Some basic German phrases
- Please: Bitte
- Thank you or Thank you very much: Dankeschön or Vielen Dank
- You're welcome: Bitteschön (or, actually, just Bitte)
- How are you?: Wie geht’s?
- I’m fine, thanks: Mir geht’s gut, danke
- And maybe not so basic: I love you: Ich liebe dich
10 good reasons to learn German
Here are 10 really good reasons why you should learn German, and believe us, these are only a few! It can help you in so many ways while staying in Germany
1. Ease of daily life
Non-German natives living in Germany (even for a short while) will need the language skills to do basic tasks, like talking to a bank teller, taxi driver, doctor, or receptionist. Being able to speak German makes daily life much easier in the country, despite the high level of English most people have in the cities.
2. Essential tasks and getting help
Being able to speak the language means you can take initiative with the absolutely essential parts of life in Germany. With basic German (and some specific vocabulary), you won’t need a translator when fulfilling necessary tasks, like registering your address (Anmelden) at the city hall (Bürgeramt) or applying for visa extension.
3. Being able to express yourself socially
To form friendships and enjoy social activities in Germany, it is very helpful to be able to speak the language – not every German native will be comfortable socializing in a language other than German.
4. Cultural identity
Being able to speak the language of the country you live and work in creates a sense of belonging. It's important to feel integrated into your new home, however long you wish to stay there.
5. Top-ranked universities
Being able to speak, read, and write German at a certain level means you could study in Germany. Officially, there are no tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in Germany (public universities), and the nation is home to some of the world’s top-ranked institutions. Find out more on our German Universities page.
6. Travel around the EU
German is the most frequently spoken language in Central Europe and the EU countries alongside English. This means you can converse with people of many different nationalities and in several different countries in Europe.
7. Germany's Economy
The German economy is thriving. If you want to take advantage of this and create a new business in Germany or link with business opportunities in the country, being able to speak the language fluently is important if you do not want to rely on a German-speaking counterpart.
8. Finding a second internet
This time in German. Germany's country domain (.de) is one of the top players in our internet-driven world.
9. Professional opportunities
Germany is the largest European trading partner of the US, exporting vehicles, metals, and chemical products, and many German companies have global reach. Being able to speak the language, initiate and maintain business dealings with German business-people may prove to be lucrative if you wish to excel professionally in the country and beyond.
10. Accessing high culture
German is the language of some of the most notable cultural output of all time, including works from Goethe, Bach, Mozart, Durrenmatt, and Kafka. Being able to understand these works in the original German can significantly deepen your cultural understanding of them and is extremely satisfying.
