Preface -- Is ti possible to learn to speak German from a phrase book? If one means basic communication -- the ability to speak, understand, and generally get along -- the answer is yes, if you learn the right phrases. The secret of learning languages is to learn not only individual words but the phrases in which they are apt to occur with frequency, as Germans, Austrians, and Swiss use them every day. -- The concept of this book is to provide instant communication in German. The phrases are short, geared to situations of daily life, and pinpointed for easy reference so that you can find the exact section you need at any moment.