100 German phrases that get you through your first week

Q: How do I pronounce these correctly?

Focus on the vowels first: ö (round your lips and say "e"), ü (round lips, say "ee"), ä (like a long "e"). The w sounds like "v". The z is always "ts". Get those right and most phrases will be understood, even with an accent.

Q: Are these phrases too formal or too informal?

Most are deliberately neutral — usable in any context. We flag formal variants (like "Wie geht es Ihnen?" vs "Wie geht's?") where it matters. When in doubt, err formal — Germans won't be offended by polite phrasing.

Q: What if nobody understands me?

Point at things. Use your phone. Try again slower. Most people in German cities, hotels, and restaurants understand basic English. But trying even a few German words almost always gets you more warmth and patience.

Q: Which phrases should I memorize first?

Greetings, food/bill, and directions cover 90% of first-week interactions. Prioritize: Hallo, Danke, Bitte, Die Rechnung bitte, Wo ist...?, Ich verstehe nicht, Sprechen Sie Englisch?

These phrases are for survival, not fluency. Mispronounce them. Use them anyway. Germans will help you if you try.

You don't need to speak German perfectly to function in Germany. You need to order food, ask where things are, and handle unexpected situations. This list covers those interactions — 100 phrases across 9 real-life categories, organized so you can find what you need quickly.

Tap the copy button next to any phrase to save it to your clipboard. Paste it into a notes app before you head out.

Pronunciation: 6 things worth knowing

You don't need to sound native. But getting these right makes a meaningful difference in how well you're understood:

ö Round your lips as if to say "o" then say "e" — like the "u" in "burn"
ü Round lips as if to say "oo" then say "ee" — like the French "u"
ä Like the "a" in "fair" or "air"
w Always sounds like English "v" — "Wein" = "vine"
z Always "ts" — "zu" sounds like "tsoo"
s + vowel At the start of a word, "s" before a vowel sounds like "z" — "sie" = "zee"

When survival phrases aren't enough

These phrases get you through. They don't make you a German speaker. If you're planning to live in Germany, work there, or navigate bureaucracy — you need actual German.

The A1 course covers the first 400 most-used German words, with a memory system designed to make them stick. It's free to start.

Level up beyond survival

These 100 phrases are a start. The A1 course gives you the language foundation that makes everything easier.

Start the free A1 course → Where do I stand? →

Common questions

How do I pronounce these correctly?

Are these phrases too formal or too informal?

What if nobody understands me?

Which phrases should I memorize first?

👋 Greetings & Politeness 12

🍽️ Food & Drink 15

🧭 Directions 12

💶 Numbers & Money 10

🚨 Emergencies 10

🚆 Transport 10

🏨 Accommodation 8

🛍️ Shopping 8

💬 Daily Essentials 15

Pronunciation: 6 things worth knowing

When survival phrases aren't enough

Level up beyond survival

Common questions