'''German''' is the official and main language of Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein. It is also an official language of Switzerland, and Luxembourg and spoken as a regional language in Namibia. Furthermore, German is spoken in the French regions of Alsace (German: ''Elsass'') and Lorraine (German: ''Lothringen''), in the northern Italian province of South Tyrol (German: ''Sudtirol'', Italian: ''Alto Adige'' or ''Sudtirolo''), and in a small part of eastern Belgium and southern Denmark. Standard German (Hochdeutsch) is also generally spoken by many as a second language in much of East-Central Europe. Small groups of native German speakers can be found in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. This is due to the historical influence of Austria - the former Austrian Empire, and Germany over the region and the radical border changes put into place in Europe after WWII. Furthermore, small isolated communities can be found in Russia, the Central Asian Republics, Australia, and in North and South America.

Grammar & Dialects

In common with many other European languages, German has two "you" verb forms which denote the relationship the speaker has to someone else. To express familiarity, one uses the ''du'' form; for formality, the ''Sie'' form. As a general rule the ''Sie'' form is used when one might address someone as "Madam" or "Sir". If on first name terms, one uses the ''du'' form. Grammatically, the ''Sie'' form takes the 3rd person plural ending.

There are 3 different noun genders: masculine, feminine and neuter. The article of a noun depends on the gender: ''der'' (m), ''die'' (f) and ''das'' (n).

Furthermore, German nouns are declined. There are four grammatical cases: nominative (subject), accusative (direct object), genitive (possessive), and dative (indirect object) Each varies depending on the noun's gender and whether it is singular or plural.

An orthographic peculiarity is that all nouns, even those in the middle of a sentence, begin with a capital letter.

There are very strong accentual and dialectic differences in German-speaking countries. A German from the north and one from the south of the country can have great difficulty understanding each other's dialects. Standard German, or "Hochdeutsch", is universally known and taught, although not everyone speaks it well. Generally, the further south one travels, the broader the influence of dialect on standard speech. The Main River serves as a rough "border" between the northern and southern German speaking cultural worlds. Switzerland, in particular tends to use its own form of German, even often in the media. As a rule, one should not expect all people one encounters (especially in the rural areas) of Alsace, Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Austria, South Tyrol and Switzerland to speak standard German well but dialect instead.

In the north of Germany, some people speak a related language called ''Plattduutsch'' or Low German ("Plattdeutsch" in German). It is strongly related to Dutch or Danish. All Platt speakers will understand standard German.

The German spoken in Switzerland is referred to as ''Schwyyzerduutsch''. There are various varieties of Swiss German depending on the region and it is even widely used in the media. Dialects are not usually used in the media in Germany, Austria or Liechtenstein except for regional programming. Thus this is rare in the German speaking world, as "Hochdeutsch" is more or less the sole language of media outside Switzerland. The German dialects spoken in Vorarlberg (Austria), Baden-Wurttemberg, (Germany) and Alsace (France) are related to Swiss German.

In the Italian South Tyrol, like in most of Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and southern Germany most people speak a local dialect. However standard German and Italian are taught in the schools. The German spoken in South Tyrol is very similar to that of neighboring Austria and Bavaria to the north.

Pronunciation guide

German pronunciation is relatively straightforward, although spelling is somewhat more involved.

Vowels

; a : like 'u' in "cup", 'a' in "target" ; e : like 'e' in "ten", 'a' in "bake" ; i : like 'i' in "bingo" ; o : like 'oo' in "door", like 'o' in "mole" ; u : like 'ou' in "you" ; a : (Umlaut, transcribed as 'ae') like 'e' in "ten", 'a' in "band" ; o : (Umlaut, transcribed as 'oe') like 'i' in "Sir" ; u : (Umlaut, transcribed as 'ue') like 'y' in 'Tyrell' ; y : same as 'u', but also consonant "j" in words of foreign origin ("Yacht")

Length of Vowels

A vowel is shortened when followed by a double consonant.

A vowel is lengthened by a subsequent 'h', or by a double vowel, depending on the word. An exception is 'i', which is lengthened by a following 'e' or 'eh'.

Examples: the ''h'' in ''Hahn'' makes the ''a'' long; the ''aa'' in ''Haar'' is also long, the ''e'' in ''Tier'' makes the ''i'' long. (See below for "Diphthongs".)

Consonants

Consonants are pronounced quite strongly (except perhaps the 'r').

; b : like 'b' in "bed" ; c : like 'ts' in "bits" before 'i' and 'e'; like 'k' in "kid" else ; d : like 'd' in "dog" ; f : like 'ph' in "phone" ; g : like 'g' in "go" (never as in "giraffe") ; h : like 'h' in "help" ; j : like 'y' in "yoga" ; k : like 'c' in "cat" ; l : like 'l' in "love" ; m : like 'm' in "mother" ; n : like 'n' in "nice" ; p : like 'p' in "pig" ; q : like 'q' in "quest" (always with "u") ; r : like 'r' in "arm", like 'r' in "feather". Terminal Rs are almost silent but with the hit of an "r" sound. Rs beginning a word or syllable are pronounced from the back of the throat, as in French. ; s : like 'z' in "haze" ; t : like 't' in "top" ; v : like 'f' in "father", or like "v" in "victory" ; w : like 'v' in "victory", ''never'' like 'wh' in "whisky" ; x : like 'cks' in "kicks" ; z : like 'ts' in "bits" ; s : like 'ss' in "hiss"

Common diphthongs and other digraphs

Note: these combinations are not always used as diphthongs. At syllable boundaries and sometimes even in a syllable, they are spoken as separate vowels (e.g. ''soeben'' — ''zoh-AY-ben'')

; au : like 'ow' in "how" ; ae : transcription for 'a' if not available on a keyboard or in URLs ; ah : like 'a' in "bar", longer than 'a'. ; au : like 'oy' in "boy"

; ei : like 'i' in "wine" ; eu : like 'oy' in "boy" ; eh : long 'e'

; ie : like 'ee' in "week", longer than 'i'. ; ieh : like 'ee' in "week", longer than 'i', fundamentally no difference to 'ie'.

