Essential German Phrases for Travel: 24 Phrases You'll Actually Use
German is spoken in Germany, Austria and much of Switzerland. Many Germans speak good English, but in shops, train stations and smaller towns a few German phrases make everything smoother — and more polite.
Updated October 2026
Basics and greetings
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo / Guten Tag |
| Goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen / Tschüss |
| Please | Bitte |
| Thank you | Danke |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nein |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Entschuldigung |
| I don't understand | Ich verstehe nicht |
| Do you speak English? | Sprechen Sie Englisch? |
At the restaurant
| English | German |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte |
| The menu, please | Die Speisekarte, bitte |
| Water, please | Wasser, bitte |
| The bill, please | Die Rechnung, bitte |
| It's delicious | Das schmeckt sehr gut |
Getting around and shopping
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | Wo ist die Toilette? |
| Where is the station? | Wo ist der Bahnhof? |
| How much is it? | Wie viel kostet das? |
| Can you write it down? | Können Sie das aufschreiben? |
Emergencies and health
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Help! | Hilfe! |
| I need a doctor | Ich brauche einen Arzt |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Wo ist die Apotheke? |
| Call the police! | Rufen Sie die Polizei! |
| I'm lost | Ich habe mich verlaufen |
Practical tips
- "Bitte" means both "please" and "you're welcome" — you will hear it constantly.
- Use "Sie" (formal you) with strangers. "Du" is for friends, family and young people.
- Many places still prefer cash. Always carry some euros, especially for small cafés and bakeries.
- Shops are usually closed on Sundays in Germany. Plan groceries for Saturday.
Too many phrases to remember?
With OIEM Translator you can simply talk. Choose English and German, tap the microphone once and speak normally: the translation appears in about half a second and is spoken out loud in German. When the other person answers, OIEM detects their language automatically and translates back — no need to tap again.
- Hands-free two-way conversation
- Text translation also works offline
- Photo translation for menus and signs
Free to download with free voice translations to try. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Swiss German the same as German?
Written German is the same, but spoken Swiss German dialects are very different. Swiss people understand standard German, so the phrases here still work.
Can my phone speak German for me?
Yes. With a voice translator like OIEM Translator you speak in English and your iPhone says it out loud in German, then translates the answer back. It is useful when a phrase list is not enough.
Do these phrases work offline?
This page works offline if you save it or take screenshots before your trip. In OIEM Translator, text translation works offline; voice translation needs an internet connection.