presentation of yourself in german

23+ Easy Phrases To Introduce Yourself In German

• , October 10, 2023

Are you heading to Germany for travel or business? Met a new German friend? Maybe you’ll be living there? Then, you’ll want to learn how to talk and introduce yourself in German! Read this article and get to know some of the essential words and phrases to help you introduce yourself and fit right in. You can learn what are the basic dos and dont’s when you introduce yourself in German too.

You can even discover the best language learning app that has free basic lessons if you’re starting with zero knowledge. Can’t wait? Let’s learn with the Ling app !

Where In Europe Is German Spoken?

The German language  is actually a really popular spoken language (it’s  #11 in the world! ). Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are all German-speaking countries. Learning how to introduce yourself in German will help you if you visit or move to one of those countries.

We know learning a foreign language is a challenge, even the basics. So we want to help make meeting native speakers and talking to them in German a breeze. This article will teach you some words and phrases on how to introduce yourself in German, so let’s get going!

The Dos And Don’ts Of Introducing Yourself In German & Basic Phrases

Introduce Yourself In German: Dos

The most common way you’ll want to introduce yourself in German when meeting someone for the first time is  to say “Hallo!”  which means hello. People in Germany say hello to everyone, even complete strangers. It’s considered polite. 

While saying “Hallo” or “Guten Tag,” you’ll want to make good eye contact and shake the person’s hand. Keep things simple! If asked for your name, be sure to state your first and last name, as Germans are pretty formal that way.

Introduce Yourself In German: Don’ts

By all means, do not lean in to kiss anyone, and surprisingly, you shouldn’t ask people how they are doing when you first meet them. It’s considered unusual to ask about people’s personal lives right away.

Another no, no when introducing yourself in German is to make small talk. This isn’t common practice, and Germans may find this odd, especially in a formal setting. Appropriate small talk topics would be the weather or the form of transportation you used to get to the location. Just steer away from topics that are too personal.

Also, it is important to know that there are different pronouns to use in an informal setting, so be mindful of that when speaking with others other than family or friends!

Other Common Ways To Greet People In German

• Guten Morgen! Good morning!
• Guten Tag! Good day/afternoon!
• Grüß Gott! Good day/afternoon! (Used in Southern Germany and Austria)
• Grüezi! Good day/afternoon! (Used in Switzerland)
• Guten Abend! Good evening!

These greetings are typically used in formal situations, such as when meeting elders, superiors, or new business acquaintances.

If you’re greeting friends, younger people, or family members, it’s not necessary to use the above greetings. Rather you can simply say the phrase,  “Hi” or “Hey / Hey” and if you’re in Northern Germany, like Hamburg you can even say “Moin” . This is how you say hi in Germany, but if you are in Austria or Switzerland, they prefer to say,  “Servus!”  or  “Hoi !” instead.

Formal And Informal Personal Pronouns

It’s important to know that there are two kinds of the pronoun  “You”  in German to use in a phrase or question. The first one we’ll go over is the informal “You.”

When To Use The Informal Pronoun Du

When you see or hear  “Dir” or “Dich,”  this refers to the personal pronoun  “Du,”  which is easy to remember because it rhymes with “You!”‘ The pronoun  “Du”  is used when you’re talking to family, friends, or people younger than you.

When To Use The Formal Pronoun Sie

Now let’s look at the formal use of “You” in the German language.

When you see or hear  “Ihnen,”  this refers to the pronoun  “Sie.”  This pronoun is required when speaking in a formal way, such as when talking with older people, anyone superior to you, business clients, and best when meeting people for the first time.

There are also neutral ways to discuss others, which we’ll see in some examples below.

How To Introduce Yourself And Others In German

Introducing yourself in german.

After greeting someone for the first time, it’s appropriate to introduce yourself by telling them your name:

• “Ich bin (your name).” / I am _________ .
• “Mein Name ist (insert your name).” / My name is ___________ .
• While small talk isn’t common nor expected, Germans may recognize that you aren’t from Germany and may be curious to know a bit about you. Let’s look at some answers to some common questions you may be asked:
• Ich komme aus (insert country or city). / I am from __________ . [
• Ich spreche Deutsch. / I speak German .
• Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch. / I speak a little German .
• If you speak English, you may notice that the grammatical sentence structure for German is quite similar. This makes it less complicated to pick up this new language. Let’s look at this example:
• Wie alt bist du? The literal translation is: How old are you?

The sentence structure is like in English: question word, adjective, helping verb, and pronoun. Here is another example:

• Ich bin Student. The literal translation is: I am a student.

The sentence structure is the same: pronoun, the verb to be, noun.

Introducing Others In German

These are useful German introduction phrases and the most common ways to speak when introducing people you know well to others.

• Das ist meine Schwester (insert name) . / That’s _______, my sister.  (neutral
• Das ist mein Bruder (insert name) . / That’s _______, my brother.  (neutral)
• Das ist meine Tochter (insert name) . / That’s _______, my daughter.  (neutral)
• Das ist mein Sohn (insert name) . / That’s _______, my son.  (neutral)
• Das ist meine Mutter (insert name) . / That’s _______, my mother.  (neutral)
• Das ist mein Vater (insert name) . / That’s _______, my father.  (neutral)
• Das ist mein Freund (insert name) . / That’s _______, my friend.  (neutral)
• Darf ich dir meinen Freund vorstellen? / May I introduce my friend? (informal)
• Ich möchte Ihnen gerne meinen Chef vorstellen. / I would like to introduce you to my boss ( formal
• Ich möchte, dass Sie (insert name) kennenlernen. / I would like you to meet _________(formal)

How To Introduce Yourself: Conversation Examples

Learning German will help you in basic conversations. Having these phrases and questions under your belt will get you a long way and impress your new acquaintances or friends!

German Introductions In A Formal Conversation

Introducing yourself in a formal way is quite nerve-wracking. Especially, if you’re not familiar with the language. Don’t fret. German introductions are easy as long as you remember the basic phrases to use for someone you just met. Here is a great way to practice a formal conversation for German introductions.

• You: Hello / Hallo
• Acquaintance: Good Day / Guten Tag
• You: My name is ___________ / Mein Name ist (your name)
• Acquaintance : Nice to meet you. My name is _________/ Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. Mein Name ist __________
• Acquaintance : Where are you from? / Woher kommen Sie?
• You : I am from __________ / Ich komme aus ____________
• Acquaintance : Do you speak German? / Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
• You : I speak German. Are you from Germany? / Ich spreche Deutsch. Kommen Sie aus Deutschland?
• Acquaintance: I come from Germany. Pleasure to meet you / Ich komme aus Deutschland. Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen.
• You : You too / Mich auch.

German Introductions In An Informal Conversation

Let’s practice some German introductions in an informal setting. Remember, try speaking to mimic the sound as you press play from the audio snippet.

• You: Hi / Moin
• Other person : Hey / Hey
•  You: I am _________. What’s your name? / Ich bin __________. Wie heißt du?
• Other person : My name is _________. Do you speak German? / Mein Name ist ________. Sprichst du Deutsch?
• You : I speak a little German. / Ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch.
• Other person: Where are you from? / Woher kommst du?
•  You : I am from __________ / Ich komme aus ____________
• Other person: Great to meet you. / Schön, dich kennenzulernen.
• You : Hope to see you again. / Ich hoffe, wir sehen uns wieder.

