German · Getting around
German phrases for getting around
Ask where something is, buy a ticket, understand the answer. These ten sentences cover trains, buses, taxis and directions.
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Updated · by the 4ToSpeak team
German · lesson preview
Step 4Wie spät ist es?
What time is it?
- Order
- Translate
- Listen
- Speak
Say it out loud. Green landed, yellow was close.
Start free10 German sentences for getting around
| # | English | German |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Where is the train station? | Wo ist der Bahnhof? |
| 2 | How do I get to the airport? | Wie komme ich zum Flughafen? |
| 3 | One ticket to the city center, please. | Eine Fahrkarte ins Zentrum, bitte. |
| 4 | What time does the train leave? | Wann fährt der Zug ab? |
| 5 | Which platform? | Welches Gleis? |
| 6 | Does this bus go to the museum? | Fährt dieser Bus zum Museum? |
| 7 | Turn left at the corner. | Biegen Sie an der Ecke links ab. |
| 8 | Go straight ahead. | Gehen Sie geradeaus. |
| 9 | Is it far? | Ist es weit? |
| 10 | Can you show me on the map? | Können Sie es mir auf der Karte zeigen? |
Three phrases that save you
You will not always understand the reply. These work in every situation, so learn them first.
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Could you repeat that, please? | Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? |
| Please speak more slowly. | Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer. |
| I do not understand. | Ich verstehe nicht. |
Tips
- Asking is easy. Understanding the answer is the hard part, so learn left, right and straight on cold.
- Show the destination on your phone and ask them to point. It beats a long spoken answer.
- Learn the numbers 1 to 20. Platforms, buses and times all use them.
These sentences use Sie, the polite form, which is right with anyone you do not know. Use du only with friends, children and people who offer it.
More German phrases by situation
How do you say “Where is the train station” in German?
“Wo ist der Bahnhof?”.
What are the most useful German phrases for getting around?
“Wo ist der Bahnhof?” (Where is the train station?) “Wie komme ich zum Flughafen?” (How do I get to the airport?) “Eine Fahrkarte ins Zentrum, bitte.” (One ticket to the city center, please.) “Wann fährt der Zug ab?” (What time does the train leave?) “Welches Gleis?” (Which platform?)
What should I say if I do not understand the answer in German?
Say “Ich verstehe nicht.” (I do not understand.), then “Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer.” (Please speak more slowly.) or “Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?” (Could you repeat that, please?).
How do I learn these German phrases quickly?
Say each sentence out loud, not just read it. Ten sentences a day for a week is plenty before a trip. 4ToSpeak has you hear each one, build it, and say it aloud with feedback.
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