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How to translate German messages: texting in German without speaking it

A landlord in Berlin, a German-speaking client, a relative in Munich, your child's school… You can text in German today without speaking it; your phone translates in a second. But German has a few habits that get lost in translation: the formal “you”, very long compound words and the way it tells the time. Knowing them makes your message both clear and polite.

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Understanding a German message

The familiar way is to copy the message and paste it into a translation app. Some messaging apps have started offering their own translate option; which languages and countries get it depends on the version.

Translate a long, formal message (from a landlord, a school, a government office) paragraph by paragraph. Misreading one sentence can mean a missed deadline or a bill paid wrongly.

Sie or du? The formal “you”

German has two ways to say “you”: formal “Sie” and informal “du”. Germans take the difference seriously; calling someone you are writing to for the first time “du” can come across as rude.

Translation apps usually pick one from the tone of your sentence, so it helps to know which one you want:

  • Landlord, doctor, teacher, government office, employer: “Sie”.
  • Family, friends, colleagues your own age: “du”. If the other person writes to you with “du”, you can do the same.
  • Glance at the translation: capitalised “Sie”, “Ihnen”, “Ihr” are formal; “du”, “dich”, “dir” are informal. If the app chose the wrong one, rephrase more formally (“Could you please…”) and translate again.

Greetings and sign-offs

German messages open and close with set phrases. A formal message usually starts with “Sehr geehrte Frau Müller” (Dear Ms Müller) and ends with “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” (Kind regards). Informal ones use “Hallo”, “Liebe Grüße” or just “LG”.

Writing “Dear Ms Müller” in English normally comes out as the right German formula; a first name alone with a formal message can confuse the tone.

Where translation struggles

These are the spots where German translation slips most often:

  • Compound words: long words such as “Nebenkostenabrechnung” (the yearly statement of service charges) are sometimes translated piece by piece. If the meaning feels odd, look the word up on its own.
  • Abbreviations: “z. B.” (e.g.), “ggf.” (if necessary), “MfG” (kind regards) may be left untranslated.
  • Idioms: “break a leg” or “it's a piece of cake” rarely survive. Say plainly what you mean.
  • Long sentences: German verbs often go to the end of a clause. Split a sentence carrying three or four ideas into two.

Time, dates and money

Germans write dates day first, with dots: 18.10.2026 is 18 October, not a month 18. Money uses a comma for decimals: 1.250,50 € is one thousand two hundred and fifty euros fifty. The classic trap is time: “halb drei” means half past two, not half past three (it is “half to three”). For appointments, ask for the time in digits: “14:30”.

In your own messages, write times in digits and the month as a word: “3 November at 14:30”. That is the form least likely to shift in translation.

Check before you send

For an important message (rent, school, work), translate the German back into your own language once before sending. If the result says what you meant, the translation is fine; if the meaning has drifted, simplify the sentence and translate again.

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