How to Flirt in German: 30 Foxy Phrases to Confidently Score a Date | FluentU German Blog (2023)

How to Flirt in German: 30 Foxy Phrases to Confidently Score a Date | FluentU German Blog (1)

By How to Flirt in German: 30 Foxy Phrases to Confidently Score a Date | FluentU German Blog (2)Joe Warnimont Last updated:

You know a bit of German, or maybe you even consider yourself quite fluent, but even fluent people have trouble when it comes to flirting.

From ice breakers to talking on dates, you need to prepare certain statements and understand the intricacies of the German dating scene first before diving in.

That’s why we put together a comprehensive guide on how to flirt in German that will bring you confidence when approaching people you like!

Contents

  • Walking up to Someone You Like in German
  • Arranging a Date in German
  • Keeping German Conversation Going on a Date
  • German Phrases for the Bold Flirter
  • ComplimentingOthers While Flirting in German
  • Making Them Laugh or Getting Cheesy in German
  • How German Flirting Differs from the Rest of the World

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Walking up to Someone You Like in German

You see a girl or guy that you’re attracted to, but you haven’t the slightest idea of what to say.

In general, Germans have the same type of small talk you would find in an English speaking country, so here are a few go-to statements to break the ice with your crush across the room.

Ich habe mich gefragt, ob du vielleicht weißt, wo ich X finde.
(I was wondering if you know where I could find X.)

Ich habe mich gefragt, ob du mir vielleicht helfen könntest.
(I was wondering if you could help me.)

Ich habe gesehen, dass du ein Buch von X liest. Ich bin ein großer Bewunderer von ihm.
(I saw you reading a book from X. I’m a big admirer of his.)

Mein Name ist…
(My name is…)

Woher kommst du?
(Where are you from?)

Arranging a Date in German

If you make traction with your first few flirtation lines, consider asking the person on a date.

This way, you can get to know each other better and speak even more German! Consider the following phrases to get someone to go out with you.

Wollen wir uns in diesem Restaurant treffen?
(Should we meet up at this restaurant?)

Feel free to replace “this restaurant” with just about any place in the above phrase.

Möchtest du was essen? Leckere Nudeln vielleicht?
(Would you like to eat something? Delicious pasta, perhaps?)

Willst du ein Bier?
(Want to get a beer?)

Soll ich dich abholen?
(Shall Ipick you up?)

Um wie viel Uhr sollen wir uns treffen?
(When should we meet?)

Lass uns etwas trinken gehen.
(Let’s have a drink somewhere.)

Lass uns ins Kino gehen.
(Let’s go to the movies.)

Lass uns in einen Club gehen.
(Let’s go clubbing.)

Ich freue mich auf unser Treffen!
(I’m looking forward to our date!)

Keeping German Conversation Going on a Date

You’ve navigated through the most gut-wrenching part of flirting, but now it’s time to woo the other person at your date. Here are a few German phrases to keep in your back pocket.

Sag mal, was hältst du von dem Essen / Kaffee hier?
(Tell me, what do you think of the food / coffee here?)

Ich habe eine gute Zeit.
(I’m having a good time.)

Du machst mich glücklich.
(You make me happy.)

Mit dir kann ich am besten lachen.
(With you I can laugh the most.)

This is the literal translation, but it basically means that you enjoy laughing with them.

Du siehst schön aus.
(You look nice.)

German Phrases for the Bold Flirter

All right, this isn’t for everyone, but sometimes it works to be upfront and reveal that you are solely interested in flirting. You can say something like this.

Ich habe mich gefragt, ob ich mich vielleicht zu dir setzen darf.
(I was wondering if I could sit next to you.)

Ich habe dich da sitzen sehen, und musste dich einfach ansprechen.
(I saw you sitting here and I just had to say hello.)

Note: although it varies from person to person, I would argue that being bold is best for German women, since men tend to be a little shy in Germany.

Not to mention, German women aren’t known for liking machismo or cockiness from men.

ComplimentingOthers While Flirting in German

Eventually it’s nice to compliment the other person you’re on a date with. You can also use these flirting phrases when walking up to a person you like or while at a party or some other type of social function.

Du hast wunderschöne Augen.
(You have beautiful eyes.)

Ich mag, wie du tanzt.
(I like the way you dance.)

Du siehst gut aus.
(You look good.)

Ich mag deine Kleider.
(I like your clothes.)

The cool part of this last statement is that you can exchange Kleiderwith anything you want.

