How to say hello & more in German: 18 phrases + audio

Hello & how are you

1. Hallo.

   Say it like: HAH-loh

   Hello.

   Neutral · Works almost anywhere, any time of day.
2. Hallo zusammen!

   Say it like: HAH-loh tsoo-ZAH-men

   Hi everyone!

   Informal · When you join a group that is already chatting.
3. Guten Morgen.

   Say it like: GOO-ten MOR-gen

   Good morning.

   Neutral · In the morning.

Introducing yourself

1. Ich heiße …

   Say it like: ikh HY-seh

   My name is …

   Neutral · Add your first name.
2. Wie heißen Sie?

   Say it like: vee HY-sen zee

   What is your name? (polite)

   Formal · For hosts, older people or formal settings.
3. Wie heißt du?

   Say it like: vee HYST doo

   What's your name?

   Informal · Among peers at a relaxed event.

Small talk

1. Warst du schon mal hier?

   Say it like: VAHRST doo shohn mahl HEER

   Have you been here before?

   Informal · An easy way to start a chat.
2. Hier ist es echt schön.

   Say it like: heer ist es ekht SHURN

   It's a really nice place.

   Informal · A friendly comment about the venue.
3. Wie lange wohnst du schon hier?

   Say it like: vee LAHNG-eh VOHNST doo shohn HEER

   How long have you lived here?

   Informal · Locals and expats both like this question.

Understanding each other

1. Tut mir leid, das habe ich nicht verstanden.

   Say it like: toot meer LITE, dahs HAH-beh ikh nikht fair-SHTAHN-den

   Sorry, I didn't understand.

   Neutral · Honest and polite: people will help.
2. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?

   Say it like: KUR-nen zee dahs BIT-teh vee-der-HOH-len

   Could you repeat that, please?

   Formal · A polite way to hear it again.
3. Kannst du bitte langsamer sprechen?

   Say it like: kahnst doo BIT-teh LAHNG-zah-mer SHPREKH-en

   Could you speak more slowly, please?

   Informal · Nobody minds: it's a common request.

Coffee & plans

1. Wollen wir mal einen Kaffee trinken?

   Say it like: VOL-len veer mahl EYE-nen KAH-fay TRIN-ken

   Shall we get a coffee sometime?

   Informal · A friendly, low-pressure invite after a good chat.
2. Möchtest du mitkommen?

   Say it like: MURKH-test doo MIT-kom-men

   Would you like to join us?

   Informal · Include someone who is standing alone.
3. Hast du am Wochenende Zeit?

   Say it like: hahst doo ahm VOKH-en-en-deh TSYTE

   Are you free this weekend?

   Informal · A relaxed way to suggest plans.

Contacts & goodbye

1. Wollen wir in Kontakt bleiben?

   Say it like: VOL-len veer in kon-TAHKT BLY-ben

   Shall we stay in touch?

   Neutral · Polite, with no pressure.
2. Hier ist meine Nummer.

   Say it like: heer ist MY-neh NOOM-mer

   Here's my number.

   Neutral · Only share it if you feel comfortable.
3. Schreib mir jederzeit.

   Say it like: SHRIPE meer YAY-der-tsyte

   Message me anytime.

   Informal · A friendly follow-up after exchanging contacts.

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