EXFL 7/ Greetings, Farewells, and Introductions                Name_________________________

                                                                                                Period_________                              

A.  Read the selection below.  While reading highlight or circle all of the German greetings, farewells or introductions mentioned. (Hint: There are 15 different  phrases.)

The American expressions “Hello!” and “Hi!” have become international greetings, and many younger Germans use them when greeting one another.  Their own language, however, did not originally include such short, informal greetings.  The normal German greeting is Guten Tag! Often the first word is dropped and you’ll simply hear Tag! or people just mumble ‘n Tag! In Southern Germany you will rarely hear Guten Tag! but rather Grüß Gott!  Young people in that region will also greet each other with Grüß dich!   In Austria, people often greet each other with Servus! Many young people in German today are also greeting each other with a simple Hallo! which is similar to our “Hi!”

In the morning, most Germans say Guten Morgen! or simply Morgen! whereas in the evening they say Guten Abend! or again just mumble ‘n Abend! When entering a town or city, the visitors are often greeted with a sign that says Willkommen!

Auf Wiedersehen (literally: “Until we see again”) or simply Wiedersehen! means “good-bye.” Tschüs! is a very casual form of “good-bye,” primarily used in northern Germany.  It comes closest to the American “See you!” or “So long!”

German do a lot more handshaking than Americans.  Germans not only shake hands when being introduced, but many still consider a handshake as part of the everyday greeting.  To a German, it means little more than saying “Hello.”  A nod of the head usually accompanies the handshake.  When meeting acquaintances in the street, in shops, or elsewhere in public, Germans usually shake hands only if they intend to chat.

B.  Write the greetings you highlighted above in the grid below.  Formal greetings and goodbyes are those that adults would use with each other.  Informal greetings, etc. are those that young people would use with each other or shortened forms of  a greeting.

(Turn paper over)

C.  The reading mentions four greetings and/or farewells that are used in specific areas of the German-speaking countries.  Label the map with these four phrases.