Q&A for How to Speak Simple German

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  • Question
    How can I teach myself German?
    Language Academia
    Language Tutors
    Language Academia is a private, online language school founded by Kordilia Foxstone. Kordilia and her team specialize in teaching foreign languages and accent reduction. Language Academia offers courses in several languages, including English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
    Language Tutors
    Expert Answer
    Start by learning simple phrases, like "Hello, my name is..." "How are you?" "How old are you?" "Where do you come from?" "I live in..." "Where do you like to eat?" "Where is the bathroom? "Excuse me?" "I don't understand" and "Can you help me?" Those are the basic phrases that are necessary in every language, and are a base for people to at least assist you if you're a tourist in a country of that language.
  • Question
    How do I say "can I have a cup of tea" in German?
    Community Answer
    Use either the literal translation, "Kann ich eine Tasse Tee haben?" or "Ich hätte gerne eine Tasse Tee" (I'd like to have a cup of tea).
  • Question
    How do I say "finished" in German?
    Community Answer
    You can say "Fertig", which just means "finished", or "Ich bin fertig", which means "I'm finished."
  • Question
    How do I say "bless you" in German?
    Hannah
    Community Answer
    Say "Gesundheit" (which also means health). The best way to pronounce it is "guh - zoond - hite".
  • Question
    How do I say this "Is this yours" in German?
    Community Answer
    Informally, to friends: "Gehört das dir?" (geh-hooert dass deer?) or formally, to people like teachers or your boss: "Gehört das Ihnen?" (geh-hooert dass een-in?).
  • Question
    How do I say, "I thought you were upset with me" in German?
    Community Answer
    "Ich dachte, du warst sauer auf mich," is the German translation for that phrase.
  • Question
    How do I say goodbye in German?
    Community Answer
    "Auf Wiedersehen" is a formal way to say "see you again." You can also say "Tschüss" or "Ba ba," which we more or less took from the English "bye bye."
  • Question
    How do I say "American" in German?
    Community Answer
    If you mean a person who is Amercian, you "Amerikaner." If you mean the adjective, it would be "Amerikanisch."
  • Question
    Can you translate the words, "week" and "days" into German?
    Community Answer
    ''Week'' is ''Woche,'' and ''weeks'' is ''Wochen.'' ''Day'' is ''Tag'' and ''days'' is ''Tage.''
  • Question
    How do I say "no, thanks" in German?
    Community Answer
    It's the same combination as in English: "nein" means "no", "danke" means "thanks". "Nein, danke" translates to "no, thanks".
  • Question
    How do I say "Can I use the restroom" in German?
    Community Answer
    "Kann ich die Toilette verwenden?" or "Kann ich das Klo verwenden?" can both be used to mean, "Can I use the restroom?"
  • Question
    How do I say "this" in German?
    Community Answer
    Say "das" for "this" in German.
  • Question
    How can I emulate Lisa and Lena?
    Community Answer
    It's not easy, because they live in and were born in Germany. If you already speak German, try to copy their accent. They also like to speak high and cute.
  • Question
    How do I say "can we go to the store"?
    Community Answer
    "Können wir in den Laden gehen?" (der Laden - store, gehen - to go, wir - we)
  • Question
    How do I say "I win" in German?
    Community Answer
    You ought to say "Ich habe gewonnen" which literally translates to "I have won."
  • Question
    How do I pronounce the four characters that are not in the English language?
    Sergeantpro
    Community Answer
    ß: "s" in "Snake." Ö: Make an "o" with your mouth. In that position, say "a" as in "Ark." Ä: "A" in "Hate." Ü: Make an "o" with your mouth. In that position, say "e" as in "Eat."
  • Question
    How do I say "thank you" in German?
    Community Answer
    The easiest way to say thank you in german is "danke." "Danke sehr" is "thank you very much."
  • Question
    How can I ask "When were you born?" in German?
    Community Answer
    You could say, "Wann sind Sie geboren?"
  • Question
    How to say "I understand" in German?
    Community Answer
    You can say: "Ich verstehe" (present form), or "Ich verstande" (past form).
  • Question
    How do I say "Shane" in German?
    Community Answer
    You would say "Shane". Names remain the same.
  • Question
    How do I say "may I sharpen my pencil" in German?
    Community Answer
    "Darf ich meinen Bleistift spitzen?" (dürfen - may/allow, der Bleistift - pencil, spitzen - to sharpen)
  • Question
    How do you say "nouns" in German?
    Community Answer
    There's the common word, "nomen" and there's the more professional word which directly comes from Latin, "substantiv."
  • Question
    How do I say, "Hello, I live in Germany"?
    Sarah Porsche-Monroe
    Community Answer
    That would be, "Hallo, ich lebe in Deutschland," or, "Hallo, ich wohne in Deutschland."
  • Question
    How do I say "jerk" in German?
    Community Answer
    There really is no actual word for jerk. Instead you can say "blödman", or "idiot (Id yot)".
  • Question
    How do I ask "what new item do you have?"
    Community Answer
    Welche neue hast du? Try using dict.leo.com help you translate to German.
  • Question
    Isn't the German way to show the number one to hold up a thumb rather than a finger?
    Community Answer
    Yes, typically in Germany when people count on their fingers they start with the thumb as one, index finger as two, etc.
  • Question
    How do I say Sophie in German?
    Community Answer
    In German, names stay the same. So Sophie would still be Sophie
  • Question
    How can I practice German in a communitiy that doesn't speak German?
    Bruhsquito
    Community Answer
    You may be able to connect with people online through different social media apps. Another option would be a language learning app, such as Babbel or Duolingo. The latter options won't make you fluent, but they can help you learn the basics for when you do need to employ the language.
  • Question
    How do I say thank you?
    Community Answer
    The most common one would be "danke", but there are other longer variants.
  • Question
    How do I say I love you in German?
    Bruhsquito
    Community Answer
    There are multiple ways just as in English, but the most common is "ich liebe dich."
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