Appearance
Kursbuch A1 — Kapitel 1: Greetings, Introductions & Countries
Introducing yourself, greetings, countries and languages, and numbers 0–20.
Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural
Sich vorstellen (introducing yourself)
der Name — name
Plural: die Namen. Weak noun — it adds -n in every case except Nominativ singular (den Namen, dem Namen), so watch out: "der Name" but never "den Name."
Nom Der Name steht auf der Liste.
The name is on the list.
der Name (maskulin) = name · die Liste = list · stehen = to stand/appear. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Name is the subject.
Akk Ich buchstabiere den Namen.
I spell the name.
buchstabieren = to spell. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Name is a weak noun and adds -n → Namen, the direct object.
Dat Sie fragt nach dem Namen.
She asks for the name.
fragen nach = to ask for (always Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem). Namen adds -n in Dativ too (weak noun).
Nom Ein Name fehlt noch.
A name is still missing.
fehlen = to be missing · noch = still. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, same as "der."
Akk Ich höre einen Namen.
I hear a name.
hören = to hear. "Einen" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen), mirroring der → den. Name adds -n (weak noun) → Namen.
Dat Wir sprechen von den Namen.
We talk about the names.
sprechen von = to talk about (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: the article is "den" regardless of gender, and Namen already ends in -n so no further change is needed.
mein — my
Declines like "ein": mein Name, meine Sprache, mein Land. "Mein Name ist ..." is the very first sentence most beginners learn.
Mein Name ist Klara.
My name is Klara.
mein = my · der Name (maskulin) = name. "Mein" takes no ending before a maskulin noun, just like "ein."
dein — your (informal)
The possessive for "du" — used with friends, family, and children. Declines exactly like "mein."
Wie ist dein Name?
What is your name?
wie = how/what · dein = your (informal) · der Name = name. Informal question, used with people you address as "du."
Ihr — your (formal)
The possessive for formal "Sie" — always capitalized so it isn't confused with "ihr" (her/their). Ask strangers and officials this way, not with "dein."
Wie ist Ihr Name, bitte?
What is your name, please?
Ihr = your (formal) · bitte = please. Capital "Ihr" signals the polite "Sie" form, not "her/their."
der Vorname — first name
Plural: die Vornamen. Weak noun like "der Name" — adds -n outside Nominativ singular. On German forms, Vorname always comes before Nachname.
Nom Der Vorname steht zuerst.
The first name comes first.
der Vorname (maskulin) = first name · zuerst = first (adverb) · stehen = to stand/appear. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Vorname is the subject.
Akk Bitte sagen Sie den Vornamen.
Please say the first name.
sagen = to say. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Vorname adds -n (weak noun) → Vornamen, the direct object.
Dat Ich helfe Ihnen mit dem Vornamen.
I'll help you with the first name.
helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · mit = with. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit." Vornamen adds -n too.
Nom Ein Vorname reicht hier.
A first name is enough here.
reichen = to be enough. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, just like "der."
Akk Sie nennt einen Vornamen.
She names a first name.
nennen = to name/mention. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite (ein → einen). Vorname adds -n (weak noun) → Vornamen, the direct object.
Dat Wir suchen nach den Vornamen.
We are searching for the first names.
suchen nach = to search for (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Vornamen already ends in -n, no change needed.
der Nachname — last name / surname
Plural: die Nachnamen. Also weak, like "der Name." The everyday word for surname — "der Familienname" is the more official-sounding synonym.
Nom Der Nachname ist schwer zu buchstabieren.
The surname is hard to spell.
schwer = difficult · buchstabieren = to spell. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Nachname is the subject.
Akk Schreiben Sie den Nachnamen in Großbuchstaben.
Write the surname in capital letters.
schreiben = to write · die Großbuchstaben = capital letters. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Nachname adds -n (weak noun) → Nachnamen, the direct object.
Dat Er fragt nach dem Nachnamen.
He asks for the surname.
fragen nach = to ask for (always Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem). Nachnamen adds -n too.
Nom Ein Nachname kann sehr lang sein.
A surname can be very long.
können = can/to be able to · lang = long. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Ich kenne einen Nachnamen aus Bayern.
I know a surname from Bavaria.
kennen = to know (be familiar with) · Bayern = Bavaria. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ indefinite. Nachname adds -n (weak noun) → Nachnamen, the direct object.
Dat Das Formular fragt nach den Nachnamen beider Eltern.
