Woman’s Clothing
The following table is a rough guide for Woman’s clothing. Most online shops will have a measurement guide, but even then it might not fit as expected.
Shoes
Vocabulary
| English | German |
| Bra | der BH or der Büstenhalter |
| Dress | das Kleid |
| Pants | die Hose |
| Blouse | die Bluse |
| Shirt | das Hemd |
| Skirt | das Rock |
| Panties | der Slip |
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Shopping
Shopping Shopping in Germany – A Whole New Trolley RideNew country, new customs, and even your weekly grocery run feels like an Olympic event? You’re not alone. Shopping in Germany can seem intimidating at first, but once you learn the rhythm, it becomes part of the dance of everyday life here. From super-speedy tills to surprisingly helpful shoe store staff, shopping here may not be what you’re used to – but it brings its own charm and flow. Clothes Specialty and clothing shops in Germany often offer a surprising amount of personal service. A shop assistant might approach you with a polite “Kann ich Ihnen helfen?” (“Can I help you?”) – and if you say yes, they’ll genuinely make the effort. Whether it’s helping you pick out the perfect outfit for a wedding or advising on which jacket fits your style, this tailored approach is something to appreciate. In some clothing stores, they’ll even suggest entire outfits or wardrobe combinations. It can feel like having a personal stylist, especially in mid- to higher-end boutiques. In shoe stores, expect a bit of a ritual at checkout. After trying on your shoes and deciding on a pair, the salesperson might ask, “Möchten Sie den Karton behalten?” (“Would you like to keep the box?”). They’ll also check if you’ve brought a bag – “Haben Sie eine Tüte dabei?” If you did, just say “Ja, ich habe eine dabei, danke.”It’s a small exchange, but these little phrases help build your confidence and show you’re picking up the cultural cues. We’ve created a page dedicated to helping you find the best places to shop for clothes. Whether you’re looking for trendy boutiques, affordable department stores, or high-end designer labels, we’ve got you covered.We also have a detailed page specifically dedicated to clothing sizes for women. Grocery shopping Grocery shopping – the true test of nerves for many expats. In South Africa, the checkout process is often calm and cushioned with the luxury of a packer at the till, sometimes even with a friendly chat. You could pay your electricity bill, top up airtime, and leave with your groceries neatly bagged.In Germany? Strap in. There are no packers. The cashiers scan your items with Formula 1 precision, and you’re expected to keep up. Blink, and your avocados are halfway down the conveyor belt. And don’t even think about asking for a plastic bag – you’ll likely get a raised eyebrow and a pointed glance toward the reusable bags you should have brought.The smart move is to pack straight into your trolley as things are scanned, then take your time bagging at one of the packing counters nearby. It’s less social, more survival – but it becomes second nature over time. Checkout 2.0: Payment & Self-Service Gone are the days when Germany was strictly cash-only. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many stores now accept debit cards (EC-Karte), and mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay have become more common, though not universal. Credit cards, however, are still hit-or-miss, especially in smaller shops or bakeries, so always keep some cash handy. Some chains like Rewe and dm now offer self-checkout lanes. They’re fast, convenient, and ideal when you’ve only got a few items. The system relies on weighing the items before and after scanning, so it’s best used when you’re not doing a big shop. House and home One bed, two duvets? Welcome to Germany, where personal space and practicality meet even under the covers. From unfamiliar bed sizes and square pillows to the national tradition of sleeping under your own blanket—even when sharing a bed—German bedding customs can feel a bit foreign at first. But once you adjust, you might just wonder why we ever did it differently. In this section, we unravel the mysteries of mattresses, decode duvet etiquette, and help you navigate the bedding aisles with confidence (and the right measurements in mind). Shops similar to those we know Missing Builders Warehouse, Woolies, or Pick n Pay? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. One of the small victories of settling into life in Germany is cracking the code on where to find the things you used to buy back home. While the names may be different, many German shops offer similar products and experiences—once you know where to look. Whether you’re hunting for hardware, craving quality groceries, or just looking for affordable home goods, this section matches your South African go-tos with their German counterparts, helping you shop smarter and feel a little more at home. Substitutes Whether you’re trying to bake a milk tart and can’t find condensed milk, or just hunting down cling wrap that isn’t industrial strength, shopping in Germany can feel like a scavenger hunt. Many everyday South African products—both in the kitchen and around the house—either go by completely different names, look unfamiliar, or simply don’t exist here. But don’t worry, the pages below are packed with clever swaps and local alternatives to help you recreate your favourite recipes and restock your home without losing your marbles (or your meal plan). 🛒 Helpful German Phrases & Shopping Terms English German No, thank you. I am just looking Nein danke, ich schaue mich nur um. Where are the changing rooms? Wo sind die Umkleidekabinen? Can I try it on? Kann ich es anprobieren? I’ll take it Ich nehme es. How much does it cost? Wieviel kostet es? Do you need a bag? Brauchen Sie eine Tüte? Do you want a receipt? Möchten Sie einen Beleg? I brought my own bag Ich habe eine dabei. Special offer das Sonderangebot Sale der Ausverkauf Shopping basket der Einkaufskorb Shopping trolley der Einkaufswagen To pay bezahlen Bakery die Bäckerei Butcher die Fleischerei / die Metzgerei Sweet shop der Süßwarenladen Chemist / Pharmacy die Apotheke Supermarket der Supermarkt Department store das Kaufhaus Till / Checkout die Kasse The price der Preis Bag die Tasche For more, have a look at this page Shopping Etiquette: Play Fair One thing to avoid at all costs? Using a shop’s
Differences – South Africa vs Germany
