25 Common German Greetings

How to Greet Friends and Family in German

Guten Tag: A Common German Greeting During the Day

During daylight hours, "Guten Tag" is the go-to greeting in German. It translates directly to "Good day" and is considered a formal yet polite way to address others. It is commonly used in professional and social settings, such as when greeting colleagues, neighbors, or acquaintances.

To pronounce "Guten Tag" correctly, emphasize the first syllable "Gu-" and pronounce the "t" at the end of "Tag." The "a" in "Tag" should be pronounced like the "a" in "hat.