BBC HomeExplore the BBC
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

14 October 2014
German for work

BBC Homepage
Languages
German
ยปBusiness
Greetings
Introductions
Directions
Food and Drink
Trade Fair
Marketing

Language Notes
Cultural Notes

TV transcripts

Contact Us

Language notes
dir, Ihnen
Wie geht es Ihnen?
Wie geht es dir?

Both mean How are you?
Ihnen is formal and dir is informal.


In German speaking countries, work colleagues normally address each other and their customers in a formal way using the Ihnen form of you, even if they have known each other for some time.

The dir form is used when talking to children (up to about 14), and amongst friends and relatives.


About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy

Trending Now