Grammar

Formal conversations

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.