Polite Expressions (Junior Cert German): Revision Notes
Polite Expressions
Understanding polite expressions in German is essential for making a good impression and communicating respectfully. German culture values politeness, and using the right expressions shows respect and cultural awareness. This guide covers the fundamental polite phrases you'll need for everyday interactions.
Basic greetings and farewells
Learning proper greetings sets the foundation for polite communication. Germans use different greetings depending on the time of day, and it's important to match the level of formality to the situation.
Time-based greetings
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Guten Morgen! | Good morning! |
| Guten Tag! | Good day! |
| Guten Abend! | Good evening! |
| Wie geht es Ihnen? | How are you? (formal) |
Saying goodbye
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Auf Wiedersehen! | Goodbye! (in person) |
| Auf Wiederhören! | Goodbye! (on the phone) |
Example Conversation: Morning Greeting
A typical morning interaction might go:
- Guten Morgen, Herr Schmidt! Wie geht es Ihnen heute? (Good morning, Mr Schmidt! How are you today?)
- Auf Wiedersehen, bis morgen! (Goodbye, see you tomorrow!)
Essential polite words
Two small words can make an enormous difference in how polite you sound. These "magic words" are used constantly in German conversation and are absolutely essential to learn properly.
The word "bitte"
| German | English |
|---|---|
| bitte | please |
| bitte | you're welcome |
| Bitte schön! | Here you are! |
| Wie bitte? | Sorry? (informal) |
The word "bitte" serves multiple purposes in German. When making a request, it means "please." When someone thanks you, responding with "bitte" means "you're welcome." This dual function sometimes confuses beginners, but context makes the meaning clear.
Example Conversation: Using "Bitte"
- A: Könntest du bitte ein Foto von mir machen? (Could you please take a photo of me?)
- B: Ja gerne! (Yes, of course!)
- A: Danke! (Thank you!)
- B: Bitte! (You're welcome!)
Saying thank you
| German | English |
|---|---|
| danke | thank you |
| danke schön | thank you very much |
| vielen Dank | many thanks |
Apologising and asking for help
When you need to apologise or get someone's attention politely, "Entschuldigung" is your go-to word. This versatile expression covers several situations where you need to be polite.
Using "Entschuldigung"
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Entschuldigung | Excuse me |
| Entschuldigung | I'm sorry |
| Entschuldigen Sie | Excuse me (formal) |
Example Sentences: "Entschuldigung" in Action
- Entschuldigung, könnten Sie mir sagen, wie ich zum Bahnhof komme? (Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the train station?)
- Entschuldigen Sie mich bitte für einen Moment. (Excuse me for a moment, please.)
- Entschuldigung, das wird nicht wieder vorkommen. (I'm sorry, that won't happen again.)
Alternative apologies
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Es tut mir leid | I'm sorry |
| Das tut mir leid | I'm sorry about that |
The phrase "Es tut mir leid" expresses genuine regret or sympathy, whilst "Entschuldigung" is more for minor inconveniences or getting attention.
Asking for clarification politely
When you don't understand something, there are several polite ways to ask for repetition or clarification. These phrases show respect whilst getting the help you need.
Formal clarification requests
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Entschuldigung, ich habe das nicht verstanden | Sorry, I didn't understand that |
| Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? | Could you repeat that please? |
| Könnten Sie bitte etwas langsamer sprechen? | Could you speak a bit slower, please? |
For informal situations, you can simply say "Wie bitte?" (Sorry?), which is the casual equivalent of asking someone to repeat themselves.
Useful phrases for everyday situations
These expressions help you navigate common social situations with confidence. They're particularly useful for making arrangements and being sociable.
Making requests and arrangements
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Könnte ich bitte deine Handynummer haben? | Could I have your phone number, please? |
| Hättest du morgen Nachmittag Zeit? | Would you be free tomorrow afternoon? |
| Könntest du mir bitte helfen? | Could you please help me? |
| Ich gehe heute Abend auf eine Party, möchtest du mitkommen? | I'm going to a party tonight, would you like to join? |
| Macht es dir etwas aus, wenn mein Freund mitkommt? | Do you mind if my friend joins us? |
Example Social Conversation
- Ich würde lieber ins Kino gehen. (I would prefer to go to the cinema.)