Note: German women probably won’t take you seriously if you compliment their looks, but it can draw a smile and break the ice. I talk about this a bit more below.

Making Them Laugh or Getting Cheesy in German

If all else fails, go for the corniest pick-up line you can think of and try to make the person laugh. You can ask her the following.

Ist dein Vater ein Dieb?
(Is your father a thief?)

Warum?
(Why?)

Weil er die Sterne vom Himmel gestohlen und sie dir in die Augen gesetzt hat.
(Because he stole the stars from the sky and put them in your eyes.)

Yes, it seems super lame, but it may just work on that special someone. Here are some other classics.

Du kommst mir bekannt vor. Kann es sein, dass du die Frau/der Mann aus meinen Träumen bist?
(I think I know you. Can it be that you are the woman/the man of my dreams?)

Ich habe meine Handynummer verloren, kann ich deine haben?
(I lost my number, can I have yours?)

Handy inGerman is “mobile phone,” so make sure you don’t use it as an adjective unless you want to make some people very confused.

Keep trying these tactics for how to flirt in German and you will become a smooth operator in no time.

How German Flirting Differs from the Rest of the World

How Germans flirt and interact

If your goal is to bring your flirting game to Germany, it’s wise to consider a few differences in the way Germans flirt and interact.

  • Guys generally start the interaction, but it’s not a bad thing if a girl likes a guy and they initiate it.
  • Unlike other countries, German flirting usually starts with a guy giving a subtle glance or smile to a girl.
  • After that, it’s often the responsibility of the woman to decide whether or not she wants to go chat with the guy.
  • This illustrates the importance of eye contact in German culture, since you should also try to hold that eye contact while going on a date.
  • If you’re meeting up with someone, the first rule to follow is punctuality. If you’re ten minutes too early or too late, this is seen as disrespectful.

Generalized tips

Note: these are not rules, since everyone is different, they just come from my own experience.

  • German men are rather shy.
  • German women have grown up in a culture where they are considered equals.
  • Because of this, German men often come off as more reservedthan other cultures.
  • If a man compliments a woman’s appearance, she will probably not take it seriously, but may laugh and consider it a joke.
  • In short, German women are assertive and just as confident, if not more confident than men. They often run their houses, party just as much as men and work with more zeal.

Being respectful, fun and cheerful can take you a long way, just like many other cultures.

If you’d like to see some flirting phrases in action or want to improve your German in general, you could try checking out FluentU. The language learning program uses authentic videos (like new reports, inspiring talks and music videos) so you can see the German language as it’s actually used in context.

How to Flirt in German: 30 Foxy Phrases to Confidently Score a Date | FluentU German Blog (3)

Each video comes with expertly-written interactive subtitles which show the definitions of words or phrases when you hover over them. You can also search the contextual video dictionary for specific terms (like the ones we’ve learned in this post) to see them used in different videos.

And if you need to take your studies on the go with you, you can also get the iOS or Android apps.

So there you have it! Now all you have to do is go out there and start talking to people. You never know, you might find love while speaking German. Good luck to you!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

FAQs

How do German people flirt? ›

Flirting In German: It's All In The Eyes

It just means sexy eye contact could involve a little more “innuendo” than usual. This does not mean it'll necessarily be accompanied by a smile, or that you'll be invited with a lingering gaze. A favorite move when flirting in German is the “look, but then quickly look away.”

How do Germans express love? ›

Unlike other languages, the German expression “Ich liebe dich” is almost exclusively used in romantic relationships. Nevertheless, Germans like to express their love for their friends and family too. In most cases, they say “Ich hab' dich lieb,” which could be translated as “I have love for you.”

How do you confess love in German? ›

Love Words And Romantic German Phrases
  1. I Love You. Ich liebe dich. ...
  2. I Love You Too. Ich liebe dich auch. ...
  3. I'm In Love With You. Ich bin in dich verliebt. ...
  4. Love Ya. Ich hab' dich lieb. ...
  5. I Am Head Over Heels In Love (With You) Ich bin Hals über Kopf (in dich) verliebt. ...
  6. You're My Everything. ...
  7. I Like You. ...
  8. My Heart Is All Yours.

Do Germans know how do you flirt? ›

Germans might be famous for many things, but their flirting skills are not on that list. If you're trying to flirt with them, chances are they won't realise it since they tend to be reserved.

