Articles & Guides

5 German Phrases Every Au Pair Should Know Before Arriving

Starting an Au Pair placement in Germany means daily conversations with a host family from day one — often before your formal German lessons cover everyday small talk. These five phrases go a long way in your first weeks.

• "Kann ich Ihnen helfen?" — "Can I help you?" A simple offer that shows willingness and initiative around the house.
• "Wie sagt man das auf Deutsch?" — "How do you say that in German?" The single most useful question for learning new words in context.
• "Ich verstehe das nicht ganz, können Sie das wiederholen?" — "I don't quite understand, could you repeat that?" Far better than nodding along and missing instructions.
• "Darf ich kurz telefonieren?" — "May I make a quick phone call?" Useful for checking in with family back home politely.
• "Was soll ich heute machen?" — "What should I do today?" Shows initiative when the day's tasks aren't yet clear.

Confidence with these phrases in your first two weeks builds trust with your host family fast — and trust is what makes the rest of the placement easier. Our A1 course covers these situations in full, with speaking practice built in.