Forms of Adress: Using „Du“ and „Sie“

Overview

• Always use „Sie“ first when meeting someone new, in professional or formal situations. It shows politeness and respect.

• Wait until the other person offers the „Du“ or politely ask for permission.
Switching to „Du“ is usually a sign of trust and friendliness.

• Don’t be offended if Germans continue to use „Sie“ for a long time,
It doesn’t mean they don’t like you — it simply shows respectful distance.

When do you use „Sie“? (Formal address)

In Schools you usually use „Sie“ for the teacher.

• Strangers or people you don’t know well: Salespeople, doctors, officials, or employees in a professional setting.

• Superiors, teachers, or professors: People with a higher social or professional status.

• Older people: To show respectful distance.

Example Sentences of using „Sie“:

  • „Guten Tag, könnten Sie mir bitte helfen?“ (Hello, could you please help me?)
  • „Wie heißen Sie?“ (What is your name?)
  • „Danke, dass Sie sich Zeit nehmen.“ (Thank you for taking the time.)

When do you use „Du“? (Informal address)

Talking to friends is like everywhere in informal Language. You can use „Du„.

• Friends, family, partners: People you are personally close to.

• Children and young people: Younger persons are usually addressed with „Du“.

• Colleagues, once „Du“ has been agreed: For example: „Wir können uns gerne duzen.“ („We can use ‚Du‘ with each other.“)

Example Sentences of using „Du“:

  • „Wie geht es dir heute?“ (How are you today?)
  • „Kannst du mir bitte helfen?“ (Can you please help me?)
  • „Möchtest du einen Kaffee trinken?“ (Would you like to have a coffee?)

Next Post about Politeness in Germany:

How Apologies are used