Jemanden kennenlernen — Getting to Know Someone
Introductions are two-way. You need to ask questions as well as answer them. The key distinction in German is whether you're being formal (Sie) or informal (du).
Formal (Sie)Informal (du)
Name
Wie heißen Sie?
Wie heißt du?
Origin
Woher kommen Sie?
Woher kommst du?
Age
Wie alt sind Sie?
Wie alt bist du?
Job
Was machen Sie beruflich?
Was machst du beruflich?
Where live
Wo wohnen Sie?
Wo wohnst du?
⚠️ Du vs. Sie: Use Sie (capital S always) with strangers, older people, colleagues you just met, and in official settings. Use du with friends, family, children, and fellow students. Getting this wrong sounds rude. When unsure, start with Sie — they'll tell you to use du if they prefer.
Fragen und Antworten — Questions & Answers
Wie heißen Sie?— Ich heiße Schmidt.
ENWhat is your name? — My name is Schmidt.
Woher kommst du?— Ich komme aus der Türkei.
ENWhere do you come from? — I come from Turkey.
Wie alt bist du?— Ich bin 24 Jahre alt.
ENHow old are you? — I am 24 years old.
💡 'Und Sie?' / 'Und du?' (And you? — formal/informal) is one of the most natural follow-up phrases in any conversation. Use it after answering any question.
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Head to Writing to test what you've learned.