German Trip Kit50 German phrases for your trip, with pronunciation

Greet, thank, apologise, get attention, admit you don't understand.

1. Hallo / Guten Tag HAH-loh / GOO-ten tahk
   Hello / Good day
   Say it as you walk into any shop, bakery or café, before anything else. 'Hallo' is fine everywhere now, even with strangers; 'Guten Tag' is the safer formal choice with older people and officials, and 'Guten Morgen' works until about 10 or 11. In Bavaria and Austria you will hear 'Grüß Gott' and 'Servus' instead.
   Guten Tag! Ein Brötchen, bitte. — Good day! A bread roll, please.
2. Guten Abend GOO-ten AH-bent
   Good evening
   From about six in the evening, and always when you arrive at a restaurant for dinner. 'Gute Nacht' is only for going to bed; on the way out of a restaurant say 'Auf Wiedersehen' or 'Schönen Abend noch' (enjoy the rest of your evening).
   Guten Abend, haben Sie einen Tisch für zwei? — Good evening, do you have a table for two?
3. Bitte BIT-tuh
   Please
   Goes at the end of the request, after a comma. The trap: 'bitte' also means 'you're welcome', 'here you are' ('bitte schön', as something is handed over), 'go ahead' and 'pardon?' ('Wie bitte?'), so you will hear it constantly and it often does not mean please at all.
   Ein Wasser, bitte. – Bitte schön. — A water, please. – Here you are.
4. Danke DAHN-kuh
   Thank you
   The reply is 'bitte' or 'bitte schön', with 'gern geschehen' as the warmer version. 'Vielen Dank' and 'danke schön' are thanks a lot. The trap: when someone offers you something, a bare 'danke' is taken as 'no, thank you'; say 'ja, bitte' to accept.
   Vielen Dank! – Bitte, gern geschehen. — Thanks a lot! – You're welcome.
5. Entschuldigung ent-SHOOL-di-goong
   Excuse me / Sorry
   One word covers getting a waiter's attention, stopping a stranger for directions and apologising for a small bump; 'Entschuldigen Sie' is the fuller formal version. For a real apology say 'Es tut mir leid' (I'm sorry). Waiters are not ignoring you: in Germany you are expected to catch their eye rather than wait.
   Entschuldigung, können wir bestellen? — Excuse me, can we order?
6. Darf ich mal durch? darf ihy mahl DOORHY
   Excuse me, can I get past?
   German has no separate word for squeezing past; 'Entschuldigung' alone works, but this is what makes people actually move on a packed U-Bahn or in a queue. 'Ich muss hier raus' (I need to get off here) is the bus version. If you do bump someone, 'Es tut mir leid' is sorry.
   Darf ich mal durch? Ich muss hier raus. — Can I get past? I need to get off here.
7. Ja / Nein yah / nine
   Yes / No
   'Nein, danke' is the polite full stop for street sellers and charity collectors; 'ja, bitte' accepts. A bare 'danke' in answer to an offer usually means no. You will also hear 'doch': yes in reply to a negative question ('You don't want it?' – 'Doch!').
   Möchten Sie noch etwas? – Nein, danke. — Would you like anything else? – No, thanks.
8. Sprechen Sie Englisch? SHPREHY-en zee ENG-lish formal
   Do you speak English?
   Asking in German first is the courtesy; in cities most people under fifty speak good English and will switch at once. 'Sie' is the formal you, right for every stranger; 'Sprichst du Englisch?' is for friends only. 'Ein bisschen' means a little.
   Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Englisch? – Ein bisschen. — Excuse me, do you speak English? – A little.
9. Ich verstehe nicht ihy fer-SHTAY-uh nihyt
   I don't understand
   Pair it with 'langsamer, bitte' (slower, please) or 'noch einmal, bitte' (once more, please). 'Ich spreche kein Deutsch' is I don't speak German. For 'pardon?' say 'Wie bitte?', never a bare 'Was?', which sounds rude.
   Ich verstehe nicht. Langsamer, bitte. — I don't understand. Slower, please.
10. Auf Wiedersehen owf VEE-der-zay-en
    Goodbye
    The safe farewell for shops, hotels and strangers. 'Tschüss' (bye) is informal but so common that shop staff say it too, so you can echo whatever they say to you. Say goodbye on the way out even if you bought nothing; 'Schönen Tag noch' is the friendly extra you will hear back.