How can I impress a German person? ›

Still, there may be some things about your friend's next dinner party that will surprise you, so here's a brief heads up about what to expect.
  1. Gifts are definitely Willkommen.
  2. Greet the German way.
  3. 3. ' Keep your hands where we can see 'em'
  4. Don't forget to make eye contact.
  5. Knowing when it's time to dig in.
May 24, 2016

Are Germans touchy feely people? ›

Germans are, as a whole, not especially touchy-feely type people, so the lack of intimate physical touch also functions as a bonus lifehack of living and working in Germany. Organize yourself and pay attention to details.

How do Germans feel about touch? ›

Physical Contact: People tend not to touch one another very much during communication unless they are close friends. Touching someone on the shoulder or arm to emphasise a point is generally acceptable, but can otherwise be seen as a sexual advance.

How do you get German people to like you? ›

3 Tips To Make German Friends
  1. Learn The German Language. Germans are more receptive to foreigners when they make an effort to speak German. ...
  2. Be Patient When Making Friends In Germany. Germans need time to warm up to new people. ...
  3. Stick To Your Word. One of the main foundations of friendship for Germans is trust.
May 13, 2022

Do Germans kiss when they meet? ›

The most common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact. Men usually greet women first and wait for them to extend their hand. Close friends may hug to greet and younger people may kiss one another on the cheek. "Guten Tag" (Good day) or “Hallo” (Hello) are the most common verbal greetings used in Germany.

How do Germans distinguish between friend and girlfriend? ›

All of these relationships are expressed by the same word Freund for a male friend/boyfriend and Freundin for female friend/girlfriend.

What does it mean when a German stares at you? ›

In Germany, intense eye contact is a daily occurrence – to such an extend that expats and visitors have dubbed it “The Germanic Stare Down.” German pedestrians also use it to communicate, and the right amount of eye contact at the right time can mean “I am walking here, and it's not my fault if you don't move over and ...

How do you tell a German girl you like her? ›

If you must, here are a couple phrases that might come in handy:
  1. Ich mag dich. — I like you.
  2. Du hast schöne Augen. — You have beautiful eyes.
  3. Ich liebe dein Lächeln, es ist so charmant. — I love your smile, it's so charming.
  4. Du tanzt gut! — You dance well!
  5. Du siehst gut aus! ...
  6. Du bist schön. ...
  7. Ich finde dich sehr attraktiv.
Feb 11, 2022

How to do a German kiss? ›

This weekend, a French friend told me that a German kiss is basically a French kiss but you swirl your tongue around in circles.

What is the German phrase of affection? ›

Schatz and its variations, Schätzchen and Schatzi (“little treasure”) is the most common term of endearment in German by far. It is capitalized like all German nouns. Almost all German-speaking couples call each other this, and it's also commonly used with children.

What is considered rude to Germans? ›

Germans are extremely punctual and well-mannered. Showing up late, losing your cool, or raising your voice are all considered rude and thoughtless. If you step out of line, don't be surprised or offended if someone corrects your behavior, as this is very common in the German culture.

How do Germans show respect? ›

A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting. Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person's title and their surname.

What do Germans like talking about? ›

When it comes to small talk, Germans rarely chat about personal matters at first. Instead, they focus on sports, traveling, movies or cooking. You should avoid potentially controversial topics like politics or religion, reserving them for good friends only.

What is a German compliment? ›

Compliments In German. You are sweet! — Du bist süß! You have beautiful eyes. — Du hast schöne Augen.

What makes Germans happy? ›

Happiness in Germany has largely increased due to better life evaluations from its citizens, with financial security and social stability playing a big part in this. The survey found that, until recently, Germans were largely happy with their government's response to the pandemic.

How do you get someone's attention in German? ›

The phrases above also work for attracting someone's attention in German, although more informally you might just want to shout Hallo! or Hey! If you are trying to attract the attention of one person in particular, use Herr xxx or Frau xxx. Entschuldigen Sie, Herr Schumm!

Do Germans prefer eye contact? ›

In Germany, it's considered polite to maintain eye contact almost all the time while talking to another person. This is especially important during business meetings. Eye contact is a sign of attentiveness, and you don't need to be afraid of threatening someone with this.

Do Germans show affection in public? ›

In Germany you will probably see couples holding hands or kissing openly on the streets. Do not feel uncomfortable or angry about this as it is considered normal. Holding hands is an expression of love and affection; good friends will usually not walk side by side holding hands.

What physical features are Germans known for? ›

Physical characteristics of German people include light complexions, above average heights, square jaws, and sharp facial features. The stereotypical character traits most associated with German people include their efficiency, punctuality, desire for order, using very few words, and having no sense of humor.

