In 15 Seconds
- Use 'WLAN' (pronounced V-Lan) for WiFi in Germany.
- Pair it with 'verbinden' to talk about getting online.
- Common in homes, cafes, and offices across the country.
Meaning
This is how you talk about getting your phone or laptop online using a wireless network. It is the universal German way to say you are connecting to the internet without cables.
Key Examples
3 of 6Visiting a friend's apartment
Kann ich mein Handy mit deinem WLAN verbinden?
Can I connect my phone to your WiFi?
In a formal business meeting
Darf ich mein Notebook mit dem Firmen-WLAN verbinden?
May I connect my notebook to the company WiFi?
Texting a roommate about a technical issue
Mein Laptop lässt sich nicht mit dem WLAN verbinden.
My laptop won't connect to the WiFi.
Cultural Background
Privacy is paramount. Many Germans use long, complex WiFi passwords and might be hesitant to share them with strangers. Always ask politely. Public WiFi is very common in Swiss trains (SBB) and stations, often requiring a one-time SMS registration. In Viennese coffee houses, WiFi is increasingly common, but some traditional spots still prefer you to read a newspaper instead of a screen. In Berlin's tech hubs, 'WLAN' and 'WiFi' are used interchangeably, and the atmosphere is much more relaxed regarding sharing access.
The 'mit'm' shortcut
Native speakers often contract 'mit dem' to 'mit'm' in casual speech: 'Ich verbind' mich mal kurz mit'm WLAN.'
WiFi vs. WLAN
If you say 'WiFi' in Germany, people will understand you, but you'll sound like a tourist. Use 'WLAN' to sound like a local.
In 15 Seconds
- Use 'WLAN' (pronounced V-Lan) for WiFi in Germany.
- Pair it with 'verbinden' to talk about getting online.
- Common in homes, cafes, and offices across the country.
What It Means
WLAN verbinden is your golden ticket to the digital world in Germany. WLAN (pronounced 'V-Lan') is the German term for WiFi. The verb verbinden means to connect or link things together. When you put them together, you are simply saying you want to get online. It is a functional, essential phrase for modern life. Whether you are hunting for a signal or helping a friend, this is the core expression you need.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this as a verb phrase. You can say Ich möchte das WLAN verbinden (I want to connect the WiFi). Often, you will use it with the preposition mit to specify the network. For example: Ich verbinde mich mit dem WLAN. Note that in German, we often say das WLAN with an article. If you are asking for the password, you might start by mentioning you are trying to verbinden. It is straightforward and follows standard German sentence structure.
When To Use It
Use this anytime technology is involved. Use it at a friend's house when your data plan is dying. Use it in a café when you need to get some work done. It is perfect for professional settings too, like when you are setting up a presentation in a conference room. If you are texting a friend because your connection is flaky, this is your go-to phrase. It is universally understood across all age groups in Germany.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use verbinden if you are talking about physically plugging in a cable. For that, use anschließen. Also, avoid using it for human relationships unless you are being poetic or very formal. You wouldn't 'connect' with a person using this specific tech-heavy phrase in a casual chat. Don't use it for 'logging in' to an account either; that is einloggen or anmelden. Stick to the signal and the hardware here.
Cultural Background
Germany has a complicated history with public WiFi due to old laws called 'Störerhaftung'. This made shop owners liable for what users did on their networks. Because of this, free WiFi used to be rare! Things have changed now, and you will see 'Free WLAN' signs everywhere. However, Germans are still very protective of their data. You might find that passwords are long and complex. Asking to verbinden is now a standard part of German hospitality.
Common Variations
You will often hear ins WLAN gehen (to go into the WiFi). Another common one is das WLAN einrichten (to set up the WiFi). If the connection is bad, people say das WLAN bricht ab (the WiFi is dropping). If you are looking for the network name, you ask for the Netzwerkname. In casual slang, some younger people might just say WiFi, but WLAN remains the king of German tech terms.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all contexts. Remember that 'verbinden' requires the preposition 'mit' when mentioning the specific network name.
