Lately, more and more people use “du” instead of “Sie”, but it is always better to have the formal form until they welcome us. Once they call us with “du”, it means we are also allowed to call them in informal way.

Another point is, the formal “you” is always started with the capital. It is done so to differemtiate “you” with “she” and “they”.
In German, “she” and “they” are also “sie” (but not with the capital).

When the “sie” is in the middle of sentence, it would be easy to differentiate it, but what if it’s in the beginning of a sentence? Or what if it’s spoken?

It’s also easy! We’re going to learn about it later!

Michael: “Guten Tag! Mein Name ist Michael.”
Yoan: “Guten Tag! Ich bin Yoan.”
Gregor: “Und ich heiße Gregor.”

As you could see above, there are three ways to tell others our name. To ask other’s name, we could ask following sentences:

• “Wie heißt du?” (informal)
• “Wie heißen Sie?” (formal)
• “Was ist dein Name?” (informal)
• “Was ist Ihr Name?” (formal)
• “Wer bist du?” (informal)
• “Wer sind Sie?” (formal)

In a conversation, it would be nice to say “Nice to meet you” when we’re introduced to someone. In German, it’s “Sehr erfreut.” or “Es freut mich, dich (“Sie” for formal form) zu kennen.”

To end the conversation? “Auf Wiedersehen!” or if it’s on the phone, just say “Auf Wiederhören!”

Es ist einfach, oder?