It is common courtesy in Germany to say hello to the clerk when you enter a shop or store. When you're finished browsing or shopping, it's customary to say goodbye.

Saying Hello

Leave-takings

When you ask “How are you?” you must take into consideration what kind of relationship you have with the person you are speaking to, formal or informal. In general, you can say:

Wie geht's?vee gates

Another informal version that you would use with people to whom you say du is:

Wie geht es dir? vee gate ess deer

The plural informal (ihr) question is:

Wie geht es euch? vee gate ess oich

And the formal singular or plural (Sie) is:

Wie geht es Ihnen? vee gate ess EE nen

Appropriate Responses