21 Methods To Say ‘Howdy’ in German: From ‘Hallo’ to ‘Abend’

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Saying “whats up” in German is fairly simple: Hallo is only one letter off from its English cousin and sometimes one of many first German phrases individuals encounter. However if you’re studying learn how to communicate German, you’ll discover there are lots of extra methods to greet somebody. 

Plenty of these German greetings are tied to completely different conditions and even particular areas. We’ve put collectively a useful listing of a few of the most typical Begrüßungen (be-greuh-soong-en) or “greetings,” so you can begin conversations in German with confidence.

Formal methods to say ‘whats up’ in German

When talking in skilled conditions or displaying respect, it’s possible you’ll be questioning, “How do you say ‘whats up’ in German?” Hallo is a reasonably impartial greeting that can be utilized in skilled and formal settings, in addition to informal conditions. In German, hallo is pronounced “hah-loh.” However, there are many different methods to say “whats up” in German for these extra formal conditions. 

Guten Tag (Good day.)

Guten Tag is the most typical formal greeting. It’s utilized in non-casual work conversations or different conditions the place you wish to present an expert or respectful distance. As such, this greeting is usually used along with the German pronoun Sie. This formal model of “you” provides to the skilled nature of this greeting. For instance, you may say:

• Guten Tag. Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. (Good day. It’s a pleasure to fulfill you.) 

Different variations of Guten Tag

Whilst you can say Guten Tag at any time of the day, different variations exist to be used at completely different occasions of day. Try this listing of widespread variations and phrases that always accompany the Guten Tag greeting:

• Guten Morgen. = Good morning.
• Guten Abend. = Good night.
• Guten Tag. Wie geht es Ihnen? = Good day. How are you? 

The final phrase on the listing could be situational—it’s not as widespread to ask strangers “How are you?” in German as it’s in American English. However, it’s one thing you may hear when going to the physician or when your boss/professor greets you to examine in.

Formal German greeting pronunciations

Under you’ll discover learn how to pronounce the formal German greetings, so you already know simply what to say in any skilled scenario. 

Informal methods to say ‘whats up’ in German

Whenever you’re extra accustomed to an individual or in an informal work setting, it might be applicable to loosen up a little bit along with your greetings. The greetings listed right here assist you to to return throughout much less stiff in on a regular basis dialog. 

Hello and Hey 

These two phrases will probably be acquainted to you when you communicate English. They’re typically used as a substitute of “whats up” within the German language and are well-established, informal greetings. 

Tach, Morgen, and Abend (day, mornin’, and evenin’)

Because the informal cousins of the extra formal greetings, Tach, Morgen, and Abend can be utilized with individuals you’re accustomed to or in informal workspaces.  

Tach is a greeting in lots of components of Germany. It’s the phrase Tag (day) with the “g” on the finish changed by the German ch sound—a type of hissing behind your throat. It’s widespread to do that with German phrases ending with a “g” in informal language. What’s particular about this instance is that Tag, with out the pronunciation change, isn’t used as a greeting. 

Morgen and Abend are merely the phrases for “morning” and “night” respectively. To make use of these as greetings is similar as saying “mornin’” or “evenin’” in English. 

Hallöchen! (little ‘whats up’)

As a extra humorous informal greeting various, you need to use hallöchen. The German -chen ending on phrases signifies that it’s a small, cutesy model of the unique phrase. So hallöchen describes a small, cute hallo. 

Slang methods to say ‘whats up’ in German

When assembly shut pals on the road, it’s widespread to make use of slang phrases to greet one another in a really informal approach. A couple of of the most typical ones are listed right here. 

Yo! 

This one-syllable expression is utilized the identical as it’s in English. Hardly ever, it might even be written as Jo. It’s typically used along with the identify of the greeted particular person or the phrase Bruder (broo-der; “brother,” used the identical as “bro”) or its shortened model Brudi (broo-dy).

Was geht? (What’s up?)

This phrase actually interprets to “What’s going?” and is the German model of “What’s up?” You can even say was läuft? (What’s operating?) as a substitute. 

Na? 

Na (Nuh) is a reasonably particular phrase. It’s typically used along side different greetings and is one other approach of inquiring concerning the different particular person’s well-being and what’s happening with them. For instance, you possibly can say Hey! Na? or Na? Was geht?, however you may also simply apply it to its personal to rapidly inquire about somebody’s work when getting into a room. 

Regional variations of ‘whats up’ in German

With how many individuals communicate German throughout completely different nations, it’s no surprise that there are regional variations between greetings. Listed here are a few of the most typical native varieties: 

Servus (whats up/goodbye)

This phrase is a extensively used greeting in Bavaria and components of Austria. It may possibly imply each “whats up” and “goodbye,” and also you’ll encounter it when you’re ever celebrating Oktoberfest in Germany. The phrase itself is of Latin origin and means “(your) servant.” It’s utilized in each informal and formal conditions. 

Moin or Moin moin

This can be a conventional greeting in lots of components of northern Germany and even components of southern Denmark. Typically mentioned twice in a row as Moin moin, it’s a greeting that can be utilized at any time of day and in informal dialog. The time period comes from the East Friesian phrase moi, which implies “lovely” or “nice.” You’ll additionally discover this phrase on many souvenirs offered on the German coast.

Grüß Gott (Greet God) and Grüß Dich (You be greeted)

These are two widespread South German greetings. Grüß Gott (“Greet God” or “God be greeted”) is usually utilized in Bavaria as an informal greeting, whereas Grüß Dich (“Greet you,” or “You be greeted”) is utilized in different components of southern Germany. 

Grüezi (the Swiss approach of claiming ‘whats up’)

Grüezi is the widespread greeting within the German-speaking a part of Switzerland. It’s derived from the phrase Gott grüez-i, Swiss German for Gott Grüß Euch (Could God greet You.)

Saying ‘welcome’ in German

Much like English, German has a phrase for if you welcome somebody someplace. Willkommen (Vill-khomm-en) as a phrase is fairly much like English. However in German, you typically say herzlich willkommen (heartily welcome) as a substitute of simply willkommen. On the chalk indicators outdoors cafés and bakeries, you’ll typically see a drawn coronary heart adopted by -lich willkommen.   

Say ‘whats up’ to studying German with Rosetta Stone

Understanding your approach round completely different social conditions, from the professionalism of the workplace to assembly pals at a celebration, is a key ability on the subject of language studying. German greetings are closely depending on the time of day, scenario, and even the area you’re in.

With Rosetta Stone, you’ve got seemingly infinite knowledgeable assets at your disposal that will help you grasp the pronunciation and utilization of the German language. So that you’ll know simply what to say when somebody asks you Was geht?