What does 3 fingers mean in German? ›

The “Thumbs Up” Sign

In one particular scene, a spy who's posing as a German soldier in a bar gives himself away by holding up his three middle fingers when asking for three glasses. A German would have shown the number three by holding up their index and middle fingers alongside their thumb.

What is the taboo gesture in Germany? ›

Making hands into two fists, thumbs tucked inside the other fingers and making pounding motion lightly on a surface expresses "good luck." Never use the "okay" sign (index finger and thumb jointed together to make a circle). This is considered a rude gesture. Don't point your index finger to your own head.

What does thumbs up mean in Germany? ›

Body Language

Germans may appear reserved and unfriendly until you get to know them better. Never put your hands in your pockets when talking with someone. "Thumbs up" gesture means "one" or is a sign of appreciation or agreement.

Do Germans take compliments? ›

No matter if you are trying to make friends or are flirting with someone, complimenting someone's appearance is always a nice thing to do and just like anyone else, any German likes being told that they're beautiful.

What are common German behaviors? ›

German people tend to be thrifty, be sensible, and respect one another's privacy, and they typically respect the structure and laws of society to an above-average degree. There is no place that this sense of 'order' is more apparent than in German business culture.

What is to be embarrassed for someone else German? ›

Made up of the words “fremd” (foreign or external) and “schämen” (to be embarrassed), Fremdschämen is the act of being embarrassed for somebody else who is behaving in an embarrassing way.

How many kisses do Germans give? ›

Two Kisses: Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia, Brazil (though, like France, the number can differ by region), and some Middle Eastern countries (though not between opposite sexes)

What is butterfly kiss? ›

: the act or an instance of fluttering one's eyelashes against another person's skin. "… I've invented a new way of kissing. You do it with your eye-lashes." "I've known that for years. It's called a butterfly kiss." Evelyn Waugh.

Is hooking up common in Germany? ›

First, casual dating/hook-up culture isn't as prevalent in Germany as it is in the USA. If Germans get into relationships, it goes from 0 to 100 in like a few weeks. And then Germans stay in relationships FOREVER.

What do Germans call their girlfriends? ›

Pet names for a girlfriend or wife in German
EnglishGermanIPA
My princessMeine Prinzessin[ˈmaɪ̯nə pʁɪnˈt͡sɛsɪn]
My queenMeine Königin[ˈmaɪ̯nə ˈkøːnɪɡɪn]
HeroineHeldin[ˈhɛldɪn]
Little oneKleine[ˈklaɪ̯nə]
14 more rows
Jan 9, 2023

What are German sayings about friendship? ›

Some of the most used proverbs about friendship in German are Freunde erkennt man in der Not (Friends are recognized in need), Guter Freund kommt ungeladen (A good friend comes uninvited) and Ein Freund ist jemand der dich kennt und dich trotzdem liebt (A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same).

Do Germans date multiple people at once? ›

Don't date around

Secondly, dating multiple people at the same time is not really done in Germany, and is considered offensive. Though in many cultures, it is acceptable to date multiple people simultaneously before going exclusive, this is not the case in Germany.

Do German guys ask you out? ›

Oftentimes, they don't explicitly ask you out on a date but rather phrase it like “do you want to go for coffee sometime?” so it becomes hard to tell what their intention is. Furthermore, many Germans like to keep their distance until they get to know you better, so it may be best not to get too personal too quickly.

What do you call someone who is obsessed with Germany? ›

A Germanophile, Teutonophile, or Teutophile is a person who is fond of German culture, German people and Germany in general, or who exhibits German patriotism in spite of not being either an ethnic German or a German citizen.

How do you tell a German I see you later? ›

#7 Bis dann - “See you later” in German

Both bis dann and bis später mean “see you later”, but bis dann more literally means “see you then”.

How do you compliment a German woman? ›

Top 10 German Compliments
  1. 'Du siehst heute toll aus' is a unisex statement that means you look fantastic today. ...
  2. 'Du bist sehr schön' means you're beautiful. ...
  3. 'Du siehst umwerfend aus! ...
  4. 'Gelb steht dir' means 'yellow just suits you well. ...
  5. 'Deine Frisur gefällt mir' means 'I just love your hairstyle.
Jan 25, 2022

What are Germans like in relationships? ›

Germans are very direct. They speak their minds, also when it comes to dating. They will let you know how they feel and whether you are their type or not. Protecting your feelings is not the number one priority when dating.

