einen Gruß ausrichten

The verb here is ausrichten, which is a separable verb. This means the aus often jumps to the very end of your sentence. You will usually say something like: Richte ihm einen Gruß von mir aus. You need three people for this to work: you, the messenger, and the recipient. It is a great way to end a conversation smoothly. It feels much warmer than just saying 'Goodbye' and hanging up.

Use this when you are finishing a phone call with a parent. Use it when a colleague is going to a meeting with a client you know. It is perfect for those 'Oh, by the way' moments at the end of a coffee date. If you know your friend is seeing a mutual acquaintance later, this is your go-to phrase. It works beautifully in both professional and private settings. It makes you look thoughtful and well-mannered without much effort.

Do not use this if the person is standing right in front of you. That would be very awkward! Also, avoid using it for very intimate or deep emotional messages. It is specifically for 'greetings' and 'regards.' If you have a long, complex message to pass on, just use the verb ausrichten without Gruß. Don't use it if you don't actually like the third person. Germans take these social gestures seriously, so don't be fake!

Germans value social etiquette and 'keeping in touch' quite highly. Passing on greetings is a standard part of the 'Abschiedskultur' (goodbye culture). In the past, this was a formal way to maintain networks. Today, it is a sign of being 'gut erzogen' (well-bred). It bridges the gap between formal distance and friendly warmth. It is a small ritual that confirms the strength of a social circle.

You might hear Schöne Grüße bestellen which is a bit more casual. Another common one is Lass ihn/sie grüßen, which is very short and sweet. If you want to be extra formal, you can say Richten Sie ihm meine besten Empfehlungen aus. But for 90% of your life, einen Gruß ausrichten is the gold standard. It’s like the 'Swiss Army Knife' of German politeness.