Formal and Informal Greetings and Farewell Phrases in German

The German language, like many others, distinguishes between formal and informal communication. This distinction is especially important in social and professional situations, where the appropriate level of politeness and respect can make a significant difference. Understanding when and how to use formal and informal greetings and farewells is key to mastering German etiquette.

1. Formal Greetings

Formal greetings are used in professional environments, with strangers or with people older than you (unless they indicate otherwise). These phrases are polite and respectful.

Common Formal Greetings:

• Guten Morgen – Good morning

• Guten Tag – Good day

• Guten Abend – Good evening

• Grüß Gott – (Southern Germany & Austria) A formal "God greet you"

• Wie geht es Ihnen? – How are you? (formal)

These are typically accompanied by a polite "Sie" instead of "du" when addressing someone.

Example:

• Guten Tag, Herr Müller. Wie geht es Ihnen?

Find out more about greetings in Germany depending on the time of day.

2. Informal Greetings

Informal greetings are used with friends, family, children, and peers. They are casual and friendly.

Common Informal Greetings:

• Hallo – Hello

• Hi – Hi (borrowed from English, widely used)

• Na? – Hey, what's up? (very casual)

• Wie geht’s? – How are you? (short for Wie geht es dir?)

Example:

• Hi Anna! Na, wie geht’s?

3. Formal Farewell Phrases

As with greetings, formal farewells show politeness and are used in professional or respectful contexts.

Common Formal Farewells:

• Auf Wiedersehen – Goodbye

• Auf Wiederhören – Goodbye (on the phone)

• Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag. – I wish you a nice day.

Example:

• Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Schmidt. Einen schönen Abend noch!

4. Informal Farewell Phrases

Informal farewells are casual and friendly, suitable for everyday use.

Common Informal Farewells:

• Tschüss – Bye

• Ciao – Bye (borrowed from Italian, very common)

• Bis bald – See you soon

• Bis später – See you later

• Mach’s gut! – Take care

• Servus – Bye/Hello (used in Southern Germany and Austria)

Example:

• Tschüss, bis morgen!

Greeting/Farewell phrases

Example dialogs

Formal Dialogue (Office Setting)

German:
Herr Schulz: Guten Morgen, Frau Meier. Wie geht es Ihnen?
Frau Meier: Guten Morgen, Herr Schulz. Danke, gut. Und Ihnen?
Herr Schulz: Auch gut, danke.
(Later that day)
Frau Meier: Auf Wiedersehen, Herr Schulz. Einen schönen Abend noch!
Herr Schulz: Danke, Ihnen auch! Auf Wiedersehen.

English:
Mr. Schulz: Good morning, Ms. Meier. How are you?
Ms. Meier: Good morning, Mr. Schulz. Fine, thank you. And you?
Mr. Schulz: Also good, thank you.
(Later that day)
Ms. Meier: Goodbye, Mr. Schulz. Have a nice evening!
Mr. Schulz: Thank you, same to you! Goodbye.

Informal Dialogue (Friends at a Café)

German:
Lena: Hey Tom! Na, wie geht’s?
Tom: Hi Lena! Alles gut, und dir?
Lena: Auch gut, danke.
(After chatting)
Tom: Ich muss los. Tschüss! Mach’s gut!
Lena: Ciao! Bis später!

English:
Lena: Hey Tom! What’s up, how’s it going?
Tom: Hi Lena! All good, and you?
Lena: Also good, thanks.
(After chatting)
Tom: I have to go. Bye! Take care!
Lena: Bye! See you later!

German Greetings & Farewells Quiz

1. Which greeting is most appropriate in a formal business meeting?
A) Hallo
B) Hi
C) Guten Tag
D) Na?

2. What is the correct informal response to "Wie geht’s?"
A) Gut, danke. Und Ihnen?
B) Guten Morgen
C) Auch gut, danke. Und dir?
D) Auf Wiedersehen

3. You’re leaving a phone call with a customer. What formal farewell fits best?
A) Ciao
B) Auf Wiederhören
C) Tschüss
D) Bis bald

4. What’s an informal way to say "see you later"?
A) Auf Wiedersehen
B) Bis später
C) Guten Abend
D) Machen Sie’s gut

5. Which is a formal version of "How are you?"
A) Wie geht’s?
B) Alles klar?
C) Na?
D) Wie geht es Ihnen?

Quiz Answers

1. Which greeting is most appropriate in a formal business meeting?
C) Guten Tag

2. What is the correct informal response to "Wie geht’s?"
C) Auch gut, danke. Und dir?

3. You’re leaving a phone call with a customer. What formal farewell fits best?
B) Auf Wiederhören

4. What’s an informal way to say "see you later"?
B) Bis später

5. Which is a formal version of "How are you?"
D) Wie geht es Ihnen?