung-rig.
Meaning: I am hungry.

Ich weiß nicht.

Pronunciation: Ish vise nisht.
Meaning: I don’t know.

Es ist zu teuer.

Pronunciation: Es ist tsoo toy-er.
Meaning: It’s too expensive.

Haben Sie das?

Pronunciation: Hah-ben zee dahs?
Meaning: Do you have this?

Was ist dein Hobby?

Pronunciation: Vahs ist dine hobby?
Meaning: What’s your hobby?

Ich mag das.

Pronunciation: Ish mahg dahs.
Meaning: I like that.

Ich brauche Wasser.

Pronunciation: Ish brow-khe vahs-er.
Meaning: I need water.

Ich kann das machen.

Pronunciation: Ish kann dahs mahkhen.
Meaning: I can do that.

Bis bald!

Pronunciation: Bis balt!
Meaning: See you soon!

Bis später!

• Pronunciation: Bis shpeh-ter!
• Meaning: See you later!

Ich bin bereit.

• Pronunciation: Ish bin beh-rah-it.
• Meaning: I’m ready.

Was möchtest du essen?

• Pronunciation: Vahs möch-test doo es-sen?
• Meaning: What would you like to eat?

Ich hätte gern…

• Pronunciation: Ish heh-teh gehrn…
• Meaning: I would like…

Können wir die Rechnung haben?

• Pronunciation: Kön-nen veer dee rech-nung hah-ben?
• Meaning: Can we have the bill?

Das war lecker.

• Pronunciation: Dahs vahr le-ker.
• Meaning: That was delicious.

Ich mag Musik.

• Pronunciation: Ish mahg moo-zeek.
• Meaning: I like music.

Ich lese gern.

• Pronunciation: Ish le-zeh gehrn.
• Meaning: I like to read.

Hast du Haustiere?

• Pronunciation: Hahst doo hows-tee-re?
• Meaning: Do you have pets?

Ja, ich habe einen Hund.

• Pronunciation: Yah, ish hah-beh eye-nen hoond.
• Meaning: Yes, I have a dog.

Es ist sonnig.

• Pronunciation: Es ist zon-nig.
• Meaning: It’s sunny.

Es regnet.

• Pronunciation: Es reg-net.
• Meaning: It’s raining.

Ich gehe spazieren.

• Pronunciation: Ish geh-eh shpa-tseer-en.
• Meaning: I’m going for a walk.

Wann ist dein Geburtstag?

• Pronunciation: Vahn ist dine geh-burt-stahg?
• Meaning: When is your birthday?

Was machst du beruflich?

• Pronunciation: Vahs machst doo beh-roof-likh?
• Meaning: What do you do for work?

Ich arbeite als…

• Pronunciation: Ish ar-bai-te als…
• Meaning: I work as…

Das ist interessant.

• Pronunciation: Dahs ist in-teh-reh-sant.
• Meaning: That’s interesting.

Wie spät ist es jetzt?

• Pronunciation: Vee shpeht ist es yetst?
• Meaning: What time is it now?

Es ist fünf Uhr.

• Pronunciation: Es ist fünf oor.
• Meaning: It’s five o’clock.

Heute ist Montag.

• Pronunciation: Hoy-te ist mon-tahg.
• Meaning: Today is Monday.

Ich gehe einkaufen.

• Pronunciation: Ish geh-eh ein-kow-fen.
• Meaning: I’m going shopping.

Das ist eine gute Idee.

• Pronunciation: Dahs ist eye-neh goo-teh i-deh.
• Meaning: That’s a good idea.

Ich komme gleich zurück.

• Pronunciation: Ish koh-meh glykh tsoo-rück.
• Meaning: I’ll be right back.

Ich weiß.

• Pronunciation: Ish vice.
• Meaning: I know.

Ich habe keine Ahnung.

• Pronunciation: Ish hah-beh kye-neh ah-noong.
• Meaning: I have no idea.

Das ist nicht mein Problem.

• Pronunciation: Dahs ist nisht mine pro-blehm.
• Meaning: That’s not my problem.

Sei vorsichtig!

• Pronunciation: Zai for-sich-tig!
• Meaning: Be careful!

Was ist los?

• Pronunciation: Vahs ist lohs?
• Meaning: What’s wrong?

Es ist okay.

• Pronunciation: Es ist oh-kei.
• Meaning: It’s okay.

Ich glaube dir.

Pronunciation: Ish glow-beh deer.
Meaning: I believe you.

Viel Spaß!

Pronunciation: Feel shpahs!
Meaning: Have fun!

Gute Reise!

Pronunciation: Goo-teh rye-zeh!
Meaning: Have a good trip!

Das ist mein Lieblingsessen.

Pronunciation: Dahs ist mine lee-bling-ses-sen.
Meaning: That’s my favorite food.

Ich verstehe dich.

Pronunciation: Ish fer-shtay-eh dish.
Meaning: I understand you.

Darf ich fragen?

Pronunciation: Darf ish frah-gen?
Meaning: May I ask?

Das ist unglaublich!

Pronunciation: Dahs ist oon-gloyb-likh!
Meaning: That’s unbelievable!

Es ist windig.

Pronunciation: Es ist vin-dig.
Meaning: It’s windy.

Ich gehe ins Kino.

Pronunciation: Ish geh-eh ins kee-no.
Meaning: I’m going to the movies.

Ich mag deine Kleidung.

Pronunciation: Ish mahg dine klai-doong.
Meaning: I like your clothes.

Ich brauche eine Pause.

Pronunciation: Ish brow-khe eye-neh pow-zeh.
Meaning: I need a break.

Wir sehen uns morgen.

Pronunciation: Veer zay-en oons mor-gen.
Meaning: See you tomorrow.

Viel Erfolg!

Pronunciation: Feel er-folg!
Meaning: Good luck with that!

Alles klar!

Pronunciation: Al-les klahr!
Meaning: All clear / Got it!

Wie war dein Wochenende?

Pronunciation: Vee var dine vokh-en-deh?
Meaning: How was your weekend?

Bis zum nächsten Mal!

• Pronunciation: Bis tsoom nek-sten mahl!
• Meaning: Until next time!