There's a Swabian saying that sums up a whole national attitude: Nicht geschimpft ist genug gelobt — "not being told off is praise enough." It's a joke, but only half of one.
Germans compliment less often than English speakers, and more precisely. When praise comes, it's usually about something specific and it's meant. That makes the phrases on this page more valuable, not less — a well-placed compliment lands harder here than it would in London or New York.
At Work
Good job!
Gut gemacht!
You did that really well.
Das hast du sehr gut gemacht.
Great work!
Super Arbeit!
Well done! (formal)
Das haben Sie hervorragend gemacht.
That was a great presentation.
Das war eine sehr gute Präsentation.
Thanks, that really helped.
Danke, das hat mir sehr geholfen.
I'm impressed.
Ich bin beeindruckt.
Respect!
Respekt!
Nice idea!
Gute Idee!
That looks professional.
Das sieht sehr professionell aus.
Practice these words
Gut gemacht!
Quick notes:
- Workplace praise in Germany is almost always about the task, not the person. Das hast du gut gemacht praises what was done. Praising someone's personality at work is unusual and can feel odd.
- Respekt! on its own is a short, sincere compliment, common among colleagues. It means roughly "hats off."
- In southern Germany you'll hear Passt as feedback — "that works." It's positive. It isn't enthusiastic, and it isn't meant to be.
Food and Home
This is delicious!
Das schmeckt super!
Very tasty.
Sehr lecker.
You're a great cook.
Du kochst richtig gut.
Can I have the recipe?
Kann ich das Rezept haben?
What a lovely flat!
Schöne Wohnung!
It's really cosy here.
Hier ist es richtig gemütlich.
You've done it up beautifully.
Du hast es sehr schön eingerichtet.
Great view!
Toller Ausblick!
Practice these words
Das schmeckt super!
Quick notes:
- Lecker is the everyday word for tasty and it's safe everywhere. Das schmeckt gut is more neutral; Das schmeckt super is warmer.
- Gemütlich is one of the most prized words in the language — cosy, comfortable, relaxed, all at once. Calling someone's home gemütlich is a genuine compliment.
- Kann ich das Rezept haben? is the highest praise you can give a German home cook.
Appearance
You look good.
Du siehst gut aus.
That suits you.
Das steht dir gut.
That colour suits you.
Die Farbe steht dir.
Nice dress!
Schönes Kleid!
New haircut? Looks good.
Neue Frisur? Sieht gut aus.
Great glasses!
Coole Brille!
Practice these words
Du siehst gut aus.
Quick notes:
- Das steht dir — "that stands to you" — is the standard way to say clothes or colours suit someone. It's one of the most useful compliments in the language.
- Appearance compliments are fine among friends and family. At work they're much rarer than in many countries, and comments about someone's body or weight are best avoided entirely.
Language and Skills
Your German is very good.
Dein Deutsch ist sehr gut.
You speak very well.
Du sprichst sehr gut.
You explained that really well.
Das hast du sehr gut erklärt.
You're really talented.
Du bist wirklich talentiert.
I couldn't do that.
Das könnte ich nicht.
Practice these words
Dein Deutsch ist sehr gut.
Quick note: you'll hear Dein Deutsch ist sehr gut more often than you deserve it, especially early on. It's sincere encouragement. Say danke and keep speaking German — that's the reply that earns the next one.
Everyday Praise Words
Good
Gut!
Nice, lovely
Schön!
Great!
Toll!
Super!
Super!
Great! (a little old-fashioned)
Klasse!
Top, excellent!
Spitze!
Awesome! (casual, "impressive")
Stark!
Incredible!
Wahnsinn!
That's amazing!
Der Hammer!
Wow! (Crazy)
Krass!
Practice these words
Gut!
Quick notes:
- Krass means "extreme" and can go either way — krass gut or krass schlecht. Tone tells you which.
- Young Germans also say geil for "awesome." It started as a vulgar word and has softened among under-40s, but it still lands wrong with older people and at work. Recognise it, don't lead with it.
Accepting a Compliment
Thank you!
Danke!
Thanks, that's kind of you.
Danke, das ist nett von dir.
Danke, das ist nett von dir.
Danke, das freut mich.
Thanks — I'm glad you like it.
Danke, schön, dass es dir gefällt.
Practice these words
Danke!
Quick note: Danke, das freut mich is the natural response to almost any compliment. Germans generally accept praise plainly; long self-deprecating deflection ("oh, it's nothing, it was so easy") can come across as fishing for more.
What to Know About German Praise
Understatement is the default register. Nicht schlecht ("not bad") is a real compliment. Ganz gut ("quite good") is a pass. Das passt is approval. If you're used to American or British enthusiasm, German feedback can feel cool at first — but none of these phrases are backhanded. They're just calibrated lower.
Specific beats general. Die Grafik auf Folie drei war sehr klar (the chart on slide three was very clear) is a better German compliment than Tolle Präsentation! Precise praise signals you actually paid attention, which is what Germans value.
Criticism isn't personal. The flip side of sparing praise is direct criticism, and it's usually aimed at the work, not the person. A colleague saying Das stimmt so nicht isn't being hostile. It helps to hear compliments and criticism on the same scale — both are about the thing, not about you.
Three Mistakes to Avoid
Over-praising. Three superlatives in a row sound insincere in German. One precise compliment works better.
Complimenting appearance at work. Stick to the work itself unless you know the person well.
Deflecting too hard. Say danke, das freut mich and let the compliment stand.