Features of formal conversations
In conversations with officials, e.g. at the registration office or the police station, the formal address is used. The formal address is characterized as follows:
- A formal greeting is used, usually Guten Tag. Depending on the time of day you can also say Guten Morgen or Guten Abend.
- If you know the name of the person you are talking to, a man is addressed with Herr and his surname and a woman as Frau and her surname.
Guten Tag, Herr Brunner!
Guten Tag, Frau Brunner
- Address the other person with Sie:
Wie heißen Sie?
Woher kommen Sie?
Wo wohnen Sie?
Wie alt sind Sie?
- Instead of dein/e use Ihr/e:
Wie ist Ihr Name?
Wie ist Ihre Adresse?
Wie ist Ihre Passnummer?Wie ist Ihre Telefonnummer?
- The usual way to say goodbye is Auf Wiedersehen.