    Danke, auf Wiedersehen! – Schönen Tag noch! — Thanks, goodbye! – Have a nice day!

Get a table, order, pay, be polite about food.

1. Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte EYE-nen tish fewr tsvye, BIT-tuh
   A table for two, please
   Pause at the door: in most casual and mid-range restaurants staff will wave you to any free table or say 'Suchen Sie sich einen Platz aus' (sit wherever you like), and only smarter places seat you. In beer gardens, beer halls and busy casual places you seat yourself and may share a long table with strangers: ask 'Ist hier noch frei?' (is this free?). A 'Reserviert' card on the table means it is taken. Swap 'zwei' for the number you need.
   Guten Abend, einen Tisch für zwei, bitte. – Haben Sie reserviert? — Good evening, a table for two, please. – Do you have a reservation?
2. Ich hätte gern… ihy HET-tuh gairn frame
   I'd like…
   'Ich hätte gern' plus the item, 'bitte' at the end, is the polite order everywhere; 'Ich nehme…' (I'll have…) is what locals say once they know the menu. Avoid 'ich will' (I want), which sounds demanding. Beer comes in sizes: 'ein kleines' is 0.3 l, 'ein großes' 0.5 l.
   Ich hätte gern das Schnitzel. Ich hätte gern ein großes Bier. — I'd like the schnitzel. I'd like a large beer.
3. Die Speisekarte, bitte dee SHPYE-zuh-kar-tuh, BIT-tuh
   The menu, please
   'Die Karte' alone is understood; 'die Getränkekarte' is the drinks list. The trap: 'Menü' on a board means a set meal of several courses (or a fast-food combo), not the menu. 'Tagesgericht' or 'Mittagstisch' is the lunch special, usually the best value.
   Die Speisekarte, bitte. Haben Sie eine Karte auf Englisch? — The menu, please. Do you have a menu in English?
4. Einen Kaffee, bitte EYE-nen KAH-fay, BIT-tuh
   A coffee (= a filter coffee), please
   'Ein Kaffee' gets you a cup of filter coffee or a large machine-made black coffee, not an espresso; order 'einen Espresso' if that is what you want. A milky coffee is 'Milchkaffee' (a big bowl-like cup) or 'Latte macchiato'; 'Cappuccino' is universal. 'Kaffee und Kuchen' mid-afternoon is a real ritual, so cafés are full at four.
   Einen Kaffee, bitte. – Mit Milch und Zucker? — A coffee, please. – With milk and sugar?
5. Still oder mit Kohlensäure? shtil OH-der mit KOH-len-zoy-ruh
   Still or sparkling?
   Asked whenever you order water, because Germans drink it sparkling by default. Tap water ('Leitungswasser') is rarely offered and some places refuse or charge for it, so expect to pay for a bottle, often as much as a beer. You will also hear 'Mit oder ohne Kohlensäure?'; 'stilles Wasser' is still, while 'Sprudel' and plain 'Mineralwasser' usually mean sparkling. 'Mit Gas' is understood but is not what Germans say.
   Stilles Wasser oder mit Kohlensäure? – Stilles, bitte. — Still water or sparkling? – Still, please.
6. Die Rechnung, bitte dee REHY-noong, BIT-tuh
   The bill, please
   The bill will not come until you ask: catch the waiter's eye and say this or 'Zahlen, bitte'. You pay the waiter at the table, and they will ask 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' because paying separately per person is completely normal. Say the total you want to pay, tip included, as you hand over the money (see the Trinkgeld card).
   Die Rechnung, bitte. – Zusammen oder getrennt? – Zusammen. — The bill, please. – Together or separately? – Together.
7. Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? kahn ihy mit KAR-tuh TSAH-len
   Can I pay by card?
   Germany is still more cash-based than its neighbours: many small restaurants, bakeries, kiosks and market stalls take cash only ('Nur Bargeld') or a German debit card ('EC-Karte', 'Girocard') but no foreign credit cards, although acceptance has improved a lot. Check the sticker on the door or ask before you order, and carry 50 € in cash.
   Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? – Leider nur Bargeld. — Can I pay by card? – Cash only, I'm afraid.
8. Prost! prohst
   Cheers!
   Clink glasses with everyone at the table and look each person in the eye as you do it; skipping the eye contact is the thing Germans will tease you about. 'Zum Wohl' is the slightly more formal version, used with wine. Do not drink before the toast.
