I speak some german?

Show all answers

Ms. Faerie

I am an American, living in Germany... It depends on where you are at - little tiny towns tend to have less english speaking people than large metro cities...

Regardless - if you at least 'try' to speak German, most Germans appreciate the attempt!

I get by with a lot of hand motions, a few German words & a lot of help from my German speaking friends!

t_maia2000

Most Germans have English as a foreign language in school. English has almost the same status in Germany that Spanish has in the USA. If a German knows another language it will likely be English.

sixxtwo42

Well, I am from Germany too, but I have never experiences anyone being rude to Americans, just because they are American.
Older people in general are rude, or SEEM rude. But I am from Munich, and people are always more rude in big cities.

As far as speaking English.....most people know the basics. The will probably understand you, and might even try to respond....which may or may not work. The younger generation are better at it....

But you can always ask hotel clerks or people like that, if you need to know something...their English is usually better....

Or just ask me ;)) ..lol..

Sarah O

I am German....grew up in US, but all my extended family is still in Germany, and a lot of people do speak at least a little English. The younger people especially do, as it's a second language in public schools.

robertdihno

almost everyone.. understands... some.... but they are often not confident in it and they will loook at you weird and yeah.... just stick to german...

Karin

German students have to take English in school. In America, students only have to take a year or two of a foreign language in school, but in Germany, they study English for much longer.

milbo_xo

i have learnt german for 3 years while at school and have been luckily enough to be here for 10 weeks on exchange.

the german i learnt in school, back at home in australia, is more formal, proper and very grammatical.

i am staying with a family who speak quite good english. at school, everyone tries to talk english, but are shy at times.

as english is a subject that is compulsary in schools, i think you will find that most people speak it, not elderly people though. the basics, yes, no, please and thankyou they all know. invest in a couple of phrase books before you go, they contain the vitals. they have helped me.

don't be afraid to speak it, if you make a mistake, who cares. try again :) after all they don't know you. most people here are very friendly and will be more than willing to help you out, in german or english.

good luck.
:D

Claudia

I am also German but I lived for 9 years in Canada so I can speak English.But as everyone else said here the children learn English in school.

Alwin E

I'm German myyelf, and I'll never forget what my English teacher taught me:
"If you want to learn a foreign language, forget about your inhibitions."
It took me some years to understand in which Freudian sense he meant that, but finally I understood.

DeSaxe

I live in Germany and my daughter is going to a german school and in the 3rd grade she starts taking English.
A lot of Germans speak, read or have taken English is school.

FinancialFreedom

Most German's speak english, some very very well, especially the younger generation. I visited Germany for 5 weeks, and my german is ok, but not great. Whenever ordering food or something I would begin ordering in german but they could tell by my accent I was American, and started speaking english. Nice, but it didn't really help me learn that much german. If you are visiting Germany, it would be rude not to at least try to speak the language, but many Germans will end up speaking english to you.

dawnb

We just returned from Germany. While we were in the larger cities, we encountered much more English. Menus were in both German and English or the restaurant offered a separate English only menu. We were not so lucky in the small towns. Frankly we would not have been able to get around easily had we not been helped by so many people who spoke English and got us headed in the right directions. That and a Magellan GPS in English.

Becky J

Though many younger germans speak english, some of the older don't and will treat you very poorly. (As only germans can do). ((I'm 100% German, I know))

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: