60 useful German phrases for your trip
Exploring Germany’s historic towns, lively cities and beautiful countryside starts with feeling prepared. For patients travelling with dialysis, knowing a few German phrases can make everyday encounters and visits to the clinic a little easier. This d.HOLIDAY phrase guide covers greetings, getting around and communicating with your healthcare team.
Everyday essentials
You’ll find that English is widely understood in Germany, but knowing a few words and phrases in German can make your trip even easier. A friendly hello, a thank you or knowing how to order something can go a long way. Here are a few useful German words and phrases to get you started.
1. Hello - Hallo
2. Good morning - Guten Morgen
3. Goodbye - Auf Wiedersehen
4. Please - Bitte
5. Thank you - Danke
6. Excuse me - Entschuldigung
7. Yes - Ja
8. No - Nein
9. Do you speak English? - Sprechen Sie Englisch?
10. I do not speak German.- Ich spreche kein Deutsch.
11. I do not understand. - Ich verstehe nicht.
12. Could you speak more slowly, please? - Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
Getting around
Finding your way around a new destination is part of the adventure. Whether you’re looking for your dialysis clinic, the nearest pharmacy or simply trying to get back to your hotel, a few German words can make getting around a little easier.
13. Where is the dialysis clinic? - Wo ist das Dialysezentrum?
15. Where is the pharmacy? - Wo ist die Apotheke?
16. Where is the toilet? - Wo ist die Toilette?
17. I need a taxi. - Ich brauche ein Taxi.
18. Please take me to this address. - Bitte fahren Sie mich zu dieser Adresse.
19. Train station - Bahnhof
20. Bus stop - Bushaltestelle
21. Airport - Flughafen
22. Hotel - Hotel
23. How long does it take? - Wie lange dauert es?
At the dialysis clinic
Arriving at a dialysis clinic in another country can feel different from your usual routine. Having a few useful phrases to hand can help with introductions, appointments and practical questions, and make communication with the clinic team a little easier.
26. I am here for holiday dialysis. - Ich bin zur Feriendialyse hier.
27. My name is…- Mein Name ist…
28. Here is my passport. - Hier ist mein Reisepass.
29. Here are my medical records. - Hier sind meine medizinischen Unterlagen.
30. Here is my medication list. - Hier ist meine Medikamentenliste.
31. When does my treatment start? - Wann beginnt meine Behandlung?
32. How long will the treatment take? - Wie lange dauert die Behandlung?
33. When is my next appointment? - Wann ist mein nächster Termin?
34. Who can I contact? - An wen kann ich mich wenden?
35. Could you write that down, please? - Können Sie das bitte aufschreiben?
36. Could you arrange an interpreter? - Können Sie einen Dolmetscher organisieren?
Talking about your care
You don’t need to know every medical term in German, but a few key words can be useful when talking about your dialysis care. These phrases can help you describe your treatment, medication and access, or simply ask for something to be explained again.
37. Dialysis - Dialyse
38. Kidney - Niere
39. Doctor - Arzt / Ärztin
40. Nurse - Pflegefachkraft
41. Blood pressure - Blutdruck
42. Weight - Gewicht
44. I have a fistula. - Ich habe eine Dialysefistel.
45. I have a dialysis catheter. - Ich habe einen Dialysekatheter.
46. I take this medication. - Ich nehme dieses Medikament.
47. I am allergic to… - Ich habe eine Allergie gegen…
48. Could you explain that, please? - Können Sie mir das bitte erklären?
Explaining how you feel
Being able to say clearly how you are feeling is particularly important during dialysis and while travelling. These simple phrases can help you tell someone if you feel unwell, dizzy, sick, in pain or need assistance.
49. I do not feel well. - Mir geht es nicht gut.
50. I feel dizzy. - Mir ist schwindelig.
51. I feel sick. - Mir ist übel.
52. I am in pain. - Ich habe Schmerzen.
53. I have a cramp. - Ich habe einen Krampf.
54. I am having trouble breathing. - Ich bekomme schlecht Luft.
55. I need help.- Ich brauche Hilfe.
Food and drink
Trying local food can be one of the pleasures of travelling. If you need to ask about ingredients, salt or drinks, a few German phrases can make ordering easier. Remember to follow the individual nutrition and fluid advice given by your renal care team while you’re away.
57. The menu, please. - Die Speisekarte, bitte.
58. Without added salt, please. - Bitte ohne zusätzliches Salz.
59. What ingredients are in this dish? - Welche Zutaten enthält dieses Gericht?
60. A small glass of water, please. - Ein kleines Glas Wasser, bitte.
