Daily life in Germany: Bus, Pfand, shopping, Feierabend
Julia and Tim walk through a typical day in Germany: bus etiquette, shopping and receipts, Pfand bottle returns, Feierabend routines, and quick tips.
Published ·Updated
Julia and Tim show a typical German day: riding the bus, rules for shopping and receipts, returning Pfand bottles, and Feierabend routines with practical everyday tips.
Would you like to be paid in cash or have it deducted from your purchase?
6:59
Ähm,bittemitdemEinkaufverrechnen.
Um, please deduct it from my purchase.
7:02
UndhabenSievielleichteinekleineTüte?
And do you perhaps have a small bag?
7:06
Klar!
Sure!
7:07
MöchtenSiesonstnochetwas?
Would you like anything else?
7:10
BrauchenSiedieQuittung?
Do you need the receipt?
7:11
Ja,dieQuittungbitte.
Yes, the receipt please.
7:15
UndeineFrage.
And one question.
7:17
SagtmanhiereherTüteoderSackerl?
Do people here say bag or little bag more?
7:20
Ichhörebeides.
I hear both.
7:22
HiersagendiemeistenTüte.
Here most people say bag.
7:25
SackerlhörtmaneherinÖsterreichoderinBayern.
Little bag is more commonly heard in Austria or Bavaria.
7:30
Istgut,daszuwissen.
Good to know that.
7:32
DannverstehtmandieLeutebesser.
It helps to understand people better.
7:36
AproposÖsterreich.
Speaking of Austria.
7:37
VieleLeutestreitenja,obdieRegierungmehrtunmuss,
Many people argue whether the government needs to do more,
7:40
weilallesteurerwird.
because everything is getting more expensive.
7:43
Aberegal,wiemandassieht.
But no matter how you see it.
7:45
ImAlltaghilftes,Preiseklarzuverstehen.
In everyday life, it helps to clearly understand prices.
7:48
Frageinfach,waskostetdas?
Just ask, how much does this cost?
7:51
OdergibtesheuteeinAngebot?
Or is there a special offer today?
7:54
Genau.
Exactly.
7:56
UndwennduanderKasse,
And when you're at the checkout,
7:58
möchtenSieeineKundenkarte,
would you like a loyalty card,
8:00
hörst,heißtdas,
you hear, it means
8:02
esgibtPunkteoderRabatte.
there are points or discounts.
8:05
Dukannstfreundlichsagen,
You can kindly say,
8:07
nein,dankeodereben:ja,gerne.
no, thanks or yes, please.
8:10
unddannfragen,wieesgeht.
and then ask how it’s going.
8:14
JetztkurzzumThemaHöflichkeit.
Now a quick note on politeness.
8:17
DasistwichtigimdeutschenAlltag.
It's important in everyday German life.
8:19
Vieledenken,
Many think,
8:20
ichhabeHunger,seiunhöflich.
I'm hungry, is rude.
8:23
Abereigentlichistdastotalnormal.
But actually, that's totally normal.
8:26
Dukannstauchsagen,
You can also say,
8:27
ichhabetotalenHunger
I’m really hungry
8:29
oderichbinhungrig.
or I’m starving.
8:31
Allesokay.
All is okay.
8:32
Ja,genau.
Yes, exactly.
8:34
UndderTonmachtdieMusik.
And the tone makes the music.
8:36
Wenndulächelstundfreundlichklingst,
When you smile and sound friendly,
8:40
passtes.
it works.
8:41
Deutschemögenklare,direkteSätze,
Germans like clear, direct sentences,
8:44
aberebenhöflich.
but polite too.
8:46
Nachmittags,
In the afternoon,
8:48
sagenwirsogegen14:30Uhr,
let's say around 2:30 PM,
8:51
triffstduvielleichtKolleginnenundKollegen
you might meet colleagues
8:53
imBürofluroderimCoworking.
in the office hallway or at coworking.
8:56
EineinfachesHi,allesgut?
A simple hi, how’s everything?
8:58
OderNa,wieläuft's?
Or hey, how’s it going?
9:01
Istdasuper.
1. That's great.
9:02
Nichtzuförmlich,
2. Not too formal,
9:03
aberfreundlich.