   Prost! – Zum Wohl! — Cheers! – To your health!
9. Guten Appetit! GOO-ten ah-peh-TEET
   Enjoy your meal!
   Said by the waiter as the plates land and by everyone at your table before the first bite; the reply is 'danke, gleichfalls' (thanks, likewise). Wait for it before you start. 'Mahlzeit!' is the workplace version, used as a greeting around lunchtime.
   Guten Appetit! – Danke, gleichfalls. — Enjoy your meal! – Thanks, same to you.
10. Trinkgeld TRINK-gelt sign
    Tip (there is no cover charge)
    A German bill has no cover charge or service line; instead you tip 5–10% by rounding up as you pay. Say the total you want to pay ('Machen Sie 30') or 'Stimmt so' (keep the change) as you hand over the cash. Paying by card, either say the total before the waiter types the amount in, or use the 'Trinkgeld?' prompt that more and more terminals now show before you tap; pressing 'Kein Trinkgeld' or skipping it is acceptable. Leaving coins on the table afterwards is not the custom. 'Bedienung inklusive' on a menu just means service is already in the prices.
    Das macht 27,40. – Machen Sie 30, bitte. — That's 27.40. – Make it 30, please.

Ask prices, pay, browse without buying, read the two signs that matter.

1. Was kostet…? vahs KOS-tet frame
   How much is…?
   Frame: 'was kostet' plus the item, or just 'Was kostet das?' while pointing. For several items, 'Was kosten die?'. At the till, 'Was macht das?' asks for the total, answered with 'Das macht zwölf vierzig' for 12.40; the comma is the decimal point in German prices.
   Was kostet das? Was kostet eine Fahrkarte? — How much is this? How much is a ticket?
2. Das ist zu teuer dahs ist tsoo TOY-er
   That's too expensive
   Prices are fixed almost everywhere in Germany and haggling in a shop or at a food market is rude; a little bargaining is fine only at flea markets ('Flohmarkt') and for second-hand goods. 'Trotzdem danke' lets you walk away politely.
   Das ist zu teuer. Trotzdem danke. — That's too expensive. Thanks anyway.
3. Bar oder mit Karte? bahr OH-der mit KAR-tuh
   Cash or card?
   The question at every till. 'Bar' is cash, 'mit Karte' card. If they ask 'EC oder Kreditkarte?', say 'Kreditkarte' for a foreign Visa or Mastercard, which some machines treat differently. Some places take cards only above 5 or 10 €; 'Nur Bargeld' means cash only.
   Bar oder mit Karte? – Mit Karte, bitte. — Cash or card? – Card, please.
4. Den Kassenbon, bitte dayn KAHS-sen-bong, BIT-tuh
   The receipt, please
   Shops must print a receipt ('Bonpflicht' since 2020) but you are not obliged to take it, so cashiers ask 'Brauchen Sie den Bon?' and most people say no. Take it for anything you might return. The bottle-return machine prints a separate 'Pfand' slip that you cash in at the till. 'Die Quittung' is a receipt for a service such as a taxi.
   Brauchen Sie den Bon? – Ja, den Kassenbon, bitte. — Do you need the receipt? – Yes, the receipt, please.
5. Ich schaue mich nur um, danke ihy SHOW-uh mihy noor oom, DAHN-kuh (ow as in cow)
   I'm just looking, thanks
   The answer to 'Kann ich Ihnen helfen?'; staff will then leave you alone, which is the German way. The shorter 'Ich schaue nur' works too. Say 'Hallo' on the way in and 'Tschüss' on the way out even if you buy nothing.
   Kann ich Ihnen helfen? – Ich schaue mich nur um, danke. — Can I help you? – I'm just looking, thanks.
6. Das ist alles, danke dahs ist AH-les, DAHN-kuh
   That's all, thanks
   Ends the order at a bakery, butcher or market stall. 'Das wär's' is what locals actually say, and 'Sonst noch etwas?' or 'Noch einen Wunsch?' is the question that prompts it. At a deli counter you order by weight, '200 Gramm', or by slices, 'zwei Scheiben'.
   Sonst noch etwas? – Das ist alles, danke. — Anything else? – That's all, thanks.
