Introducing a new friend at an expat party
A real situation from the OGIMA community · Expat Life
The scene
You're on a rooftop with a mix of Germans and internationals, your new expat friend doesn't know anyone, and you're the bridge.
Why this moment is tricky in Germany
Expat parties in German cities — especially Berlin — operate in a linguistic twilight zone where German and English constantly overlap. Introducing someone uses the phrase 'Das ist mein Freund/meine Freundin...' (this is my friend...) — but the gender distinction matters: 'Freund' alone can mean boyfriend, so 'ein Freund von mir' (a friend of mine) is clearer for platonic introductions. The expat social circuit has its own patterns: rooftop bar parties cluster in summer, living room parties (Wohnzimmerpartys) in winter, and the conversation always starts with 'Wie lange bist du schon in Berlin?' (how long have you been in Berlin?) and 'Was machst du beruflich?' (what do you do for work?). Introducing someone who doesn't speak German requires diplomatic code-switching: 'Er/Sie lernt noch Deutsch' (he/she is still learning German) signals to the group to accommodate without making it awkward. The German-speaking expats in the room appreciate when newcomers try German — 'Mein Deutsch ist noch nicht so gut' (my German isn't great yet) followed by any attempt earns immediate goodwill.
Rehearse it before it happens
This situation is practised out loud in OGIMA: you speak, an AI conversation partner answers back, and you rerun it until the real thing feels routine.
Prefer to read first? Our guide covers this territory: How to Learn German for Nursing in Germany