A1 Survival phrases and words in German
The core phrases for surviving your first days in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland without panic. Germans appreciate directness and efficiency — these phrases are honest, polite, and functional. German can seem intimidating at first, but locals are generally supportive of learners who make a genuine effort. Having these phrases ready lets you stay in control of almost any basic situation.
14 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?”
Could you please speak more slowly? The polite 'Sie' form is appropriate with strangers. Germans often speak rapidly, especially in regional dialects (Bavarian, Saxon, Swabian) which can be very different from textbook German. Asking someone to slow down is perfectly acceptable and not considered rude.
- The hotel receptionist in Munich is explaining breakfast hours and parking in Bavarian-inflected German — 'Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?' and she instantly adjusts.
- A train station worker is telling you about a platform change quickly — 'Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?' could mean the difference between getting on the right train or not.
- A pharmacist in Hamburg is giving you instructions for medication — 'Könnten Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?' so you don't miss anything important.
“Ich spreche noch nicht so gut Deutsch”
I don't speak German that well yet. The 'noch nicht' (not yet) signals that you're learning rather than simply not interested — this matters to Germans, who tend to respect effort and directness. It also preempts the frustration of a conversation that's going too fast for you.
- You walk into a Bäckerei in Berlin and the person behind the counter asks something complicated — 'Ich spreche noch nicht so gut Deutsch' with a friendly tone and she'll simplify immediately.
- Someone on the street in Frankfurt strikes up a conversation — 'Ich spreche noch nicht so gut Deutsch' is honest and gets you the slower, clearer version.
- At a car rental desk in Vienna, the agent is listing terms and conditions quickly — 'Ich spreche noch nicht so gut Deutsch' before he gets too far in.
“Was kostet das?”
How much does that cost? Direct and natural. 'Was kostet das?' is the standard colloquial version. You might also hear 'Wie viel kostet das?' — both are correct, the shorter version is slightly more casual. Use it at markets, kiosks, and anywhere without a price tag.
- At a Christmas market (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Cologne you spot a handmade ornament — 'Was kostet das?' to the vendor.
- At a second-hand market in Berlin you find a vintage record — 'Was kostet das?' before you get too interested.
- A street food stall at a Volksfest in Stuttgart has no visible price board — 'Was kostet das?' for the Bratwurst.
“Wo ist die Toilette?”
Where is the toilet? 'Die Toilette' is standard and universally understood. 'Das WC' (pronounced 'vay-tsay') is also widely used, especially on signs. In Germany, many public toilets cost 50 cents to €1 — having coins is useful. The 'Damen' (women's) and 'Herren' (men's) signs are the ones to look for.
- You've just arrived at a highway rest stop (Raststätte) after a long drive — 'Wo ist die Toilette?' to the cashier.
- In a busy German department store with multiple floors — 'Wo ist die Toilette?' to any member of staff.
- At a beer garden (Biergarten) in Munich where the toilets are in a separate building — 'Wo ist die Toilette?' before you've had too many.
“Könnten Sie das wiederholen?”
Could you repeat that? Polite and grammatically correct. In casual situations with younger people you might say 'Kannst du das wiederholen?' or just 'Wie bitte?' — the latter is the single most useful utterance in German and means 'pardon?' or 'could you repeat that?' Used constantly by native speakers too.
- A train conductor announces something over the loudspeaker that you half-heard — you approach him and say 'Könnten Sie das wiederholen?'
- A cashier says something at the checkout that you didn't catch — 'Wie bitte?' is perfectly natural here.
- The receptionist at a hostel in Hamburg explains something about the key deposit quickly — 'Könnten Sie das wiederholen?' before handing over your card.
“Ich schaue mich nur um”
I'm just looking / browsing. Important in German shops where staff approach customers promptly. This phrase politely signals that you don't need help yet. Germans appreciate directness, so this is not rude — it's the clearest, most efficient answer you can give.
- You enter an electronics store in Berlin and a sales assistant immediately asks if he can help — 'Ich schaue mich nur um, danke' keeps him at a comfortable distance.
- In a clothing shop in Munich the assistant appears within seconds — 'Ich schaue mich nur um' lets you take your time.
- At a bookshop in Vienna the owner looks up expectantly — 'Ich schaue mich nur um, danke schön' and you're free to browse.
“Die Rechnung, bitte”
The bill, please. German waiters do not bring the bill automatically — you always have to ask. This is the standard phrase. In casual settings you might also hear 'Zahlen bitte' (pay please) which is equally common. Many German restaurants still handle split bills table-side, person by person.