The form asks for the surnames of both parents.
das Formular = form · beide = both · die Eltern = parents. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Nachnamen already ends in -n.
buchstabieren — to spell
A regular verb: ich buchstabiere, du buchstabierst, er/sie buchstabiert. You'll need this the moment someone asks for your name on the phone.
Können Sie das bitte buchstabieren?
Can you spell that, please?
können = can/to be able to · bitte = please. "Buchstabieren" as infinitive after the modal verb "können," pushed to the end of the sentence.
Ich buchstabiere meinen Namen langsam.
I spell my name slowly.
mein = my · langsam = slowly. "Buchstabiere" — ich-form, regular -e ending.
heißen — to be called / to be named
The essential introduction verb: "Ich heiße ..." Notice the "ß" (Eszett) — pronounced like a sharp s, never a "ss" in careful spelling.
Wie heißt du?
What is your name?
wie = how/what · du = you (informal). "Heißt" — du-form of heißen, used to ask an informal acquaintance's name.
Ich heiße Lukas und komme aus Wien.
My name is Lukas and I come from Vienna.
kommen aus = to come from · Wien = Vienna. "Heiße" — ich-form, the standard way to introduce yourself.
sein, er ist — to be
The most essential irregular verb: ich bin, du bist, er/sie/es ist, wir sind, ihr seid, sie/Sie sind. Used for identity, nationality, and states of being.
Ich bin Student.
I am a student.
ich = I · der Student = student (male). "Bin" — the ich-form of "sein," used without an article before a profession or role.
Wo seid ihr heute?
Where are you (plural, informal) today?
wo = where · ihr = you (plural, informal) · heute = today. "Seid" — the ihr-form of "sein."
wohnen — to live / to reside
"Wohnen" means to reside/dwell, not "to live" in the sense of being alive (that's "leben"). For your address, always use wohnen: "Ich wohne in Berlin."
Wohnst du in der Stadt?
Do you live in the city?
du = you (informal) · die Stadt = city. "Wohnst" — du-form (stem "wohn-" + "-st").
Wir wohnen seit zwei Jahren hier.
We have been living here for two years.
seit = since/for (+ Dativ) · zwei Jahre = two years · hier = here. "Wohnen" — wir-form, identical to the infinitive.
in — in (preposition, + Dativ or Akkusativ)
A two-way preposition: Dativ for a fixed location ("wo?"), Akkusativ for movement into something ("wohin?"). With "wohnen" it is always Dativ, since living somewhere is a location, not a movement.
Ich wohne in Hamburg.
I live in Hamburg.
wohnen = to live/reside · Hamburg = Hamburg. "In" + Dativ here, because "wohnen" describes a fixed location (wo?), not a direction.
die Stadt — city / town
Plural: die Städte (note the umlaut). You'll be asked "In welcher Stadt wohnen Sie?" on almost every form and in every introduction.
Nom Die Stadt ist sehr alt.
The town is very old.
die Stadt (feminin) = city/town · alt = old. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Stadt is the subject.
Akk Ich mag die Stadt sehr.
I like the town a lot.
mögen = to like. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). Stadt is the direct object.
Dat Er wohnt seit Jahren in der Stadt.
He has lived in the town for years.
seit Jahren = for years · in = in (Dativ for location). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Stadt in Bayern heißt Passau.
A town in Bavaria is called Passau.
Bayern = Bavaria · heißen = to be called. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Wir besuchen eine Stadt am Rhein.
We are visiting a town on the Rhine.
besuchen = to visit · der Rhein = the Rhine. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite doesn't change between Nominativ and Akkusativ, just like "die."
Dat Er erzählt von den Städten in Süddeutschland.
He talks about the towns in southern Germany.
erzählen von = to tell about (+ Dativ) · Süddeutschland = southern Germany. Plural Dativ: article "den" for any gender, and Stadt takes the umlaut plural Städte, adding -n → Städten.
wie — how / what
Used to ask for a name, a description, or a manner: "Wie heißt du?", "Wie ist das Wetter?" One of the first W-question words every beginner learns.
Wie heißt du?
What is your name? (literally: How are you called?)
wie = how/what · heißen = to be called. Question word placed first, then the conjugated verb.
wer — who
Asks about a person's identity, not their name specifically — "Wer bist du?" and "Wie heißt du?" both work for introductions but ask slightly different things.
Wer bist du?
Who are you?
wer = who · sein = to be → bist (du-form). Asking directly about identity.
wo — where
Asks about a fixed location — don't confuse with "wohin" (where to), which asks about a direction.
Wo wohnst du?
Where do you live?
wo = where · wohnen = to live/reside → wohnst (du-form). "Wo" for a location, matching wohnen's fixed-place meaning.
woher — where from
Literally "from where" — the standard way to ask about someone's origin or hometown.
