How to use different German greetings?
I know in English we say "How are you?" instead of "Hi" or "Hello". Is it okay to do the same thing in German, use "Wie Geht's" as a greeting instead of "Hallo"? Which is more commonly used? Also, is "Guten Tag" considered kind of stiff or formal? "Good day" would sound strange if I used that to greet my friends! Thanks for the help!

Question

How to use different German greetings?
I know in English we say "How are you?" instead of "Hi" or "Hello".  Is it okay to do the same thing in German, use "Wie Geht's" as a greeting instead of "Hallo"?  Which is more commonly used?  Also, is "Guten Tag" considered kind of stiff or formal?  "Good day" would sound strange if I used that to greet my friends!  Thanks for the help!

Answer

Between friends it s more usual to say 'Hallo' than 'Guten Tag' or 'Guten Morgen'. As much as I know, u dont start with a plain 'Wie geht's?', rather 'Hallo, wie geht's?'.

Answer

Servus!  
Grüß Gott
Guten Morgen 
Guten Tag
Hallo
Moin

Answer

hello kristen,
i try to answer your question with my bad english skill. you can say guten morgen till midday. after midday you have to use guten tag till about 6pm .afterwards you can say guten abend till about 10 pm then gute nacht till about 4am. are the persons good friends or aquaintances you can use hallo or hey.
could i help you with my answer?
sincerely

Answer

Hello, how are you ? = Hallo, wie geht's ?
That is the commonly used greeting.

'Guten Tag' , 'Grüß Gott ', 'Grüß dich ' are more formal and not so commonly used in daily speech nowadays.

Answer

Yes you are right Hujok. If you want to greet your friends you better say "Hallo, wie geht's?".
"Guten Tag" is more formal.

Answers · 5

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