Learn More Basic German

Now that you know how to introduce yourself in German, start learning German today with the Ling app , the best language app out there today! Choose the German language course or choose from over 60 other languages. Learn basic German phrases in just 15 minutes or less a day so you’ll feel confident when you talk to Germans.

Learning German with Ling is fun ! You’ll learn how to speak, read, and write in German with ease. Go ahead and check it out on the Play Store or App Store right now! We know you’ll find it easy to learn with Ling .

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41 Must-Know Phrases For Your Self-Introduction In German

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One of the first lessons you will learn when learning a new language is how to introduce yourself. Self-introduction in German can be more complex than in English. In this article, I will explain how to introduce yourself in various situations based on my experience correctly.

Key takeaways

• In this article, I summarize the learnings I went through over the years I lived in Germany.
• German can be very complicated for foreigners when learning more about the language while living in Germany .
• First, I’d like to give you some standard greetings for everyday situations .
• Second, I will give examples of how to let your acquaintance know where you come from .
• You will also learn more about situations when you get asked what you are doing for a living .
• There are two everyday situations that I am covering here as well: Self-Introduction to your neighbors and introducing yourself in German at work .
• Last but not least, I am covering how you can introduce yourself when you are a student and how to introduce others .

When is self-introduction needed?

Self-introduction in Germany is needed in various situations. Meeting (new) friends or neighbors and introducing yourself in German to them is different than in a work environment. The latter one requires, most of the time, a more formal approach.

It is also advantageous to introduce yourself properly to a new person when going to the authorities, visiting a doctor, or something similar. But let me answer some questions before I dig deeper into specific situations for you.

Is there a structure for self-presentation in German?

There is not necessarily a specific structure required for self-introduction. I am using a combination of greeting, my name, where I am from, what I do for a living, and where I live. Some of my friends and colleagues use a shorter version, especially in a less professional-related situation.

Sometimes it can already be enough. Just use a standard greeting and your name. But more on that in one of the later paragraphs.

Essential greetings for personal introduction in German

There are some basic greetings for self-introduction that I would like to tell you about based on my own private and professional experience. Depending on the state or region you live in, local differences may be that locals heavily use.

While the local versions are less commonly used in professional environments, it’s always nice to know what those mean. Since I live in the southern parts of Germany, I am very much used to “Servus” or “Griaß God” after a few years.

Still, I hardly use those because I am not speaking the local dialect properly to continue my conversation in the same way.

Informal greetings

• “Hallo” means “hello” in English

Informal locally colored greetings

• “Moin” means good morning in some northern parts of Germany
• “Tach ” has the same meaning as the greeting “Guten Tag” in north-western parts of Germany
• “Servus ” is the informal greeting similar to “hello,” used in southern parts of Germany
• “Griaß God” and “Griaß Eana ” are the locally colored versions of saying “Grüß Gott” or “Grüße Sie” being used in the southern parts of Germany.

You can’t even find these regional or local expresions in German dictionaries such as Duden .

Formal greetings

• “Guten Tag” or “Grüß Gott“ (the latter one is used mainly in Southern Germany and Austria), meaning a formal “hello” or “good afternoon.”

Greetings based on daytime

• “Guten Morgen” , meaning good morning in English
• “Guten Tag” is used throughout the day, a way to say “hello” in a formal way in English
• “Guten Abend” is only used in the evening, usually when it’s about to get dark or after 7 – 8 pm.

There is no suitable equivalent to “Good afternoon” in German. You usually say: “Guten Tag”.

When introducing myself in German, how do I say “where I’m from”?

From my experience, I can tell you that it’s not unusual to get asked where you are from. Germans usually ask that out of genuine curiosity. So if you want to be prepared for a situation when that question is coming up, let me help and tell you how to say where you are from.

If you want to mention where you are coming from during your self-introduction

• “Ich komme aus (country)” which means “I come from (country)” in English. You can add your country or the country and city you are coming from.
• In case you are adding your city, the sentence is slightly changed into “Ich komme aus (add your country) aus der Stadt (add the name of the city). The English equivalent would be: “I come from (country) from the city of (name of the city)” .

Germans usually have a pretty good geographical knowledge. Many will know about your country a bit more than just the name.

How do you say what you do in German when you introduce yourself?

As soon as the conversation get’s going, people will sooner or later ask you what you are doing for a living. If you still go to school, you can say

• “Ich arbeite als (add your profession)”. That means “I work as (add your profession)” in English.

This reflects the basic information I was asked several times when talking to friends, colleagues, people I met, and neighbors. This leads me to another topic, introducing yourself in German to your neighbors.

Introducing yourself in German to your neighbors 

When it comes to self-introduction to neighbors, the situation is slightly different. I experienced that knocking on your neighbor’s door right after moving in is not very common. But it highly depends on your living situation.

Please don’t feel offended if your neighbors next door won’t do the same right away. You might always want to mind your neighbors’ privacy. Based on three situations, I’d like to explain the difference.

Your personal introduction in German when living in larger apartment complexes

Living in an apartment complex can be anonymous, whereas rural areas can be less anonymous.

When I arrived in Germany, I lived in an apartment complex. Throughout the first weeks, I met several people that lived on the same floor. The only exchange was greeting each other by saying “Guten Tag” or “Hallo”.

After a month or so, when coming back from grocery shopping, I was asked who I was and where I came from for the first time. So I replied in the following way

• “Guten Tag! Ich bin (put in your name). Ich komme aus (put in your country and city).” “Hello! I am (your name). I come from (country and city).”

If you want to be more precise about where you live within the complex during your self-introduction, you may add the floor of your apartment. You can add

• “Ich wohne im (number of your floor) Stock).” “I am living on floor number …”

As a side note: In German, the ground floor is called “Erdgeschoß” and the first floor is called “erster Stock”. In the US and other countries, the ground floor is already the first floor, while the “erste Stock” is already the second floor. This might cause some confusion, so be careful with it.

Self-introduction when living in smaller apartment complexes in Germany

If you move to a smaller apartment house with only a few apartments, people may appreciate your introduction to German after a few days. You may either have a quick chat with people when you meet them in front of their apartment or hallway.

In situations like that, you can use a short version like

• “Hallo! Ich bin (put in your name) und wohne im (number of your floor) Stock“. “Hello! I am (your name) and live on floor number X (number of your floor).”

How to present yourself in rural areas with single houses

Self-introduction in a rural area in Germany might be very different from that. It can happen that you either get asked by some direct neighbors right on the day of moving in where you are coming from and who you are. Others may wait to see you, for example doing your chores in the garden, and ask you then.

It may also be helpful to go to your neighbors and introduce yourself in German as soon as you see them on the weekend in their garden or front of their house.

