39 flirty German pick up lines to make you laugh, cringe & swoon

Love is complicated enough but love in different languages gets even more complicated. If you’re an English-speaker romantically interested in a German-speaker, it’s a great idea to learn their language.

Flirting can be tricky when language barriers and cultural differences are involved, but we’ll help you to bridge these, as we walk you through some German pick up lines from sweet to silly - as well as cultural do’s and don’ts when it comes to flirting with Germans.

How to say flirt in German 

“To flirt” in German is “flirten”, an expression we took from English because it’s not that common. In German-speaking countries, we’re just not known to be particularly flirty people.

There are some old-fashioned terms for the practice of wooing someone though:

• Schäkern
• Poussieren
• Tändeln 
• Liebäugeln (literally: to eye someone nicely)
• Herausmausern (originally used for the courting of birds)

How to flirt in German with natural conversation 

The best way of flirting is always the one that doesn’t seem like flirting. Break the ice by saying “hi”, introducing yourself to the other person and talking about everyday topics like your hobbies or the weather. This is how a standard conversation could go.

• Introducing yourself

Start simple. Just say hallo and ask the other person for their name.

• Asking how they are, and enquiring about their welfare

Then find out how they’re doing to make sure they’re feeling good about talking to you. Be receptive to their emotions. Only continue if they’re also in a flirty, chatty mood.

• Talking about where you’re from

Next up, you can tell them a little bit about yourself and get to know them, too. Ask where they’re from and learn about their background.

• Talking about the weather

Whenever you run out of ideas, you can always talk about the weather in German. That’s probably the safest and easiest conversation topic. 

• Buying someone a drink

If the conversation is going really well, you can offer to buy them a drink of their choice. Just make it clear that this can also be a coffee or a fruit juice. You don’t want to give the impression that you’re trying to get them drunk. That’s not cool in any country. 

For some inspiration on what to try and order, check out our fresh guide on German drinks.

39 pick up lines in German to use: Good, cheesy, & cringeworthy

Cringy German pick up lines

Let’s be honest. Most pick up lines are at least a little cringy. So you can either use this as a list of what not to say, or you can use them jokingly.

Funny German pick up lines

These are silly but if you can can make the other person laugh, that’s a great start!

All out - German pick up lines

If you’ve gotten to know a person a little bit, it’s nice to compliment them, preferably on their personality. Find out how you do that - in our helpful guide on German compliments.

Or, if you’re ready to make a big move and go all out with your pick up line, consider one of these.

Cute German pick up lines

Some lines can actually be quite sweet. I'd go so far as to say opening with sweet potatoes or octopuses can only be the start of a great conversation.

Starting a conversation in German

These aren’t exactly pick up lines but sometimes it’s best to start a conversation without revealing your intentions of hitting on the other person. So it comes in handy to have an excuse like asking them for the time.

Cultural tips for flirting in German-speaking countries

All the pick up lines mentioned here are pretty tame and safe to use on strangers. In the worst case scenario, the other person will walk away from you, and in the best case scenario, your pick up line was so bad that they start laughing - and humor is the best way to break the ice. Just keep a couple of things in mind before you approach someone:

• Read the room. It’s often ok to approach someone at a bar or in a club if you feel like they’re open to it, but it’s not okay to use a pick up line on a coworker, for example. 

• Germans tend to take their time. Establish something like a friendship base. Then you can compliment the other person, preferably on their personality. Find out how you do that - in our helpful guide on German compliments.
• If they’re not openly flirting back right away, there’s still hope that they might be interested in you. Flirting is usually very subtle here.
• At the same time, be aware of social cues and body language. If they’re leaning away from you or crossing their arms, you might want to give them some space. Keep in mind that even if they’re not directly telling you no, they might just be polite.
• Refrain from big gestures and showing big emotions. Don’t tell them “ich liebe dich” right away. There’s a good chance they’ll reply with a firm “tschüß!”

Don’t be like Aurélie

The German band Wir Sind Helden has a hilarious song about a French girl called Aurélie who comes to Germany and entirely misreads the German flirting game because she’s used to French guys who are a lot more assertive. She’s just waiting to be approached and misses that the Germans do in fact like her.

Wir Sind Helden - Aurélie (Official Video): Lyrics

Aurélie, die Männer mögen dich hier sehr

Schau, auf der Straße schaut dir jeder hinterher

Doch du merkst nichts, weil sie nicht pfeifen

Und pfeifst du selbst, die Flucht ergreifen

Du musst wissen, hier ist weniger oft mehr

Ach, Aurélie, in Deutschland braucht die Liebe Zeit

Hier ist man nach Tagen erst zum ersten Schritt bereit

Die nächsten Wochen wird gesprochen

Sich auf's Gründlichste berochen

Und erst dann trifft man sich irgendwo zu zweit

Aurélie, so klappt das nie

Du erwartest viel zu viel

Die Deutschen flirten sehr subtil

Translation:

Aurélie, the men here like you very much

Look, on the street everyone is looking at you

But you don't notice because they don't whistle

And if you whistle yourself, they run away

You should know that here less is often more

Oh, Aurélie, in Germany love takes time

Here it takes days to take the first step

The next few weeks will be spent talking

We talk and talk and talk

And only then do we meet alone 

Aurélie, it'll never work out like this

You’re expecting way too much

The Germans are very subtle at flirting

So what if your pick up line works?

There’s a chance one of these pick up lines or tips on how to flirt in German will actually get you someone’s attention - and then what? Now it’s time to learn German. If “Kommst du öfter her?” is all you got, the conversation will be over pretty quickly, and with it, your dream of a German romance story. 

So make sure you keep reading our German language blog, and you and your love interest never run out of things to say.