7. Einmal das hier, bitte EYEN-mahl dahs heer, BIT-tuh
   One of these, please
   'Einmal' (one of) plus pointing orders any pastry, sausage or ticket; 'zweimal' is two of them. 'Zum Mitnehmen' is to take away, 'zum Hieressen' to eat in. Bakeries and snack bars ask at every till because the answer decides the bag or the plate, and in some places the price still differs by a few cents, so answer before they ring it up.
   Einmal das hier, bitte. – Zum Mitnehmen? — One of these, please. – To take away?
8. Haben Sie…? HAH-ben zee frame formal
   Do you have…?
   Frame: 'Haben Sie' plus the thing; 'Gibt es…?' (is there…?) does the same job. The trap: Wi-Fi is 'WLAN' in Germany, said 'VAY-lahn', and that is the word on the sign. Clothing sizes follow the German scale (a UK 10 or US 6 is a German 36; only shoe sizes match across Europe), so check the chart; 'eine Nummer größer / kleiner' is one size up or down.
   Haben Sie das eine Nummer größer? Haben Sie WLAN? — Do you have this one size bigger? Do you have Wi-Fi?
9. Geöffnet / Geschlossen guh-ERF-net / guh-SHLOS-sen sign
   Open / Closed
   The two shop-door signs; hand-written ones say 'offen' and 'zu'. The trap: nearly all shops, supermarkets included, are closed on Sundays by law, so stock up on Saturday; bakeries open Sunday morning and station shops and petrol stations sell basics. 'Ruhetag' on a restaurant door is its weekly closing day, often Monday.
   Sonntag geschlossen. Montag Ruhetag. — Closed on Sundays. Monday is our day off.
10. Reduziert / Kasse reh-doo-TSEERT / KAS-suh sign
    Sale / Checkout
    'Reduziert' means marked down and is what you see on rails and price tags, often next to a bare '%' or '-50 %'; the English word 'Sale' is printed on most clothing-shop windows, and 'Angebot' is a supermarket special offer. 'Kasse' is the till, and also the ticket desk at museums. Over the supermarket loudspeaker, 'Kasse zwei, bitte' means a second till is opening, so move over.
    Alles reduziert: bis zu 50 %. Bitte an der Kasse zahlen. — Everything reduced: up to 50% off. Please pay at the checkout.

Find things, buy a ticket, read the signs you walk past.

1. Wo ist…? voh ist frame
   Where is…?
   Frame: 'Wo ist' plus the place with its article (der, die or das); start with 'Entschuldigung'. For plural places use 'Wo sind…?'. 'Wo ist hier…?' (where is there a … around here) is what locals say. The answer will use the three direction words: links, rechts, geradeaus.
   Wo ist der Bahnhof? Wo ist die Toilette? — Where is the station? Where is the bathroom?
2. Wo ist die Toilette? voh ist dee toy-LET-tuh
   Where is the bathroom?
   'Toilette' is the word; 'Badezimmer' is a bathroom with a bath. On doors: 'Damen' / 'Herren' or just 'D' / 'H', and 'WC'. The trap: toilets at stations and motorway services charge about 1 € (often with a voucher back); in cafés they are for customers, and a saucer with coins by the door means a small tip is expected.
   Entschuldigung, wo ist die Toilette? – Hinten links. — Excuse me, where is the toilet? – At the back on the left.
3. Wo ist der Bahnhof? voh ist dehr BAHN-hohf
   Where is the station?
   'Bahnhof' is the train station; 'Hauptbahnhof' (Hbf on every sign) is the main station. 'U-Bahn' is the underground, 'S-Bahn' the suburban rail, and 'ZOB' or 'Busbahnhof' the coach station. 'Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof' is the German for 'it's all Greek to me'.
   Wo ist der Bahnhof? – Geradeaus, fünf Minuten. — Where is the station? – Straight ahead, five minutes.
4. Eine Fahrkarte nach München, bitte EYE-nuh FAHR-kar-tuh nahkh MEWN-hyen, BIT-tuh
   A ticket to Munich, please
   'Einfach' is one way, 'hin und zurück' return; 'Ticket' is understood everywhere. The red DB machines have an English menu and the DB Navigator app sells the same tickets without the counter queue. The trap: the cheap 'Sparpreis' is tied to one specific train; only the 'Flexpreis' lets you take any train that day.
