German · Real conversations
Visiting family: useful German phrases
Thank a host and take part in a family visit.
Start with the essentials
Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.
- Family
die Familie
Family
- Mother
die Mutter
Mother
- Father
der Vater
Father
- Make yourself at home
fühl dich wie zu Hause
Make yourself at home
Make the conversation more specific
| What you want to say | German |
|---|---|
| Family | die Familie Family |
| Mother | die Mutter Mother |
| Father | der Vater Father |
| Make yourself at home | fühl dich wie zu Hause Make yourself at home |
| Thank you for having me. | Danke für die Einladung. Show English translationThank you for having me. |
| Can I help with anything? | Kann ich bei etwas helfen? Show English translationCan I help with anything? |
| How is everyone at home? | Wie geht es allen zu Hause? Show English translationHow is everyone at home? |
| Please give my regards to ... | Grüß bitte … von mir. Show English translationPlease give my regards to … |
| How long have you known each other? | Wie lange kennt ihr euch schon? Show English translationHow long have you known each other? |
Read the other side of the exchange
Partner
Willkommen! Komm rein und fühl dich wie zu Hause.
Welcome! Come in and make yourself at home.
You
Danke für die Einladung.
Thank you for having me.
Partner
Schön, dass du da bist. Ich decke gerade den Tisch.
It's lovely to have you. I'm just setting the table.
You
Kann ich bei etwas helfen?
Can I help with anything?
Visiting family in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