; oe : transcription for 'o' if not available on a keyboard or in URLs ; oh : like 'oo' in "door", longer than 'o'.

; ue : transcription for 'u' if not available on a keyboard or in URLs ; uh : like 'ou' in "youth", longer than 'u'.

; ch after 'a', 'o' and 'u' : like 'ch' in Scottish "loch", spoken in the throat, like 'j' in Spanish ; ch after 'i' and 'e' : like 'h' in "huge"

; ch at the beginning of a word: like 'ch' in "character" ; ck : like 'ck' in "blocking" ; ng : like both 'ng' in "singing", ''never'' like 'ng' in "finger" ; ph : like 'f' in "fish" ; sch : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; sp at the beginning of a word : like 'shp' in "fish pool" ; ss : like 'ss' in "hiss", in contrast to 's', makes the preceding vowel shorter. Also used as transcription for 's' in URL or on foreign keyboards. ; st at the beginning of a word : like 'sht' in "ashtray"

Phrase list

The following phrases are for Standard German, and will generally be well understood across the German-speaking world. See the Swiss-German phrasebook for the local variety spoken in Switzerland or the Austrian-German phrasebook for the variety spoken in Austria.

Basics

; Good day. : Guten Tag. (''GOO-ten tahk'', formal) better: Hallo (informal) ; How are you? : Wie geht's? (''vee gayts?'') ''used as a real question, not a form of greeting.'' ; Fine, thank you. : Danke, gut. (''DAN-keh, goot'') ; What is your name? : Wie heisen Sie? (''vee HIGH-sen zee?'') ; ; My name is ______ . : Ich heise ______ . (''ish HIGH-seh'') ; Nice to meet you. : Nett, Sie kennen zu lernen. ("net zee KEN-en tsoo LER-nen") ; ; Please. : Bitte. (''BIT-tuh'') ; Thank you. : Danke sehr. (''DAN-keh zayr'') ; Thanks. : Danke. (''DAN-keh'') ; You're welcome. : Bitte sehr! (''BIT-teh zayr'') ; Yes. : Ja. (''yah'') ; No. : Nein. (''nine'') ; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : Entschuldigen Sie. (''ent-SHUL-di-gen zee'') ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : Entschuldigung. (''ent-SHUL-di-goong'') ; I'm sorry. : Es tut mir leid. (''es tud mir lait'') ; Goodbye : Auf Wiedersehen. (''owf VEE-der-zay-en'') ; ; I can't speak German (well). : Ich kann nicht [so gut] deutsch sprechen. (''ikh kahn nikht [zo goot] doytsh shprekhen'') better: Ich spreche kein Deutsch (''ish spresh-uh k-eye-n doitsh'') ; Do you speak English? : Sprechen Sie englisch? (''shprekhen zee ANG-lish?'')

; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Gibt es hier jemanden, der Englisch spricht? (''gibt ez heer yeh-MAHNT-en dare ENG-lish shprikht?'') ; Help! : Hilfe! (''HILL-fuh!'') ; Good morning. : Guten Morgen. (''GOO-ten MOR-gen'') ; Good evening. : Guten Abend. (''GOO-ten AH-bent'') ; Good night. : Schonen Abend noch. (''Shur-nen AH-bent nokh'') ; Good night (''to sleep'') : Gute Nacht. (''GOO-tuh nakht'') ; I don't understand. : Ich verstehe das nicht. (''ikh fur-SHTAY-uh dahs nikht'') ; Where is the toilet, please? : Wo ist die Toilette, bitte? (''voh ist dee twah-LET-uh, BIT-tuh?'') ; With pleasure. : Gerne (''GUER-nuh'') ; Do you know where ... is?. : Wissen Sie, wo ... ist? (''vissen zee voh ... ist'')

Problems

; Leave me alone. : Lass / Lassen Sie mich in Ruhe . (''LAHS(-un zee) mikh in ROO-uh'') ; Don't touch me! : Fass / Fassen Sie mich nicht an! (''FAHS(-un zee) mikh nikht AHN!'') ; I'll call the police. : Ich rufe die Polizei. (''ikh ROO-fuh dee poh-lee-TSIGH'') ; Police! : Polizei! (''poh-lee-TSIGH!'') ; Stop! Thief! : Halt! Ein Dieb! (''HAHLT! ighn DEEB!'') ; I need your help. : Ich brauche deine/Ihre Hilfe. (''ikh BROW-khuh DIGH-nuh/EE-ruh HILL-fuh'') ; It's an emergency. : Das ist ein Notfall. (''dahs ist ighn NOHT-fahl'') ; I'm lost. : Ich habe mich verirrt. (''ikh HAH-buh mikh fer-IRT'') ; I lost my bag. : Ich habe meine Tasche verloren. (''ikh HAH-buh migh-nuh TAH-shuh fer-LOH-run'') ; I lost my wallet. : Ich habe mein Portemonnaie verloren. (outdated) (''ikh HAH-buh mighn port-moh-NEH fer-LOH-run'')<br>Note: ''Portemonnaie'' is of French origin, but usual in German.<br>better: Ich habe meinen Geldbeutel verloren. (''ikh HAH-buh mighn geh-ld-boy-tehl fer-LOH-run'') ; I'm sick. : Ich bin krank. (''ikh bin krahnk'') ; I've been injured. : Ich bin verletzt. (''ikh bin fer-LETST'') ; I need a doctor. : Ich brauche einen Arzt. (''ikh BROW-khuh IGH-nuh ARTST'') ; Can I use your phone? : Kann ich dein/Ihr Telefon benutzen? (''kahn ikh dighn/eer tay-lay-FOHN buh-NOOT-sun?'') ; Can I use your mobile? : Kann ich dein/Ihr Handy benutzen? (''kahn ikh dighn/eer handy buh-NOOT-sun?'')

