German for Travelers: How to Ask for Local Recommendations
Learn to ask 'What do you recommend to see?' in German and understand suggestions. Perfect for getting insider tips from locals.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you're in a new place, asking locals for recommendations can lead to amazing experiences. In this lesson, you'll learn how to ask 'What do you recommend to see?' in German and how to understand the answers. We'll focus on polite questions and common responses, so you can get the most out of your trip.
By the end, you can…
- ask for recommendations on what to see in German.
- understand simple suggestions and ask for clarification.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Was empfehlen Sie mir?
What do you recommend to me?
vahs em-PFEH-len zee meer
Use this formal question with strangers or in professional settings. 'Ihnen' can replace 'mir' for 'to you' (formal singular or plural).
Was sollten wir uns ansehen?
What should we see?
vahs ZOL-ten veer uns AHN-zay-en
Casual and common among friends or when speaking to a group. 'Ansehen' means 'to look at' or 'to visit' (a sight).
Haben Sie einen Tipp?
Do you have a tip?
HAH-ben zee EYE-nen tip
A short, friendly way to ask for a recommendation. 'Tipp' is a common loanword from English.
Ich empfehle Ihnen den Dom.
I recommend the cathedral to you.
ikh em-PFEH-leh EYE-nen den dohm
A typical response. Note the accusative case: 'den Dom' (masculine).
Sie sollten den Markt besuchen.
You should visit the market.
zee ZOL-ten den markt be-ZOO-khen
A suggestion using 'sollten' (should). 'Besuchen' means 'to visit' a place or person.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask for recommendations, use 'Was empfehlen Sie?' (What do you recommend?) or 'Was sollten wir uns ansehen?' (What should we see?). The verb 'empfehlen' (to recommend) is strong and takes the accusative case for the thing recommended: 'Ich empfehle den Park' (I recommend the park). For suggestions, 'sollten' (should) is common: 'Sie sollten das Museum besuchen' (You should visit the museum).
When to use it
Use the formal 'Sie' with strangers, elders, or in service encounters. With friends, use 'du' or 'ihr': 'Was empfiehlst du?' (What do you recommend?). In Austria and Switzerland, 'Grüß Gott' is a common greeting, but the phrases here are standard. If you don't understand, say 'Wie bitte?' (Pardon?) or 'Können Sie das wiederholen?' (Can you repeat that?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Entschuldigung, was empfehlen Sie mir in dieser Stadt?
Excuse me, what do you recommend to me in this city?ent-SHOOL-dee-goong, vahs em-PFEH-len zee meer in DEE-zer shtahtSie sollten unbedingt den alten Markt besuchen. Der ist sehr schön.
You should definitely visit the old market. It's very beautiful.zee ZOL-ten OON-be-dingkt den AHL-ten markt be-ZOO-khen. dair ist zair shurnDanke! Gibt es auch ein Museum, das Sie empfehlen?
Thanks! Is there also a museum that you recommend?DAHN-keh! geebt es owkh eye moo-ZAY-oom, dahs zee em-PFEH-lenJa, das Stadtmuseum ist interessant. Es ist gleich um die Ecke.
Yes, the city museum is interesting. It's just around the corner.yah, dahs SHTAHT-moo-zay-oom ist in-te-re-SAHNT. es ist glaykh oom dee EK-kehA little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, directness is valued, but politeness matters. Using 'Sie' shows respect. When asking for recommendations, it's common to start with 'Entschuldigung' (Excuse me). Locals often appreciate specific questions, like 'Was ist typisch hier?' (What is typical here?). In Austria, 'Servus' is a casual greeting; in Switzerland, 'Grüezi'. Always thank the person with 'Danke' or 'Vielen Dank'.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Was empfehlen Sie mich?' instead of 'Was empfehlen Sie mir?'
Try this instead: 'Empfehlen' takes the dative case for the person recommended to: 'mir' (to me), not 'mich' (me). So say 'Was empfehlen Sie mir?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a stranger 'What do you recommend to me?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Was empfehlen Sie mir?
This uses the formal 'Sie' and the dative 'mir'. 'Was empfehlen Sie mich?' is incorrect because 'mich' is accusative.
2What does 'Sie sollten den Dom besuchen' mean?
Show a sample answer
You should visit the cathedral.
'Sollten' means 'should', 'den Dom' is the accusative masculine of 'der Dom' (cathedral), and 'besuchen' means 'to visit'.
3How would you ask a friend 'What should we see?' in German?
Show a sample answer
Was sollten wir uns ansehen?
This is a common casual question. 'Ansehen' is a separable verb: 'wir sehen uns an' becomes 'wir sollten uns ansehen'.
Use 'Was empfehlen Sie mir?' for polite requests and 'Was sollten wir uns ansehen?' for casual ones. Listen for 'sollten' and 'empfehlen' in responses, and don't forget the dative 'mir'.
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