- Das ist eine gute Idee! (That's a good idea!)
Phone etiquette
German phone conversations tend to be direct and concise. Understanding proper phone etiquette helps you sound professional and polite during calls.
Phone conversation basics
Germans typically answer the phone by stating their surname. This isn't rude – it's simply the standard way to identify yourself when answering an unknown number.
Informal Phone Conversation
- A: Hallo, Paul. Na wie geht's? (Hello, Paul. How are you?)
- B: Mir geht's gut, danke. Sag mal, ich glaub Lola schmeißt heute Nacht 'ne Party. Kommst du mit? (I'm fine, thanks. So, I think Lola is throwing a little party tonight. Are you coming?)
- A: Ich hab leider schon etwas vor! (I've already got plans, unfortunately!)
- B: Schade, dann ein anderes Mal. Tschüss! (That's a shame. Well, another time! Bye!)
Formal Phone Conversation
- A: Maier? (Maier speaking?)
- B: Guten Morgen, Herr Maier. Hier spricht Christian Huber. Aufgrund unvorhergesehener Umstände muss ich unseren Termin heute leider absagen. Wäre es möglich, ihn auf nächsten Dienstag zu verschieben? (Good morning, Mr Maier. Christian Huber speaking. Unfortunately, I will have to cancel our meeting today. Could we postpone it to next Tuesday?)
Du vs Sie - choosing the right level of formality
One of the most important aspects of German politeness is knowing when to use "Du" (informal you) versus "Sie" (formal you). Getting this right shows cultural understanding and respect.
When to use "Du"
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Friends and family | Kommst du heute Abend zur Party? |
| People your age or younger | Wie heißt du? |
| Casual settings | Magst du Kaffee? |
When to use "Sie"
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Strangers and formal situations | Nehmen Sie morgen am Meeting teil, Herr Maier? |
| Professional settings | Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? |
| Showing respect | Wie geht es Ihnen heute? |
Pronunciation tip: "Sie" is always capitalised when it means "you" (formal), but lowercase "sie" means "she" or "they."
Remember: when in doubt, use "Sie" until the other person suggests using "Du". It's better to be overly formal than accidentally disrespectful.
Making polite requests with subjunctive
The subjunctive mood (Konjunktiv II) makes requests sound more polite and less demanding. This is similar to saying "I would like" instead of "I want" in English.
Polite request phrases
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich hätte gerne... | I would like... |
| Hättest du...? | Would you have...? |
| Könnten Sie bitte...? | Could you please...? |
Using these forms shows excellent German manners and makes your requests sound much more polite than direct commands.
Translation Exercise
Practice these polite requests:
- Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? → ?
- I would like a coffee, please. → ?
Answers:
- Could you please help me?
- Ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee, bitte.
Common mistakes and tips
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Using "Du" with strangers or in formal situations
- Forgetting to say "bitte" and "danke" regularly
- Mixing up "Entschuldigung" (excuse me/sorry) with "Es tut mir leid" (I'm genuinely sorry)
- Not adjusting your level of formality to match the situation
Tips for Success:
- Germans appreciate directness, but always with politeness
- Small talk is less common than in English-speaking cultures
- Practice the dual meaning of "bitte" until it becomes natural
- Listen to how Germans address each other to learn when to use "Du" or "Sie"
Key Points to Remember:
- Master the magic words: "Bitte," "danke," and "Entschuldigung" are essential for daily communication
- Choose your formality level carefully: Use "Sie" for formal situations and "Du" for friends and family
- Phone etiquette matters: Answer with your surname and keep conversations direct but polite
- Practice polite requests: Using subjunctive forms like "Könnten Sie..." makes you sound more courteous
- Cultural awareness is key: Germans value directness combined with proper politeness, so skip excessive small talk but never skip polite expressions