   Eine Fahrkarte nach München, bitte. – Einfach oder hin und zurück? — A ticket to Munich, please. – One way or return?
5. Welches Gleis? VEL-hyes glyce (rhymes with ice)
   Which platform?
   'Gleis' is the track number on the departures board ('Abfahrt') and the platform signs. The trap: platform changes ('Gleiswechsel') are announced late, and long trains stop in sections A to F marked on the platform, so check where your coach ('Wagen') number will stop on the display. 'Verspätung' means delay.
   Welches Gleis nach Hamburg? – Gleis sieben. — Which platform for Hamburg? – Platform seven.
6. Links / rechts / geradeaus links / rehyts / guh-rah-duh-OWS
   Left / right / straight on
   The three words every answer to 'Wo ist' contains. 'Immer geradeaus' is keep straight, 'um die Ecke' round the corner, 'gegenüber' opposite, 'weit' far, 'in der Nähe' near. Germans give directions precisely: 'die zweite links' is the second left, and they will count the streets for you.
   Geradeaus, dann die zweite Straße rechts. — Straight on, then the second street on the right.
7. Eingang / Ausgang EYEN-gahng / OWS-gahng sign
   Entrance / Exit
   'Ausgang' is the way out at stations, airports and museums; 'Notausgang' is the emergency exit, and on the motorway the exit is 'Ausfahrt' (many tourists think it is a town). At U-Bahn stations each 'Ausgang' sign lists the street it leads to. 'Eintritt frei' means free admission.
   Notausgang. Kein Eingang. — Emergency exit. No entry.
8. Drücken / Ziehen DREW-ken / TSEE-en sign
   Push / Pull
   The door words, as bare verbs. 'Drücken' also appears on buttons: the trap is that bus, tram and many train doors do not open by themselves; you press the lit button, and on buses you press 'Halt' or 'Stop' or it may not stop. 'Auf' / 'Zu' marks gates and lifts.
   Drücken. – Ziehen. — Push. – Pull.
9. Fahrkarte entwerten FAHR-kar-tuh ent-VEHR-ten sign
   Validate your ticket
   The fine that catches tourists: on buses, trams, U-Bahn and S-Bahn some paper tickets are only valid once stamped in the small box ('Entwerter') on the platform or on board; riding unstamped counts as fare-dodging ('Schwarzfahren') and costs 60 € ('erhöhtes Beförderungsentgelt') on the spot. Rules differ by city: in Berlin machine tickets must be stamped, while in Hamburg, Frankfurt and Munich (except the Streifenkarte) they come out already validated. Rule of thumb: if the ticket has no date and time printed on it, stamp it. App tickets, the Deutschlandticket and DB long-distance tickets never need a stamp. Inspectors are plain-clothes and show no mercy.
   Bitte Fahrkarte vor Fahrtantritt entwerten. — Please validate your ticket before starting your journey.
10. Haltestelle HAHL-tuh-shtel-luh sign
    Stop (bus / tram)
    The sign at bus and tram stops is a green H in a yellow circle. On board you hear 'Nächste Haltestelle' on buses and 'Nächster Halt' on trains, followed by 'Ausstieg links / rechts' telling you which side the doors open. Press the stop button in time; buses do not halt at every stop.
    Nächste Haltestelle: Marienplatz. Ausstieg links. — Next stop: Marienplatz. Exit on the left.

Check in, get online, and get help when something goes wrong.

1. Ich habe eine Reservierung ihy HAH-buh EYE-nuh reh-zer-VEE-roong
   I have a reservation
   The check-in opener at hotels and restaurants; 'auf den Namen' plus your surname gives the name. Hotels will ask for your passport ('Reisepass'; they will say 'Ihren Ausweis, bitte') and a signed registration form ('Meldeschein'), which the law still requires for foreign guests. Many cities add a tourist tax ('Kurtaxe' or 'City Tax') per night, settled at check-in or check-out and sometimes in cash only.
   Guten Abend, ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen Smith. — Good evening, I have a reservation under the name Smith.
2. Den Schlüssel, bitte dayn SHLEWS-sel, BIT-tuh
   The key, please
   Smaller hotels and guesthouses ('Pension', 'Gasthof') keep keys at the desk: leave it when you go out and ask for it with 'Zimmer' plus the number when you return. 'Die Schlüsselkarte' is a key card. Note the 'sch' before 'l': 'shl', not 'skl'.
