Hallo sagen
/haˈloː zaːɡən/word by word
The English phrase 'say hello' is translated into German as Hallo sagen.
The phrase Hallo sagen is a literal way to express the act of saying hello. However, it is more common in German to use the single verb grüßen to mean 'to greet'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern Germany, you will commonly hear Moin, which is used in the morning and throughout the day in both formal and informal contexts. In southern Germany and Austria, the relatively formal Grüß Gott is used. Also in Bavaria and Austria, Servus is a common all-purpose greeting used at any time of day in both formal and informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
When giving a command to say hello, the form changes based on whom you are addressing. Use the informal imperative sag Hallo when telling one person informally to say hello, and use the formal imperative sagen Sie Hallo when addressing one person formally.
How do you pronounce it?
/haˈloː zaːɡən/
Did you know?
- The word hallo may have originated as a specific call to a ferryman to get his attention across a river, derived from the Old High German word holōn meaning 'to fetch'.
- The greeting Servus is used in both Bavaria and Austria to say both 'hello' and 'goodbye'.
- If you want to say hello to someone in a more traditional way in Bavaria or Austria, you might use Servus, which comes from the Latin word for 'servant' or 'slave'.
Examples in context
- Guten Morgen, Frau Schmidt. Wie geht es Ihnen?Good morning, Mrs. Schmidt. How are you?
- Hallo, Max! Wie geht's?Hello, Max! How are you?
- Moin! Alles klar?Hi! Everything alright?
- Du solltest ihm einfach Hallo sagen.You should just say hello to him.
Example conversation
Hannah and Felix are at a party with many strangers.
- HannahFelix, kannst du bitte auch Hallo sagen?Felix, can you please say hello too?
- FelixJa, ich werde den Leuten Hallo sagen.Yes, I will say hello to the people.
- HannahDas ist sehr nett von dir.That is very kind of you.
- FelixNatürlich, ich bin ja ein höflicher Mann.Of course, I am a polite man.