Numbers

In German, the roles of dot and comma are swapped compared to their English counterparts. The grouping separator in big numbers is a dot (.), not a comma(,); the separator between decimal fractions and integer is a comma (,), not a dot (.).

E.g.: 1,000 in English is 1.000 in German; 3.14159 in English is 3,14159 in German.

Note that numbers above twenty are said "backwards". Twenty-one (einundzwanzig) is literally spoken as "one-and-twenty". This takes a bit of getting used to, especially in higher regions. Eg. 53426 (dreiundfunfzigtausendvierhundertsechsundzwanzig) is spoken as "three-and-fifty-thousand-four-hundred-six-and-twenty".

; 0 : null (''noll'') ; 1 : eins (''ighnss'') ; 2 : zwei (''tsvigh'') ; 3 : drei (''drigh'') ; 4 : vier (''feer'') ; 5 : funf (''fuunf'') ; 6 : sechs (''zekhs'') ; 7 : sieben (''ZEE-ben'') ; 8 : acht (''ahkht'') ; 9 : neun (''noyn'') ; 10 : zehn (''tsayn'') ; 11 : elf (''elf'') ; 12 : zwolf (''tsvoolf'') ; 13 : dreizehn (''DRIGH-tsayn'') ; 14 : vierzehn (''FEER-tsayn'') ; 15 : funfzehn (''FUUNF-tsayn'') ; 16 : sechzehn (''ZEKH-tsayn'') ; 17 : siebzehn (''ZEEP-tsayn'') ; 18 : achtzehn (''AHKH-tsayn'') ; 19 : neunzehn (''NOYN-tsayn'') ; 20 : zwanzig (''TSVAHN-tsikh'') ; 21 : einundzwanzig (''IGHN-oont-tsvahn-tsikh'') ; 22 : zweiundzwanzig (''TSVIGH-oont-tsvahn-tsikh'') ; 23 : dreiundzwanzig (''DRIGH-oont-tsvahn-tsikh'') ; 30 : dreisig (''DRIGH-sikh'') ; 40 : vierzig (''FEER-tsikh'') ; 50 : funfzig (''FUUNF-tsikh'') ; 60 : sechzig (''ZEKH-tsikh'') ; 70 : siebzig (''ZEEP-tsikh'') ; 80 : achtzig (''AHKH-tsikh'') ; 90 : neunzig (''NOYN-tsikh'') ; 100 : (ein)hundert (''[ighn]-HOON-dert'') ; 200 : zweihundert (''TSVIGH-hoon-dert'') ; 300 : dreihundert (''DRIGH-hoon-dert'') ; 1000 : (ein)tausend (''[ighn]-TOW-zent'') ; 2000 : zweitausend (''TSVIGH-tow-zent'') ; 1,000,000 : eine Million (''igh-nuh mill-YOHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : eine Milliarde (''igh-nuh mill-YAR-duh'')<br>''Note the difference to American English numbers, often mistranslated!'' ; 1,000,000,000,000 : eine Billion (''igh-nuh bill-YOHN'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : Nummer/Linie _____ (''NOO-mer/LEE-nee-uh'') ; half : halb (''hahlp'') ; the half : die Halfte (''dee HELF-tuh'') ; less : weniger (''VAY-nihg-er'') ; more : mehr (''mayr'')

Ordinal Numbers

; 1. : erster (''ayr-stayr'') ; 2. : zweiter (''tsvigh-tayr'') ; 3. : dritter (''dri-tayr'') ; 4. : vierter (''feer-tayr'') ; 5. : funfter (''fuunf-tayr'') ; 20. : zwanzigster (''TSVAHN-tsikhs-tayr'') ; 100. : (ein)hundertster (''[ighn]-HOON-dert-stayr'') ; 101. : (ein)hunderterster (''[ighn]-HOON-dert-ayr-stayr'')

Time

; now : jetzt (''yetst'') ; later : spater (''SHPET-er'') ; before : vor (''for'') ; morning : Morgen (''MOR-gen'') ; in the morning : morgens (''MOR-genss'') ; tomorrow morning : morgen fruh (''MOR-gen FRUU'') ; afternoon : Nachmittag (''NAHKH-mit-tahk'') ; in the afternoon : nachmittags (''NAHKH-mit-tahks'') ; evening : Abend (''AH-bent'') ; in the evening : abends (''AH-bents'') ; night : Nacht (''nahkht'') ; in the night : nachts (''nahkhts'')

Clock time

In German speaking countries as in many other European countries, it's usual to use a 24 hour clock, ranging from 0.00 to 24.00. Okay, 24.00 is actually the same as 0.00, but one day later.