The 'mit'm' shortcut
Native speakers often contract 'mit dem' to 'mit'm' in casual speech: 'Ich verbind' mich mal kurz mit'm WLAN.'
WiFi vs. WLAN
If you say 'WiFi' in Germany, people will understand you, but you'll sound like a tourist. Use 'WLAN' to sound like a local.
Asking for the password
It's common to ask 'Wie ist das WLAN-Passwort?' rather than 'Was ist...'. Using 'wie' (how) is a quirk of German for passwords and numbers.
Examples
6Kann ich mein Handy mit deinem WLAN verbinden?
Can I connect my phone to your WiFi?
A very common polite request when visiting someone.
Darf ich mein Notebook mit dem Firmen-WLAN verbinden?
May I connect my notebook to the company WiFi?
Uses 'darf ich' for a more professional tone.
Mein Laptop lässt sich nicht mit dem WLAN verbinden.
My laptop won't connect to the WiFi.
Uses the reflexive 'lässt sich' to describe a technical failure.
Warum dauert es so lange, das WLAN zu verbinden?
Why is it taking so long to connect the WiFi?
Expressing mild annoyance at technology.
Oma, ich helfe dir, dein Tablet mit dem WLAN zu verbinden.
Grandma, I'll help you connect your tablet to the WiFi.
A kind, helpful gesture using the phrase.
Wie kann ich mich mit dem Gäste-WLAN verbinden?
How can I connect to the guest WiFi?
Standard travel inquiry.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition and article.
Ich verbinde mich ______ ______ WLAN.
In German, you always connect 'mit' (with) something, and 'WLAN' is a neuter noun in the dative case.
Which sentence is a polite way to ask for WiFi at a cafe?
Choose the best option:
This is the standard, polite neutral request.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du das {das|n} Passwort? B: Ja, warum? A: Ich möchte mein {das|n} Handy ______ ______ ______ ______.
This fits the grammatical structure of the sentence perfectly.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your internet at home is not working and you are calling support.
This describes the technical problem you are facing.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch verbinde mich ______ ______ WLAN.
In German, you always connect 'mit' (with) something, and 'WLAN' is a neuter noun in the dative case.
Choose the best option:
This is the standard, polite neutral request.
A: Hast du das {das|n} Passwort? B: Ja, warum? A: Ich möchte mein {das|n} Handy ______ ______ ______ ______.
This fits the grammatical structure of the sentence perfectly.
Situation: Your internet at home is not working and you are calling support.
This describes the technical problem you are facing.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neuter: {das|n} WLAN. However, in some regions, you might hear 'der WLAN', but 'das' is the grammatically correct standard.
Yes, it is understood, but 'WLAN' is much more common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
'Verbinden' needs an object (I connect my phone), while 'sich verbinden' is reflexive (I connect myself).
You can say 'Das {das|n} WLAN ist weg' or 'Das {das|n} WLAN funktioniert nicht'.
Always 'mit dem'. 'Zu dem' is a literal translation from English 'to the' and is incorrect in German.
It literally means 'WiFi key', which is just another word for the password.
This is often due to legal requirements or for marketing purposes by the provider.
Ask: 'Ist das {das|n} WLAN kostenlos?' or 'Ist das {das|n} WLAN gratis?'
Yes, you can say 'Ich verbinde mein {das|n} Handy mit dem {der|m} Lautsprecher via Bluetooth'.
It's a 'guest access'—a separate WiFi network for visitors that doesn't allow access to the main home network.
Related Phrases
das {das|n} WLAN-Passwort eingeben
builds onTo enter the WiFi password.
keinen {der|m} Empfang haben
contrastTo have no reception/signal.
einen {der|m} Hotspot einrichten
similarTo set up a hotspot.
im {das|n} Internet surfen
specialized formTo surf the internet.
