Can You Translate All of These Simple German Phrases?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Translate All of These Simple German Phrases?
Image: Juergen Bosse/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The German language is spoken by approximately 200 million people around the world, with more learning the language every day. But Germany isn't the only country that uses it, just in case you were wondering whether or not this language would be useful to learn. German is also spoken in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and quite a few more European countries - not to mention others sprinkled here and there around the world. The German language is also the basis of what are known as Germanic languages, which include Dutch, Danish and, of course, English; it is the reason why some words in English and German mean the same thing. And we want to see how much you know - or at least how much you can try to figure out - in this quiz.

So allow us to give you more than a few German phrases and sayings. You'll then have to try to match them to their English counterparts and hope that you're right. If you get more than half of them correct, we'll be impressed. If you want to show off how much German you understand, this is the quiz for you. Grab a beer or your beverage of choice, and let's get started!

What does "Es tut mir leid" mean?
Of course
Nothing, thanks
I'm sorry.
Can you translate that?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The German phrase "Es tut mir leid" is used when apologizing. It translates to "It causes me sorrow" and is used to express the sorrow or regret felt for some wrongdoing.

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Can you tell us what "Vielen Dank" means in English?
Thank you very much
I‘m going to the park.
I’m doing well.
I reserved a table.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Vielen Dank" is an expression of gratitude. Regularly, "Dank," meaning "thank you," is used. However, to express extreme gratitude, "vielen" is added to the phrase to mean "thank you very much."

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Do you know what is meant when one says "kein Problem"?
Breakfast
No problem
Enjoy your meal.
Around the corner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As in English, the phrase "no problem" is often used in place of "you're welcome." In German, this is said as "kein Problem." It is used in response to "Dank," "Dank schön" and "vielen Dank."

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Do you know what the exclamation "Entschuldigung!" means?
Forgive me.
The check, please
Excuse me.
Do you have souvenirs?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Entschuldigung" can be used both to request pardoning and to request someone's attention. The more polite form of this expression is "Entschuldigung Sie."

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When someone says "Ich weiß nicht," what are they saying?
A glass of water, please
To the airport, please
It's far away.
I don't know.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ich weiß nicht" directly translates to "I know not." However, in English, it means "I don't know." It is used when someone lacks the knowledge or is not well informed on a topic.

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Can you tell us what "Ich spreche Englisch" means?
I speak English.
Can you translate that?
The museum isn’t open.
I reserved a table.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ich spreche Englisch" is a German phrase which means "I speak English." It lets others know that you are familiar with the English language. The expression can be adjusted to indicate knowledge of other languages by simply changing the end. For example, "Ich spreche Franzosisch" means "I speak French."

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Which of the expressions below is the translation of "Bitte schön"?
You're welcome.
Of course
I‘m going to the park.
Nothing, thanks
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The words "bitte" and "schön" separately mean "please" and "beautiful." When placed together, however, they mean "you're welcome." The phrase can be used in response to "thank you."

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Wohin gehen Sie?
Do I know you?
Where are you going?
Can you help me?
What are you doing?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Wohin gehen Sie?" is used to ask someone where they are going. "Gehen" here is the conjugated form of the verb gehen (going) for the second person formal. "Wohin" is the interrogative word for "where."

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A greeting of sorts, do you know the definition of "Guten Morgen"?
I’m doing well.
Forgive me.
Breakfast
Good morning
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Guten Morgen" is a form of greeting. It means "good morning" and can be used until noon. Another way of greeting someone during the day is "Guten Tag."

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Which of the options means "Ich verstehe nicht"?
The check, please
I don't understand.
I reserved a table.
A glass of water, please
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ich verstehe nicht" translates into "I understand not." This phrase is used to express a lack of understanding. The German verb for "understand" is "verstehe." It is followed by the adverb "nicht," which means not.

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If you tell someone "Ich brauche Hilfe," what are you saying?
Do you have souvenirs?
I need some help.
Can you translate that?
The museum isn’t open.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is a very important expression for tourists and foreign visitors to German-speaking countries. The phrase "Ich brauche Hilfe" means "I need help" and can be used to request assistance if you're confused or helpless.

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Wie heißen Sie?
Do you have a job?
How old are you?
Where is the train station?
What is your name?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Wie heißen Sie?" is used to ask someone what their name is. It is a formal expression and so uses "Sie," which is the German formal pronoun for you. In a more friendly setting, the phrase "Wie heißt du?" can be used.

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Wie geht's?
How old are you?
How are you?
Do you work here?
How is the food?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Wie geht's?" is a shortened form of the phrase "Wie geht es?" The expression is used to ask someone how they are doing. The response may be "Mir geht's gut" or simply "gut," which means "I am ok."

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Bitte wiederholen Sie?
Will you please repeat that?
How was breakfast?
How much for the apple?
Do you have a dog?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Bitte wiederholen Sie?" is a formal question, requesting someone to repeat themselves. "Wiederholen" is the verb "to repeat," while "bitte" is the German word for "please."

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What does the line "Ich spreche nicht viel Deutsch" explain?
Of course
Forgive me.
I‘m going to the park.
I don't speak much German.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The expression "Ich spreche nicht viel Deutsch" is used to let someone know that you are not very fluent in the German language. It translates into "I don't speak much German."

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Können Sie langsamer sprechen?
What kind of shoe is that?
What time is it?
Could you speak slower?
Do you know my name?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Könnnen Sie langsamer sprechen?" is a phrase used to formally ask someone to speak slower. The first verb "können" (could) is conjugated, while the second, "sprechen" (speak) remains in the infinitive form.