   Den Schlüssel, bitte. Zimmer zwölf. — The key, please. Room twelve.
3. Wie ist das WLAN-Passwort? vee ist dahs VAY-lahn-PAHS-vort
   What's the Wi-Fi password?
   The trap: the German word is 'WLAN', said 'VAY-lahn'; 'Wi-Fi' said the English way can get a blank look. Free Wi-Fi in cafés is less universal than elsewhere in Europe, so ask 'Haben Sie WLAN?' first. 'Kostenlos' or 'gratis' means free.
   Wie ist das WLAN-Passwort? – Es steht auf der Karte. — What's the Wi-Fi password? – It's written on the card.
4. Wann gibt es Frühstück? vahn gipt es FREW-shtewk
   What time is breakfast?
   'Wann gibt es' is when is there; the answer 'von… bis…' gives the range. German hotel breakfast is a buffet of bread rolls, cold cuts, cheese and boiled eggs, usually included ('Frühstück inklusive'). Written times use the 24-hour clock: 'bis 10 Uhr'. The other question you need: 'Wann ist Check-out?'.
   Wann gibt es Frühstück? – Von sieben bis zehn. — What time is breakfast? – From seven to ten.
5. Hilfe! HIL-fuh
   Help!
   Shout it; everyone understands. 112 is the emergency number for ambulance and fire everywhere in Germany, with English-speaking operators; 110 is the police. 'Haltet den Dieb!' (stop, thief!) if someone grabs a bag; 'Feuer!' is fire.
   Hilfe! Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen! — Help! Call an ambulance!
6. Ich brauche einen Arzt ihy BROW-khuh EYE-nen ahrtst (ow as in cow)
   I need a doctor
   'Ich brauche' is I need. 'Notaufnahme' is the emergency department and 112 the ambulance; for a non-urgent out-of-hours doctor call 116 117. EU visitors use the EHIC card; everyone else pays and claims on insurance, so carry the details. For minor problems try the pharmacy first.
   Ich brauche einen Arzt. Mir geht es nicht gut. — I need a doctor. I don't feel well.
7. Wo ist die Apotheke? voh ist dee ah-poh-TAY-kuh
   Where is the pharmacy?
   Look for the big red 'A' sign. Pharmacists advise and sell many remedies without a prescription, but the trap is that even painkillers like ibuprofen are pharmacy-only: a 'Drogerie' (dm, Rossmann) sells toiletries, not medicine. 'Notdienst' is the pharmacy on duty at night and on Sunday; every pharmacy door lists the nearest one.
   Wo ist die nächste Apotheke? — Where is the nearest pharmacy?
8. Rufen Sie bitte die Polizei ROO-fen zee BIT-tuh dee poh-li-TSYE formal
   Call the police, please
   Formal Sie request. The police number is 110 (112 is ambulance and fire). For a stolen item you need an 'Anzeige' (police report) for insurance, made at any 'Polizeiwache' or online in most states; bring your passport. 'Geldbeutel' and 'Geldbörse' also mean wallet.
   Rufen Sie bitte die Polizei. Mein Portemonnaie wurde gestohlen. — Call the police, please. My wallet has been stolen.
9. Ich habe mich verlaufen ihy HAH-buh mihy fer-LOW-fen (ow as in cow)
   I'm lost
   No gendered forms in German. 'Verlaufen' is lost on foot; lost while driving is 'verfahren'. Follow it with 'Wo ist…' and the place, or show the address on your phone; 'Ist es weit?' (is it far?) gets a useful answer. Germans will often simply walk you there.
   Ich habe mich verlaufen. Wo ist der Marienplatz? — I'm lost. Where is Marienplatz?
10. Können Sie bitte ein Taxi rufen? KER-nen zee BIT-tuh eyen TAHK-see ROO-fen formal
    Can you call a taxi, please?
    Formal 'Können Sie' (can you). A taxi with its yellow roof sign lit can be hailed in the street, but it is easier to use a rank ('Taxistand') at stations and big hotels, the FreeNow app, or to ask the hotel or restaurant. Uber exists in the big cities but uses licensed drivers at similar prices. Fares are metered; round up to tip and ask for 'eine Quittung' if you need a receipt.
    Können Sie bitte ein Taxi rufen? – Gerne, wohin? — Can you call a taxi, please? – Of course, where to?