Even if you don't speak a word of German, it will only take a few minutes to learn some basic phrases that will help you communicate. Germans will appreciate even the most rudimentary attempts to speak their language.
Instructions
1. Use "guten tag" (pronounced "GOOT-en TAK") for "hello" and "auf wiedersehen" (owf VEED-uh-zain) for "goodbye." Or utter "servus," which means "hello" or "goodbye."
2. Introduce yourself by saying "Ich heisse" (ikh HEYESS-eh) and then your name.
3. Make copious use of "bitte" (BIT-eh) and "danke" (DAHNK-eh) to say "please" and "thank you."
4. Say "ja" (ya) for "yes" and "nein" (neyen) for "no." Of course, nodding or shaking your head works, too.
5. Say "wo" (voh), which means "where," if you're looking for something.
6. Use "Ich mochte" (ikh MERKH-teh), which means "I would like," in many situations. Just point to whatever you want, remembering to tack on a "bitte" at the end.
7. If all of the above fails, ask, "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" (SHPREKH-en zee ENG-lish), or "Do you speak English?" If your new German friend doesn't, he or she can probably find someone who does.
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