How to Use Basic Greetings - Lesson Focus

Learn how to use basic greetings

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Lesson Transcript

Let’s take a closer look at each of these expressions.

In the first conversation, do you remember how Mark says,

"Good morning, Ms. Fischer."

Guten Morgen, Frau Fischer.

Let’s start with Guten Morgen, which translates as "good morning.”

Guten Morgen. “Good morning.” Guten Morgen.

Note, Guten Morgen, can be used until around noon.

Next is Frau, "Ms," in this context. Frau. Frau. This is an honorific used for women.

Finally, the teacher’s family name, Fischer. Fischer. Fischer.. Fischer.

Together, Frau Fischer. "Ms. Fischer." Frau Fischer.

All together, Guten Morgen, Frau Fischer. "Good morning, Ms. Fischer."

Guten Morgen, Frau Fischer.

When including a person’s name in a greeting, it’s more common to say the person’s name after the greeting.

Note: using a person’s family name in a greeting may come across as more formal.

Do you remember the teacher’s's response?

"Good morning, Mr. Lee."

Guten Morgen, Herr Lee.

First is Guten Morgen, "Good morning." Guten Morgen.

Next, Herr "Mr," in this context. Herr. Herr. This is an honorific used for men.

Finally, Mark’s family name, Lee, pronounced in German. Lee. Lee. "Lee."

All together, it’s Guten Morgen, Herr Lee. "Good morning, Mr. Lee."

Guten Morgen, Herr Lee.

Note, this exchange is formal.

In the second conversation, which takes place at noon, do you remember how Karen says,

"Good day."

Guten Tag, meaning “good day. Guten Tag. Guten Tag.

Note, that Karen’s greeting is slightly less formal, as she doesn’t say the teacher’s name.

Guten Tag. "good day." Guten Tag.

Note, Guten Tag can be used from around noon until dusk.

The teacher's response is the same,

Guten Tag.

This can translate as “Hello,” or “good day.”

Guten Tag is a common way to greet people during the day. You can use it in formal and less formal situations.

In the third conversation, which takes place in the evening at 6pm, do you remember how Ben says,

"Good evening."

Guten Abend.

Guten Abend. "Good evening." Guten Abend.

Guten Abend. "Good Evening." Guten Abend. Guten Abend.

Guten Abend is a common way to greet people during the evening and at night, in both formal and less formal situations.

Do you remember the teacher's response,

"Good evening, Ben."

Guten Abend, Ben.

First is Guten Abend. "Good evening." Guten Abend.

Next is Ben’s name pronounced in German. Ben. Ben. Ben.

Together, it's Guten Abend, Ben. "Good evening, Ben."

Guten Abend, Ben.

Note that the teacher addresses Ben by his first name, as he’s younger. This makes the greeting sound more informal.

The expressions you have learned in this lesson are actually shortened forms of longer expressions.

Guten Morgen is the shortened form of Ich wünsche dir einen guten Morgen. "I wish you a good morning."

Guten Tag is the shortened form of Ich wünsche dir einen guten Tag. "I wish you a good day."

Guten Abend is the shortened form of Ich wünsche dir einen guten Abend. "I wish you a good evening."