English to German Voice & Camera Translator
German is spoken in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and many people there speak English, but not at every counter or on every form. These are the phrases that help most, the grammar quirks that confuse English speakers, and how to translate German speech and text on iPhone.
How to translate English to German on iPhone
- In a conversation. Open Dialog, pick English and German, and take turns speaking. Each of you reads the translation on your half of the screen and hears it aloud where your iPhone has a voice for the language.
- By camera. Point Camera at a German menu, sign or form, or add a PDF, and read it in English.
- Offline. With a subscription, download the languages before you travel and translate typed text without mobile data.
- In the right tone. Set AI Text Style to Casual, Business or Formal before you speak.
What to know about German
- Sie or du
- Use Sie with strangers, staff and officials, and du with friends and children. Younger people and many workplaces switch to du quickly; let the other person offer it.
- Every noun starts with a capital
- German capitalises all nouns, not just names: der Bahnhof, die Rechnung. It helps you spot the key words on a sign.
- Long compound words
- German glues nouns together: Fahrkartenautomat is a ticket machine. Camera translation handles these better than trying to type them.
- Ask before paying by card
- Cash is still common in Germany, especially in bakeries, small restaurants and markets. Ask Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? before you order.
Common English to German phrases
| English | German | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello, do you speak English? | Hallo, sprechen Sie Englisch? | A polite way to start |
| How much does it cost? | Was kostet das? | Shops and markets |
| The bill, please. | Die Rechnung, bitte. | Restaurants; Zahlen, bitte also works |
| Where is the toilet? | Wo ist die Toilette? | Anywhere |
| I don't understand. Can you speak more slowly? | Ich verstehe nicht. Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? | When the reply is too fast |
| I'm allergic to nuts. | Ich bin allergisch gegen Nüsse. | Restaurants, bakeries |
| I need a doctor. | Ich brauche einen Arzt. | Emergencies, pharmacies |
| Does this bus go to the city center? | Fährt dieser Bus ins Stadtzentrum? | Public transport |
| Can I pay by card? | Kann ich mit Karte zahlen? | Before ordering or at the till |
| I have a reservation under the name… | Ich habe eine Reservierung auf den Namen… | Hotels and restaurants |
Frequently asked questions
Does it work for Austrian and Swiss German?
The app translates into standard German, which is understood in Austria and Switzerland. Spoken Swiss German dialects differ a lot from standard German, so speech recognition works best when people speak standard German.
Can I translate German letters and forms with my camera?
Yes. Photograph the page and the app translates the text into English. Keep the page flat and well lit for the best result.
Can I translate English to German offline?
Yes, for typed text. Download both languages first. Voice and camera translation need a connection.
Related language pairs
English to French
English to Spanish
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