You may use a variation of the standard phrase and say

• “Guten Tag, ich bin (put in your name). Ich bin kürzlich hier eingezogen und möchte mich kurz bei Ihnen vorstellen“. This means in English: “Hello, I am (put in your name). I recently moved here and would like to introduce myself to you”.

What I experienced, in general, is that people are warming up faster in rural areas, and the conversations can go more deeply soon after.

Self-introduction at work

The work environment can be more formal in Germany, depending on the company. From one of my neighbors who works in a marketing agency, I know they are less formal and use the informal “Du” right from the start.

In my company, it’s more common to use the formal “Sie” in German at the beginning until you get to know each other better. I switched to “Du” with my colleagues after a few weeks. I was asked whether it would be ok for me to use the informal “Du” with questions like

• “Ist es in Ordnung, wenn wir uns dutzen?” In English: „is it ok to use the informal you?”

Here is one additional piece of advice: be mindful of hierarchy and age in Germany. For example, I am still using the “Sie” with my boss. It is common for older people to offer you the “Du” whereas you can offer younger ones the “Du” first.

A formal question you may use is

• “Darf ich Ihnen das Du anbieten?”. This means in English, „may I offer using „Du“ to you?”

This is how you introduce yourself in German professionally

To introduce yourself in German professionally, you should stick to the most common form and say:

• “Guten Tag! Ich freue mich, Sie kennenzulernen. Mein Name ist (put in your name).“ This means, „Good day! I am happy to meet you. My name is (put in your name)”.
• “Guten Tag! Darf ich mich bei Ihnen vorstellen? Ich heiße (put in your name).“ This is the even more polite version of the phrase used above, meaning whether it would be ok to introduce yourself to your acquaintance or not. In English, this means “Good day! May I introduce myself? My name is (put in your name).”.

Introducing yourself in a German Business Meeting

Again, business meetings follow a different process. If there are new people in the room who haven’t met each other, a quick round of introduction is quite common. Your introduction could be similar to the following as an example:

• Guten Tag zusammen! Ich freue mich, Sie alle kennenzulernen. Mein Name ist (put in your name). Ich arbeite als (put in your title) für (put in the company name) in der Abteilung (use the name of the department). The English equivalent for this kind of introduction would be: “Hello, all! I am happy to meet you. My name is (put in your name). I work as a (put in your title) with (add the name of the company) in the department (put in the department).”
• Many also add the following phrases to the one above: “Ich arbeite seit (number of years) Jahren für (name of company). Davor habe ich (number of years) für (name of previous company) als (job title) gearbeitet.” “I work for (name of company) for (number of years) years. Before that, I worked for (number of years) years for (name of previous company) as a (job title).”

Introducing yourself in German as a student

Self-introduction as a student can be slightly different depending on whether you are still attending school, studying at a university, or are in your apprenticeship.

• “Ich bin Schüler” ( meaning I am a “pupil/student” ).
•   “Ich bin Student und studiere (add your subject)” meaning “I am a student, and I am studying (add your subject)” ) if you are studying at a university.
• If you are still in your apprenticeship, the best way to respond is “Ich mache eine Ausbildung als (your subject matter)”. “I am doing my apprenticeship as a (your subject matter)” .

How to introduce others in German?

If you are in the situation to introduce others in German, you may use one of the following phrases:

Introduction in German of your siblings

• “Das ist meine Schwester (put in her name)“ “This is my sister (her name)”
• “Das ist mein Bruder (put in his name)“ “That’s my brother (his name)”
• The plural versions for the two above are: “Das sind meine Schwestern (name of first sister) und (name of second sister)” “Das sind meine Brüder (name of first brother) and (name of second brother)” Or if you have mixed siblings, you have to use: “Das sind meine Geschwister (name of sister) und (name of brother)”

How to introduce your kids in German?

• If you are a father or mother and you’d like to introduce your daughter or son, please use the following: Das ist meine/unsere Tochter (name of your daughter)” Das ist mein/unser Sohn (name of your son)” “mein/meine” is used if you if it’s only you meeting someone. If you are with your spouse, you should use “unser/unsere” .
• If you have more than two kids, please use the following: Das sind meine/unsere Söhne (name of first son) und (name of second son)” Das sind meine/unsere Töchter (name of first daughter) und (name of second daughter)”. With two mixed kids, you may say: “Das ist meine/unsere Tochter (name of daughter) und mein/unser Sohn (name of son)”.

Parents introduction in German

• “Das ist meine Mutter (put in your mothers name)“
• “Das ist mein Vater (put in your father‘s name)“

How to introduce your friends in German?

• „Das ist mein Freund (male)/meine Freundin (female) (put in his/her name)”
• There is a more polite version of introducing a friend “Darf ich Dir meinen Freund/meine Freundin (put in his/her name) vorstellen?”

Introducing your superiors in German

• A formal version of introducing your boss in a work environment would be: “Ich möchte Ihnen gerne meinen Chef, Herrn (put in his last name) vorstellen“. Or alternatively: “Ich möchte Ihnen gerne meine Chefin, Frau (put in her last name) vorstellen“.

Self-introduction in Germany can be challenging depending on the setting you have to introduce yourself or someone to an acquaintance. This wasn’t very clear initially, but I hope I can provide you with a good guideline with this article.

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Introductions in German: 25 Easy Ways to Introduce Yourself

• 'My Name is…'

The more time you spend in German speaking countries, or just learning German, the more people you’ll meet. Some situations will require introductions in German, and some won’t. For those times when you need to introduce yourself, this post is for you.

There are many different ways to introduce yourself. Some introductions may be shorter, and some may take longer and be more involved, for example if you’re meeting some friends of friends, or if you’re starting a conversation with a new language exchange partner.

After reading this post you will know:

• How to introduce yourself and someone else in German
• The differences between introducing yourself formally and informally
• How formal and informal introductions in German sound with example conversations

When to Use Formal & Informal German

Before we get started, an important feature of German is it’s use of the 2 words for ‘you’. In German we can say either Sie or du , both meaning ‘you’. However Sie is used for formal situations and du is for informal situations.

It’s important to know the difference because later on when we talk about introductions in German, you need to know which pronoun to use. Let’s take a quick look:

Sie = Formal ‘You’

As I alluded to before, Sie / Ihnen is reserved for formal situations. When introducing yourself in meetings, speaking with new work colleagues or meeting new people who are older than you, use Sie . You would also use it for speaking with people you don’t know in more casual settings like when speaking to waiters or shop staff.

Du = Informal ‘You’

Du / dich is the informal pronoun. Use it whenever introducing yourself to people your own age of younger in informal situations for example when a friend is introducing you to one of their friends.

If you want to learn more check out my post: Sie or Du in German: When to Use Formal & Informal German .

Ready to finally master German sentence structure?

Download your German Sentence Structure Cheat Sheet  for just $1 and get your sentences to flow naturally.

Introductions in German: How to Introduce Yourself

The great thing about introductions in German is that they follow the same basic pattern as in English. You start with a greeting, then a ‘nice to meet you’ and ‘my name is…’

All of these introduction phrases have their own posts which go into more detail about all the ways you can say them, so I’d recommend going through each post to further your knowledge on each phrase. You’ll find links to each post as you go along.

