Greetings! If you’re learning German or planning to visit a German-speaking country, it’s essential to learn how to express directions. One of the basic directions you’ll need to know is how to say “left” and “right” in German. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways of expressing left and right in German, along with some helpful tips and examples.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Left and Right
When speaking formally or politely in German, you can use the following phrases to express left and right:
1. Links (left)
The word “links” is used to indicate the direction of the left side.
Example:
Die Schule befindet sich auf der linken Seite der Straße. (The school is located on the left side of the street.)
2. Rechts (right)
To indicate the direction of the right side, you can use the word “rechts”.
Example:
Gehen Sie rechts an der Ampel ab. (Turn right at the traffic light.)
Informal Ways to Say Left and Right
In more casual or informal conversations, native German speakers often use different expressions to convey left and right. Here are a couple of informal phrases:
1. Links (left)
Similar to the formal expression, “links” is often used informally to indicate the left direction.
Example:
Du musst links abbiegen, um zum Bahnhof zu gelangen. (You have to turn left to get to the train station.)
2. Rechts (right)
As in formal speech, “rechts” is also commonly used informally to express the direction of the right side.
Example:
Halt dich rechts, um zur Post zu kommen. (Keep to the right to get to the post office.)
Tips and Regional Variations
When it comes to regional variations, German is no exception. While the above expressions are widely understood throughout the German-speaking countries, you may encounter some regional differences. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
1. Norddeutschland (Northern Germany)
In some parts of Northern Germany, people may use the word “lütt” instead of “links” to mean “left”.
Example:
Geh mal lütt, dann findest du den Weg. (Go a little bit to the left, then you’ll find the way.)
2. Schweiz (Switzerland)
In Switzerland, both the French word “gauche” and the German word “links” are used to signify “left”.
Example:
Fahren Sie bis zur nächsten Kreuzung und biegen Sie dann nach links/gauche ab. (Drive until the next intersection and then turn left.)
3. Österreich (Austria)
In Austria, “nauf” can sometimes replace “links” to indicate the left direction.
Example:
Geh nach dem Restaurant nauf und du wirst das Geschäft sehen. (Go up after the restaurant and you’ll see the shop.)
Remember that these variations are not widely used and are more specific to certain regions. Nevertheless, they might come in handy if you’re in a particular area and encounter these phrases.
Learning how to express left and right in German is a crucial step in familiarizing yourself with the language. With the formal and informal phrases, as well as the regional variations, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate and communicate directions like a local. So start practicing and enjoy your journey in German-speaking countries!
