Today's German Primer...

Today's posting will concentrate on some of the most important words or phrases that will be required during the Oktoberfestians' visit to Munich. By no means are these the only ones required, so should you have a need for a phrase, please ask. If I have forgotten something extremely useful, please comment.

Bier... Pronounced: Beeeeer
If you do not know this, you should not be going.

Danke... Pronounced: Dunka
Thank you (informally).

Vielen Dank... Pronounced: Feelen Dunk
Thank you very much (informally). Not to be confused with feelin' drunk.

Bitte... Pronounced: Bitta
Your welcome when it follows "Danke".
Please when used after a questions.
Please/Excuse me when used by itself.

Eins... Pronounced: eyenz
One.

Zwei... Pronounced: Zweye
Two.

Drei... Pronounced: Dreye
Three.

Eins/Zwei/Drei Bier Bitte... Pronounced: xxx Beeeer Bitta
One/Two/Three Beers please.

Guten Tag... Pronounced: Gooten Tag
Godd day/Good afternoon (an informal greeting)

Guten Abend... Pronounced: Gooten Ahbend
Good Evening

Gute Nachte... Pronounced: Gooota Nahkt
Good Night

Aufwiedersehen... Pronounced: owf veeder sayen
Good bye/See you again.

Ya... Pronounced: Ya
Yes

Nein... Pronounced: Nine
No

Yavohl... Pronounced: Ya Vohl
A very strong and sometime "fanatic" Yes. Depending on the mood or people, it could be controversial because of its Nazi roots. Be careful with this word.

More to follow in the next two weeks.....