‘Hello’

Let’s start the introduction with a simple German greeting , for most situations a simple hallo (hello) will be fine in both formal and informal situations.

If you want to sound a bit more formal you can opt for guten Morgen (good morning), guten Tag (good day / afternoon) or guten Abend (good evening).

Read more : 15 Easy Ways to Say ‘Hello’ in German

‘Nice to Meet You’

Saying ‘nice to meet you’ when you meet someone for the first time is the next step when introducing yourself in German. There are many suitable phrases to choose from but the most common is:

Quite often this is shortened to the far easier phrase freut mich which can be used in both formal and informal situations.

If someone says ‘nice to meet you’ to you first, you can respond with:

Read more : How to Say ‘Nice To Meet You’ in German

‘My Name is…’

Of course, what would be the point of introducing yourself if you don’t tell the other person your name. Again there are a few different ways to say ‘my name is’ , but the simplest and most common phrase is:

If you want to ask the other person what their name is you can say:

Read more : How to Say ‘My Name Is’ in German

At this point we could reach the end of the conversation. Germans aren’t exactly fans of small talk, so in terms of introductions in German, this might be as far as the conversation goes.

However if the conversation naturally continues, perhaps you’re meeting a friend of a friend or a new language exchange partner you might want to share a little more about yourself.

Read more : Hobbies in German [How to Talk About Your Interests]

Introductions in German: How to Introduce Someone Else

Sometimes introductions in German don’t just involve introducing yourself, you might want to introduce someone else in German.

In formal situations such as introducing someone at business meeting you can say the following + the person’s name:

For less formal situations it’s normal to introduce someone with their name, and how you know them:

Although it’s considered impolite to talk about someone when they’re standing there with you, if the person you’re introducing doesn’t speak German, it may be helpful to make that clear to the people you’re introducing them to:

So now you have all the essential phrases to introduce yourself and someone else in German. Now let’s put them all together and see some real life introductions in German:

Formal Introductions: Example Conversation

You’ve recently started a new job and are meeting a new colleague for the first time, naturally you’re keen to make a good impression and appear friendly:

Informal Introductions: Example Conversation

Your German friend has invited some people over, and you’re keen to introduce yourself and make new friends:

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A very cranky language blogger dishing out brutal language tips.

How To Introduce Yourself in German: 8 Useful Phrases

Hello Junkies,

The first thing any beginner German learner needs is an introduction.

Why? Well, who are you? Why are you learning German and why should anyone care? When will you finally start speaking German?

An introduction gives you something to say right now!

So, right now, you’re going to learn how to introduce yourself in German. Check out the phrases. Say them out loud. Play the audio to hear real German. Cool? Cool.

Let’s jump in.

1. Wie heißt du? What’s your name? (informal)

Of course, the first thing you need to know is… the actual question: “What’s your name” in German? Why? Because people will ask you this. So you need to know it.

• Literal translation: What do you call yourself? (informal)
• Meaning: What’s your name?
• Pronunciation: VEE HI-SST DOO?
• The German consonant “ß” is pronounced “ss.”
• The German vowel combination “EI” is pronounced like the “I” in “island.”

By the way,  you should also hear REAL German. So, here’s a free German audio lesson from GermanPod101 – a popular German learning program. Press play and learn how to introduce yourself.

• Lesson #1 – What’s Your Name in German
• Free Lesson by  GermanPod101.com  >> click here for more free audio lessons .

2. Wie heißen Sie? What’s your name? (formal)

This is a more formal way of asking “what’s your name” in German.

• Literal translation: What do you call yourself? (formal)
• Pronunciation: VEE HI-SSEN ZEE?
• “Sie” must have a capital “S,” since it means “YOU (formal).” When it has a lowercase “s” it can mean “she” or “they.”  

Now, that you know the questions… Let’s answer it. Here are some ways to introduce yourself in German.

3. Mein Name ist _____. My name is _____.

• Literal translation / Meaning: My name is…
• Pronunciation: MINE NAH-MAEH IST …

This is a formal way to introduce yourself. It literally means: “My name is…”

4. Ich heiße ____. I call myself ____.

• Literal translation: I call myself… / I am called …
• Meaning: My name is…
• Pronunciation: EEH (h as in huge) HI-SAEH …

5. Ich bin ____. I am ____.

You can also use this alternative to introduce yourself, which literally means: “I am…”

• Literal translation / Meaning: I am…
• Pronunciation: EEH (h as in huge) bin

6. Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. Nice to meet you. (formal)

You will also need to know how to say “nice to meet you” in German, right? Well, go ahead and use this phrase.

• Pronunciation: ES FROH-EET MIH (h as in huge) ZEE KEHN-NEN-TSOO-LEHR-NEHN
• Shorter version: Freut mich!

Note, that it has a shorter version that you can use (Freut mich!)

7. Ich komme aus den (place). I am from (place).

• I am from (place) .
• I’m from America.
• I’m from Germany.
• I’m from France.

8. Ich bin (age #) alt. I am (age #) years old.

Here’s how you say how old you are in German.

• Ich bin (age #) alt.
• I am 18 years old.

9. Ich bin (occupation). I am (a/an occupation).

Remember this phrase? You learned it above as a way to introduce yourself in German. For example,  “Ich bin Bob = I am Bob.” But, you can also use it to talk about your work or occupation.

• Ich bin (occupation) .
• I am a teacher.
• I am a student.

Conclusion: Your Self-Introduction in German

So, here’s your German self introduction script you might want to use.

Hallo, Mein name ist (name). Schön, dich kennenzulernen. Ich komme aus den (place). Ich bin (age #) alt. Ich bin (occupation). 

You are learning to speak and understand German, right? And you want to be understood by Germans, right? Good. And just like you, most learners out there, above all, want to speak and be understood in German. So the easy way to start speaking is…

• It’s to talk about yourself. Get that introduction.
• It’s to have a set introduction you’ll repeat again and again. Why?
• Because who doesn’t start with introducing themselves? Everyone does.

Learn to introduce yourself in German and you’ve got 1/3rd of a German conversation squared away. The rest are topics of interest and closing greetings.

Now, leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

Better, yet, introduce yourself!

The Main Junkie

P.S. I highly recommend this for German learners. If you REALLY want to learn to German with effective Audio & Video lessons by real teachers – Sign up for free at GermanPod101 (click here) and start learning!

[…] learn how to introduce yourself in German. — formally and informally. First of all, you must know that there are two forms for “YOU” in […]

[…] How to Introduce Yourself in German […]

Hallo, guten tag Ich bin anusha thapa. Ich komme aus Nepal bin 20 jahre alt . Ich bin lerne deutsch spreche in nepal …. #Herzlichen Dank For you guidens

Hallo,mein name ist cling,schon,dict kennenzulernen,ich komme aus den Nigeria,ich bin 17 al,ich bin student. im a beginner a learning germany,thanks for the self introduction lesson.

How to Introduce Yourself in German

• September 14, 2021

Sandra Foessl

You always want to make a great first impression, don’t you? When meeting someone new at work, at parties, on vacation, at the gym, …

A friendly “Hello, I’m Susan. How are you?” can help you make new friends and build lasting business relationships. 

