What Language Do They Speak in Germany?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
The official language of Germany is German. German is also an official language in 5 other countries worldwide.
Learn some German before you go
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German Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of Germany at a glance
| Official language | German |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 1 |
| Countries on this site where German is official | 6 |
| People (demonym) | German |
| Capital | Berlin |
| Internet domain | .de |
Other countries where German is official
German is also an official language in 5 other countries covered here:
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Austria | German |
|---|---|
| Belgium | Dutch, French, German |
| Czechia | Czech, Slovak |
| Denmark | Danish |
| France | French |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourgish, French, German |
| Netherlands | Dutch |
| Poland | Polish |
| Switzerland | Swiss German, French, Italian, Romansh |
Germany in context
- Germany covers 357,114 km², making it the 63rd largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 234 people per km² ranks 45th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 9 countries: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland.
- With 83,491,249 people, Germany holds about 44.0% of the population of Western Europe.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Germany is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare Germany
- United States vs Germany
- United Kingdom vs Germany
- France vs Germany
- Germany vs Italy
- Germany vs Japan
- Germany vs Poland
Useful phrases for visitors to Germany
Everyday German phrases you will hear and use in Germany:
| English | German |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallo |
| Thank you | Danke |
| Please | Bitte |
| Goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen |
| Yes | Ja |
| No | Nein |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in Germany — FAQ
What language do they speak in Germany?
The official language of Germany is German.
How many official languages does Germany have?
Germany has 1 official language: German.
Is German spoken anywhere else?
German is also an official language in 5 other countries.
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