Every county has their own way of doing things, and your first couple of months living in a new country will be a steep learning curve. Here are some of the differences between South Africa and Germany as well as some basic info we would classify into “I wish someone told me that!” DisclaimerMost of the information were translated from German, and although we do our upmost to provide correct and up to date information, you are still responsible for your own legal clarifications. No liability accepted. Driving Here are some basic differences in road rules South Africa Germany Driving on the left-hand side Driving on the right-hand side. Right before left rule Speed limits The general speed limit (Tempolimit) on highways (autobahn) is 130 km/h. On most highways, the speed limit is dynamically controlled depending on the traffic conditions. It can also be unlimited. Pass vehicles on the right and left No passing on the right. It is illegal to pass a vehicle on the right. You must move into a left lane in order to pass. The pass-on-the-left-only rule is one of the things that make the autobahn work. Traffic circles yield to the right Traffic circles (Kreis) yield to the left, and a vehicle already in the circle has right of way. You only use your turn signals when you leave the circle, and not when entering. When there is no sign to indicate it is a traffic circle, you handle it like a normal intersection and the right-before-left rule applies Main roads have priority and side streets must yield Side roads, unless you have a right of way sign on the main road, have right of way from the right. A fuel pump attendant fills up your vehicle at the Petrol station You have to fill up your vehicle yourself. Remember to note the pump number when paying. Always ask for a receipt when paying by cash. When denting another vehicle in a parking lot, you can leave a note for the person to contact you Hit-and-run (Fahrerflucht) is a very serious offence. A hit-and-run occurs when a person involved in the accident moves away from the scene of the accident,If you damage another vehicle in the parking lot, you must wait for the person to return before you can leave, or else it is seen as a hit-and-run. See Division 7 Section 142 of the StGB – Leaving the scene of an accident. If the owner of the vehicle does not return after a reasonable period, report the incident to the police. It is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn According to paragraph 23 paragraph 1a of the Road Traffic Act (StVO), Anyone who drives a vehicle may only use an electronic device that serves or is intended to serve communication, information or organization if 1. the device is not picked up or held for this purpose and 2. either a) only one voice control and read-aloud function is used or b) in order to operate and use the device, only a brief look at the device, taking in consideration the road, traffic, visibility and weather conditions, while simultaneously looking away from the traffic situation, takes place or is necessary. The ban applies to all electronic devices used for communication, information or organization and includes navigation devices. You are allowed to follow navigation instructions but not manually enter your destination address while driving. The law also applies to bicycles. More detailed info on ADAC and Bussgeldkatalog There are no precise regulations in Germany or in most European countries as to which shoes are permitted and which are forbidden when driving. Nevertheless: From a liability and insurance perspective, driving with open, loose-fitting, high-heeled shoes can be problematic. More info on ADAC You are not permitted to wash your car at home. This is to protect the underground water. Shopping South Africa Germany Shopping on Sunday Shops are closed on Sundays. There are special Sunday Shopping days in certain cities and towns. Shops at Petrol stations, Trains stations and Airports are open Someone bags your grocery shopping You have to bring your own shopping bags and pack your own items at lightning speed Clothing and shoe sizes according to the UK sizes Clothing and shoe sizes according to EU sizes. Children’s clothing sizes are according to their length Fresh produce is available irrespective of whether they are in season Fresh produce is very seasonal. Out-of-season items are very expensive when available Salespeople mostly have no clue about the products in the shops Salespeople are very well-informed and can give professional assistance Dining out South Africa Germany Waiting to be seated You can choose a table and sit down, without being shown where to sit.It is quite common, especially in beer gardens, to share a table with other patrons. Tip usually 10% Round off to the nearest 5 Paying for everyone or splitting the bill Everyone pays for themselves unless you are “invited/eingeladen”, then the host normally pays. The waiter will ask “Getrennt (Split bill) oder zusammen (one bill)”Be very careful to use the words “ich lade dich ein” if you want to invite someone to join you in a restaurant, it implies you are paying for the meal. Dogs Dogs are welcomed in most restaurants, and will even get a water bowl. Best to find out beforehand if your dogs will be permitted inside. Schools South Africa Germany Academic year is from Jan to Dec Academic year is from September to August House and home For more information visit our Beds, mattresses and Duvets page South Africa Germany Pillow Size 45×70 cm Square 80 x 80 cm pillows Double bed mattress Two single mattresses on the bed Double bed duvet Two Single duvets Pets South Africa Germany No dog tax You have to pay taxes on your dogs. The Hundesteuer is between e120 and €180 per dog per year No dogs in restaurants Dogs are allowed in some restaurants General Here are some interesting laws, rules and exceptions that you
Product Substitutes
Product Substitutes Most products we know in South Africa are available in Germany, but unfortunately not all of them. Here is a list of product substitutes for some of them. I you would like more information about where to buy South African products in Germany, see our Products we love page. Food related products General household items Stationery and Hardware Items Medicinal Products Bed linen Most Germans sleep under their own single duvet, even on a “double” bed. The usual arrangement is a bed with two mattresses and each person sleeping under their own duvet.To buy queen or king-size linen and duvets, look online.If you brought your own pillows from SA, look on online shops in the UK like Amazon.co.uk. They deliver in Germany.Some shops in Germany like Wayfair, Ikea and Home24 will have the correct sizes but you will have a limited selection. See Beds, Mattresses and Duvets below for standard pillow sizes and other information Related content
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