Woher kommst du?
Where are you from?
woher = where from · kommen = to come → kommst (du-form). Answered with "aus" + a place: "Ich komme aus Italien."
Das ist Herr/Frau … — This is Mr./Mrs. …
The standard formal introduction. "Herr" and "Frau" are followed by the surname, not the first name. Note: "der Herr" is a weak noun — it becomes "Herrn" in every case except Nominativ singular, so "Ich grüße Herrn Weber," not "Herr Weber."
Das ist Herr Weber, unser neuer Kollege.
This is Mr. Weber, our new colleague.
das ist = this is · der Herr (maskulin) = Mr./gentleman · der Kollege = colleague. "Herr" stays unchanged here because it's Nominativ (the predicate after "ist"); it would become "Herrn" in Akkusativ or Dativ.
die E-Mail-Adresse — email address
Plural: die E-Mail-Adressen. A compound of "die E-Mail" + "die Adresse" — takes the gender of the final part, so feminin.
Nom Die E-Mail-Adresse ist auf der Visitenkarte.
The email address is on the business card.
die Visitenkarte = business card. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. E-Mail-Adresse is the subject.
Akk Bitte geben Sie die E-Mail-Adresse ein.
Please enter the email address.
eingeben = to enter/input (separable verb). "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ. E-Mail-Adresse is the direct object.
Dat Er antwortet mit der E-Mail-Adresse seines Kollegen.
He replies with his colleague's email address.
antworten mit = to reply with (+ Dativ) · der Kollege = colleague. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "mit."
Nom Eine E-Mail-Adresse reicht für die Anmeldung.
One email address is enough for the registration.
die Anmeldung = registration. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich brauche eine E-Mail-Adresse für den Kurs.
I need an email address for the course.
brauchen = to need · der Kurs = course. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite doesn't change between Nominativ and Akkusativ.
Dat Die IT hilft bei Problemen mit den E-Mail-Adressen.
IT helps with problems related to the email addresses.
die IT = IT department · das Problem = problem · helfen bei = to help with (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; E-Mail-Adressen already ends in -n.
die Handynummer — mobile number
Plural: die Handynummern. Compound of "das Handy" (mobile phone) + "die Nummer" — feminin, from Nummer. Note: "Handy" is a German invention and doesn't mean "handy" in English.
Nom Die Handynummer hat sich geändert.
The mobile number has changed.
sich ändern = to change. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Handynummer is the subject.
Akk Kannst du mir die Handynummer schicken?
Can you send me the mobile number?
schicken = to send · mir = to me (Dativ). "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ. Handynummer is the direct object.
Dat Ich rufe dich unter der Handynummer an.
I'll call you at the mobile number.
anrufen = to call (separable) · unter = at/under (Dativ here for a contact point). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Handynummer reicht für die Registrierung.
One mobile number is enough for the registration.
die Registrierung = registration. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich brauche eine Handynummer für den Notfall.
I need a mobile number for an emergency.
der Notfall = emergency. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Wir kommunizieren mit den Handynummern aller Teilnehmer.
We communicate using the mobile numbers of all participants.
kommunizieren mit = to communicate using (+ Dativ) · der Teilnehmer = participant. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Handynummern already ends in -n.
die Telefonnummer — telephone number
Plural: die Telefonnummern. Also from "die Nummer," like Handynummer. German phone numbers are usually read out in pairs or one digit at a time.
Nom Die Telefonnummer ist besetzt.
The telephone number is busy.
besetzt = busy/occupied (of a line). "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Telefonnummer is the subject.
Akk Ich wähle die Telefonnummer noch einmal.
I dial the telephone number again.
wählen = to dial/choose · noch einmal = once more. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er fragt nach der Telefonnummer vom Arzt.
He asks for the doctor's telephone number.
fragen nach = to ask for (+ Dativ) · der Arzt = doctor. "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Telefonnummer fehlt auf dem Formular.
A telephone number is missing on the form.
fehlen = to be missing · das Formular = form. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Er gibt mir eine Telefonnummer.
He gives me a telephone number.
geben = to give. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Man erreicht die Ämter unter den Telefonnummern auf der Webseite.
You can reach the government offices at the phone numbers on the website.
erreichen = to reach · das Amt = government office · unter = at (+ Dativ, contact point) · die Webseite = website. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Telefonnummern already ends in -n.
Länder und Sprachen (countries and languages)
Deutschland — Germany
Like most country names, Deutschland is neuter and used without an article: "Ich komme aus Deutschland," never "aus dem Deutschland."