3. but friendly.
9:04
Undwenndujemandennichtkennst,
4. And if you don't know someone,
9:07
saglieber,
5. it's better to say,
9:08
gutenTag,
6. good day,
9:09
ichbinJulia,
7. I'm Julia,
9:11
freutmich.
8. nice to meet you.
9:12
Dasistsicher.
9. That's for sure.
9:15
Oh,icherinneremichaneinenSchüler,
10. Oh, I remember a student,
9:17
deramNachmittag
11. who said good morning
9:19
gutenMorgengesagthat.
12. in the afternoon.
9:22
Allemusstengrinsen,
13. Everyone had to grin,
9:23
abereswarsüß
14. but it was sweet
9:25
undniemandwarböse.
15. and no one was mad.
9:27
Ja,
16. Yes,
9:28
solcheMissverständnissepassieren.
17. such misunderstandings happen.
9:31
Einfachkurzlachen,
18. Just laugh it off,
9:32
richtigstellen,
19. correct it,
9:34
fertig.
20. and move on.
9:35
Unddumerkstesdirfürimmer,
21. And you'll remember it forever,
9:37
weilesmiteinemechtenGefühl
22. because it’s tied to a real feeling.
9:38
verbundenist.
23. Another tip for daily life,
9:40
NocheinTippfürdenAlltag,
24. listen to a lot of everyday language.
9:42
hörevielAlltagssprache.
25. Not just news,
9:45
NichtnurNachrichten,
26. but also,
9:47
sondernauch,
27. yes,
9:48
ja,
28. reality shows
9:48
Reality-Shows
29. or street interviews.
9:49
oderStraßeninterviews.
30. That's where you learn words
9:52
DalernstduWörter,
31. that are missing from textbooks.
9:54
dieimLehrbuchfehlen.
32. Toto.
9:56
Toto.
33. I always say,
9:57
Ichsageimmer,
34. listen for 10 to 15 minutes every day,
9:59
jedenTag10bis15Minutenzuhören,
35. but actively.
10:01
aberaktiv.
36. So pause,
10:03
Alsostoppen,
37. repeat,
10:05
wiederholen,
38. and mimic.
10:06
nachsprechen.
39. This trains your ear
10:07
SotrainierstdudasOhr
40. for real conversations.
10:09
fürechteGespräche.
41. And dialects are fascinating.
10:10
UndDialektesindspannend.
42. In Berlin, you often hear
10:14
InBerlinhörstduoft
43. good day
10:15
gutenTag
44. instead of good day.
10:16
stattgutenTag.
45. In Cologne, they like to say
10:19
InKölnkommtgernein
46. et küt wie et küt,
10:20
etkütwieetküt,
47. which means
10:22
dasheißtsovielwie
48. it comes,
10:23
eskommt,
49. as it comes.
10:24
wieeskommt.
1. You don't have to say it yourself,
10:26
Mussmannichtselbersagen,
2. but understanding is worth gold.
10:28
aberverstehenistGoldwert.
3. Back to our day.
10:31
ZurückzuunseremTag.
4. Maybe you need to clarify one small thing in the evening,
10:34
VielleichtmusstduamAbend
5. for example, reschedule an appointment
10:35
nocheinekleineSacheklären,
6. with the doctor.
10:37
zumBeispieleinenTermin
7. Many people are afraid of phone calls,
10:38
beimArztverschieben.
8. I know.
10:40
TelefonierenmachtvielenAngst,
9. But use simple sentences.
10:42
ichweiß.
10. Should we role-play that quickly?
10:43
AbernimmeinfacheSätze.
11. You call,
10:46
Wollenwirdasmalkurzdurchspielen?
12. I'm the receptionist.
10:49
Durufstan,
13. Sure.
10:50
ichbindieSprechstundenhilfe.
14. Good evening,
10:52
Gern.
15. this is Tim Wagner speaking.
10:54
GutenAbend,
16. I have an appointment tomorrow,
10:56
hiersprichtTimWagner.
17. but unfortunately I'm sick.
10:58
IchhabemorgeneinenTermin,
18. Could I please reschedule the appointment?
11:00
aberichbinleiderkrank.
19. Good evening,
11:02
KönnteichdenTerminbitteverschieben?