; one o'clock AM : ein Uhr (''IGHN oor'') ; two o'clock AM : zwei Uhr (''TSVIGH oor'') ; noon : zwolf Uhr ''or'' Mittag (''TSVOOLF oor'' or ''MIT-tahk'') ; one o'clock PM : dreizehn Uhr (''DRIGH-tsayn oor'') ; two o'clock PM : vierzehn Uhr (''FEER-tsayn oor'') ; midnight : Mitternacht ''or'' null Uhr ''or'' vierundzwanzig Uhr (''MIT-er-nahkht'' or ''NOOL oor'' or ''FEER-oont-TSVAHN-tsikh oor'')

Expressing "fractional hours" differs slightly among various regions of Germany. The "normal" way of doing it is: <br>

  • Quarter past one - ''Viertel nach eins'' or ''Viertel zwei''
  • Half past one - ''Halb zwei'' (half two)
  • A quarter to two - ''Viertel vor zwei'' or ''Dreiviertel zwei''
  • Duration

    ; _____ minute(s) : _____ Minute(n) (''mih-NOO-tuh [mih-NOO-ten]'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ Stunde(n) (''SHTOON-duh [SHTOON-den'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ Tag(e) (''TAHK [TAH-guh]'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ Woche(n) (''VOKH-uh [VOKH-en]'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ Monat(e) (''MOH-naht [moh-NAH-tuh]'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ Jahr(e) (''YAHR[-uh]'') ; in _____ : Im Jahr _____ (''im YAHR _____'')

    Days

    ; today : heute (''HOY-tuh'') ; the day before yesterday : vorgestern (''for-GESS-tern'') ; yesterday : gestern (''GESS-tern'') ; tomorrow : morgen (''MOR-gen'') ; the day after tomorrow : ubermorgen (''uuber-MOR-gen'') ; this week : diese Woche (''DEE-zuh VOH-khuh'') ; last week : letzte Woche (''LETS-tuh VOH-khuh'') ; the week before last week : vorletzte Woche (''for-LETS-tuh VOH-khuh'') ; next week : nachste Woche (''NEX-tuh VOH-khuh'') ; the week after next week : ubernachste Woche (''uuber-NEX-tuh VOH-khuh'')

    The week is considered starting on monday in germany.

    ; Monday : Montag (''MON-tahk'') ; Tuesday : Dienstag (''DEENS-tahk'') ; Wednesday : Mittwoch (''MIT-vokh'') ; Thursday : Donnerstag (''DON-ers-tahk'') ; Friday : Freitag (''FRIGH-tahk'') ; Saturday : Samstag (''ZAMS-tahk''), in some regions "Sonnabend" (''ZON-ah-bent'') ; Sunday : Sonntag (''ZON-tahk'')

    Months

    ; January : Januar (''YAH-noo-ahr''), in Austria "Janner" (''YEH-nna'') ; February : Februar (''FAY-broo-ahr.''), in Austria "Feber" (''FAY-ber'') ; March : Marz (''mehrts'') ; April : April (''ah-PRILL'') ; May : Mai (''migh'') ; June : Juni (''YOO-nee'') ; July : Juli (''YOO-lee'') ; August : August (''ow-GOOST'') ; September : September (''zep-TEM-ber'') ; October : Oktober (''ok-TOH-ber'') ; November : November (''noh-VEM-ber'') ; December : Dezember (''day-TSEM-ber'')

    Writing Time and Date

    In the clock time, hours and minutes are separated by a '.' instead of ':', but the latter is also widely used. Another usual way is to write the minutes raised like an exponent.

    The date is always written in the order day, month, year, e.g.:

    12/24/2003 is in German 24.12.2003. 24th of December 2003 is in German 24. Dezember 2003

    Don't get confused about that, especially if you're an American!

    Colors

    ; black : schwarz (''shvahrts'') ; white : weis (''vighss'') ; gray : grau (''grou'') - rhymes with "cow" ; red : rot (''roht'') ; blue : blau (''blou'') - rhymes with "cow" ; yellow : gelb (''gelp'') ; green : grun (''gruun'') ; orange : orange (''oh-RAHNGSH'') ; purple : purpurrot ("PURR-purr-rhot"), violett ("veeo-lett") or lila (''LEE-lah'') ; pink : rosa (''ROH-zah'') or rosarot (ROH-zah-roht") ; brown : braun (''brown'') ; silver : silber ("zsil-bur") ; gold : gold ("gold") ; light - : hell- ("hell") as in hellblau ; dark - : dunkel- ("dune-kel") as in dunkelblau

    Transportation

    Bus and Train

    ; How much is a ticket to _____? (bus, train) : Was kostet eine Fahrkarte nach _____? (''vass KOSS-tet igh-nuh FAHR-kahr-tuh nahkh _____?'') ; How much is a ticket to _____? (airplane) : Was kostet ein Ticket nach _____? (''vass KOSS-tet ighn TICK-et nahkh _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. (bus, train) : Bitte eine Fahrkarte nach _____. (''BIT-tuh IGH-nuh FAHR-kahr-tuh nahkh _____'') ; One ticket to _____, please. (airplane) : Bitte ein Ticket nach _____. (''BIT-tuh ighn TICK-et nahkh _____'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Wohin fahrt dieser Zug/Bus? (''voh-hin FEHRT dee-zer TSOOK/BOOSS?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Wo ist der Zug/Bus nach _____? (''VOH ist dayr TSOOK/BOOSS nahkh _____?'') ; Does this train/bus stop in/at _____? : Halt dieser Zug/Bus in/bei_____? (''helt DEE-zer TSOOK/BOOSS in/by _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Wann fahrt der Zug/Bus nach _____ ab? (''VAHN FEHRT der tsook/booss nahkh _____ ap?'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Wann kommt dieser Zug/Bus in _____ an? (''vahn KOMT dee-zer TSOOK/BOOSS in _____ ahn?'')