But imagine your potential client, mutual friend, or future father-in-law came from a German-speaking country. 

Would you be able to introduce yourself in German?

Not quite sure? Then keep reading to learn some of the most common German introductions. 

The Dos and Don’ts of Introducing Yourself in German

✔️ Make eye contact and get ready to shake hands. ✔️ Start with a greeting like “Hallo,” “Guten Tag,” or “Guten Abend.” ✔️ Tell them your name: “Ich bin Tom” or “Mein Name ist Olivia Jones.”

❌ Don’t kiss cheeks in a formal setting. It’s considered inappropriate. ❌ Don’t ask new acquaintances how they are doing. That’s rather unusual.  ❌ Don’t forget to make some small talk after introducing yourself.

Some Basic German Greetings

Whenever you see or meet someone – be it at the restaurant, in the supermarket, at work, or in the street – saying “Hallo” is an absolute must in German-speaking countries . Even if you don’t know that person. 

Depending on the time of day, you can also choose between one of these greetings :

🇩🇪 Guten Morgen! 🇺🇸 Good morning!

🇩🇪 Guten Tag! 🇺🇸 G ood day/afternoon!

🇩🇪 Guten Abend! 🇺🇸 Good evening!

They are more formal than “Hallo” and the perfect choice when you want to greet an older person, your superior, or a new client . 

Please note that there are some regional differences. People from Southern Germany and Austria usually use “Grüß Gott” instead of “Guten Tag” – whereas people from Switzerland are likely to use “Grüezi.”

When meeting (mutual) friends, family members, or young people, you shouldn’t use the above greetings. It’s way more natural to say “Hi” or “Hey” instead. 

In addition, there are two other ways of saying “Hi” in Austria and Switzerland:

A: Servus! S: Hoi!

How to Introduce Yourself and Others in German

Now that you’ve learned the most common German greetings , let’s take a look at some easy ways of introducing yourself:

🇩🇪 Ich bin Sarah 🇺🇸 I’m Sarah

🇩🇪 Ich heiße Bill 🇺🇸 I am Bill

🇩🇪 Mein Name ist Peter Jones 🇺🇸 My name is Peter Jones

The last one is the most formal of the three. You should use it when telling people your full name.

You may have noticed that there’s not a huge difference between German and English sentence structures. We both use a subject (pronoun or noun) at the beginning, followed by a verb and an object. 

However, compared to English, the endings of German verbs and nouns change quite a lot. But now is not the right time to talk about cases or inflections – you can learn about the German case system here . 

Let’s instead continue with some good ways of introducing your family, friends, or colleagues in German:

🇩🇪 Das ist Lisa, meine Schwester. (= neutral) 🇺🇸 That’s Lisa, my sister. 

🇩🇪 Darf ich dir meinen Freund vorstellen? (= informal) 🇺🇸 May I introduce my friend?

🇩🇪 Ich möchte Ihnen gerne meinen Chef vorstellen . (= formal) 🇺🇸 I would like to introduce you to my boss . 

The first phrase can be used in all sorts of contexts. But we’d better take a closer look at the other two examples. 

You should know that there are two kinds of “You” in German. An informal and a formal one. 

“Dir” refers to the pronoun “Du,” which is used when talking to your relatives, (mutual) friends, and younger people. 

“Ihnen” refers to the pronoun “Sie”. You should use these when you’re having a conversation with superiors, clients, or older people.

How to Exchange Courtesies in German

“ Nice to meet you ” is a typical courtesy expression in English, isn’t it? 

If you’d like to win the hearts of your German clients, professors, or in-laws, you might want to use the following German equivalents:

🇩🇪 Schön, dich kennenzulernen! (= informal) 🇺🇸 Nice to get to know you!

🇩🇪 Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen. (= formal) 🇺🇸 Pleased to meet you.

🇩🇪 Freut mich! (= neutral) 🇺🇸 A pleasure!

Es freut mich auch! (= neutral) 🇺🇸 The pleasure is mine!

In the case that you’ve already exchanged some emails or phone calls with the person you’re about to meet, you may also say:

🇩🇪 Es freut mich, Sie endlich kennenzulernen! (= formal) 🇺🇸 What a pleasure to finally meet you!

Helpful Small Talk Ideas in German

Well done! Now that you’ve successfully introduced yourself in German, it’s time for some small talk.

Here are some ideas that will help you keep the conversation going:

🇩🇪 A: Woher kommst du? (= informal)  A: Woher kommen Sie? (= formal) B: Aus Deutschland, und du / Sie? (= i. / f.) 🇺🇸 A: Where are you from? B: From Germany, and you?

🇩🇪 A: Was machst du beruflich? (= i.) A: Was machen Sie beruflich? (= f.) B : Ich bin Student / Architekt / Koch / Anwalt / Arzt / Lehrer / Techniker … 🇺🇸 A: What do you do for a living? B : I’m a student / an architect / a chef / a lawyer / a doctor / a teacher / an engineer …

🇩🇪 A: Für welche Firma arbeitest du? (= i.) A: Für welche Firma arbeiten Sie? (= f.) B: Ich arbeite für … 🇺🇸 A: What company do you work for? B: I work for …

🇩🇪 A: Was machst du in Kalifornien? (= i.) A: Was machen Sie in Kalifornien? (= f.) B: Ich bin hier auf Urlaub / wegen meiner Arbeit / für ein Semester / … 🇺🇸 A: What are you doing in California? B: I’m here on vacation / for my work / for a semester / …

Well observed! The verb always ends on “-st” when you use “Du.” And it’s “-en” whenever “Sie” is the subject of your sentence. 

Wow! Now you also know how to make successful small talk in German, and you’ve learned some important grammar rules. 

Keep it up! Learning German is easier as it might seem!

If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of our other German lessons on this website.

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Introduction in german (talking about yourself)

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Lesson outline

• 1. How to introduce yourself in German?
• 2. How to talk about yourself in German
• 2.1. "What's your name?" in German
• 2.2. How to say "How old are you?" in German
• 2.3. "Where are you from?" in German
• 3. Exercises
• 3.1. Introducing yourself in German: Fill in the Blanks
• 3.2. Introducing yourself in German: Multiple Choice Excercise

How to introduce yourself in German?

It is really important to know how to introduce yourself in German! Whether you’re meeting new people or filling out a form, there are some basics you should learn in order to be able to describe yourself! After this chapter you won't have any problems anymore talking about yourself in German! Enjoy the lesson!

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How to talk about yourself in german.

Below, I will teach you how to speak about your name, age and origin in German.

"What's your name?" in German

One of the first things you do while meeting a new person is asking for the name:

How to say "How old are you?" in German

Also, you should be able to ask for the age of another person:

"Where are you from?" in German

Next, you will learn how to ask for the origin as well as for the nationality of a person:

Introducing yourself in German: Fill in the Blanks

Introducing yourself in german: multiple choice excercise, what our students say.

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How To Introduce Yourself In German

• Read time 9 mins

When you’re learning German , getting acquainted with people is one of the most important things you can do.