20. Mr. Wagner.
11:04
GutenAbend,
21. No problem.
11:06
HerrWagner.
22. Does Friday,
11:08
KeinProblem.
23. May 5th,
11:10
PasstIhnenderFreitag,
24. at 10:30 AM work for you?
11:12
der5.Mai,
25. Yes,
11:13
um10:30Uhr?
26. that works.
11:14
Ja,
27. Thank you very much.
11:16
daspasst.
28. Will I receive a confirmation
11:18
VielenDank.
29. by email?
11:19
BekommeicheineBestätigung
30. Yes,
11:21
perE-Mail?
31. of course.
11:22
Ja,
32. Then see you on Friday.
11:23
natürlich.
33. Get well soon.
11:25
DannbisFreitag.
34. It can be that simple.
11:27
GuteBesserung.
35. State your name,
11:30
Sosimpelkannessein.
36. mention the reason,
11:32
Namesagen,
37. give a new suggestion,
11:33
Grundnennen,
38. done.
11:34
neuerVorschlag,
39. And if you don't understand something,
11:35
fertig.
40. ask,
11:36
Undwennduetwasnichtverstehst,
41. could you please repeat that?
11:38
frag,
42. Now a little everyday scene in the stairwell.
11:39
könntenSiedasbittewiederholen?
43. You meet the neighbor.
11:41
JetztnocheinekleineAlltagsszeneimTreppenhaus.
44. A quick hello.
11:47
DutriffstdieNachbarin.
45. Have a nice evening,
11:49
EinkurzesHallo.
46. that's great.
11:52
SchönenAbendnoch,
47. And if she says,
11:53
istsuper.
48. have a nice end of the day,
11:55
Undwennsiesagt,
49. it means,
11:57
schönenFeierabend,
the workday is over,
11:58
heißtdas,
so wish for a relaxing evening.
11:59
derArbeitstagistvorbei,
Also pay attention to small words like
12:01
alsoeinenentspanntenAbendwünschen.
gladly,
12:05
AchteauchaufkleineWörterwie
but
12:07
gerne,
and just.
12:08
doch
For example:
12:08
undhalt.
Please take a seat,
12:11
ZumBeispiel:
sounds friendly.
12:11
SetzenSiesichdoch,
And
12:13
klingtfreundlich.
That's just the way it is,
12:15
Und
means as much as,
12:15
Dasisthaltso,
it can't be changed.
12:17
heißtsovielwie,
Many also underestimate listening,
12:18
eslässtsichnichtändern.
even at a high level.
12:20
VieleunterschätzenauchdasHören,
My tip:
12:23
selbstaufhohemNiveau.
Set the volume of series a bit higher
12:25
MeinTipp:
and try to read along,
12:27
StelldenTonvonSerienetwasschneller
when there are subtitles.
12:29
undversuchmitzulesen,
Then gradually reduce the aids.
12:31
wennesUntertitelgibt.
And set yourself small goals.
12:34
DannlangsamdieHilfenreduzieren.
Today in the supermarket I’ll ask once,
12:38
UndmachdirkleineZiele.
today on the bus I’ll chat briefly with the driver.
12:39
HeuteimSupermarktfrageicheinmalnach,
These mini-missions make you more confident,
12:42
heuteimBusredeichkurzmitdemFahrer.
step by step.
12:45
DieseMinimissionenmachendichsicherer,
A mistake,
12:48
SchrittfürSchritt.
that often happens:
12:49
EinFehler,
one says nothing out of fear.
12:51
deroftpassiert:
But a simple sentence is better than silence.
12:52
mansagtgarnichtsausAngst.
Rather say,
12:55
AbereineinfacherSatzistbesseralsSchweigen.
Excuse me,
12:59
Saglieber,
I don’t speak German very well yet.
13:00
Entschuldigung,
Can you speak slowly?
13:01
ichsprechenochnichtsogutDeutsch.
That’s honest,
13:05
KönnenSielangsamsprechen?
that helps.
13:06
Dasistehrlich,
Before we wrap up,
13:09
dashilft.
one quick scene at the snack bar.
13:10
BevorwirzumEndekommen,
I’ll order,
13:13
nocheineschnelleSzeneanderImbissbude.
you work there.