    Directions

    ; How do I get to _____ ? (cities) : Wie komme ich nach _____ ? (''vee KOM-muh ikh nahkh _____?'') ; How do I get to _____ ? (places, streets) : Wie komme ich zum/zur _____ ? (''vee KOM-muh ikh tsoom/tsoor _____?'') ; ...the train station? : ...zum Bahnhof? (''tsoom BAHN-hohf?'') ; ...the bus station? : ...zur Bushaltestelle? (''tsoor BOOSS-hahl-tuh-shteh-luh?'') ; ...the airport? : ...zum Flughafen? (''tsoom FLOOG-hah-fen?'') ; ...downtown? : ...zur Stadtmitte? (''tsoor SHTUT-mit-tuh'') ; ...the youth hostel? : ...zur Jugendherberge? (''tsoor YOO-gent-hayr-bayr-guh'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...zum _____ Hotel? (''tsoom _____ hoh-TELL'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...zum amerikanischen/kanadischen/australischen/britischen Konsulat? (''tsoom ah-mayr-ih-KAHN-ish-en/kah-NAH-dish-en/ous-TRAH-lish-en/BRIT-ish-en kon-zoo-LAHT?'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Wo gibt es viele... (?) (''VOU gipt ess FEE-luh...'') ; ...hotels? : ...Hotels? (''hoh-TELLSS'') ; ...restaurants? : ...Restaurants? (''rest-oh-RAHNTS?'') ; ...Bars? (''bahrss?'') ; ...bars? (pub): ...Kneipen? (''KNIGH-pen?'') (pronounce the K) ; ...sites to see? : ...Sehenswurdigkeiten? (''ZAY-ens-vuur-dikh-kigh-ten?'') ; Can you show me on the map? : Kannst du/Konnen Sie mir das auf der Karte zeigen? (''kahnst doo/KOON-en zee meer dahss ouf dayr KAHR-tuh TSIGH-gen?'') ; street, road : Strase (''SHTRAH-suh'') ; left : links (''links'') ; right : rechts (''rekhts'') ; Turn left. : Links abbiegen. (''LINKS AHP-bee-gen'') ; Turn right. : Rechts abbiegen. (''REKHTS AHP-bee-gen'') ; straight ahead : geradeaus (''guh-RAH-duh-OWSS'') ; towards the _____ : Richtung _____ (''RIKH-toong'') ; past the _____ : nach dem(m)/der(f)/dem(n) _____ (''nahkh daym/dayr/daym _____'') ; before the _____ : vor dem(m)/der(f)/dem(n) _____ (''for daym/dayr/daym _____'') ; Watch for the _____. : Achte/Achten Sie auf den(m)/die(f)/das(n) _____. (''AHKH-tuh/AHKH-ten zee ouf dayn/dee/dahss _____'') ; intersection : Kreuzung (''KROY-tsoong'') ; north : Norden (''NOR-den'') ; south : Suden (''ZUU-den'') ; east : Osten (''OST-en'') ; west : Westen (''VEST-en'') ; uphill : bergauf (''bayrk-OUF'') ; downhill : bergab (''bayrk-AHP'')

    ;'''Taxi! ''' '''''(''TAHK-see'')'''''''' ; Take me to _____, please. : Bitte bringen Sie mich zum/zur/nach _____. (''BIT-tuh BRING-en zee mikh tsoom/tsoor/nahkh _____'')<br>Note: ''Use'' 'zu(m,r)' ''for streets and places and'' 'nach' ''for cities and villages.'' ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Wie viel kostet es bis zum/zur/nach _____? (''vee feel KOSS-tet ess biss tsoom/tsoor/nahkh _____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Bringen Sie mich bitte dahin. (''BRING-en zee mikh BIT-tuh dah-HIN'')

    Lodging

    ; Do you have any rooms available? : Sind noch Zimmer frei? (''ZINT nokh TSIM-mer FRIGH?'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Wieviel kostet ein Einzelzimmer/Doppelzimmer? (''vee-feel KOSS-tet ighn IGHN-tsel-tsim-mer/DOP-pel-tsim-mer?'') ; Does the room come with... : Hat das Zimmer... (''HAHT dahss TSIM-mer...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...Bettlaken? (''...BET-lahk-en?'') ; ...a bathroom? (toilet): ...eine Toilette? (''igh-nuh to-ah-LET-tuh?'') ; ...a bathroom? (shower): ...eine Dusche? (''igh-nuh DOO-shuh?'') ; ...a telephone? : ...ein Telefon? (''ighn tell-eh-FOHN?'') ; ...a TV? : ...einen Fernseher? (''igh-nen FAYRN-zay-er?'') ; May I see the room first? : Kann ich das Zimmer erstmal sehen? (''kahn ikh dahs TSIM-mer ayrst-mahl ZAY-en?'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Haben Sie etwas Ruhigeres? (''HAH-ben zee ET-vahs ROO-ig-er-ess?'') ; ...bigger? : ...groseres? (''GROO-ser-ess?'') ; ...cheaper? : ...billigeres? (''BILL-ig-er-ess?'') ; OK, I'll take it. : OK, ich nehme es. (''OH-kay, ikh NAY-muh ess'') ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : Ich bleibe eine Nacht (_____ Nachte). (''ihk BLIGH-buh IGH-nuh nahkht/_____ NEKH-tuh'')<br>Note: ''The plural of'' 'Nacht' ''is'' 'Nachte' ''.'' ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Konnen Sie mir ein anderes Hotel empfehlen? (''KOON-en zee meer ign AHN-der-ess ho-TELL emp-FAY-len?'') Note: It's not a good idea to say this, as it may be taken in an insulting manner. Try saying "Gibt es hier in der Nahe ein Reiseburo?" ("Is there a tourist agency nearby?") instead. ; Do you have a safe? : Haben Sie einen Safe? (''HAH-ben zee IGH-nen SAYF?'') ; ...lockers? : ...Schliesfacher? (''SHLEESS-fekh-er?'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Ist Fruhstuck/Abendessen inklusive? (''ist FRUU-shtuuk/AH-bent-ess-en in-kloo-ZEE-vuh?'')

