First Phrases

Sauna · Deutsch

Sauna in German: 10 phrases for tonight

A sauna social is quiet and relaxed: short sentences, low voices. The one practical question is the dress rule, which differs by country and venue, so ask before you go in.

Register: Informal (friendly). "Du" is normal. In German saunas nudity is the norm and swimwear is often not allowed: always ask or read the sign, and keep your towel under you. "Aufguss" is the water-and-scent ritual run by the sauna host.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

10 phrases, door to goodbye

  1. 01 · Arriving
    Hallo, wie geht's?
    Say it like: HAH-loh, vee gates
    Hi, how are you?
  2. 02 · Saying you're new
    Ich bin zum ersten Mal hier und allein gekommen.
    Say it like: ikh bin tsoom ERS-ten mahl heer oont ah-LINE geh-KOH-men
    It's my first time here and I came alone.
  3. 03 · Asking how it works
    Wie läuft das hier? Gibt es Regeln, die ich kennen sollte?
    Say it like: vee loyft dahs heer? gipt es RAY-geln, dee ikh KEN-en ZOL-teh
    How does it work here? Are there rules I should know?
  4. 04 · Small talk
    Hier ist es richtig gemütlich, oder?
    Say it like: heer ist es RIKH-tikh geh-MUET-likh, OH-der
    It's really cosy in here, isn't it?
  5. 05 · Small talk
    Warst du schon mal hier?
    Say it like: varst doo shohn mahl heer
    Have you been here before?
  6. 06 · Small talk
    Wo kann ich meine Sachen lassen?
    Say it like: voh kahn ikh MINE-eh ZAKH-en LAH-sen
    Where can I leave my things?
  7. 07 · Dress code
    Geht man hier mit Badekleidung oder ohne?
    Say it like: gate mahn heer mit BAH-deh-KLY-doong OH-der OH-neh
    Do people wear swimwear here or not?
  8. 08 · Water on the stones
    Darf ich noch etwas Wasser auf die Steine geben?
    Say it like: darf ikh nokh ET-vahs VAS-er owf dee SHTINE-eh GAY-ben
    May I put a bit more water on the stones?
  9. 09 · Cooling off
    Ich gehe kurz raus und kühle mich ab.
    Say it like: ikh GAY-eh koorts rows oont KUE-leh mikh ahp
    I'm going out for a bit to cool off.
  10. 10 · Leaving & keeping in touch
    Das war richtig entspannend. Bis zum nächsten Mal!
    Say it like: dahs var RIKH-tikh ent-SHPAN-ent. bis tsoom NEKH-sten mahl
    That was really relaxing. Until next time!

3 things you will probably hear

  1. H1 · You may hear
    Bitte trink genug Wasser.
    Say it like: BIT-eh trink geh-NOOK VAS-er
    Please drink enough water.
  2. H2 · You may hear
    Leg dein Handtuch bitte unter dich.
    Say it like: layk dine HAHNT-tookh BIT-eh OON-ter dikh
    Please put your towel under you.
  3. H3 · You may hear
    Stört es dich, wenn ich Wasser aufgieße?
    Say it like: shtoert es dikh, ven ikh VAS-er OWF-gee-seh
    Do you mind if I pour water on?

Go and try it

Find sauna socials on Come Alone

Quick answers

What do I say when I arrive alone at a sauna social in German?

Start with: "Hallo, wie geht's?" (Hi, how are you?). Then say you are new: "Ich bin zum ersten Mal hier und allein gekommen." (It's my first time here and I came alone.)

Should I use informal or formal German at a sauna social?

"Du" is normal. In German saunas nudity is the norm and swimwear is often not allowed: always ask or read the sign, and keep your towel under you. "Aufguss" is the water-and-scent ritual run by the sauna host.

How do I ask to meet again after a sauna social in German?

Try: "Das war richtig entspannend. Bis zum nächsten Mal!" (That was really relaxing. Until next time!)

Same evening, another language

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German, another evening

Pub quiz Padel & pickleball Run club Sauna Book club Dinner with strangers Language café

All 7 × 6 cards · Phrases for a specific event near you

How it works

  1. Pick the evening and the language people will speak.
  2. Read the ten phrases in order: they follow the evening from the door to goodbye. Tap the speaker to hear each one in your device's voice.
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. Native-speaker review is still pending; a "check" mark flags a phrase we are least sure of.
  4. Find the event on Come Alone, open it in Meet & Mint to see who else is going, and say the first phrase for real.

firstphrases.app/tonight/sauna/de/ · Meet & Mint