Over 95 million people across the globe claim Germany as their mother tongue. Indeed! That’s right. German is the official language of 6 countries namely Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Lichtenstein. If you are planning to study in any of these countries you must be wondering how to say hello in German how to greet in German or how to initiate a conversation with German speaking. You will find answers to all these questions in this blog. Keep reading further!
This Blog Includes:
How to Say Hello in German?
In Germany, people generally use ‘hallo’ to greet each other. This is one of the most straightforward ways to initiate conversation in German style. The word hallo is considered to be the easiest and nicest way to greet in German. It can work in most situations, but there are few other words that can be used to greet each other in German. Some of them are mentioned below.
- Hi – You may use the word hi to initiate conversation or to greet each other. Generally, hi is used in informal settings or greeting young people in German.
- Hey – Hey is pronounced as He in German. It is another common greeting in German used by the locals to greet a friend or acquaintance.
- Heda – Heda is another related greeting that has the same meaning as hi, hello or hey.
- Hoi – Hoi is another common greeting and similar-sounding variant. This word is more often used in Southern Germany.
- Hallöchen – Hallöchen is a friendly way to greet in German. It is one of the cutest ways of saying hello in Germany, a bit like saying “little hello.” Cute!
- Huhu – Huhu is a slang term for saying hello in German. Generally, it is used to greet close friends in German. It is the most suitable way to keep the conversation lighter and casual.
Further Read: Want to learn more about German culture? Refer to our blog and learn the Difference Between German and American Culture!
Formal and Informal Greetings in German
While being in Germany, it is really important to differentiate between formal and informal things. Before initiating any kind of greeting, you must be sure that it is a formal or informal relationship. Striking conversation with an apt greeting term actually creates the impression and way to communicate further.
Formal German Greetings And Farewells
While moving to Germany for further studies, you might encounter a lot of strangers. Let’s identify some of the common formal greetings that will help you to greet strangers.
| Formal German Greetings Phrases | English Equivalent |
| Guten Morgen. | Good morning. |
| Guten Tag. | Good day; hello. (used from around noon until 6 PM) |
| Guten Abend. | Good evening. |
| Gute Nacht. | Good night. |
| Sehr erfreut! | Delighted! (when meeting for the first time) |
| Wie geht es Ihnen? | How are you? (Not often asked in formal settings) |
| Schönen Tag! | Have a nice day! |
| Schönes Wochenende! | Have a nice weekend! |
| Auf Wiedersehen. | Goodbye. |
Informal German Greetings And Farewells
Informal greetings can be used with the people of same age. You can use these informal greetings with younger people, family members, and friends. Check out some of the common informal German greetings and farewell phrases
| Informal German Greetings Phrases | English Equivalent |
| Ciao. | Goodbye (from the Italian; used widely in Europe) |
| Freut mich. | Nice to meet you. |
| Wie geht es dir? | How are you? (when talking to one person) |
| Mir geht es gut. Und dir? | I’m doing well. And you? |
| Wie geht es euch? | How are you? (when speaking informally to more than one person) |
| Wie geht’s? | How’s it going? |
| Es geht. | It’s going / it’s okay. |
| Alles klar? / Alles gut? | All good? (Answered with “Alles klar.”) |
| Na? | Hey, what’s up? |
| Lange nicht mehr gesehen! | Long time, no see! |
| Bis morgen. | See you tomorrow. / Until morning. |
| Bis bald. | See you soon. |
| Bis später. | See you later. |
| Tschüss! | Bye! |
Also Read: Wondering about the student accommodation cost? Check out our blog – Average Cost of Student Accommodation – UK, USA, Canada
Regional German Greetings And Farewells
There are several regional German greetings that are heard specifically in some areas. Although some greeting etiquettes are almost the same in various countries but there is a difference between German and American culture that also differentiates some greeting etiquettes. Below are the phrases that are heard in various parts of the German-speaking world. Check out various regional German greeting phrases below.
| Regional Phrases | English Equivalent | Region |
| Moin! | “hello” and “goodbye” | Bremen, the Jutland Peninsula, Hamburg, parts of Lower Saxony, and other places in and around north-east Germany. |
| Servus | “hello” and “goodbye” | Poland, Hungary, Romania, Austria, as well as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and other parts of southwestern Germany. |
| Habediehre | “I have the honor.” | Regensburg (eastern Bavaria). |
| Grüß Gott | “May God bless you.” | Austria, South Germany, eastern and central Switzerland. |
| Tagchen | “little day” and “hello” | Saxony and Leipzig. |
Tips for Greeting in Germany
Here are some tips for greeting in Germany you must consider:
- A firm handshake is a customary greeting in Germany.
- Maintain eye contact and offer a confident handshake.
- Use titles like “Herr” (Mr.) or “Frau” (Mrs./Ms.) followed by their last name.
- Always be on time for social gatherings and show some respect.
- Always respect the personal space of the people you are meeting and greeting.
Recommended Read: Don’t miss our blog on German Dining Etiquette, if you are studying in Germany!
FAQs
Some common German greetings include ‘Guten Morgen’ (Good morning), ‘Guten Tag’ (Good day), ‘Hallo’ (Hello), and ‘Wie geht es Ihnen?’ (How are you?), and ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ (Goodbye).
“Wie geht es Ihnen?” is a more formal and polite way whereas “Wie geht’s?” is a more casual way of asking ‘how they are doing’.
‘Guten Tag’ is the term used to greet someone with a ‘good day’. It is a general greeting that can be used throughout the day, just as in English.
If you’re unsure of someone’s title or last name, it’s best to use a generic title such as “Herr” (Mr.) or “Frau” (Mrs./Ms.) followed by a polite greeting, such as “Guten Tag.”
‘Halo’ is the most common way of saying hello in the German language.
Hope you liked reading our blog on how to greet in Germany. For booking the best accommodation abroad to start your study abroad experience you can contact Fly Homes at 1800572118.
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