richte viele Grüße aus
To say 'send my regards' in German, you use richte viele Grüße aus.
This phrase is used when you want to ask someone to pass a friendly greeting on to a third person. While viele Grüße literally means 'many greetings', it is the standard way to say 'regards' in this context.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb ausrichten is a separable verb meaning to convey or deliver a message/greeting.
Which one should you use?
You can use viele Grüße (many greetings) for a standard expression, or replace it with liebe Grüße (lovely greetings) to make the phrase warmer and more suitable for friends and family.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form richte is the singular imperative, used when asking one person to pass on the message. If you are asking a group of people to pass on your regards, use the plural imperative richtet. To use the phrase politely or formally, use richten Sie viele Grüße aus instead of the singular richte.
Did you know?
- While English speakers 'send' regards, Germans richten them, a verb that also means to align or straighten an object. This implies the greeting is being precisely directed toward the recipient.
- In German social etiquette, choosing liebe Grüße over viele Grüße is often a deliberate social signal used to move a relationship from a formal acquaintance to a closer friendship.
- The word aus in the verb is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'out', as both descend from the same ancient Germanic roots.
Examples in context
- Können Sie bitte Herrn Schmidt meine Grüße ausrichten?Could you please convey my regards to Mr. Schmidt?
- Richte Lena schöne Grüße aus!Convey lovely regards to Lena!
- Richte ihr bitte viele Grüße von mir aus.Please send her many regards from me.
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are saying goodbye after a coffee date.
- LauraIch muss jetzt leider gehen, Lukas.Unfortunately, I have to go now, Lukas.
- LukasKein Problem, bis bald!No problem, see you soon!
- LauraBitte richte viele Grüße aus an deine Familie.Please send my regards to your family.
- LukasDas mache ich gerne, Laura.I'll gladly do that, Laura.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
