Useful German Phrases

Speaking German in Berlin

Most Berliners under 50 speak good English, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. You can get by with English for most of your trip. However, knowing a few key German words will help in smaller shops, medical settings, and when using accessibility services where staff may have limited English.

German pronunciation is more consistent than English. Once you learn the basic rules, you can sound out most words. The guides below use simplified phonetic spelling for English speakers.

Essential Accessibility Words

Asking for Help

These phrases will help you ask for accessibility-related assistance:

• Ist das barrierefrei? (Ist dahs bah-RYEH-ruh-fry?) — Is this accessible?
• Wo ist der Aufzug? (Voh ist dair OWF-tsoog?) — Where is the elevator?
• Gibt es eine Rampe? (Gipt ess AY-nuh RAHM-puh?) — Is there a ramp?
• Ich brauche Hilfe. (Ikh BROW-khuh HIL-fuh.) — I need help.
• Ich benutze einen Rollstuhl. (Ikh beh-NOOT-suh AY-nen ROLL-shtool.) — I use a wheelchair.
• Können Sie mir helfen? (KER-nen zee meer HEL-fen?) — Can you help me?
• Wo ist die barrierefreie Toilette? (Voh ist dee bah-RYEH-ruh-fry-uh toy-LET-uh?) — Where is the accessible toilet?

Transport Phrases

Useful words and phrases for getting around Berlin:

• Haltestelle (HAL-tuh-shtel-uh) — Stop (bus/tram)
• Bahnhof (BAHN-hof) — Train station
• Gleis (Glyse) — Platform/track
• Einstiegshilfe (AIN-shteeks-hil-fuh) — Boarding assistance
• Ich brauche eine Einstiegshilfe. (Ikh BROW-khuh AY-nuh AIN-shteeks-hil-fuh.) — I need boarding assistance.
• Nächste Haltestelle (NAYKH-stuh HAL-tuh-shtel-uh) — Next stop
• Umsteigen (OOM-shty-gen) — Transfer/change (trains)
• Ist dieser Platz für Rollstuhlfahrer? (Ist DEE-zer plahts fuer ROLL-shtool-far-er?) — Is this space for wheelchair users?

At Restaurants and Shops

• Haben Sie einen barrierefreien Zugang? (HAH-ben zee AY-nen bah-RYEH-ruh-fry-en TSOO-gang?) — Do you have accessible access?
• Gibt es eine Speisekarte in Großdruck? (Gipt ess AY-nuh SHPY-zuh-kar-tuh in GROHS-drook?) — Do you have a large print menu?
• Die Rechnung, bitte. (Dee REKH-noong, BIT-uh.) — The bill, please.
• Haben Sie einen Tisch ebenerdig? (HAH-ben zee AY-nen tish AY-ben-air-dikh?) — Do you have a table at ground level?

Medical and Emergency Phrases

• Notfall (NOHT-fahl) — Emergency
• Krankenhaus (KRAHN-ken-house) — Hospital
• Apotheke (ah-poh-TAY-kuh) — Pharmacy
• Arzt (Artst) — Doctor
• Ich brauche einen Arzt. (Ikh BROW-khuh AY-nen Artst.) — I need a doctor.
• Ich nehme Medikamente. (Ikh NAY-muh meh-dee-kah-MEN-tuh.) — I take medication.
• Ich bin allergisch gegen... (Ikh bin ah-LAIR-gish GAY-gen...) — I am allergic to...
• Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen. (ROO-fen zee AY-nen KRAHN-ken-vah-gen.) — Call an ambulance.

Numbers and Basics

Pronunciation Tips

A few key rules for German pronunciation:

• "ch" after e, i, or consonants sounds like the "h" in "huge" (soft). After a, o, u, it sounds like clearing your throat (hard).
• "sch" sounds like "sh" in English.
• "ei" sounds like "eye."
• "ie" sounds like "ee."
• "z" sounds like "ts."
• "w" sounds like "v."
• "v" sounds like "f."
• "ü" is like "ee" but with rounded lips. Say "ee" and then round your lips without moving your tongue.
• "ö" is like "er" in "her" but shorter.