Getting around
U-Bahn
Zurückbleiben, bitte.
Stand back, please.
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
Cologne
Germany
Cologne stands on the Rhine, and the cathedral towers over the station and the old town.
How the language is used
German is official, local speech often slips into Kölsch, and forms and news stay in standard German.
In this city
- Language
- German
- Also heard
- Mostly German
- A local word
- Kölsch — A Kölsch, please.
- Writing
- the Latin alphabet
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
Bäckerei
Ein Röggelchen, bitte.
One rye roll.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
Kneipe
Ein Kölsch, bitte.
A Kölsch, please.
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
Straße
Mach's gut.
Take care.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
In conversation around Ehrenfeld, Belgisches Viertel, Südstadt, you often hear Kölsch. Signs, news, and announcements stay in standard German.
A first day in Cologne can run on four lines: “Zurückbleiben, bitte.”, “Ein Röggelchen, bitte.”, “Ein Kölsch, bitte.”, and “Mach's gut.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Latin alphabet.
- With friends you hear du. With strangers and in offices, Sie is still normal.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Cologne, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: Kölsch. It means A Kölsch, please..
Places you can see
- Cologne Cathedral — A Gothic cathedral beside the main station, with twin spires over the Rhine.
- Old Town — A tight quarter of lanes and brewery taverns between the cathedral and the river.
- Rhine promenade — A riverside path where boats pass under the bridges and the cathedral stays in view.
Food
Brewery taverns pour Kölsch and serve Himmel un Ääd and potato pancakes.
Getting around
Trams and the U-Bahn follow the Rhine, and the main station sits beside the cathedral.
Daily life
You follow the Rhine path and then turn into a narrow lane of the old town.
A few everyday phrases
German
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hallo | Hello |
| Danke | Thank you |
| Guten Morgen | Good morning |
| Ich heiße… | My name is… |
