Some Useful, and Useless, German Phrases for Visitors

When traveling in Berlin, or anywhere else in Germany for that matter, please keep in mind that practically everyone over here prefers to speak German. Do not let this discourage you, however. With a few key phrases, lots of patience and careful pronunciation, you, too will have about a one in thirteen chance of making yourself understood.

German is similar to English in very many important ways, you see. Well, at least in two ways, I guess. Both languages use practically identical alphabets, for example. And both languages are spoken using the mouth. After that you can pretty much forget it, though.

That is why I have compiled the following list of useful German phrases, each with its corresponding pronunciation and English translation. It is, I believe, a helpful little reference which could really come in handy while traveling in this strange and enigmatic land and might even possibly save your life one day so keep it with you at all times while you're over here except when bathing, of course.

I will begin with the useful phrases. The less than useful ones pop up more toward the end and I would just ignore them if I where you, should you decide to read all the way through, that is. Which I doubt.

So remember, when traveling in Germany, don't be shy. And don't be an inhibited, sniveling, cowering and craven little weasel, either. You should now consider yourself prepared to walk right up to a complete stranger, put on a big, friendly smile, take a deep breath and just start talking! I mean speaking. German, that is. So let's begin.

Gibt es ein Hotel hier in der Nähe?
"Geehbt ess ayn Hohtel heehr eehn dayr nayhah?"
Is there a hotel near here?

In welcher Richtung liegt das?
"Eehn vaylchayr reehchtoohng leehgt dahs?"
In which direction is it?

Was kostet das Zimmer, bitte?
"Vahs kohstet dahs tseehmayr, bittay?"
What does this room cost?

Gibt es ein Restaurant hier in der Nähe?
"Geehbt ess ayn Raystohrahnt heehr eehn dayr nayhah?"
Is there a restaurant near here?

Ich möchte ein Steak bestellen.
"Eehsh moohrshtey ayn shtayk bayshtaylayn."
I would like to have a steak.

Ich möchte auch ein Bier bestellen.
"Eehsh moohrshtey ahohwk ayn beehr bayshtaylayn."
I would also like to have a beer.

Wie spät ist es, bitte?
"Veeh shpayt eehst ess, bittay?"
What time is it, please?

Ich möchte noch ein Bier bestellen.
"Eehsh moohrshtey nahohwk ayn beehr bayshtaylayn."
I would like to have another beer.

Wie spät ist es, bitte?
"Veeh shpayt eehst ess, bittay?"
What time is it, please?

Ich möchte noch ein Bier bestellen.
"Eehsh moohrshtey nahohwk ayn beehr bayshtaylayn."
I would like to have another beer.

Ich möchte bezahlen, bitte.
"Eehsh moohrshtey baytsahleehn, bittay."
I would like to pay, please.

Wie viel??
"Veeh veehl??"
How much??

Gibt es eine Kneipe hier in der Nähe?
"Geehbt ess ayn knaypeh heehr eehn dayr nayhah?"
Is there a bar near here?

Ich möchte noch ein Bier bestellen.
"Eehsh moohrshtey nahohwk ayn beehr bayshtaylayn."
I would like to have another beer.

Was schauen Sie mich so an?
"Vahs shahohayn zeeh meehsh zo ahn?"
What are you looking at?

Leck mich doch!
"Lehk meehsh dahwk!"
Kiss my #!*$*!!.

Ich möchte noch ein Bier bestellen.
"Eehsh moohrshtey nahohwk ayn beehr bayshtaylayn."
I would like to have another beer.

Wie heißt du, Süße?
"Veeh hayeehst dooh, soohsseh?"
What's your name, baby?

Hey, lassen Sich mich los!
"Hay, lahssayn zeeh meehsh lohss!"
Hey, get your mits off of me!

Ich möchte bezahlen, bitte.
"Eehsh moohrshtey baytsahleehn, bittay."
I would like to pay, please.

Wie viel??
"Veeh veehl??"
How much??

Wie spät ist es, bitte?
"Veeh shpayt eehst ess, bittay?"
What time is it, please?

Welchen Tag haben wir heute, bitte?
"Vehlchehn Tahg hahbayn weehr hoyteh, bittay?"
What day is it, please?

Wo ist der Bahnhof, bitte?
"Voh eehst dayr Bahnhohf, bittay?"
Where is the train station, please?

Eine Fahrkarte nach München, bitte.
"Ayne Fahrkahrteh nahwk Muyuhnshehn, bittay."
One ticket for Munich, please.

Wie viel??
"Veeh veehl??"
How much??

Aufwiedersehen.
"Aufweehdehrsehhen."
I'm outta here.