When traveling to a new country, we often find ourselves holding a dictionary or a language guide that contains phrases that might not necessarily reflect the local lingo. This gives us away when we try to blend in with the local community and culture as we are regarded as tourists. In order to blend in, picking up a few phrases that are frequently used by the locals can be very handy.<\/p>\n
Stand out from the crowd with these ten phrases that will make your German sound more like that of a local than a tourist.<\/p>\n
Many beginners of the German language<\/a> think it\u2019s proper to say \u2018\u2018Entschuldigung\u2019\u2019 (sorry) when pushing through a crowd on the U-bahn or in a train station. However, you should actually say this phrase, which means \u201cmay I pass by?\u201d A polite yet firm manner of making your way through the crowd.<\/p>\n Augen is eyes. Blick is a glimpse or a sight of something. Einen Augenblick is a moment. If you say \u2018\u2018Einen Augenblick, bitte!\u2019\u2019 you\u2019re asking someone to please wait a moment\u2014a useful phrase when boarding a busy train or bus while visiting the country.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This phrase is extremely important for tourists in Germany as well as residents. It means \u201cCan you (informal)\/Can you (formal) help me?\u201d Essential for asking for directions or any sort of assistance when needed. One of the most important phrases when traveling alone.<\/p>\n \u201cNice to get to know you,\u201d or \u201cpleased to meet you\u201d\u2014this phrase is essential for meeting and greeting new colleagues or friends. A key phrase that will enable you to strike up, even more, conversations in German<\/a> and that too with the locals.<\/p>\n This phrase literally translates as \u201call that\u2019s good to the birthday,\u201d but of course it really means \u201chappy birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n Before digging into their delicious varieties of frankfurters or their well-known Spatzel, Germans say Guten Appetit, an amalgamation of German (Guten means \u201cgood\u201d) and French (bon app\u00e9tit). It simply means enjoy your meal.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good habit to tip exceptional hosts and hostesses when they cater to you at restaurants or pubs. While it is not mandatory in Germany, tipping will often portray you as a considerate customer. Should your bill read 18 euros\u2014you can hand your server a 20, then say Stimmt so, which means \u201ckeep the change.\u201d<\/p>\n This phrase is roughly equivalent to the American expression, \u201cthat ship has sailed.\u201d If a situation is irredeemable, or there\u2019s nothing else you can do to change something, you would use this phrase. In German, it translates directly to \u201cthe\/that train has already left.\u201d Alternatively, it can be used if you actually miss your train from Frankfurt to Cologne.<\/p>\n This phrase literally means \u201cmorning hours have gold in the mouth.\u201d This is basically the German equivalent of \u201cthe early bird gets the worm\u201d\u2014a popular saying in English. It means one who wakes up early, gets out of bed and starts working early will be a lot more productive. A very wise advice in any language!<\/p>\n2. Einen Augenblick, bitte!<\/h2>\n
3. Kannst du\/K\u00f6nnen Sie mir helfen?<\/h2>\n
4. Sch\u00f6n, Sie kennenzulernen.<\/h2>\n
5. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag.<\/h2>\n
6. Guten Appetit.<\/h2>\n
7. Stimmt so.<\/h2>\n
8. Der Zug ist schon abgefahren.<\/h2>\n
9. Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund.<\/h2>\n
10. Hunde, die bellen, bei\u00dfen nicht.<\/h2>\n