    ; What time is breakfast/supper? : Wann gibt es Fruhstuck/Abendessen? (''VAHN gipt ess FRUU-shtuuk/AH-bent-ess-en?'') ; Please clean my room. : Wurden sie bitte mein Zimmer saubermachen? (''VUUR-den zee BIT-tuh mign TSIM-mer ZOW-ber-MAHKH-en?'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Konnen Sie mich um _____ Uhr wecken? (''KOON-en zee mikh oom _____ oor VECK-en?'') ; I would like to check out. : Ich mochte auschecken. (''ikh MOOKH-tuh ows-check-en'')

    Money

    ; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Nehmen Sie US-Dollar/australische/kanadische Dollar? (''NAY-men zee OOH-ESS DOLL-ahr/ouss-TRAHL-ish-uh/kah-NAH-dish-uh DOLL-ahr?'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Nehmen Sie britische Pfund? (''NAY-men zee BRIT-ish-uh PFOOND?'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Kann ich mit Kreditkarte zahlen? (''kahn ikh mit kray-DEET-kahr-tuh TSAH-len?'') ; Can you change money for me? : Konnen Sie mir Geld wechseln? (''KOON-en zee meer GELT WEKHS-eln?'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Wo kann ich Geld wechseln? (''voh kahn ikh GELT WEKHS-eln?'') ; Can you change a traveller's check for me? : Kann ich hier Travellerschecks einlosen? (''kahn ikh heer TREV-el-er-shecks IGHN-loo-zen?'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Wo kann ich Travellerschecks tauschen? (''voh kahn ikh TREV-el-er-shecks TOW-shen?'') (TOW rhymes with "cow") ; What is the exchange rate? : Wie ist der Wechselkurs? (''vee ist dayr VEK-sel-koorss?'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Wo ist ein Geldautomat? (''voh ist ign GELT-ow-toh-maht?'')

    Eating

    ; A table for one person/two people, please. : Ein Tisch fur eine Person/zwei Personen, bitte. (''ighn TISH fuur IGHN-uh payr-ZOHN/TSVIGH payr-ZOHN-nen, BIT-tuh'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Ich hatte gerne die Speisekarte. (''ikh HET-tuh GAYR-nuh dee SHPIGH-zuh-kahr-tuh'') ; Is there a house specialty? : Gibt es eine Spezialitat des Hauses? (''gipt ess igh-nuh shpeh-tsyah-lee-TAYT dess HOW-zess?'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Gibt es eine Spezialitat aus dieser Gegend? (''gipt ess igh-nuh shpeh-tsyah-lee-TAYT owss DEE-zer GAY-gent?'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Ich bin Vegetarier. (''ikh bin vay-gay-TAH-ree-er'') ; I don't eat pork. : Ich esse kein Schweinefleisch. (''ikh ESS-uh kign SHVIGN-uh-flighsh'') ; I only eat kosher food. : Ich esse nur koscher. (''ikh ESS-uh noor KOH-sher'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Konnten Sie es bitte nicht so fett machen? (''KOON-ten zee ess BIT-tuh nikht zo fett MAHKH-en?'') ; fixed-price meal : Tagesessen (''TAHG-ess-ess-en'') / Menu (meh-NUU) : Note: While "Tagesessen" should be used in pubs and taverns, "Menu" is the correct word in classic restaurants. ; Without, eg. I would like spaghetti without cheese : Ich mochte die Spaghetti, ohne Kase (''Ikh merkhte dee schpagetti, ohna kayze''), "Ohne" being the key word here. ; a la carte : a la carte (''ah lah KAHRT'') ; breakfast : Fruhstuck (''FRUU-shtuuk'') ; lunch : Mittagessen (''mit-TAHK-ess-en'') ; tea (''meal'') : Kaffee (''kah-FAY'') ; supper : Abendessen ''or'' Abendbrot (''AH-bent-ess-en'' or ''AH-bent-broht'') : Note: "Abendbrot" is mainly used in rural areas. Most Germans, even the non-English speaking, understand ''dinner'' as well. ; I would like _____. : Ich mochte _____. (''ikh MERKH-tuh'') ; I would like a dish containing ____ : Ich mochte etwas mit ____ (''ikh MOOKH-tuh ett-vahss mit _____'') ; chicken : Huhn (''hoon'') ; beef : Rindfleisch (''RINT-flighsh'') ; fish : Fisch (''fish'') ; ham : Schinken (''SHINK-en'') ; sausage : Wurst (''voorst'') ; cheese : Kase (''KAY-zuh'') ; eggs : Eier (''IGH-er'') ; salad : Salat (''zah-LAHT'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (frisches) Gemuse (''[FRISH-ess] guh-MUU-zuh'') ; (fresh) fruit : (frisches) Obst (''[FRISH-ess] OWPST'') ; bread : Brot (''broht'') ; toast : Toast (''tohst'') ; noodles : Nudeln (''NOO-deln'') ; rice : Reis (''righss'') ; beans : Bohnen (''BOH-nen'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : Konnte ich ein Glas _____ haben? (''KOON-tuh ikh ighn glahss _____ HAH-ben?'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : Konnte ich eine Tasse _____ haben? (''KOON-tuh ikh IGH-nuh TAH-suh _____ HAH-ben?'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : Konnte ich eine Flasche _____ haben? (''KOON-tuh ikh IGH-nuh FLAH-shuh _____ HAH-ben?'') ; coffee : Kaffee (''kah-FAY'') ; tea (''drink'') : Tee (''tay'') ; juice : Saft (''zahft'') ; (bubbly) water : Mineralwasser ''or'' Sprudel(-wasser) (''mee-ne-RAHL-wah-ser'' or ''SHPROO-del-[wah-ser]'') ; water (tap) : Leitungswasser (''LIGH-toongs-wah-ser'') : Note: Tap water is quite uncommon in German restaurants. ; beer : Bier (''beer'')<br>Note: ''At least in Germany and Austria, you better say what kind of beer you want. There are:'' Export (''EKS-port''), known as 'Helles' (''HELL-as'') ''in Bavaria'' and as 'Lager' (''LAH-ger'') ''in Switzerland''; Pils (''pilss''); Hefeweizen (''HAY-fuh-vigh-tsen''), known as 'Weisbier' (''VIGHSS-beer'') ''in Bavaria''; dunkles Hefeweizen (''DOONK-less HAY-fuh-vigh-tsen''); Alt (''ahlt'') ''in the Dusseldorf region''; Kolsch (''koolsh'') ''in Cologne and probably most of the other Rhineland''; Bockbier (''BOCK-beer'') ''sometimes in the South of Germany''. If you only say ''beer'', you will get a ''Pils'' on most cases. ; red/white wine : Rot-/Weis-wein (''ROHT-/VIGHSS-vighn'') ; May I have some _____? : Kann ich etwas _____ haben? (''kahn ikh ET-vahss _____ HAH-ben?'') ; salt : Salz (''zahlts'') ; black pepper : Pfeffer (''PFEF-er'') ; butter : Butter (''BOO-ter'') ; Excuse me, waiter! (''getting attention of server'') : Entschuldigung! (''ent-SHOOL-dih-goong'') ; I'm finished. : Ich bin fertig. (''ikh bin FAYR-tikh'') ; It was delicious. : Es war hervorragend. (''ess vahr hayr-FOR-rah-gent'') ; Please clear the plates. : Wurden Sie bitte abraumen? (''VUUR-den zee BIT-tuh ahb-ROY-men?'') ; The check, please. : Zahlen, bitte. (''TSAH-len, BIT-tuh'')