After all, if you don’t talk to people, you’ll never learn the language.

I’ve already gone over the many ways in which you can greet people in German , and in this article I’ll show you how to introduce yourself .

This includes telling people who you are, that you’re happy to meet them, and talking a little about what you do for a living.

Let’s get started.

How to ask somebody’s name in German

Asking somebody’s name in German is very easy as there’s really only one way to ask, using a verb we have no proper equivalent of in English, heissen .

It translates to “to be called” but it’s an active verb, not passive.

In use it looks like this:

Wie heisst du?

Note that this is the informal way to ask, if you’re asking an older person or somebody in a position of authority, you use the formal:

Wie heissen Sie?

Telling somebody your name in German

As straightforward as it is to ask somebody’s name in German, there are several ways to answer the question.

Let’s go over the most common ones.

Ich heisse…

My favorite way to answer is to use heissen right back at them.

I figure if there’s a word that has such a clearly outlined function, why not use it?

In an informal setting, I’ll only use my first name, while in a formal one I add my surname, too.

Ich heisse Fergus.

This one works much like heissen does, only you use sein (“to be”) instead.

It’s a perfectly legitimate way to answer the question, and it works exactly the same way.

Ich bin Fergus.

However, note that asking somebody’s name using sein is a bit rude, especially if you use the informal.

Wer bist du?

That’s almost interrogatory, and you really should never use it.

If you ask people this, you can expect a brusque reply, at best.

Mein Name ist…

The final common reply is to simply state what your name is.

In German, der Name often means somebody’s full name, so use that when saying this.

Mein Name ist Fergus O’Sullivan

For ears attuned to English this may sound overly formal, but it’s fairly normal in German-speaking countries.

Pleased to meet you

Now that you know how to ask and answer about names, let’s see how to tell people you’re happy to meet them.

This is actually pretty simple, as there’s a standard sentence you can use. In the formal it’s:

Es freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen!

Literally it means “it gladdens me to get to know you,” and it’s quite the mouthful.

Over the past few years, it’s become more and more common to simply say just freut mich , instead.

The nice thing about freut mich is that it works in informal situations, too, though you can also say something along the following lines:

Schön, dich kennenzulernen!

Schön actually means “beautiful,” but in this context it’s more like “nice.”

This is a pretty common way to tell somebody you’re happy to have met them.

Exchanging names in German

Let’s go over a few examples of what asking somebody’s name is like in German.

The first example is two girls of let’s say around 20 meeting each other.

Ich heisse Sarah, schön, dich kennenzulernen! Und wie heisst du?

Ich bin Veronika.

For a formal situation, let’s imagine two stuffy businessmen at a cocktail party.

Mein Name ist Torsten Schmidt; wie heissen Sie?

Ich heisse Sven Müller. Freut mich!

Freut mich auch!

As you can imagine, there are a lot of different ways these conversations can go, but this should give you an idea.

Asking where people are from

With initial pleasantries out of the way, let’s ask where your new friend is from and also learn to answer the same question.

Woher kommst du?

That’s the informal, the formal is like this:

Woher kommen Sie?

Make sure to not confuse wo , which means “where” and “woher” which means “from where” or, if you’re feeling Victorian, “whence.”

There is an alternative, namely:

Aus welchem Land kommen Sie?

In all honesty, though, I haven’t heard this one much, so it may be best not to use it.

Answering where you’re from is pretty easy, just use kommen aus (“come from”) and add the country:

Ich komme aus Frankreich.

You don’t use the country’s article in this construction, with a few important exceptions, like the United States, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Ich komme aus die Schweiz.

This has to do with the fact that these countries’ names are plurals (Switzerland is a confederation, so it gets a plural), so the article sticks to the name.

Below are some country names in German to get you going.

Asking somebody about their job in German

Finally, let’s go to another great topic of conversation, what people do for a living.

In English-speaking countries, it’s normal that you start conversations like this, but generally speaking in Germany and the surrounding countries you want to wait a bit before asking.

It’s probably best that you already have a bit of a click before you ask what people do for a living; after all, maybe they don’t want to talk about their job in their free time.

There are a few ways to ask somebody about their job ( der Job ) or occupation ( der Beruf ), and there’s a distinct difference in word choice when it comes to formal and informal.

Let’s take a look at the formal version, first.

Was sind Sie von Beruf?

In German ( and Dutch , for that matter), you ask somebody what they are “of” occupation, which I know is weird.

It’s also becoming a tiny bit old-fashioned, especially since so few of us have actual occupations or callings and usually just have jobs.

Instead, you could consider asking the following:

Was machen Sie beruflich?

If you translate that literally, it actually means “what do you do occupationally?”

In English that just doesn’t work, but I like it in German because you’re drawing a line between the person you’re talking to and what they do for a living.

This is something you see a lot in more informal versions of this question. One example is:

Was ist dein Job?

This is more common among twenty-somethings hanging out together than a professional meet-and-greet at a cocktail party, but it has a direct charm.

If you want something that’s informal but not too chummy, you can try this one:

Wo arbeitest du?

Although you may think you just get the name of the company when you ask this, the subtext of “what do you do?” is understood and people will answer with their job.

Answering the above questions and telling somebody what you do for a living is easy in German.

You just say ich bin… and that’s it.

So, for example, I’d say something like:

Ich heisse Fergus und ich bin Schriftsteller.

If I wanted to be really fancy, I could say Schriftsteller von Beruf , but that’s a mouthful and kind of redundant information.

However, it is what I’d say if I was talking about a third person, for example:

Das ist Jürgen, er ist Architekt von Beruf.

If you don’t want to be too specific, usually because you don’t feel like explaining the intricacies of your job, you can also say something like:

Ich arbeite bei einer Bank.

Though in this case you need to make sure you use the right case as bei can only go with the dative, something I explain in the article about German prepositions .

Though it’s vague, it will do nicely in most social situations.

German formal vs informal (what to pick and when)

German is a fairly formal language, still: it’s not like English or the infamous informality of the Dutch .

As a rule of thumb, anybody who you don’t know over the age of about 35 should always be addressed with the formal Sie (note that capital “S”!), as should anybody acting in an official capacity. That includes policemen, judges, city workers, you name it.

Anybody younger than you or your own age (if you’re under 35) you can address as du .

However, when in doubt, always default to the formal: it’s better to be too formal rather than too informal, no matter what language you’re speaking.

Of course, if you want to be polite, you should make sure to make a bit of small talk with people before asking their name; even just greeting them first should be enough to break the ice a little.

I hope this guide is enough to get you started with getting to know German people and speaking their language.

There are a lot of variations of the examples I’ve given you, and a good next stop would be our list of German courses (free and paid) to go deeper.

Good luck, and have fun.

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Mastering Introductions in German: Learn How to Confidently Introduce Yourself and Others

Venture into the German language with confidence by mastering introductions. Whether it’s a formal occasion or a casual conversation, master the art of introducing yourself and others with ease. This article provides a guide to basic phrases, various ways of introducing someone else, and starting a dialogue in German.

