How to Introduce Yourself in German

You can have your first short conversation in German with just a handful of phrases — no grammar rules required yet. In this lesson, we go through the essential greetings and phrases you need to introduce yourself: saying hello, giving your name, saying where you're from, and saying goodbye.

Saying Hello

Hallo works anywhere, any time of day, with anyone. More specific greetings depend on the time: Guten Morgen (good morning), Guten Tag (good day, used through the afternoon), and Guten Abend (good evening). Guten Tag is the safest formal default if you're unsure.

Giving Your Name

The two most common ways: Ich heiße... (My name is...) or the shorter Ich bin... (I am...). Both are completely natural — Ich heiße Anna. and Ich bin Anna. mean essentially the same thing here.

Saying Where You're From, and Asking "How Are You?"

Ich komme aus... (I come from...) plus your country or city, e.g. Ich komme aus Kanada. To ask how someone is doing: Wie geht's? (informal) or Wie geht es Ihnen? (formal) — a typical reply is Gut, danke. (Good, thanks).

Saying Goodbye

Auf Wiedersehen is the formal, all-purpose goodbye. Tschüss is the informal, everyday version used with friends, family, or anyone you're on first-name terms with.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say hello in German?

Hallo works universally, while Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, and Guten Abend are used depending on the time of day.

How do you say your name in German?

Ich heiße... (My name is...) or the shorter Ich bin... (I am...), followed by your name.

How do you say where you're from in German?

Ich komme aus... followed by your country or city, for example Ich komme aus Kanada.

What's the difference between "Auf Wiedersehen" and "Tschüss"?

Auf Wiedersehen is the formal goodbye, while Tschüss is informal and used with friends, family, or people you already know well.

How do you ask someone how they are in German?

Wie geht's? informally, or Wie geht es Ihnen? formally — a common answer is Gut, danke.

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