    Bars

    ; Do you serve alcohol? : Haben Sie alkoholische Getranke? (''HAH-ben zee ahl-koh-HOHL-ish-uh guh-TRENG-kuh?'') ; Is there table service? : Kommt eine Bedienung zum Tisch? (''kommt IGH-nuh buh-DEE-noong tsoom TISH?'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : Ein Bier/zwei Bier, bitte. (''ighn beer/tsvigh beer, BIT-tuh'')<br''See note in previous section.'' ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : Ein Glas Rot-/Weiswein, bitte. (''ighn glahss ROHT-/VIGHSS-vign, BIT-tuh'') ; A quarter/eighth of red wine, please. : Ein Viertel/Achtel Rotwein, bitte. (''ign FEER-tel/AHKH-tel ROHT-vign, BIT-tuh'')<br>Note: It's usual to order wine by quarters or eighths (of a liter). ; A little/big beer, please. : Ein kleines/groses Bier, bitte. (''ighn KLIGH-ness/GROH-sess beer, BIT-tuh'') ; Half a liter, please. (of beer) : Eine Halbe, bitte. (''IGH-nuh HAHL-buh, BIT-tuh'')<br>Note: ''This probably won't be understood in the North of Germany.'' ; A bottle, please. : Eine Flasche, bitte. (''IGH-nuh FLAH-shuh, BIT-tuh'') ; Rum and coke, please. : Bitte eine Cola mit Rum. (''BIT-tuh IGH-nuh KOH-lah mit ROOM'')<br>Note: ''In German, the mixer comes first.'' ; whiskey : Whiskey (''VIS-kee'') ; vodka : Wodka (''VOT-kah'') ; rum : Rum (''ROOM'') ; water : Wasser (''VAH-ser'') ; club soda : Mineralwasser (''Mee-ne-RAWL-vas-ser'') ; tonic water : Tonicwater ''or simply'' Tonic ; orange juice : Orangensaft ''or simply'' O-Saft (''oh-RAHN-zhen-zahft'' or ''OH-zahft'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Cola (''KOH-lah'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Haben Sie irgendwelche Snacks? (''HAH-ben zee EER-gent-VELL-khe SNEKS?'') ; One more, please. : Noch einen(m)/eine(f)/eins(n), bitte. (''nokh IGH-nen/IGH-nuh/IGHNS, BIT-tuh'') ; Another round, please. : Noch eine Runde, bitte. (''nokh IGH-nuh ROON-duh, BIT-tuh'') ; When is closing time? : Wann schliesen Sie? (''vahn SHLEE-sen zee?'')

