Learn German in 25 Minutes - ALL the Basics You Need

Summary

This German language lesson offers a comprehensive introduction to essential conversational skills for beginners. It covers both formal and informal greetings, self-introductions, expressing gratitude, and offering polite responses. The script also teaches numbers, shopping phrases, and how to ask for help in English, providing key phrases like 'Entschuldigung' (excuse me) and 'Es tut mir leid' (I'm sorry). With cultural insights and practical tips, learners gain confidence in everyday interactions. Designed for fast learning, this course helps users speak German with ease, using simple phrases and clear pronunciation guides.

Takeaways

• 😀 Greetings in German differ based on formality: 'Hallo' is informal, while 'Guten Tag' and 'Guten Morgen' are formal.
• 😀 When introducing yourself informally, say 'Ich heiße [Name]'. For formal introductions, use 'Guten Tag, ich heiße [Full Name]'.
• 😀 In German, polite expressions like 'Danke' (thank you) and 'Ich danke Ihnen' (I thank you) can be used depending on the formality of the situation.
• 😀 For formal situations, use 'Bitteschön' or 'Gern geschehen' as polite responses to thanks. 'Danke' can be used universally.
• 😀 'Hallo' is the most common informal greeting, while 'Guten Morgen', 'Guten Tag', and 'Guten Abend' are used formally based on the time of day.
• 😀 'Auf Wiedersehen' is a formal way to say goodbye, while 'Tschüss' is used informally with friends and family.
• 😀 When unsure whether to use formal or informal speech, it's safer to use the informal 'Danke' and 'Hallo' as they work in most situations.
• 😀 The phrase 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' is useful for asking if someone speaks English in formal situations, while the informal version is 'Sprichst du Englisch?'
• 😀 To apologize in German, use 'Entschuldigung' or 'Es tut mir leid'. 'Entschuldigung' is polite, and 'Es tut mir leid' expresses regret.
• 😀 German numbers from 1 to 10 are easy to learn, and once you're comfortable with those, you can build on them to form compound numbers like '56' (fünfundfünfzig).

Q & A

What is the difference between formal and informal introductions in German?

In German, informal introductions use 'Hallo, ich heiße [Name]' (Hello, I'm [Name]) with friends or peers, while formal introductions use 'Guten Tag, ich heiße [Full Name]' (Good day, I'm [Full Name]) in professional or unfamiliar settings. The key difference is the use of 'du' (informal you) vs 'Sie' (formal you).

When should you use 'Danke' vs 'Ich danke Ihnen'?

'Danke' is used in casual, everyday interactions, while 'Ich danke Ihnen' is more formal, suitable for polite or professional situations where respect is due. The difference lies in the pronoun: 'du' for informal, 'Sie' for formal.

How do you greet someone in German at different times of the day?

In German, greetings depend on the time of day: 'Guten Morgen' (Good morning) is used in the morning, 'Guten Tag' (Good day) is used from late morning until early evening, and 'Guten Abend' (Good evening) is used in the evening. 'Hallo' is an informal greeting used anytime.

What is the correct way to say 'Excuse me' in formal vs informal situations?

In formal situations, 'Entschuldigen Sie' is used (Excuse me), while in informal settings, 'Entschuldige' is the correct form. Both can be used to apologize or get someone's attention.

What is the German phrase for asking 'Do you speak English?'?

The informal way to ask 'Do you speak English?' is 'Sprichst du Englisch?' and the formal version is 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' The difference lies in the pronoun: 'du' (informal) vs 'Sie' (formal).

How do you apologize in German for a minor mistake?

For a minor mistake, you would typically use 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me) in informal situations. For a deeper apology, you can use 'Es tut mir leid' (I'm sorry), which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How do you count from 1 to 10 in German?

The numbers from 1 to 10 in German are: 1 - Eins, 2 - Zwei, 3 - Drei, 4 - Vier, 5 - Fünf, 6 - Sechs, 7 - Sieben, 8 - Acht, 9 - Neun, 10 - Zehn.

What is the rule for forming numbers from 11 to 19 in German?

To form numbers from 11 to 19 in German, simply add 'zehn' (ten) to the base number. For example: 11 is 'elf', 12 is 'zwölf', and so on.

How do you ask for the price of something in German?

To ask the price of an item, say 'Entschuldigung, wie viel kostet das?' (Excuse me, how much does this cost?). To refer to a specific object, use the gendered article with the noun (e.g., 'dieser Hut' for 'this hat').

What is the easiest way to count from 20 to 100 in German?

To count from 20 to 100 in German, you combine the tens and units. For example: 56 is 'fünfundfünfzig' (five and fifty), and 98 is 'achtundneunzig' (eight and ninety). For decades, you simply add '-er' after the number, like 'achtziger' for the 80s.