Basic greetings: Common greetings

💬 [Ihnen] is the formal [you], and here it changes shape because it's after [geht es]. You'll see the same formal [you] in many set phrases: [Kann ich Ihnen helfen?].

🇩🇪 This is polite and normal with people you don't know well, but in Germany it's less routine than in some countries to ask strangers this as a casual greeting.

💬 [Wiedersehen] is built from [wieder] + [sehen]: literally "see again." That's the same [wieder] you hear in [bis wieder] and [wieder da].

💬 [Sie] takes the same verb form as [sie] (they), so it's [heißen Sie], not [heißt Sie] or [heißt du]. The same pattern shows up in [Kommen Sie?] and [Wo wohnen Sie?].

🇩🇪 Use this with adults you don't know well. With children, friends, or people who have switched to [du], [Wie heißt du?] is the natural version.

💬 [kennenlernen] is one verb, even though English uses two words: "get to know." In a full sentence it often splits, for example [Ich lerne Sie kennen].

🇩🇪 This is polite and fairly formal, a good fit in first meetings with neighbours, colleagues, or officials.

🇩🇪 This is the safe all-purpose greeting in formal situations during the day. In many places it sounds more neutral than [Hallo].