How do you say gorgeous girl German? ›

"gorgeous girl" in German
  1. volume_up. wunderschönes Mädchen.
  2. volume_up. wunderschöne Mädchen.

How do Germans flirt? ›

Flirting In German: It's All In The Eyes

It just means sexy eye contact could involve a little more “innuendo” than usual. This does not mean it'll necessarily be accompanied by a smile, or that you'll be invited with a lingering gaze. A favorite move when flirting in German is the “look, but then quickly look away.”

How do you give a seductive kiss? ›

First, keep your lips soft and slightly opened, in a gently inviting and receptive way. Don't press them together tightly, but also avoid opening them too wide. Drooling and too much saliva is almost always a turn-off for men and women. On the other hand, some women and men like steamy, sloppy, wet kissing.

What is rainbow kiss? ›

Noun. rainbow kiss (plural rainbow kisses) (sexology, vulgar) The act of someone performing oral sex on a woman during her menstrual period while also simultaneously receiving oral sex from her, followed by a kiss where male ejaculate and menstrual fluid are exchanged via kissing, then usually swallowed.

What is sweet endearment in German? ›

“Liebling” & More Sweet German Nicknames To Call Your Loved Ones
  • Snail: Schnecke, Schneckchen.
  • Darling: Liebling.
  • Angel: Engel, Engelchen, Engelein.
  • Sweetie pie: Schnucki.
  • Treasure: Schatz.
  • Sweetheart: Liebchen.
  • Cutie: Schnuckelchen, Schnuckel, Schnuckiputzi.
  • Pearl: Perle.
Feb 1, 2023

What does putzi mean in German? ›

Putzi. (das) baby [österr.]

What are German kisses? ›

Chocolate Kisses are German chocolate sweets, They have a crisp wafer base with a soft and creamy filling, smothered in luxurious chocolate. They are generally described as marshmallow cakes but the consistency is much lighter - more like a mousse.

What to wear in Germany to not look like a tourist? ›

Try to avoid garish, overly bright colors and prints. Germans like to keep their look understated and toned down. (Unless that's your style, in which case go wild!) Avoid wearing sweatpants or activewear when visiting the main cities.

What stereotypes do Germans have? ›

Some of the things that are known as clichés about them are really lacking in Germans when they live in another country for a longer period of time.
  • Germans are hard-working. Germans don't work that much at all. ...
  • The weather is bad in Germany. Germans like to complain about the weather. ...
  • The Germans know everything better.
Mar 10, 2023

What is a German kiss? ›

Any guesses? Here's the answer... This weekend, a French friend told me that a German kiss is basically a French kiss but you swirl your tongue around in circles. Have you ever heard of that bad boy before? Have you done it?

How do German people kiss? ›

Cheek kissing is a standard greeting throughout Southern Europe between friends or acquaintances, but less common in professional settings. In general, men and women will kiss the opposite sex, and women will kiss women.

Do Germans kiss to say hi? ›

The most common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact. Men usually greet women first and wait for them to extend their hand. Close friends may hug to greet and younger people may kiss one another on the cheek. "Guten Tag" (Good day) or “Hallo” (Hello) are the most common verbal greetings used in Germany.

What is a Bali kiss? ›

Bali Kissing Festival or in local language known as the Omed-omedan is a tradition or ritual of hugging and kissing among the youth which is held once a year, after Nyepi to welcome the Saka new year. The name Omed-omedan itself comes from the Balinese language which means “to pull”.

What does 3 kisses in a row mean? ›

Three kisses in a row is a new type of kiss that a person in love gives to the one they love. These kisses are short ones that come one after the other. If they give you these magical three kisses, one after the other, they want to make sure that you know that they love you.

What is German dating etiquette? ›

The German approach to dating is to take things slow and really invest time in getting to know a person. Because most Germans don't rush into relationships, it might take weeks or even months of dating before a couple becomes official. The pace at which a relationship evolves is also down to the individuals.

Do Germans kiss at midnight? ›

Of course, there is also the tradition of a friendly kiss at midnight and eating dishes like sauerkraut or black-eyed peas. In Germany, the traditions are similar to ours. They focus on fellowship and rituals that bring hope.

How do Germans greet someone with kisses? ›

Kisses on the lips or cheeks as a way to greet someone in Germany is not a common practice at all. Even among close family and friends, it's a rare occurrence. However, kissing on the cheeks is more culturally accepted in neighboring Austria but still reserved for close family and friends.

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