The most useful basic German phrases you need to know

So you’re learning German but you’re having a hard time improving? Don’t get frustrated, It’s a notoriously difficult language to master.

Common and basic German phrases can give you that much-needed boost to insert a little German into your daily life.

From saying hello and goodbye to customer service and travel, we’ll give you an overview of useful phrases in German that will help you better navigate everyday situations.

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Common German phrases for everyday use

While there are plenty of German speakers who are eager to speak English with you, there are circumstances when you can’t rely on other people’s language skills—after all, one of your learning goals is to become fluent in German eventually, right?

Using common German phrases is a step towards speaking like a local. For easy reference, we’ve compiled an overview of basic German phrases on various topics and for different everyday situations that you can start using right now!

We also have more helpful tips for you to start learning German fast.

Most common basic German phrases

These are our top ten basic German phrases you can use in common situations you’ll encounter in everyday life. Combine these with the 100 German words you need to know and you can have basic exchanges in no time.

Learn German phrases for when you meet someone

Here are basic German phrases the locals say when they meet someone:

Learn these German farewell phrases

Saying goodbye in German is easy with these useful phrases:

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German customer service phrases

If you find yourself worrying over emails and messages you have to write in German, use an online grammar check tool to facilitate your written communication. Sometimes, though, you have to talk to a customer service agent in person. The following basic German phrases are here to help!  

Need-to-know German travel phrases

Near and far, you’ll get around the country if you can use these travel phrases in German:

Funny and useful German phrases that will make you smile

Lastly, German has many phrases that’ll put a smile on your face and are nonetheless useful to have in your repertoire, because humor is universal and can defuse nearly any situation. As you’ll see, these can be quite literal, same as literal German words!

• Ich stehe auf dem Schlauch: I don’t get it. Literally, it means you’re blocking the flow by standing on the hose.
• Das ist unter aller Sau: This is the worst, meaning not even a pig would accept it.
• Jetzt geht’s um die Wurst: All or nothing. Germans love their sausage, so when the stakes are high, the stakes are a sausage. This literally translates into “The sausage is at stake”.
• Mit ihm kann man Pferde stehlen: A partner in crime. It’s a high compliment to want to go steal a pair of horses with someone and is usually reserved for a good and close friend.
• Er spielt die beleidigte Leberwurst: To be (needlessly) offended. If someone behaves like an offended liver sausage, they’re taking something too much to heart.
• Da steppt der Bär: High life. Any party with a dubstepping bear is going to be le-gen-dary.
• Das geht ab wie Schmitz Katze: Similarly, the cat of Schmitz is one hip creature, so you use this expression for where it’s happening. It translates into “like a bat out of hell” or similar.
• Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof: Life is tough and so much more than feeding sugar cubes to ponies.
• Du hast nicht mehr alle Tassen im Schrank: Someone who’s cupboard is short a few cups is, well, loco.
• Ich glaub mein Schwein pfeift: You’re not going to believe it when you hear your pig whistle.

Start using these basic phrases everyday

In any language, using common phrases doesn’t have to be the stilted communication of dusty textbooks.

Start learning and using the phrases from our compilation above today and you’ll make your life easier and get a better feel for German. You’ll find that soon you’re making progress towards becoming fluent! Want to keep learning ? Here are more German expressions for you to check out.

FAQs

Here are also some of the questions people ask about the basic German words to learn if you want to speak German with native speakers

What are the most common German phrases to learn?

Some common German expressions to learn include “Guten Tag” for hello, “Auf Wiedersehen” for goodbye, and “Entschuldigung” for excuse me.

What is the basic German vocabulary for tourists?

Essential German words for tourists include ”Die Rechnung, bitte” (The bill, please), “Wo ist die Toilette?” (Where is the restroom?), “Ich komme aus…” (I am from…), “ Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? (Can I have the menu, please?), and “Wo ist die Touristeninformation?” (Where can I find the tourist information office?).

What is the easiest word to say in German?

“Ja” meaning yes is one of the easiest words to say in the German language.

What are some basic German phrases?

Basic phrases in German include “Können Sie mir helfen?” for “Can you help me”, “Wie viel kostet das?” for “How much does that cost?”, ”Das ist alles, danke.” (That’s all, thank you), and “Ich verstehe nicht” for “I don’t understand.”

What is a famous German saying?

One famous German saying is “Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei,” which means everything has an end, only the sausage has two.

Summing up: The most useful basic German phrases you need to know

So, while mastering German can pose challenges, integrating common German expressions into your daily interactions can significantly enhance your language skills.

Whether you’re navigating customer service, traveling in German-speaking countries, or simply meeting new people, having a repertoire of basic phrases is essential.

From practical inquiries to humorous expressions, incorporating these phrases into your conversations is your ticket to speaking German with confidence.

So, start using these expressions today and watch as your proficiency in German grows, bringing you closer to your goal of fluency.

Bis bald! (See you soon!)

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Jakob Straub

Jakob is a freelance writer in Barcelona, Spain, and his favorite books have pages all empty. As an expert storyteller, he publishes creative fiction in English and German and helps other authors shape their manuscripts into compelling stories. Thanks to an expertise in a wide range of topics such as writing, literature and productivity to marketing, travel, and technology, he produces engaging content for his clients. Apart from the escape that books offer, Jakob enjoys traveling digital nomad style and stays active with climbing and hiking. Find out more about him on his website or on Goodreads.

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