A1 · First conversations
German Greetings and Introductions
By the end, you can greet someone, say your name, ask the other person’s name, and close the conversation politely.
Core phrases
| German | Pronunciation / note | Natural English |
|---|---|---|
| Hallo | Hello | |
| Guten Morgen | Good morning | |
| Guten Tag | Good day | |
| Guten Abend | Good evening | |
| Wie heißt du? | What is your name? (informal) | |
| Wie heißen Sie? | What is your name? (formal) | |
| Ich heiße … | My name is … | |
| Freut mich | Nice to meet you | |
| Wie geht es dir? | How are you? (informal) | |
| Wie geht es Ihnen? | How are you? (formal) | |
| Gut, danke. | Fine, thank you. |
Notice the pattern
Use du / dir informally: Wie heißt du?, Wie geht es dir? Use capitalized Sie / Ihnen politely: Wie heißen Sie?, Wie geht es Ihnen?
Capitalization distinguishes formal Sie from other uses of sie in writing.
Model dialogue
Read this short first meeting aloud. Replace the name phrase with your own name.
A: Hallo
B: Hallo
A: Wie heißt du?
B: Ich heiße …
A: Freut mich
A: Wie geht es dir?
B: Gut, danke.
Practice
- Match Hallo with its natural English meaning.
- Complete the name-giving line with the phrase from the table.
- Choose the positive answer to “How are you?”
- Choose the best opening phrase for the model dialogue.
- Complete the name question with the core phrase from the table.
- Put four moves in order: greet, give your name, ask a name, close politely.
Check your answers
- 1 → Hello
- 2 → Ich heiße …
- 3 → Gut, danke.
- 4 → Hallo
- 5 → Wie heißt du?
- 6: Answers vary; include a greeting, name, question, and polite close.
Create your four-line introduction
Write and say four lines: greet the person, give your name, ask their name, and finish with a polite meeting phrase. Choose the level of formality that fits the situation.