Going to germany for 2 weeks do i need to know german?

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Grace

No it is not neccessary, but would be helpful. My best advice to you would be to learn phrases you know you will use. How much something will cost, Ordering from menus- you should know the name of the foods you like (meats and drinks for sure). It would also be good to learn more of the culture, Life here is not like anything in the states- you pay to go to bathrooms,the waiters do not wait on you- they bring your food and are gone unless you ask for them, the body oder can be an issue if hot. These are just small things you will find to be a culture shock. My best advice to give you is to beef up on any knowledge so things will be less of a shock and you can really enjoy your trip.Most can speak english and if there is military posts around you can easily find someone who can help you out. It really more so depends on your area, the smaller the town the less likely they are to speak and know english well, the bigger the better your chances. you will find many who can speak it but refuse too cause you have made no effort.

katja

you donÂ´t need to learn german because a lot of people in germany are able to speak english, not everybody can speak really good english but they surely are able to help you and answer your questions.

ZenLibrarian

Not necessarily, but it would be advisable to learn some basic phrases or at least take a phrase book with you for two reasons.

You'll find some people who speak English just about anywhere, with varying degrees of fluency. As a rule, the younger people are, the better the chances of them speaking English (even if only because their English lessons aren't too far in the past), the bigger the city, the more international it is and the more languages (including English) will be around. If you're going to the east, older people will mostly have learnt Russian as a first foreign language instead of English. If you're doing touristy stuff, the likelihood of being stuck in a place where nobody understands you at all is practically zero. Still, and that's reason number one, better safe than sorry.

Reason number two: It's polite to give the local language a shot at least. You'll find that very often, when you try, people will pick up your accent and answer you in English, but they'll be glad you made the effort -- and put some extra effort into both their English and their answers to you. Everyone likes polite tourists. :)

Hayz's Peach - Ø£Ù…Ø§Ù†Ø¯Ø§ & ØØ³Ù†

YES, you need to learn German in the next 2 weeks
just kidding
you should be OK just knowing English
allot of Germans also know English so you should be fine

liebekatz2

Here are a few important phrases you might need:

Wo sind die Toiletten? - Where are the restrooms?
Ein Pils, bitte. - A beer, please.
Danke - thank you.
Bitte - please
Guten Tag - good day
Auf Wiedersehen - goodbye
Ein Schnitzel mit Pommes, bitte - A schnitzel and fries, please
Mein Auto ist kaputt - my car has broken down
Hast du einen Freund? - Do you have a boyfriend?

Just be sure to take a guidebook with you with the most important phrases and you should do fine. A lot of Germans, especially the younger ones, speak at least some English, but they are more likely to be helpful if you at least try a few words of German. Have fun!

Tanked

I stayed with a German family years ago and when I apologized for not knowing enough german, they said that I didnt need to know german but they needed to know english because it is the most useful language to use in the world.
So, no you dont need to know german but some phrases and numbers would be very useful.

tonalc1

It would be helpful to know some travel phrases, plus words for toilet, entrance/exit, no entry, etc.

If you're traveling in big cities, you can usually find English speakers.

Sandy B

einbisschen....a little bit...lucky for you though most people know english here....or just point. I Found the easiest way was to buy a cd and download it to my ipod and then listen to it for hours a day...after awhile is makes sense. If you dont understand something than just ask there are nice people here....I passed my german exam doing this. if you go to blubster.com and then type in germany audio you can get a basic start on the german there......viel glÃ¼ck.....

Jared G

I live here and don't speak German very well. You should be fine.

ally

It's not really any use knowing German phrases if you can't interpret a response. I don't think it's that important, German people are friendly and many enjoy practicing their English.

yiotadelta

Not really - as everybody already said. Young people do speak english more or less, avoid asking the older generation, although they are rather good with body language. It is just polite to know the basic thank you and goodmorning. Don't try to memorise phrases like "how much does this cost" because you will get an answer you will never understand. Your only problem will definitely be museums. Even in Berlin Germans have the strange tendency to present all information in perfect German - and rarely will you find english guides (i.e Pergamon museum and the palace at Potsdam are the only places where I found english books). Even the boat trips are conducted in German! But you will survive, no worries.

porschefraulein

Technically, no. You can usually find someone who speaks English, particularly in the larger cities and tourist areas.

That said, knowing a few words & phrases in German will get you much farther than if you just 'assume' people speak English. It's just good manners, and good manners are rather important to the Germans. :o)

So, here's a few phrases that are always good to know:

Danke-- Thank you.
Bitte--please
Guten Tag/ Guten Morgen-- Hello, or specifically Good day/ Good Morning.
Entschuldigung--- Pardon me/ Excuse me/ Sorry (a great all purpose word--it's pronounced just like it's written: Ent-schul-di-gung.)
Entschuldigung, Ich kann nicht Deutsch sprechen. --- I'm sorry, I don't speak German.
Bitte, aber Sprechen Sie English? -- Pardon me, but do you speak English.

Learn these, and pick up a decent phrase book, and you should be fine. Enjoy your trip!!

Paris Hilton

No but you should try, it is fun to learn....check for online free sites...there are a lot...

spaceball_1

A good pocket phrase guide is a must. but no, you shouldn't worry about 'knowing' german. Just learn a few phrases and you can get by. Most people can understand English, but may not speak it. Also, if you at least try to say a phrase in German, they will give you credit for trying, they may laugh. . . but most of the time they will help you!

demaissoneuve

Not at all in major cities. As you go to smaller towns, the more it becomes an issue.

cakes4africa

One normally can get by with English. A few words that are good to know are:

Eingang = Entrance
Ausgang = Exit
DrÃ¼cken = push (to open doors)
Ziehen = Pull (to open door)
Damen = LadiesÂ´ toilet
Herren = MenÂ´s Toilet
Kasse = Cash tills, checkout, pay desk.

Enjoy your visit

Capt. Kiith-Sa Soban

No, most Germans speak English.

*But in just in case ....

Ja = Yes

Nein = No

Sprechen = Speak

Deutsche = German

Auf = On (As in, the something sat on the something)

Unter = Under

Frau = Woman

Fraulein = Waitress

Junge = Boy

Madchen = Girl

I forgot what the word for man is, sorry.

Guten Nacht = Good Night

Guten Tag = Good Afternoon

Just a few words to help you.

* = I have a QWERTY Keyboard so I can't do all the spelling entirely correctly, sorry.

Wulfgang

Everyone in the world speaks English, you should be fine.

Speedy Jet

Well yes but just the basic kinds of words you use everyday. like the people who work at museums,historical places, hotels,motels,airport,the mall,food store they should know some English so you should be okay around them.

James S

Most Germans (Europeans for that matter) graduate from their version of high school (Gynasium, Realschule, Hauptschule) speaking at least two or three foreign languages, including English. Therefore, your English capabilities should be sufficient. Don't be offended if their English is better than yours!

You might want to ask yourself why, if Europeans and Asians can learn numerous foreign languages, Americans can't ...

HRH Princess Deb

Isn't it a little late to be asking that question. There's not a whole lot of German you can learn in two weeks.

robertdihno

fuc k no. I lived here for like 8 yeras with ameicans who just came and they didbnt speak one fuckin word of german and tey got around fine... dont wory dude.. the language is completely overated.. i wouldnt have learnd i tunless my mom hadnt made me go to german schoool... iwantted to go to the american schoool, whcih i am finallly doing... hooooraaah. good luck.. ave fun.. learn some cuse words ztho.. telll tose fuckin stingy as s old nazi germans to kiss your asss...

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