Words and phrases you should know:
Entschuldigung – This means excuse me, for example when you bump into someone or want to get through a crowded area.
Bitte – Please. Used when making requests like when ordering food. Bier Bitte for example. Similar to the Japanese word Onegaishimasu which is commonly used in restaurants and when asking politely for something.
Wasser – Water. You can say Wasser Bitte to ask for a glass of water in a restaurant.
Toilette- Toilet
Wo Ist Das?- Where is…? So mix and match what you have learned thus far…Toilette, wo ist das? Where is the toilet. Isn’t language fun. You’re gonna have a blast in Germany!
Lecker – Delicious! Staff and chefs love to hear compliments. If you are eating some amazing food in Germany, which you will be, tell them, Lecker!!!
Kann (can) ich (I) Nicht (not)- Can’t do it.
Wieviel (vi-feel) (how much) Kostet (Cost) Es (it) – How much is it?
Teuer (to-ya)- Expensive
Rabatt Biter- Discount please – great for bartering. Remember, people wont expect you to be fluent, actually they will be surprised you know this much. Don’t worry if you can’t hold a conversation. Just the fact that you are utterly a few words here and there, means you are trying. And people respect and enjoy that!
Essen – Food
Rechnung (reck-nung) Bitte (Biter)- Check / The Bill Please – in a restaurant
Bitte – Please
Damen – polite Women (plural) singular Dame
Herren – polite Men (plural) singular Herr
Wie (Vi) Nennt (nent) Man Das – How do you say…X? The first phrase we ALWAYS learn when we visit a country. It’s the rosetta stone to any language. With a bit of charades and pointing, and this phrase, you can pretty much learn anything and then expand on your sentences. Let’s say you want to know the word for water. You can point to your glass of water and say wie nennt man das? Or if they know a word in English you can say, hamburger wie nennt man das?
Ja (ya) – Yes (affirmative)
Was- What?
Warum – Why?
Langweilig (lang-vai-lick) – Boring
Visiting a new country and learning about the local people is an amazing experience. Multiply that experience by 100x if you throw in a little local lingo. You will be amazed by how much more fun you will have. Enjoy!
Strasse – Street
Platz – Place/Area
Entschuldigung (en-cho-ri-gon)