Diving into a new language is always an exciting journey, and when it comes to German, one of the first things you will need to master is introductions. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time or introducing someone else, knowing how to do so correctly can make a big difference. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of German introductions, including formal and informal phrases, discussion starters, and how personal words play a role in introductions. By the end of this lesson, you will be ready to confidently introduce yourself and others in any German-speaking context.

Importance of Introductions in German

The art of introducing oneself is a critical first step in any language, including German. It establishes the tone for all future interactions and can shape others’ perceptions of you. Mastering German goes beyond memorizing a few phrases. It’s about grasping the nuances of the language and culture.

Let’s look at an anecdote to illustrate this point. Imagine you’re attending a business conference in Berlin. You approach a potential client, extend your hand, and say “Hallo, ich bin [Your Name].” Then, you follow up with, “Wie geht es Ihnen?” (How are you?). This simple, yet formal introduction not only helps establish a connection but also shows your respect for their language and culture.

From a professional standpoint, it could be the difference between securing a new client or losing a potential opportunity. It’s a testament to the old saying,  ‘First impressions last.’

Here’s a table that illustrates the importance of different types of introductions:

To dive deeper into the cultural aspects of introductions in German, check out this informative article by FluentU: German Greetings: 22 Useful Ways to Say Hi and Bye .

Mastering the Basics: How to Introduce Yourself and Others in Formal and Informal German

Mastering the art of introductions in German is an essential step to start learning German. Whether it’s a formal or informal situation, knowing the right phrases to introduce yourself and others can make a significant difference.

In  formal situations , a typical introduction starts with a professional greeting such as “Guten Tag” (Good day) followed by “mein Name ist [Your Name]” (my name is [Your Name]). For example, let’s take John Doe: “Guten Tag, mein Name ist John Doe. Ich bin ein Geschäftsmann aus den USA” (Good day, my name is John Doe. I’m a businessman from the USA).

When introducing others in formal situations, it’s considered polite to use the person’s full name. For instance, if you want to introduce your business partner from Hamburg, you might say, “Darf ich Ihnen meinen Geschäftspartner aus Hamburg, Herr Schmidt, vorstellen?” (May I introduce my business partner from Hamburg, Mr. Schmidt, to you?).

In  informal situations , common ways to introduce yourself are “Hi” or “Hallo,” followed by “Ich bin [Your Name]” (I am [Your Name]). For instance, “Hallo, ich bin John” (Hello, I’m John).

Introducing others informally is less rigid. You can say, “Das ist mein kleiner Bruder, Tom” (This is my little brother, Tom) or “Hier ist meine beste Freundin, Maria” (Here is my best friend, Maria).

Remember, even if they’re fluent English speakers, Germans appreciate when foreigners attempt to speak their language. So, don’t complicate things for yourself. With practice, these introduction phrases will become second nature.

To further your understanding, check out this YouTube video by Learn German with Anja: How to Introduce Someone in German. It’s an easy way to learn and practice these phrases.

Conversation Starters: Making Small Talk after Introductions

After mastering the art of introductions, the next step in your German language journey is learning how to engage in casual chats. This is where you’ll be able to express yourself more freely and engage in a more meaningful discussion with your new German acquaintances.

Engaging in Chit-Chats

Perhaps you’re curious about what topics are suitable for casual discourses in Germany. Well, Germans often enjoy discussing subjects like the weather, their city, and their hobbies. It’s important to know that personal topics like salaries, religion, and politics aren’t usually discussed during initial meetings.

Here are some phrases that you can use to start a discussion:

• “Wie ist das Wetter heute?” (How’s the weather today?)
• “Was machen Sie gerne in Ihrer Freizeit?” (What do you like to do in your free time?)

Expressing Interest and Pleasure

To demonstrate interest and enjoyment in the chitchat, one can use phrases like “Das ist interessant” (That’s interesting) or “Freut mich” (Pleased to meet you).

Remember, the goal of a conversation isn’t just about filling the silence, it’s about building a connection with the person you are talking to. So, don’t forget to listen attentively and respond accordingly.

Resources to Learn More

If you want to learn more about making small talk in German, check out this fantastic resource by GermanPod101:  Top 15 Questions You Should Know for Conversations . You’ll find many different ways to start and maintain a conversation.

The Role of Personal Words in German Introductions

Learning a foreign language is like embarking on an exciting journey, and with each new phrase and sentence structure you learn, you get closer to your destination. One crucial aspect of this learning journey in German is becoming proficient in using personal words.

Why Personal Anaphors Matter

Personal pronouns are the words used to refer to individuals within a conversation. These words include “I”, “you”, “he”, “she”, “we”, and “they”. In German, these are translated to “ich”, “du”, “er”, “sie”, “wir”, and “sie”, respectively. These words play a crucial role in introductions and casual conversations because they help us structure our sentences correctly.

For instance, to express “Pleased to meet you” in German, the phrase is “Freut mich, kennenzulernen.” In this context, “kennenzulernen” represents the action of meeting someone.

Common Personal Words in Use

In introductions, you may be asked questions like,  “Woher kommst du?” (Where are you from?). To respond, using the right personal pronoun is important. For example, “Ich komme aus England” (I’m from England).

Notice how “ich” (I) is used to express where you are from. Mastering these words is vital to ensure your conversations flow naturally.

Resources for Further Study

If you want to learn more about personal pronouns and how they are used in German, I recommend checking out this comprehensive guide on FluentU.: German Pronouns: A Simple Guide for Beginners . It’s a fantastic resource that breaks down each word and provides examples of how to use them.

Congratulations! You’ve made great progress in mastering German introductions. You understand the significance of formal and informal phrases, as well as using personal identifiers correctly.

You’ve learned that “Pleased to meet you” translates to “Freut mich” in German. You now understand that “Guten Tag” means “hello” in a more formal context, and you’re ready to introduce family members or friends in German.

However, this is just the beginning. The world of German conversation is vast and dynamic. Remember, when learning a new language, practice is key. So, don’t hesitate to speak English if you’re not sure about something, but always strive to use German whenever possible.

To support your learning journey, use a reliable German-English dictionary. And, to help you practice real-life scenarios, here’s a script link to various introduction situations:  German Conversation Practice Scripts .

Keep practicing and learning, and soon you’ll be conversing effortlessly in German. Every new word and phrase you learn brings you one step closer to fluency. So, take that next step today!

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Learn Phrases Formal Introduction

Formal greetings, continuing a formal conversation, formal goodbyes, relax while listening to the phrases, study anytime & anywhere with mp3s and pdfs, practice & record a dialogue, ⁠ guten morgen  ( good morning ), ⁠ erlauben sie mir mich vorzustellen  ( let me introduce myself ), ⁠ ich möchte ihnen meinen mitarbeiter leon vorstellen  ( i'd like to introduce my coworker, leon ), ⁠ schön, sie kennenzulernen  ( it's nice to meet you ), ⁠ wie geht es ihnen  ( how are you doing ), ⁠ was arbeiten sie  ( what do you do for work ), ⁠ ich bin auf marketing spezialisiert  ( my specialization is in marketing ), ⁠ haben sie eine visitenkarte  ( do you have a business card ), ⁠ es war mir ein vergnügen, sie kennenzulernen  ( it was a pleasure meeting you ), ⁠ lassen sie mich ihnen meine karte geben  ( let me give you my card ).

