Survival German: Berlin

Most phrase lists teach random words you never use. This list groups phrases by the five situations you will face on your first day in Berlin. Learn them by situation, not by alphabet.

The pronunciation guides use simple English sounds. Say each syllable as it reads.

Tip: Learn these phrases in the order below. The list follows your first day in Berlin from arrival to bedtime.

What German phrases do I need at the Berlin airport or train station?

You need three types of phrases at the airport: greetings, luggage questions, and directions to the exit. These get you from the plane to the street without confusion.

Core phrases for arrival:

Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MOR-gen) – Good morning. Use this until noon.
Guten Tag (GOO-ten TAHK) – Good day. Use this after noon.
Wo ist der Ausgang? (Voh ist der OWS-gang?) – Where is the exit?
Wo ist die Gepäckausgabe? (Voh ist dee geh-PEK-ows-gah-beh?) – Where is baggage claim?
Ich habe einen Koffer verloren (Ikh HAH-beh I-nen KOF-fer fer-LOH-ren) – I lost my suitcase.
Wo ist die U-Bahn? (Voh ist dee OO-bahn?) – Where is the subway?
Ein Ticket nach Berlin Mitte, bitte (Ein TIK-ket nahkh BER-leen MIT-teh, BIT-teh) – One ticket to Berlin center, please.

Use these seven phrases in your first thirty minutes. They cover the most common arrival situations.

How do I order food and drinks in a Berlin restaurant in German?

You order food by using the phrase “Ich möchte” (I would like) followed by the item name. This polite formula works at any restaurant, cafe, or food stand in Berlin.

Essential phrases for eating:

Ich möchte einen Tisch für zwei Personen (Ikh MERKH-teh I-nen TISH fewr tsigh Per-ZOH-nen) – I would like a table for two.
Ich möchte bitte die Speisekarte (Ikh MERKH-teh BIT-teh dee SHPI-zeh-kar-teh) – I would like the menu, please.
Ich möchte ein Wasser (Ikh MERKH-teh in VAS-ser) – I would like a sparkling water.
Ich möchte ein stilles Wasser (Ikh MERKH-teh in SHTIL-les VAS-ser) – I would like still water.
Ich möchte das Schnitzel (Ikh MERKH-teh das SHNIT-sel) – I would like the schnitzel.
Ich bin vegetarisch (Ikh bin veh-geh-TAH-rish) – I am vegetarian.
Die Rechnung, bitte (Dee REKH-nung, BIT-teh) – The bill, please.
Getrennt oder zusammen? (Geh-TRENT OH-der tsu-ZAH-men) – Separately or together? (the waiter asks you this)
Es hat sehr gut geschmeckt (Es hat zayr goot ge-SHMECKT) – It was very tasty.
Zum Mitnehmen (Tsum MIT-nay-men) – To take away.

Waiters in Berlin speak some English, but using these phrases changes how they treat you. You get friendlier service when you try German.

What German phrases do I need to use public transport in Berlin?

You use short, direct commands for public transport: destination plus ticket type. Berlin’s U-Bahn and S-Bahn announcements are in German. These phrases help you move around.

Transport phrases:

Wo ist der nächste U-Bahn Eingang? (Voh ist der NAYKS-teh OO-bahn IN-gang?) – Where is the nearest subway entrance?
Ich brauche eine Fahrkarte (Ikh BROW-kheh I-neh FAR-kar-teh) – I need a ticket.
Ein Einzelfahrschein, bitte (In I-tsel-fahr-shine, BIT-teh) – A single ticket, please.
Ein Tagesticket, bitte (In TAH-ges-tik-ket, BIT-teh) – A day ticket, please.
Fährt diese U-Bahn nach Friedrichstraße? (Fayrt DEE-zeh OO-bahn nahkh FRI-drikhs-shtras-seh?) – Does this subway go to Friedrichstraße?
Welche Linie fährt nach Kreuzberg? (VEL-khe LEE-nee fayrt nahkh KROYTS-berg?) – Which line goes to Kreuzberg?
Ich muss umsteigen (Ikh moos UM-shti-gen) – I need to transfer.
Bitte schalten Sie Ihr Ticket frei (BIT-teh SHAL-ten Zee eer TIK-ket fry) – Please validate your ticket. (Do this before boarding.)
Entschuldigung, ist dieser Platz frei? (Ent-SHUL-dee-gung, ist DEE-zer Plats fry?) – Excuse me, is this seat free?

Berlin’s public transport runs on a trust system. Officials check tickets randomly. The fine for no ticket is 60 euros. Always validate your ticket.

Important: You must validate paper tickets before boarding. Look for the small red or blue boxes on the platform. Insert your ticket. The machine stamps the time. Digital tickets on your phone do not need validation.

How do I buy things at stores and markets in Berlin?

You buy things by stating what you want plus “bitte” (please). Berlin shop staff expect this simple formula. You do not need full sentences at markets or souvenir shops.

Shopping phrases:

Hallo (HAH-lo) – Hello. Use this at small shops and market stalls.
Tschüss (Tsooss) – Bye. Use this when leaving.
Ich suche ein Geschenk (Ikh SOO-kheh in ge-SHENK) – I am looking for a gift.
Haben Sie das in einer anderen Farbe? (HAH-ben Zee das in I-ner AHN-deh-ren FAR-beh?) – Do you have this in another color?
Wie viel kostet das? (Vee feel KOS-tet das?) – How much does this cost?
Das ist zu teuer (Das ist tsoo TOY-er) – That is too expensive.
Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? (Khan ikh mit KAR-teh TSAH-len?) – Can I pay by card?
Nur bar (Noor bar) – Cash only. Some small shops in Berlin only accept cash.
Eine Tüte, bitte (I-neh TEW-teh, BIT-teh) – A bag, please.
Danke (DAN-keh) – Thank you.
Bitte schön (BIT-teh shern) – You are welcome.

Berlin has many outdoor markets. Turkish markets in Kreuzberg and weekend flea markets are popular. Vendors at these markets speak basic English but respond better to German.

What German phrases do I need for emergencies in Berlin?

You need two numbers and their corresponding phrases: 110 for police and 112 for ambulance. Berlin emergency dispatchers speak German first. Yelling “Hilfe” draws immediate attention.

Emergency phrases:

Hilfe! (HIL-feh!) – Help! Shout this loud. It works everywhere.
Rufen Sie die Polizei (ROO-fen Zee dee po-li-TSAI) – Call the police.
Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen (ROO-fen Zee I-nen KRANK-en-vah-gen) – Call an ambulance.
Ich habe mich verlaufen (Ikh HAH-beh mikh fer-LOW-fen) – I am lost.
Mir wurde mein Handy gestohlen (Meer VUR-deh mine HAN-dee ge-SHTOH-len) – My phone was stolen.
Ich brauche einen Arzt (Ikh BROW-kheh I-nen Arzt) – I need a doctor.
Ich habe mich verletzt (Ikh HAH-beh mikh fer-LETST) – I am hurt.
Wo ist die nächste Apotheke? (Voh ist dee NAYKS-teh ah-po-TAY-keh?) – Where is the nearest pharmacy?
Ich habe eine Allergie (Ikh HAH-beh I-neh al-ler-GEE) – I have an allergy.
Sprechen Sie Englisch? (SHPREKH-en Zee ENG-lish?) – Do you speak English? Use this if you need to explain more.

German emergency responders receive training in basic English. The number 112 works across the entire European Union. Save both 110 and 112 in your phone before you travel.

Pro tip: Download the Google Translate app with German offline before you travel. It works without internet. The camera translation feature reads German signs and menus in real time.