Kicking off your German Greetings!👋
🎧Excerpt from the Episode:
”So if you meet someone else on the street or, in a restaurant, and they’re around your age, then it’s a good chance that they will not expect you to speak with them formally. But on the other hand, you’re never on the wrong side, if there’s someone you don’t know and you address to them formally. You address them formally.” – Susi Blumel, Better German Podcast, Episode 9
Every good conversation starts with a hello — and in German, you’ve got more than one way to say it.
Walking into a meeting, meeting new friends, or even going for an interview can feel daunting — especially in a new country where you don’t yet fully understand the language. That’s where greetings come in. They’re the perfect icebreakers and can set the tone for the entire conversation. With just a few phrases, you can tell people who you are, where you’re from, and make a genuine connection. That’s why in Episode 9 of the Better German Podcast, I teach you the essentials: how to greet someone, introduce yourself, and even say “Nice to meet you” the German way.
💡 There’s a free PDF with all the examples used in this episode, available in the Better German Community (free to join at bettergerman.info/community).
It’s Not Just “Hello”!
German greetings are about more than one word. Do you know when to use formal vs. informal introductions? How to politely say “Nice to meet you”? Or what to do when you forget the full phrase? Take introductions, for example. You’ll often hear people say:
- „Mein Name ist…“ (My name is …)
- „Ich heiße…“ (I’m called …)
Both mean the same thing, but Ich heiße… is what you’ll hear most in everyday life. Try it now:
👉 Say: Ich heiße [your name].
Now there’s your first German introduction! 🎉
Here’s the German Trick🤓
Some people want to “know” German without practicing it — but in my experience, that has never worked. The trick is simple: don’t just read or listen, say the words out loud. Repeating greetings helps you sound natural and makes them stick in your memory. Even if you’re on the bus or at work, whispering or repeating in your head still counts.
🎧Listen Now!
Want to hear more and level up your German greetings?
👉 Tune in to Episode 9 and learn the simple greetings and introductions that will make your first German conversations shine.
🎁 Bonus: Grab the free PDF guide for this episode inside the Better German Community and follow as you listen to the episode.
✨New to The Better German Podcast?🎧
Tip: Start from Episode 1, Introduction to Better German, for the full journey, but whatever you do, don’t miss Episode 4, Introduction to Learning German; it is the heart of our method and your real launch-pad for learning German with confidence.
🎧Related Episodes
Episode 4: How to Learn German
Episode 7: Your First Sentences in German!
Episode 10: Greeting & Introduction in German Part 2
You May Also Like
Episode 24: Tips to Learn to Speak German
Episode 33: Introduction to Informal & Formal Communication in German
Other Resources
- Missed the last episodes? Don’t worry, catch them all up here!
- Get the Interactive German Movie Guide – Watching German movies and TV shows is great to help you learn German. In this guide, you will find suitable TV shows and movies with subtitles in your language, so you can start using movies to learn right away!
Learn With Us
🗣️Take the First Step Toward Speaking German
You don’t need more rules—you need the right method. Our courses show you how!
✨Join The Better German Community
Think you’re “bad at languages”? You’re not—the method was just wrong. Join the Better German Community and learn German in a way that finally makes sense.
📰 Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get Tips & Updates Straight To Your Inbox!
🌍 Explore Our Podcast Episodes
New to the podcast? Head over to our podcast homepage to find other episodes you’ll love.
💬 Come See Our Approach For Yourself
We believe in real understanding, not just memorizing grammar rules—come see how we do it in this YouTube Video.
🎓 Ready to take your German to the next level?
Click here to book your free first session, and let’s get started! Find out which course is right for you!
Whether you’re just starting or want to finally feel confident speaking German, we’ll build a personal learning path that fits you.
📲 Stay Connected and Follow Us On:
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bettergermanonline/
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bettergerman.info
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Better-German
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@susibettergerman
- Pinterest: https://de.pinterest.com/susibettergerman/
⭐ Enjoyed this episode?
If you liked what you heard, give us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share it with a fellow learner!
