Introducing Yourself and Others

Basic Vocabulary

Key Terms and Phrases

Self-Introduction (Ich stelle mich vor)

1. Greeting and Starting a Conversation:

• Hallo! (Hello!) – A casual way to greet someone.
• Guten Tag! (Good day!) – Polite, suitable for any time of day.

2. Saying Your Name:

• Use “Ich heiße …” or “Mein Name ist …” to introduce your name.

Example Sentences:

• Ich heiße Laura. – My name is Laura.
• Mein Name ist Markus. – My name is Markus.

3. Saying Where You’re From:

• “Ich komme aus …” (I am from…) is a simple phrase for sharing your origin.
• Example: “Ich komme aus den USA.” – I’m from the USA.

4. Asking Questions in Return:

• “Wie heißt du?” – What’s your name? (informal)
• “Woher kommst du?” – Where are you from? (informal)

Introducing Others (Andere vorstellen)

When introducing someone else, you’ll use third-person pronouns and “Das ist…”:

Example Phrases:

• Das ist mein Freund, Max. – This is my friend, Max.
• Er heißt Thomas. – His name is Thomas.
• Sie heißt Anna. – Her name is Anna.
• Das ist meine Kollegin, Frau Müller. – This is my colleague, Mrs. Müller.

Grammar Notes

Pronouns for Introductions

Verb “heißen” (to be called)

Conjugation:

• Ich heiße
• Du heißt
• Er/Sie heißt

Cultural Insights

• Formality Matters: In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, there’s a clear distinction between informal “du” and formal “Sie” when speaking. In casual settings like with friends or family, use “du.” For professional, older, or unfamiliar people, use “Sie.”
• Greetings Vary by Region: “Hallo” and “Guten Tag” are standard greetings. In southern Germany and Austria, you may also hear “Servus” or “Grüß Gott” as a greeting.

Interactive Activities

Activity 1: Practicing with a Partner

Roleplay

• Find a partner to practice a basic introduction. One partner is “Person A,” and the other is “Person B.”
• Person A introduces themselves: “Hallo! Ich heiße [name]. Ich komme aus [country].”
• Person B responds: “Hallo! Ich heiße [name]. Ich komme aus [country].”

Activity 2: Introducing a Friend

Roleplay

• One person introduces a friend or family member to another person using “Das ist…”
• Example:
  • Person A: “Das ist mein Freund, Peter.”
  • Person B: “Hallo Peter! Ich heiße Maria.”

Activity 3: Question and Answer Practice

• Practice asking and answering questions:
  • Wie heißt du?
  • Woher kommst du?

Activity 4: Formal vs. Informal Practice

• Write out two short dialogues, one using “du” and the other using “Sie” forms. Practice both with a partner.