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What comes to mind when you see the phrase "Bis später"?
You're so silly!
See you later!
Go away!
You suck!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Bis später" is a phrase used in place of "goodbye." It means "see you later" and is often used between individuals who are sure of crossing paths again at a later date. Other greetings used in place of "goodbye" or "see you later" are "bis bald" and "bis dann."

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Sprechen Sie Englisch?
Do you speak English?
Are you from England?
Do you know she's not English?
How do you say "hello" in English?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Sprechen Sie Englisch?" is the formal way of asking someone whether they are familiar with the English language. This question comes in handy for tourists and foreigners visiting German-speaking countries.

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What do you think "Ich habe mich verlaufen" translates to?
I’m doing well.
Nothing, thanks
Can you translate that?
I'm lost.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ich habe mich verlaufen" directly translates into "I have lost my way." It is used when you are physically lost and unaware of your location. By letting someone know that you are lost, you can receive help in the form of directions.

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Wie viel kostet das?
How much is that?
Where's the pizza?
Did you pay for it?
What is your surname?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This German phrase is commonly used when shopping. "Wie viel kostet das?" is used to ask how much an item costs. "Wie" here is the interrogative word for "how," and "kostet" is the conjugated form of the verb "kosten," which means to cost.

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Wo kommst du her?
Did you drop something?
Do you have the passport?
Where are you from?
What kind of job do you have?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When directly translated into English, "Wo kommst du her?" becomes "Where come you here?" The actual meaning is "Where are you from?" It is used to inquire about someone's background and is most often used to ask for someone's country of origin.

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Quite a mouthful, but a necessary one, what does "Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen" mean?
The museum isn’t open.
Forgive me.
Nice to meet you.
Of course
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen" is an expression which means "nice to meet you." It is a polite response, used after being introduced to someone new. "Kennenzulernen" is the verb "to know" (somebody).

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Was möchten Sie?
Is your name John?
Where is the mall?
What would you like?
Do you have money?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Was möchten Sie?" translates into "What would you like?" in English. This phrase can be used to inquire about someone's choice at a restaurant, store or in general.

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Darf ich mir einen Stadtplan ansehen?
Did you shower this morning?
May I see a map?
How are you?
What is going on?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The German expression "Darf ich mir einen Stadtplan ansehen?" is used to request a map. This could be a very useful phrase for tourists when they become lost or don't know where something is located.

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Probably the most well-known German saying is "auf Wiedersehen." What does it mean?
Goodbye
Of course
I‘m going to the park.
I’m doing well.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Auf Wiedersehen" is a formal way of saying "goodbye." Directly translated, it means "at the next seeing." It can be used interchangeably with the phrase "tschuss," which means "bye."

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Was brauchen Sie?
What day is it?
Are you hungry?
What are you doing today?
What do you need?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Was brauchen Sie?" is used to formally ask someone what they need. The verb for "need" here is "brauchen," while "was" is the interrogative word for "what."

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Wo ist die Bank?
What kind of bank is that?
Do you own the bank?
Can the people at the bank speak English?
Where is the bank?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Another useful phrase for tourists, "Wo ist die Bank?" means "Where is the bank?" "Wo" is the interrogative word for "where" in German.

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What is the English translation of "Ja, bitte"?
Can you translate that?
The museum isn’t open.
Nothing, thanks
Yes, please
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Ja, bitte" is the German expression meaning "yes, please." It is the formal response when responding positively to an offer. Simply saying "ja" comes off as being impolite.

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Wo ist die Toilette?
Why is the bathroom so dirty?
Why is the bathroom so small?
Where is the bathroom?
Why are you in the bathroom?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This expression is used to inquire about the location of the nearby bathrooms. "Wo ist die Toilette?" means "Where is the bathroom?" "Toilette" here should not be confused with "Dusche," which is the shower.

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Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte sehen?
Can I see the menu, please?
Do you know where you're going?
What's his name?
Do you have a job?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte sehen?" is an expression most heard in restaurants. It is used to politely request a menu.

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Often followed by good news, what does the word "Glückwünsche" mean?
I’m doing well.
Congratulations
Of course
I‘m going to the park.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The German expression "Glückwünsche" means "congratulations." It can be used to congratulate someone on an achievement or event, such as a graduation, pregnancy or marriage.

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If someone says "Lassen Sie mich in Ruhe!" what warning are they giving you?
I'll hit you.
I hate you.
Leave me alone.
Of course
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This German phrase is used when someone is bothered or irritated and is asking someone else to go away. "Lassen Sie mich in Ruhe" means "Leave me alone" or "Leave me in peace."

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Usually shouted or said loudly, what does "Achtung!" mean?
I reserved a table.
Do you have souvenirs?
Help!
Attention!
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The German word "Achtung" on its own means "attention." It can be used as a call for attention or as a warning to be careful. It can be seen in danger zones.

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Was suchen Sie?
What are you looking for?
Do you have a tissue?
Have you eaten?
How do you spell your name?
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Was suchen Sie?" means "What are you looking for?" It is a simple structured sentence using a pronoun and verb. The verb "suchen" means "to look" and "was" means "what."

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What does the term "Ich brauche Auskunft" say?
Forgive me.
Can you translate that?
I need some information.
The museum isn’t open.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The phrase "Ich brauche Auskunft" is used to request information or to let someone know that you are in need of information. It directly translates into "I need information" and can be a very useful phrase for tourists.

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Juergen Bosse/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images