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Basic German words you need to know

written by:  Krystof-Sandor Harfst

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Are you ready to expand your German vocabulary? Learning key words and phrases is crucial when acquiring a new language, and German is no exception. In this article, we will explore some essential German words that learners should prioritize to improve their language skills and enhance their ability to communicate effectively.

Common German Nouns

German nouns are gendered, which means they are paired with specific pronouns. Here are some critical nouns you should know:

  • der Mann (man)
  • die Frau (woman)
  • das Kind (child)
  • der Junge (boy)
  • das Mädchen (girl)
  • der Freund (friend)
  • die Leute (people, plural)
  • die Familie (family)
  • die Arbeit (work)
  • die Stadt (city)
  • das Ding (thing)
  • das Beispiel (example)
  • die Frage (question)
  • das Problem (problem)
  • das Leben (life)
  • das Geld (money)
  • das Essen (food)
  • das Haus (house) [1]


Common German Verbs

Verbs are essential for constructing sentences and expressing actions. Here are a few essential German verbs:

  • sein (to be)
  • haben (to have)
  • gehen (to go)
  • kommen (to come)
  • machen (to do/make)
  • sehen (to see)
  • sprechen (to speak)
  • lernen (to learn)
  • verstehen (to understand)
  • essen (to eat)
  • trinken (to drink)
  • schlafen (to sleep)
  • arbeiten (to work)
  • lesen (to read)
  • schreiben (to write)
  • kaufen (to buy)
  • finden (to find)


German Adjectives

Adjectives are used to describe nouns and add details to sentences. Here are some common German adjectives:

  • groß (big)
  • klein (small)
  • schön (beautiful/nice)
  • gut (good)
  • schlecht (bad)
  • alt (old)
  • jung (young)
  • neu (new)
  • langsam (slow)
  • schnell (fast)
  • einfach (easy)
  • schwer (difficult)
  • interessant (interesting)
  • lang (long)
  • kurz (short)
  • teuer (expensive)
  • billig (cheap)


German Phrases and Expressions

Learning common phrases and expressions will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in various situations. Here are a few examples:

  • Guten Morgen! (Good morning!)
  • Wie geht es dir? (How are you?)
  • Danke schön! (Thank you very much!)
  • Entschuldigung! (Excuse me!)
  • Ich verstehe nicht. (I don't understand.)
  • Wo ist...? (Where is...?)
  • Es tut mir leid. (I'm sorry.)
  • Auf Wiedersehen! (Goodbye!) [5]


German Numbers

Numbers are fundamental for counting, telling time, and expressing quantities. Here are the numbers one through ten in German:

  • eins (one)
  • zwei (two)
  • drei (three)
  • vier (four)
  • fünf (five)
  • sechs (six)
  • sieben (seven)
  • acht (eight)
  • neun (nine)
  • zehn (ten)


By focusing on these essential German words, you will lay a solid foundation for your language learning journey. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in German-speaking environments whenever possible to reinforce your knowledge.

Vielen Dank (Thank you very much) for embarking on this German vocabulary adventure with us! Alles Gute (All the best) as you continue to enhance your language skills.

Thank you for reading the article.

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