- After a long dinner at a Gasthaus in Bavaria — you catch the waiter's attention and say 'Die Rechnung, bitte'
- At a beer hall in Munich where the waiter is tallying your rounds on a card — 'Zahlen bitte' and she tots it up.
- After coffee and Kuchen at a café in Dresden — 'Die Rechnung, bitte' to the server passing your table.
“Ich bin allergisch gegen ___”
I'm allergic to ___. German menus by law must list the 14 major allergens, but staff will also tell you if you ask. Common words to know: Nüsse (nuts), Meeresfrüchte (seafood), Gluten, Milch (dairy/milk), Eier (eggs). Germany takes food safety seriously, so this phrase will always be taken seriously.
- In a traditional Bavarian restaurant where everything seems to contain cream — 'Ich bin allergisch gegen Milch — ist das in diesem Gericht?'
- At a bakery in Berlin — 'Ich bin allergisch gegen Gluten — haben Sie glutenfreie Optionen?'
- Ordering at a Thai restaurant in Hamburg — 'Ich bin allergisch gegen Erdnüsse' (peanuts) before looking at the menu.
“Was bedeutet ___?”
What does ___ mean? Simple and direct. Use it to decode menus, signs, and anything you hear. Germans are generally happy to explain — it's a much easier conversation starter than trying to convey a complex question in broken German.
- A menu in a Frankfurt Apfelwein tavern says 'Handkäs mit Musik' — 'Was bedeutet Handkäs mit Musik?' and you get a delightful explanation.
- A sign in a Munich shop window says 'Ausverkauf' — 'Was bedeutet Ausverkauf?' and you discover it means clearance sale.
- Someone says 'Das ist ja geil' and you want to make sure it's a compliment — 'Was bedeutet geil?' and you confirm it means awesome (in colloquial German).
“Ich überlege noch”
I'm still thinking / deciding. A calm, natural phrase for buying time in any decision situation. More natural than silence, less awkward than 'nein danke' when you're genuinely undecided. Works at restaurants, shops, and tour desks.
- A travel agent in Munich is waiting for you to choose a package tour — 'Ich überlege noch' buys you time to compare.
- A vendor at a market in Hamburg has shown you three options and is waiting — 'Ich überlege noch, danke' and you step back to think.
- A restaurant waiter is hovering while you study the menu — 'Ich überlege noch, einen Moment bitte' and he nods and steps back.
“Einen Moment, bitte”
One moment, please. Useful for buying a few seconds when you're finding something, checking your phone, or formulating what you want to say. Simple, polite, and totally natural. Germans are punctual and efficient by reputation, but a brief pause with this phrase is entirely fine.
- You're at a train ticket machine and someone is waiting behind you — 'Einen Moment, bitte' signals you're nearly done.
- The waiter arrives just as you sat down and you haven't looked at the menu yet — 'Einen Moment, bitte' and he'll return.
- You need to find the address on your phone before answering the taxi driver — 'Einen Moment, bitte' while you look.
“Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?”
Can I pay by card? Germany is famous for still being a cash-heavy country — many restaurants, smaller shops, and even some supermarkets are cash-only or have minimum card spend requirements. Always worth asking before you commit. Girocard (the German debit system) is more widely accepted than Visa/Mastercard in some places.
- A traditional Wirtschaft in Bavaria with no card reader in sight — 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' before you order.
- A market stall in Stuttgart where you've spent more than you expected — 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' is worth a try.
- A small Döner shop in Berlin that could go either way — 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' before you eat.
“Sprechen Sie Englisch?”
Do you speak English? Younger Germans and people in major cities generally speak good English and will often switch voluntarily once they realize you're struggling. Asking formally with 'Sie' shows respect. In rural areas or with older people, English may be limited — use it as a last resort rather than a first move.
- You're at a doctor's surgery in Germany with a complex health issue — 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' is completely reasonable.
- At a government office (Amt) dealing with paperwork — 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' when the forms are beyond you.
- You need to explain a complicated problem with your accommodation — 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' to the manager when the details really count.
“Entschuldigung”
Excuse me / Sorry. The most versatile single word in German. Use it to get someone's attention, squeeze past someone, apologize for bumping into them, or start a question. It does the job of 'excuse me', 'pardon', and 'sorry' in one. Pronounced 'ent-SHOOL-di-gung' — worth drilling until it's automatic.
- You need to get past someone in a crowded S-Bahn carriage in Berlin — 'Entschuldigung' with a light touch on the shoulder.
- You want to ask a stranger for directions on a Munich street — 'Entschuldigung, können Sie mir helfen?' starts the request politely.
- You accidentally step on someone's foot on a tram in Hamburg — 'Entschuldigung!' immediately and you're fine.
