German travel phrases

The essentials for Germany, Austria, Switzerland — learn a few and you'll get a warmer welcome.

EnglishGermanSay it likeListen
Hello Hallo / Guten Tag HAH-loh / GOO-ten tahk
Please Bitte BIT-teh
Thank you Danke DAN-keh
Yes / No Ja / Nein yah / nine
Excuse me Entschuldigung ent-SHOOL-dee-goong
Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Englisch? SHPREH-khen zee ENG-lish
How much is it? Was kostet das? vass KOS-tet dass
The bill, please Die Rechnung, bitte dee REKH-noong BIT-teh
Where is…? Wo ist…? voh ist
Help! Hilfe! HIL-feh
Cheers! Prost! prohst

Tap ▶ to hear each phrase spoken by a native German voice. Pronunciations are rough English respellings — stress the CAPITALISED part.