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Greetings • Grüße (with audio)
Below you'll learn common German greetings (Grüße) and pleasantries (Nettigkeiten). You'll learn the German way to say "Hello!" - "Thank you!" - "Good-bye!" and other basic daily phrases. Notice that some greetings and farewells are regional – common only in certain areas of the German-speaking world.

 
GREETINGS and COURTESIES

Audio: To hear the phrases below, click on the Listen! link.

GREETINGS and FAREWELLS

1. Guten Tag! - Hello! ("Good day!") > Listen!
    The standard greeting in most of Germany.

2. Grüß Gott! - Hello! (Austria, Bavaria) > Listen!
    This greeting is only used in Austria and the German state of Bavaria.

3. Hallo! - Hello!
    This greeting was once used more like "Hey!" to get someone's attention. Today it is used just like "Hello!" in English, even for answering the telephone. (The traditional way of answering the phone in German is to simply say your last name.) Hallo! is more informal than Guten Tag!

4. Auf Wiedersehen! - Good-bye! ("Until we see each
    other again") > Listen!
    This farewell is used everywhere in the German-speaking world. It is often shortened to just "Wiedersehen!" Another variation heard in Austria and southern Germany is Wiederschauen!

5. Tschüs! - Bye! - See ya! > Listen!
    This farewell used to be said only among friends, but is now a general expression. It is still rare in Austria and Bavaria. (See "Servus!" below.)

6. Guten Morgen! - Good morning! > Listen!
    Often shortened to just Morgen!

7. Guten Abend! - Good evening! > Listen!
    Used in the late afternoon and early evening. German has no expression for "Good afternoon!"

8. Gute Nacht! - Good night! > Listen!
    Used after dark.

 
BEING POLITE

1. Bitte! - Please! (You're welcome!) > Listen!
    Depending on when you say it, Bitte! can mean "Please!" (in a request) or "You're welcome!" – if said after someone thanks you.

2. Bitte schön! - You're very welcome! > Listen!
    Usually used in response to "Danke schön!" (see below)

3. Danke! - Thank you! > Listen!
    Although it usually means "Thank you!," "Danke!" in response to an offer means "No thanks!" If you want to indicate a positive response to an offer, you should say "Bitte!" See more "Thank you" examples below.

4. Danke schön! - Thank you very much! > Listen!
    Slightly stronger than a simple "Danke!" To reply with "You're welcome!" use "Bitte schön!" (above).

5. Vielen Dank! - Many thanks! - Thank you very much! > Listen!
    Another good way to express your gratitude in German.

6. Nein, danke! - No thanks! > Listen!
    The definite, clear way to turn down an offer.

In Part 2 you'll find more German greetings and pleasantries (with audio)…

 
NEXT > Greetings: Part 2
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MORE > Lesson 2: German ABCs (About.com)

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