Chapter 20

Ten Favorite German Expressions

After you get tuned into German a little, you may start noticing that native German speakers use certain expressions frequently, as though they’re putting salt and pepper on their thoughts. Indeed, you can think of such words as the flavoring that makes the language more natural, alive, and interesting. Try out the following expressions yourself to give your German a bit of sparkle.

Alles klar!

The literal translation of Alles klar! (âl-es klahr!) is everything clear, but in English you’d actually say Got it! You can use this expression to indicate that you understand when somebody explains something to you or to signal your agreement when someone has gone over the details of a plan.

Wirklich

Use the expression Wirklich (virk-liH) when you want to say really to emphasize an adjective, such as “really interesting.” You can also use the word just the way you say Really? or Really! in English.

Kein Problem

The literal translation of Kein Problem (kayn proh-bleym) is no problem. Use it to let somebody know that you’ll take care of something. You can also agree to a change in plans with this phrase.

Vielleicht

Vielleicht (fee-layHt) is the equivalent of maybe or perhaps, and you can use it, for example, as a short answer to someone’s question. Alternatively, this expression comes in handy at the beginning of a sentence when you want to say that something may or may not happen. In the latter case, you say Vielleicht nicht (fee-layHt niHt) (maybe not).

Doch

This simple word has lots of uses. It doesn’t have any exact English equivalents, but you use it to express your attitude about a statement. You can use doch (doH) to say indeed, after all, really, and however. When you use it to respond positively to a negative statement or a question, it means roughly but yes, of course or on the contrary.

Unglaublich!

Unglaublich! (oon-gloub-liH!) translates as Unbelievable! You can also use it to mean unbelievably, adding oomph to the adjective that follows it, for example, Das Wetter ist unglaublich gut! (dâs wêt-er ist oon-gloub-liH gooht!) (The weather is unbelievably good!)

Hoffentlich

Hoffentlich (hof-ent-liH) means hopefully, and you hear people saying it all alone to express optimism. In its negative form, Hoffentlich nicht, it’s the equivalent of hopefully not.

Wie schön!

The literal translation of Wie schön! (vee shern!) is How nice! It can mean that, but sometimes the phrase is used sarcastically as a way to show annoyance or exasperation.

Genau!

Genau! (ge-nou!) means exactly! or precisely! You use it to show that you agree with what someone is saying.

Stimmt’s?

Stimmt’s? (shtimts?) translates as Isn’t it true? or Don’t you agree? Use this expression when you want your listener to confirm something you just said. It’s usually answered with Stimmt! (shtimt!) meaning I agree! When you want to signal to the server in a restaurant that the amount of money you’re handing over includes the tip, you say Stimmt so (shtimt zoh) (That’s okay). In English, you’d probably say Keep the change.