10 Common German Phrases Every International Student Should Know (With English Meanings)

So, you've landed in Germany, with a backpack full of dreams and a dictionary app open on your phone. Willkommen! Whether you're here for a semester, a full degree, or just long enough to master pronouncing Brötchen correctly, there are a few essential German phrases that can turn your study abroad from “lost in translation” to “smooth sailing on the Rhine.”

Here are 10 must-know German phrases and their English meanings to help you blend in, break the ice, and survive your first interaction with the local Bäckerei owner.

1. Hallo! Wie geht’s?

Hello! How are you? 

The holy grail of greetings. Use it with friends, classmates, and even the grumpy guy at the train station. Top it with a smile, and you’ve already passed your first test in German friendliness.

2. Ich bin neu hier

I’m new here. A humble lifesaver. You can use this to your professor, your roommates, or the bus driver when you’re three stops past your destination. Germans appreciate candor, and a little vulnerability never hurts

3. Sprechen Sie Englisch?

Do you speak English?

Your emergency exit phrase. Use it respectfully, and be prepared for anything from a kind “Ja, natürlich!” to an eyebrow raise that means “Let’s try in German first.”

4. Wie komme ich zur Universität?

How do I get to the university? 

Lost in a maze of cobblestone streets and trams? This phrase could be your semantic GPS. As an added bonus, learning it makes you sound impressively fluent.

5. Ich habe Hunger.

I’m hungry. 

Use this before feasting on currywurst, pretzels, or questionable cafeteria food. Bonus phrase: Wo ist die Mensa? (Where is the cafeteria?)

6. Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?

Can you please repeat that? 

Spoiler alert - Germans speak fast. But fret not, this German equivalent of pardon will be your best friend in class, on the street, and at the supermarket when someone mumbles something about needing exact change.

7. Entschuldigung! 

Excuse me! 

A polite way to say “Oops, my bad” after stepping on someone’s foot in a packed tram or when you need to squeeze past in a crowded lecture hall.

8. Ich verstehe nicht.

I don’t understand. 

You’ll be needing this. Often. And that’s okay. Every time you say it, you’re one step closer to one day saying, Ich verstehe alles (I understand everything).

9. Das ist teuer!

That’s expensive! 

Perfect for flea markets, second-hand shops, or whenever a bottle of water costs more than your daily coffee budget.

10. Tschüss! / Bis später!

Bye! or See you later! 

End every conversation with flair. These informal goodbyes keep things light and friendly just the way your German adventure should be.

Final Words, You can use Google Translate to learn the correct pronunciation of these words. Learning German doesn’t have to be a grim grammar grind. Pick up phrases like these, try them out on real humans (yes, Germans count), and learn with a Laugh. 

Don’t worry if you stumble. That’s part of the process. After all, every international student has a story to tell.