German - Greetings Openings

Lesson 2 of 158

A friendly street scene showing people greeting each other — practice German opening phrases and small talk.

Goal: Simple welcomes, small talk and quick introductions

Free German lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome back — nice to see you! This short lesson helps you open conversations in German with friendly, ready-to-use lines. Have fun practicing aloud.

Level A1: In this lesson you’ll practice six useful opening phrases: welcoming someone, a weather small talk line, how to tell someone what to call you, asking if they speak English, greeting a friend you know, and returning a question with “And you?”. CEFR-aligned and focused: listen, repeat, and try the short dialogue.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use six common German opening phrases at A1 level.
  • Start simple small talk (weather) and ask about a shared language.
  • Introduce the name you prefer and respond with a quick 'And you?'.
Two people meeting at a doorway: welcome, weather small talk, and short introductions in German.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Willkommen.

Welcome.

Meaning: Welcome.

When to use: Use this to greet someone arriving at a place (home, event, shop). It's a polite general welcome.

Willkommen in Deutschland!
Welcome to Germany!
Willkommen, komm rein.
Welcome, come in.

Schönes Wetter heute.

Nice weather today.

Meaning: Nice weather today.

When to use: Use this as a simple small-talk opener when the weather is relevant — it’s neutral and friendly.

Schönes Wetter heute, oder?
Nice weather today, isn't it?
Schönes Wetter heute — perfekt für einen Spaziergang.
Nice weather today — perfect for a walk.

Nenn mich ___.

Call me ___.

Meaning: Call me ___.

When to use: Tell someone the name you prefer in informal situations, or offer a nickname.

Tip: Don't use this informal form with people who need formal address; then say 'Nennen Sie mich ...'.

Nenn mich Tom.
Call me Tom.
Wenn es kurz sein soll: Nenn mich Alex.
If you want it short: call me Alex.

Sprichst du Englisch?

Do you speak English?

Meaning: Do you speak English?

When to use: Ask this informally to see if you can switch to a shared language; use the formal 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' for strangers or older people.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say the formal 'Sprechen Sie...' in casual settings; choose 'Sprichst du...' with peers.

Sprichst du Englisch? Ich lerne Deutsch.
Do you speak English? I'm learning German.
Entschuldigung, sprichst du Englisch?
Excuse me, do you speak English?

Schön, dich zu sehen.

Good to see you.

Meaning: Good to see you.

When to use: Say this when you meet someone you already know to show friendliness.

Schön, dich zu sehen! Lange nicht gesehen.
Good to see you! Long time no see.
Schön, dich zu sehen — wie geht's?
Good to see you — how are you?

Und du?

And you?

Meaning: And you?

When to use: Use this to return a simple question or ask for the other person's response in a casual exchange.

Tip: Avoid saying 'Und du?' in very formal situations — use 'Und Sie?' there.

Ich heiße Maria. Und du?
My name is Maria. And you?
Mir geht's gut. Und du?
I'm good. And you?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna meets David at a small gathering — they exchange a welcome, a weather comment, ask about language, and share names.

Anna and David share quick lines like 'Willkommen' and 'Sprichst du Englisch?' in a natural opening.

Who asks if the other person speaks English?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Willkommen!

Welcome!

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Danke. Schönes Wetter heute, oder?

Thanks. Nice weather today, isn't it?

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Ja. Sprichst du Englisch?

Yes. Do you speak English?

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Ein bisschen. Nenn mich David.

A little. Call me David.

Portrait of Anna in a German lesson dialogue

Anna

Schön, dich zu sehen.

Good to see you.

Portrait of David in a German lesson dialogue

David

Schön, dich zu sehen — und du?

Good to see you — and you?

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means 'Welcome.'?

If you want to ask informally whether someone speaks English, which phrase should you use?

You're meeting a friend you already know. Which phrase fits best?

Which phrase would you use to ask 'And you?' in a casual conversation?

You say 'Willkommen.' to welcome someone.

You arrive at a friend's home and want to say 'Welcome.' You say: ___.

Use 'Sprichst du Englisch?' to ask if someone speaks English.

You want to check whether someone can help in English: ___.

Say 'Schön, dich zu sehen.' to express 'Good to see you.'

You meet a colleague you know from work and want to be friendly: ___.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Willkommen.

Welcome.

Say this phrase out loud:

Schönes Wetter heute.

Nice weather today.

Say this phrase out loud:

Nenn mich ___.

Call me ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sprichst du Englisch?

Do you speak English?

Say this phrase out loud:

Schön, dich zu sehen.

Good to see you.

Say this phrase out loud:

Und du?

And you?