Nom Deutschland hat 16 Bundesländer.
Germany has 16 federal states.
das Bundesland = federal state. No article — Deutschland is the subject directly.
Akk Ich besuche Deutschland jeden Sommer.
I visit Germany every summer.
besuchen = to visit · jeden Sommer = every summer. No article or ending change — country names without an article stay the same in every case.
Dat Sie kommt aus Deutschland.
She comes from Germany.
kommen aus = to come from (always Dativ). "Aus Deutschland" needs no article, unlike "aus der Schweiz."
Österreich — Austria
Also neuter and article-free: "aus Österreich," "nach Österreich." Austrian German has its own regional vocabulary, e.g. "Erdapfel" for potato instead of "Kartoffel."
Nom Österreich liegt in den Alpen.
Austria lies in the Alps.
liegen = to lie/be located · die Alpen = the Alps. No article — Österreich is the subject directly.
Akk Wir kennen Österreich nicht so gut.
We don't know Austria that well.
kennen = to know (be familiar with) · nicht so gut = not so well. No article or ending change in Akkusativ.
Dat Er wohnt seit einem Jahr in Österreich.
He has lived in Austria for a year.
seit einem Jahr = for a year · wohnen in = to live in (Dativ, location). No article needed after "in" for this neuter, article-free country.
die Schweiz — Switzerland
One of the few countries with a feminine article — you must always say "die Schweiz," never just "Schweiz." Similarly: die Türkei, die Ukraine.
Nom Die Schweiz hat vier Landessprachen.
Switzerland has four national languages.
die Landessprache = national language. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Schweiz is the subject.
Akk Wir besuchen die Schweiz im Winter.
We are visiting Switzerland in winter.
besuchen = to visit · der Winter = winter. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ (die → die).
Dat Sie kommt aus der Schweiz.
She comes from Switzerland.
kommen aus = to come from (always Dativ). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der); for feminine countries you must keep the article after "aus."
das Land — country
Plural: die Länder (umlaut!). Most country names in German are neuter and article-free, but "Land" itself is a normal declinable noun.
Nom Das Land ist sehr groß.
The country is very big.
groß = big. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ. Land is the subject.
Akk Wir besuchen das Land zum ersten Mal.
We are visiting the country for the first time.
zum ersten Mal = for the first time. "Das" stays "das" — neutrum Akkusativ (das → das).
Dat Sie erzählt von dem Land.
She tells about the country.
erzählen von = to tell about (+ Dativ). "Dem" — neutrum Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein Land in Europa heißt Belgien.
A country in Europe is called Belgium.
Europa = Europe · Belgien = Belgium. "Ein" — no ending before neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Ich kenne ein Land mit drei Sprachen.
I know a country with three languages.
kennen = to know · mit drei Sprachen = with three languages. "Ein" stays unchanged — neutrum Akkusativ (ein → ein).
Dat Wir sprechen über die Grenzen zwischen den Ländern.
We talk about the borders between the countries.
die Grenze = border · zwischen = between (+ Dativ here, no movement). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Land takes the umlaut plural Länder and adds -n → Ländern.
kommen — to come
"Woher kommen Sie?" is the standard way to ask about someone's origin. With most countries, no article: "Ich komme aus Spanien." With feminine countries, keep the article: "aus der Schweiz."
Woher kommst du?
Where do you come from?
woher = where from. "Kommst" — du-form.
Wir kommen aus verschiedenen Ländern.
We come from different countries.
verschieden = different · die Länder = countries. "Kommen" — wir-form, identical to the infinitive.
aus — from (preposition, + Dativ)
Always Dativ — used for origin: "Woher kommst du? — Ich komme aus Indien." Most countries take no article; feminine countries keep theirs: "aus der Schweiz."
Er kommt aus Spanien.
He comes from Spain.
kommen = to come · Spanien = Spain. "Aus" always governs Dativ; Spanien needs no article since it's a neuter, article-free country.
die Sprache — language
Plural: die Sprachen. Language names themselves (Deutsch, Englisch) are separate nouns and don't need an article when used alone.
Nom Die Sprache klingt schön.
The language sounds beautiful.
klingen = to sound. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Sprache is the subject.
Akk Ich lerne die Sprache seit einem Jahr.
I've been learning the language for a year.
lernen = to learn · seit einem Jahr = for a year. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Sie hilft mir mit der Sprache.
She helps me with the language.
helfen mit = to help with (+ Dativ). "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Sprache braucht viel Übung.
