Saying it is the easy half. Understanding what comes back is what turns a polite exchange into a real one. Start with the eight phrases that get used most in Germany, plus a couple of things locals wish visitors knew.
No conjugation tables. Just what you'll actually say at a table, a counter, or a front desk.
Cash is still king. Plenty of German restaurants, market stalls, and small shops don't take cards at all, even in cities. Carry euros — you'll need them more often than you'd expect anywhere else in Western Europe.
Sundays are genuinely closed. By law, most shops and grocery stores across Germany close on Sundays — it's not a scheduling quirk, it's the culture, built around a protected day of rest. Plan your errands and grocery runs for Saturday, and enjoy the quiet instead.
The eight phrases above get you started. This one goes deep on a single moment: the whole café exchange in order, what they ask back, and how tipping actually works in Germany.
Germany invented the format, and the German market has one mechanic every first-timer gets wrong: the mug deposit. The whole stall exchange, the food worth queueing for, and why Dresden's market is named after a cake.
Less than most travelers fear, and less than you strictly need it. English is widely spoken in German cities, so these eight to twelve phrases are not about getting by. They change the tone of the exchange, which is a different kind of useful. Understanding the reply is the harder half, and it is what turns a polite exchange into a real one.
Once a month, we send hidden history, local etiquette, and travel-ready phrases for the places you're actually headed. No spam, no fluff — just the good stuff.
You're in — danke! Watch your inbox for Germany's good stuff. 🎉
Voxolo is live on the App Store, and your first lesson is free. The whole session, conversation included — no card, no account.
Get VoxoloReading tips is one thing — actually being able to say them out loud is another. Voxolo builds a full speaking plan around your trip dates, with an AI tutor that plays the waiter, the vendor, the local — so you land ready, not just informed. It's on the App Store now, and your first lesson is free.
