Frankfurt: The Heartbeat of Modern Germany

• HelloHallo
  [ha-lo]
• GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen
  [owf vee-der-zay-en]
• YesJa
  [yah]
• NoNein
  [nine]
• Please/You're welcomeBitte
  [bit-te]
• Thank youDanke
  [dahn-kuh]
• Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung
  [ent-shool-dee-gung]
• How are you?Wie geht es dir?
  [vee gayt es deer]
• Fine. And you?Gut. Und dir?
  [goot oont deer]
• Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?
  [shpre-khen zee eng-lish]
• I don't understandIch verstehe nicht
  [ikh fer-shtay-uh nikht]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch hätte gerne die Speisekarte, bitte
  [ikh heh-te gair-ne dee shpy-ze-kar-te, bit-te]
• I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch
  [ikh es-se kine fli-sh]
• Cheers!Prost!
  [prohst]
• I would like to pay, pleaseIch möchte bitte zahlen
  [ikh merkhte bit-te tsah-len]

• Help!Hilfe!
  [hil-feh]
• Go away!Geh weg!
  [geh vekh]
• Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei!
  [roo-fen zee dee po-lee-tsay]
• Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt!
  [roo-fen zee i-nen arts-t]
• I'm lostIch habe mich verirrt
  [ikh hah-beh mikh feh-rirt]
• I'm illIch bin krank
  [ikh bin krahngk]

• I'd like to buy...Ich möchte ... kaufen
  [ikh merkhte ... kow-fen]
• I'm just lookingIch schaue nur
  [ikh shau-eh noor]
• How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?
  [vee feel koh-stet es]
• That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer
  [dahs ist tso toy-er]
• Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?
  [koon-en zee den prise zen-ken]

• What time is it?Wie spät ist es?
  [vee shpet ist es]
• It's one o'clockEs ist ein Uhr
  [es ist iyn oor]
• Half past (10)Halb elf
  [halb elf]
• MorningMorgen
  [mohr-gen]
• AfternoonNachmittag
  [nahk-mit-tahk]
• EveningAbend
  [ah-bent]
• YesterdayGestern
  [ges-tern]
• TodayHeute
  [hoi-teh]
• TomorrowMorgen
  [mohr-gen]
• 1Eins
  [iyns]
• 2Zwei
  [tsvai]
• 3Drei
  [dray]
• 4Vier
  [feer]
• 5Fünf
  [foonf]
• 6Sechs
  [zeks]
• 7Sieben
  [zee-ben]
• 8Acht
  [ahkt]
• 9Neun
  [noyn]
• 10Zehn
  [tsayn]

• Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?
  [vo ist iyn/dehr]
• What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?
  [vas ist dee ah-dreh-seh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?
  [koon-en zee meer tsai-gen (ouf dehr kar-te)]
• When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?
  [vann kohmt dehr nai-khste (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)
  [iyn-eh fahr-kar-te (nahkh ....)]

Frankfurt am Main, often referred to simply as Frankfurt, traces its origins back to Roman times. The city was founded in the 1st century AD as a Roman military settlement and trading post. Its strategic location along the Main River made it an important point of trade and commerce in the region.

During the Middle Ages, Frankfurt flourished as a free imperial city within the Holy Roman Empire. It became an important center for trade fairs, drawing merchants from across Europe. In 1152, Frederick I Barbarossa was elected King of Germany at the city's St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, setting a precedent for future royal elections.

Established in 1454, the Frankfurt Book Fair is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious book fairs. It began as a local market for books and has since evolved into an international event, attracting publishers, authors, and literary enthusiasts from around the globe. Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press, played a significant role in the fair's early days.

Frankfurt is closely associated with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of Germany's most renowned writers and intellectuals. Born in Frankfurt in 1749, Goethe's early life and works were heavily influenced by the city's vibrant cultural scene. His former home, now the Goethe House Museum, offers visitors a glimpse into his life and times.

The 19th century brought significant industrial growth to Frankfurt. The city's infrastructure expanded rapidly with the construction of railways, factories, and modern buildings. Frankfurt's stock exchange, founded in 1820, became one of the most important financial hubs in Europe, a status it retains to this day.

Frankfurt suffered extensive damage during World War II, with much of its historic center destroyed by Allied bombing raids. However, the post-war period saw a remarkable effort to rebuild the city. Landmarks such as the Römer, St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, and parts of the Altstadt (Old Town) were meticulously reconstructed to restore their historical appearance.

Today, Frankfurt is known as a global financial powerhouse. It is home to the European Central Bank, Deutsche Bank, and numerous other financial institutions. The city's skyline, dominated by sleek skyscrapers, reflects its status as one of the world's leading financial centers. Frankfurt's diverse population and vibrant cultural scene make it a dynamic and cosmopolitan city.

Frankfurt is well-connected both domestically and internationally. Frankfurt Airport (FRA) is one of the busiest airports in Europe, offering numerous flights to and from major cities around the world. Once at the airport, you can reach the city center via train (S-Bahn lines S8 and S9), bus, taxi, or rental car. Frankfurt is also a major railway hub, with Deutsche Bahn trains connecting it to other German cities and neighboring countries. For those traveling by car, the city is accessible via the A3, A5, and A66 highways.

Frankfurt boasts an efficient public transportation system operated by RMV, which includes U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (commuter trains), trams, and buses. A single ticket allows transfers between different modes of transport within a specific time period. Taxis are readily available throughout the city, and ride-sharing services like Uber operate here as well. For a more eco-friendly option, consider using the city's bike-sharing program, 'Call a Bike,' which has stations all over Frankfurt. Walking is also a viable option, especially in the city center and along the Main River.

The official currency in Frankfurt is the Euro (€). Most establishments accept major credit and debit cards, but it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases and in case you visit places that are cash-only. ATMs are widely available throughout the city. Many places also accept contactless payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

Frankfurt is generally a safe city, but it's wise to stay vigilant, especially in crowded areas like the Zeil shopping street and at major train stations. Avoid the area around the main train station (Hauptbahnhof) late at night, as it can attract individuals engaging in illicit activities. Keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious of pickpockets, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.

In case of emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance. This number connects you to emergency medical services, the fire department, and the police. The city has several hospitals with emergency rooms, including University Hospital Frankfurt. Pharmacies ('Apotheken') are widely available, and some operate 24/7. Make sure to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do dress smart-casual, especially when dining out or attending events. Avoid overly casual attire like flip-flops and sportswear in more formal settings. Religion: Do respect religious customs when visiting churches. It's usually appropriate to dress modestly and remain quiet. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding. Don’t eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. A slight bow of the head is also a sign of respect. Eating & Drinking: Do try local specialties like 'Apfelwein' (apple wine) and 'Handkäse mit Musik' (a type of cheese). Don’t rush your meal; dining is often a leisurely experience.

To experience Frankfurt like a local, take a stroll along the Main River and visit the weekly flea market ('Flohmarkt' am Mainufer) for unique finds. Explore the Sachsenhausen district for its traditional 'Apfelwein' taverns. Visit the Kleinmarkthalle for a variety of local and international food stalls. If you're a fan of arts and culture, don't miss the Museumsufer, a cluster of museums along the riverbank. For a nice day trip, consider visiting the nearby Rheingau wine region.