Learn German Vocabulary

Learn German Vocabulary - Formal and Informal German

As you learn German vocabulary, you need to know when to use Sie as a formal way of addressing people:

* in formal situations
* when addressing elder people
* when addressing people you do not know well
* When addressing strangers such as salesclerks, bank tellers, etc.

And you need to know when to use du as an informal way of addressing people:

*at informal situations
*when addressing children, friends and family members

The following examples show you two different ways of saying in German "Have you booked the flight?" .

In a travel agency you will ask the person behind the counter:

In English: Have you booked the flight?
In German: Haben Sie den Flug gebucht?

But you would ask a friend like this:

In English: Have you booked the flight?
In German: Hast du den Flug gebucht?

Remember: When in doubt always use the Formal way so as not to offend anyone due to the fact that this distinction is of great importance to German-speaking people.

Learn German Vocabulary