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Erlauben Sie mir mich vorzustellen. Let me introduce myself.
• Ich möchte Ihnen meinen Mitarbeiter Leon vorstellen. I'd like to introduce my coworker, Leon.
• Schön, Sie kennenzulernen. It's nice to meet you.
• Was arbeiten Sie? What do you do for work?
• Haben Sie eine Visitenkarte? Do you have a business card?
• Es war mir ein Vergnügen, Sie kennenzulernen. It was a pleasure meeting you.
• Lassen Sie mich Ihnen meine Karte geben. Let me give you my card.
• Ich bin auf Marketing spezialisiert. (My specialization is in marketing.)
• Ich bin auf Design spezialisiert. (My specialization is in design.)
• Ich bin auf Biotechnik spezialisiert. (My specialization is in bio-engineering.)
• Ich möchte Ihnen meinen Mitarbeiter Leon vorstellen. (I'd like to introduce my coworker, Leon.)
• Ich möchte Ihnen meine Geschäftsführerin Tarik vorstellen. (I'd like to introduce my head of staff, Tarik.)
• Ich möchte Ihnen meinen Verlobten Amelia vorstellen. (I'd like to introduce my fiancé, Amelia.)
• Darf ich Ihnen Philipp vorstellen? (Let me introduce Philipp.)
• Darf ich Ihnen Herr Graf vorstellen? (Let me introduce Mr. Graf.)
• Darf ich Ihnen meine Mitarbeiterin Sophie vorstellen? (Let me introduce my coworker, Sophie.)

⁠ Erlauben Sie mir mich vorzustellen.  ( Let me introduce myself. )

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How to Talk About Yourself in German

Last Updated: April 25, 2023 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 128,710 times. Learn more...

Talking in German might seem harder than it really is. Focusing on some key expressions and phrases can go a long way when you're trying to communicate with a new German friend, or while you're traveling through Germany. Read on discover how to make a great impression in German.

Describing Yourself In German

• Ich bin_____Jahre alt - I'm _____ years old
• Ich bin am _____ 19_____ geboren - I was born on _____ 19_____
• Mein Geburtstag ist am _____ - My birthday is on _____

• Ich bin groß/klein - I'm tall/short
• Ich bin ziemlich groß/klein - I'm rather tall/short

• Ich habe braune/blaue/grüne Augen - I have brown/blue/green eyes
• Ich habe braune/blonde/schwarze/rote Haare - I have brown/blond/black/red hair

• Ich bin müde - I'm tired
• Mir ist kalt - I feel cold/I'm cold
• Mir ist warm - I feel warm/I'm warm
• Ich bin froh - I'm happy (about something)
• Ich bin traurig - I'm sad
• Ich bin nervös - I'm nervous
• Ich bin geduldig - I'm patient/I'm a patient person
• Ich bin ungeduldig - I'm impatient/I'm an impatient person
• Ich bin ruhig - I'm calm/I'm a calm person
• Ich bin unruhig - I'm anxious

Describing Your Family In German

• Meine Mutter - My mother
• Mein Vater - My father
• Mein Bruder - My brother
• Meine Schwester - My sister
• Mein Mann - My husband
• Meine Frau - My wife

• Meine Mutter/Schwester/Frau ist groß/klein/nett - My mother/sister/wife is tall/short/nice
• Sie hat braune/blaue/grüne Augen - She has brown/blue/green/eyes
• Mein Vater/Bruder/Mann ist groß/klein - My father/brother/husband is tall/short
• Er hat braune/blaue/grüne Augen - He has brown/blue/green/eyes
• Meine Mutter/Schwester/Frau ist freundlich - My mother/sister/wife is friendly"
• Mein Vater/Bruder/Mann ist lustig - My father/brother/husband is funny

Meeting People In German

• Guten Tag - Hello (formal)/Good day
• Guten Abend - Hello (formal)/Good evening
• Hallo - Hello (informal)

• Hallo, ich bin_______. Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen - Hello, I'm______. It's nice to meet you
• Wie heißen Sie? - What's your name?
• Wie geht es Ihnen? - How are you?
• Mir geht es gut, danke - I'm well, thank you
• Woher kommen Sie? - Where are you from?
• Ich komme aus_______. - I'm from _______

• Auf Wiedersehen - Good-bye (quite formal)
• Tschüß - Bye (rather informal)
• Bis bald - See you soon

• Entschuldigung - Excuse me
• Ich möchte gern______ - I'd like to______
• Vielen Dank - Thank you very much
• Nein, danke - No, thank you
• Verzeihen Sie - Forgive me/excuse me (quite formal)
• Ja, gerne - Yes, I'd like that
• Natürlich - Of course
• Es tut mir leid - I'm sorry/I apologize

Making Inquiries In German

• Wo ist die Toilette - Where's the restroom/bathroom
• Wo ist der Bahnhof - Where's the train station
• Wo ist die Bank - Where's the bank
• Wo ist das Krankenhaus? - Where's the hospital?

• Sprechen Sie English - Do you speak English
• Die Rechnung bitte - The check please
• Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen - Could you please help me

• Ich brauche dringend Hilfe - I need help urgently
• Ich brauche einen Krankenwagen - I need an ambulance
• Ich bin sehr krank - I'm very ill

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• ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zx3qxsg/revision/4
• ↑ https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/german.php
• ↑ https://mylanguages.org/german_phrases.php
• ↑ https://langster.org/en/blog/6-ways-to-say-goodbye-in-german/

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Geography PhD Candidate Awarded 1st Place for Presentation at Annual California Geographical Society Conference

In perfect view of Mount Shasta, doctoral candidate Germán Silva (they/them) was recognized for the presentation of their dissertation work at the 2024 CGS Annual Conference.

April 26th - 28th, 2024 marked the 78th annual gathering of the California Geographical Society (CGS) at Shasta College in Redding, CA. CGS is organization that promotes the interaction between academic and applied geographers, as well as members of the general public who share an interest in geography throughout California. Each year the organization draws in geographers (and those of related fields) of all levels and college systems, including students and faculty from the CCC, CSU, and UC, and provides a supportive environment with a long tradition of student engagement and recognition, including travel grants and presentation awards.

As part of that long tradition, Germán , who is currently a member of Dr. King's DECOMP and Dr. Robert's VIPER labs, was awarded first place for their paper presentation titled "Elevating Remotely Sensed Data to Estimate Wetland Salinity" at this annual meeting. Germán, who is currently the Southern California CGS Student Board Member, has been attending CGS meetings since they were an undergrad and feels it is an important part of building their professional network and community. This year's award adds to a growing list of recognitions they have received from CGS and they appreciate the continued support of the wider California geography community.

Next year's annual meeting of CGS will be held next April at Germán's alma mater, Stanislaus State in Turlock, CA! They look forward to helping organize the meeting and finish their last year as a student member of the CGS Board at the place that their journey through higher education all began.

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