    Shopping

    ; Do you have this in my size? : Haben Sie das in meiner Grose? (''HAH-ben zee dahs in MIGH-ner GROO-suh?'') ; How much is this? : Was kostet das? (''vahss KOSS-tet dahss?'') ; That's too expensive. : Das ist zu teuer. (''dahss ist tsoo TOY-er'') ; Would you take _____? : Wurden Sie es fur ___ verkaufen? (''VUUR-den zee as fyr _____ vayr-COW-fan?'') ; expensive : teuer (''TOY-er'') ; cheap : billig / gunstig (''BILL-ikh/GUUN-stikh'') (Note: "Billig" also can mean "not good/low quality") ; I can't afford it. : Ich kann es mir nicht leisten. (''ikh kahn ess meer nikth LIGH-sten'') ; I don't want it. : Ich will es nicht. (''ikh vill ess nikht'') ; I know that this is not the regular price. : Ich weis, dass das nicht der normale Preis ist. (''ikh vighss, dahss dahss nikht dayr nor-MAH-luh PRIGHSS ist'') ; You're cheating me. : Sie wollen mich abzocken. (''zee VOLL-en mikh AHP-tsock-en'')<br>Note: ''Actually, the translation would be:'' Sie betrugen mich. ''But that sounds too hard. The word'' abzocken ''is a rather familiar use of language.'' ; I'm not interested. : Ich habe kein Interesse. (''ikh hah-buh kighn in-ter-ES-se'') ; OK, I'll take it. : OK, ich nehme es. (''oh-kay, ikh NAY-muh ess'') ; Can I have a bag? : Kann ich eine Tute haben? (''kahn ikh IGH-nuh TUU-tuh HAH-ben?'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Versenden Sie auch (nach Ubersee)? (''fayr-ZEN-den zee owkh [nahkh UU-ber-zay]?'') ; I need... : Ich brauche... (''ikh BROW-khuh...'') (''BROW'' rhymes with ''cow'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...Zahnpaste. (''TSAHN-pahs-teh'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...eine Zahnburste. (''IGH-nuh TSAHN-buur-stuh'') ; ...tampons. : ...Tampons. (''TAHM-pohns'') ; ...soap. : ...Seife. (''ZIGH-fuh'') ; ...shampoo. : ...Shampoo. (''SHAHM-poo'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...Schmerzmittel. (''SHMAYRTS-mit-tel'')<br>Note: ''You will get medicine in pharmacies ("Apotheke" , with big red A-Sign) only, not in normal drugstores'' ; ...cold medicine. : ...etwas gegen Erkaltung. (''ET-vahs GAY-gen ayr-KELT-oong'') ; ...stomach medicine. : ....Magentabletten (''MAH-gen-tah-BLET-ten'') ; ...a razor. : ...einen Rasierer. (''IGH-nen rah-ZEER-er'') ; ...a razor (blade): ...eine Rasierklinge. (''IGH-ne rah-ZEER-kling-uh'') ; ...an umbrella. : ...einen Regenschirm. (''IGH-nen RAY-gen-sheerm'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...Sonnencreme. (''ZON-nen-kraym'') ; ...a postcard. : ...eine Postkarte. (''IGH-nuh POST-kahr-tuh'') ; ...postage stamps. : ...Briefmarken. (''BREEF-mahr-ken'') ; ...batteries. : ...Batterien. (''baht-uh-REE-en'') ; ...writing paper. : ...Schreibpapier. (''SHRIGHP-pah-peer'') ; ...a pen. : ...einen Stift. (''igh-nen SHTIFT'') ; ...English-language books. : ...englischsprachige Bucher. (''ENG-lish-shprahkh-ig-uh BUUKH-er'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...englischsprachige Zeitschriften. (''ENG-lish-shprahkh-ig-uh TSIGHT-shrift-en'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...eine englischsprachige Zeitung. (''IGH-nuh ENG-lish-shprahkh-ig-uh TSIGH-toong'') ; ...an English-German dictionary. : ...ein Englisch-Deutsch-Worterbuch. (''ighn ENG-lish-DOYTCH woor-ter-bookh'')

    Driving

    ; I want to rent a car. : Ich mochte ein Auto mieten. (''ikh MOOKH-tuh ighn OW-toh mee-ten'') ; Can I get insurance? : Kann ich es versichern lassen? (''kahn ikh es fayr-ZIKH-ern LAH-sen?'') ; stop (''on a street sign'') : stop (''SHTOP'') ; one way : Einbahnstrase (''IGHN-bahn-shtrah-suh'') ; yield : Vorfahrt gewahren (''FOR-fahrt guh-VEHR-ren'') ; no parking : Parkverbot (''PAHRK-fayr-boht'') ; speed limit : Geschwindigkeitsbeschrankung (''guh-SHVIN-dikh-kights-buh-SHRENG-koong'') ; gas (''petrol'') station : Tankstelle (''TAHNK-shtel-luh'') ; petrol : Benzin (''ben-TSEEN'') ; diesel : Diesel (''DEE-zel'') ; toll : Maut (''MOWT'')

    Authority

    Totally useless section. Every police officer in Germany speaks at least rural English and is obliged to call his supervisors to contact the respective embassy.

    ; I haven't done anything wrong. : Ich habe nichts getan. (''ish HAH-buh nikhts ge-TAHN'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : Das war ein Missverstandnis. (''dahs vahr ighn MISS-fayr-shtand-niss'') ; Where are you taking me? : Wohin bringen Sie mich? (''VOH-hin BRING-en zee mikh?'') ; Am I under arrest? : Bin ich verhaftet? (''bin ikh fayr-HAHF-tet?'') ; This hooker got me drunk and stole my kidney! : Diese Nutte hat mich betrungen gemacht und meine Niere gstohlen! (Deeze noote at meekh b'troonkn gmakht oond min'e neere g'stowlen. ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : Ich bin amerikanischer/australischer/britischer/kanadischer Staatsburger. (''ikh bin ah-mayr-ih-KAH-nish-er / owss-TRAH-lish-er / BRIT-ish-er / kah-NAH-dish-er SHTAHTS-buur-ger'') or, if female, amerikanische/australische/britische/kanadische Staatsburgerin (''ah-MAYR-ih-KAH-nish-uh / owss-TRAH-lish-uh / BRIT-ish-uh / kah-NAH-dish-uh SHTAHTS-buur-ger-in)'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : Ich will mit der/dem amerikanischen/australischen/britischen/kanadischen Botschaft/Konsulat sprechen. (''ikh vill mit dayr/daym ah-may-ih-KAHn-ish-en / ows-TRAH-lish-en / BRIT-ish-en / kah-NAH-dish-en BOHT-shahft / kohn-zoo-LAHT SHPREKH-en'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : Ich will mit einem Anwalt sprechen. (''ikh vill mit IGH-nem AHN-vahlt SHPREKH-en'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Kann ich jetzt nicht einfach eine Strafe zahlen? (''kahn ikh yetst nikht IGHN-fakh igh-nuh SHTRAH-fe TSAH-len?'')