German Expressions

Well-Wishes

Mother and daughter
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What’s the right wording for a birthday card? What will you tell your friend before her performance? Below are several German expressions of well-wishing:

  • Ich halte/drücke (dir) die Daumen. - I’ll cross my fingers (for you).
  • Hals- und Beinbruch! - Good luck! Break a leg!
  • (Ich wünsche) guten Appetit/gesegnete Mahlzeit. - (I hope you) enjoy your meal.
  • Prost!/ Auf Ihr Wohl!/ Zum Wohl! - Cheers!/ To your health!
  • Ich wünsche Ihnen gute Reise!/ Gute Reise! - Have a nice trip!
  • Herzlichen Glückwunsch! - Congratulations!
  • Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag! - Happy birthday!
  • Gesundheit! - Bless you!
  • Gute Besserung. - Get well soon.
  • Alles Gute! - All the best! Best wishes!
  • Viel Glück! - Good luck!
  • Viel Spaß/Vergnügen! - Have fun!
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Your Citation
Bauer, Ingrid. "German Expressions." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/german-expressions-1444761. Bauer, Ingrid. (2020, August 27). German Expressions. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/german-expressions-1444761 Bauer, Ingrid. "German Expressions." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/german-expressions-1444761 (accessed March 28, 2024).