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How to Say ‘Feel free to call me du.’ in German

Du kannst gern du sagen.

doo kahnst gairn doo ZAH-gen

[doo kahnst gairn doo ZAH-gen]

🇩🇪 In Germany: This is how Germans offer to drop formality, and the switch should come from them, not you. Among young people and artists at a festival it often comes quickly.

Phrase Breakdown

Du kannst gern

doo kahnst gairn

You're welcome to

A friendly invitation. Stress 'gern'.

Example

Du kannst gern mitkommen.

You're welcome to come along.

Words in this phrase

[doo]

you

The pronoun 'du' in nominative form.

Example

Du bist schön.

You are beautiful.

kannst

[kahnst]

can (you)

Du-form of 'können' (to be able to).

Example

Kannst du mir helfen?

Can you help me?

gern

[gairn]

gladly / with pleasure

A polite word used to show willingness or friendliness.

Example

Auf Fragen zur Kultur antworte ich gern.

I gladly answer questions about the culture.

du sagen.

doo ZAH-gen

say 'du'

Using informal 'du' instead of formal 'Sie'. In 'sagen' the 's' sounds like 'z': 'ZAH-gen'.

Example

Wir können du sagen.

We can use 'du'.

Words in this phrase

[doo]

the informal 'you' (du form)

As a noun, 'das Du' means the informal way of addressing someone.

Example

Wir sind jetzt per Du.

We now use first names / informal 'you'.

sagen

[ZAH-gen]

tell / say

Formal imperative of 'sagen' when used with 'Sie'.

Example

Sagen Sie mir bitte Ihren Namen.

Please tell me your name.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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