13:16
Ichbestelle,
Deal?
13:16
duarbeitestdort.
Deal.
13:18
Deal?
Next please.
13:19
Deal.
Hello,
13:21
Nächsterbitte.
I’d like a small fries
13:23
Hallo,
and a cola,
13:24
ichhättegerneinekleinePommes
please.
13:26
undeineCola,
Can I pay by card?
13:27
bitte.
Yes,
13:28
KannichmitKartezahlen?
card payment is possible.
13:30
Ja,
Would you like ketchup or mayo?
13:31
Kartenzahlungistmöglich.
Here or to go?
13:34
MöchtenSieKetchupoderMayo?
Um,
13:37
UndhieroderzumMitnehmen?
ketchup,
13:40
Ähm,
please.
13:41
Ketchup,
And for takeout.
13:42
bitte.
Thank you.
13:43
UndzumMitnehmen.
All right,
13:45
Danke.
that’s four euros.
13:46
Allesklar,
One moment,
13:47
dasmachtvierEuro.
please.
13:50
EinenMoment,
So,
13:51
bitte.
here you go
13:53
So,
and have a nice evening.
13:53
bitteschön
Thank you,
13:54
undeinenschönenAbend.
you too.
13:57
Danke,
You see,
13:58
ebenso.
with these few sentences
13:59
Sehtihr,
you can handle a lot of situations.
14:00
mitdiesenpaarSätzen
Before we say goodbye,
14:01
kommtihrdurchsehrvieleSituationen.
a question for you:
14:04
BevorwirTschüsssagen,
What three sentences do you use every day in Germany?
14:05
eineFrageaneuch:
Feel free to write them in the comments.
14:07
WelchedreiSätzebenutztihrjedenTaginDeutschland?
Or let us know,
14:12
SchreibtsieunsgernindieKommentare.
what you call a bag in your city,
14:15
Odersagtuns,
I’m curious.
14:17
wiemanineurerStadtTütenennt,
And if you want a little challenge,
14:20
ichbinneugierig.
try tomorrow,
14:22
UndwennihreinekleineChallengewollt,
I’d like,
14:24
probiertmorgen,
in your first order.
14:26
ichhättegern,
After that, the day will feel more professional.
14:28
ineurererstenBestellung.
Promise.
14:30
DanachfühltsichderTagschonprofessionelleran.
So,
14:33
Versprochen.
that was our day in Germany.
14:35
So,
A complete round through language.
14:35
daswarunserTaginDeutschland.
If you enjoyed that,
14:37
EinmalkomplettdurchSprache.
feel free to leave a like
14:40
Wenneuchdasgefallenhat,
and subscribe to the channel.
14:42
lasstgerneinLikeda
Then you won’t miss an episode.
14:44
undabonniertdenKanal.
Thank you for listening.
14:46
DannverpasstihrkeineFolge.
Stay relaxed
14:49
DankefürsZuhören.
and practice a little every day.
14:51
Bleibtentspannt
We’ll see each other again soon.
14:52
undübteinbisschenjedenTag.
Have a nice evening
14:55
Wirhörenunsganzbaldwieder.
and see you then.
14:57
SchönenFeierabend
Subtitling.
14:59
undbisdann.
Subtitling.
14:59
Untertitelung.
Untertitelung.
15:05
Untertitelung.
Untertitelung.
FAQ
What basic bus etiquette do Julia and Tim describe?
Let people exit first, board in order, validate tickets if required, keep voices low, and offer seats to elderly or disabled passengers.
How does a Pfand bottle return work?
Most bottles and cans carry a deposit (Pfand); return them to supermarket reverse‑vending machines (Pfandautomaten) to scan and receive a deposit receipt.
What should I watch for when shopping and handling receipts?
Keep receipts for returns or expense tracking; check for separate Pfand charges on the receipt and verify prices at checkout.
What is Feierabend and how do people spend it?
Feierabend is the end‑of‑work routine focused on winding down—people meet friends, have a drink or meal, or relax at home.
Any quick practical tips for getting through a day in Germany?
Buy or validate transport tickets before travel, check packaging for Pfand, carry a payment card or small change, and observe quiet public behavior.