A language needs a lot of practice.
brauchen = to need · die Übung = practice. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Er spricht eine Sprache, die ich nicht kenne.
He speaks a language I don't know.
sprechen = to speak · kennen = to know. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Der Kurs hilft bei den Sprachen Europas.
The course helps with the languages of Europe.
helfen bei = to help with (+ Dativ) · Europa = Europe. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Sprache adds -n → Sprachen, which already ends in -n.
lernen — to learn
A regular verb: ich lerne, du lernst, er/sie lernt. Don't confuse "lernen" (to study/learn) with "studieren" (to study at a university).
Ich lerne jeden Tag Deutsch.
I learn German every day.
jeden Tag = every day. "Lerne" — ich-form, regular -e ending.
Wie lange lernst du schon Deutsch?
How long have you been learning German?
wie lange = how long · schon = already. "Lernst" — du-form.
sprechen, er spricht — to speak
Stem-changing verb: ich spreche, du sprichst, er/sie spricht. Used directly with a language, no article needed: "Ich spreche Deutsch und Englisch."
Sprichst du Englisch?
Do you speak English?
du = you (informal) · Englisch = English. "Sprichst" — du-form, stem change e → i.
Sie spricht drei Sprachen fließend.
She speaks three languages fluently.
die Sprache = language · fließend = fluently. "Spricht" — er/sie-form, same stem change.
Welche Sprachen sprechen Sie? — Which languages do you speak?
The formal way to ask about someone's languages. "Welche" agrees with the plural noun "Sprachen," so it doesn't need to change for gender here.
Welche Sprachen sprechen Sie? — Ich spreche Deutsch und ein bisschen Französisch.
"Which languages do you speak?" — "I speak German and a little French."
welche = which · die Sprache = language · Sie = you (formal) · ein bisschen = a little. Formal question using the "Sie" form, answered by naming the languages directly (no article).
Deutsch — German (the language)
Language names are adjectives turned into nouns and stand without an article when used alone: "Ich spreche Deutsch." With an article, they're neuter: "Mein Deutsch wird besser."
Nom Das Deutsch in diesem Buch ist einfach.
The German (language) in this book is simple.
das Buch = book · einfach = simple. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ; with the article, Deutsch is the subject.
Akk Ich übe Deutsch jeden Tag.
I practice German every day.
üben = to practice. No article needed as a direct object naming the language itself.
Dat Er hilft mir mit seinem Deutsch.
He helps me with his German.
helfen mit = to help with (+ Dativ) · sein = his. "Seinem Deutsch" — neutrum Dativ (sein → seinem) after "mit."
Grüßen und verabschieden (greeting and saying goodbye)
Hallo! — Hi! / Hello!
An informal greeting, used any time of day among friends, family, and young people. Not appropriate in very formal settings.
Hallo! Wie geht's?
Hi! How's it going?
hallo = hi/hello · wie geht's = how's it going. Casual opener, typically followed by asking how someone is doing.
Guten Morgen. — Good morning.
Used until about noon. "Guten" is Akkusativ, short for "Ich wünsche Ihnen einen guten Morgen" (I wish you a good morning).
Guten Morgen! Haben Sie gut geschlafen?
Good morning! Did you sleep well?
haben = to have · schlafen = to sleep · gut = well. Formal morning greeting, often followed by small talk.
Guten Tag. — Good day. / Hello. (formal)
The standard formal greeting, usable from late morning to early evening — in shops, offices, and with strangers.
Guten Tag, mein Name ist Frau Bauer.
Good day, my name is Mrs. Bauer.
mein Name ist = my name is. Formal opener, typically followed by introducing yourself.
Guten Abend. — Good evening.
Used from about 6 pm onward. Same Akkusativ pattern as "Guten Morgen" and "Guten Tag."
Guten Abend! Kommen Sie herein.
Good evening! Come in.
hereinkommen = to come in (separable). A greeting at the door in the evening.
Gute Nacht. — Good night.
A parting phrase used only right before sleeping, unlike "Guten Abend," which is used throughout the evening.
Gute Nacht, schlaf gut!
Good night, sleep well!
schlafen = to sleep · gut = well. Said right before going to bed, not as a general evening greeting.
Tschüs. — Bye.
A casual, everyday goodbye, used with friends, family, and colleagues you're on friendly terms with.
Tschüs! Bis morgen.
Bye! See you tomorrow.
bis morgen = see you tomorrow (until tomorrow). A friendly, informal way to say goodbye.
Ciao. — Bye. (casual, borrowed from Italian)
Borrowed from Italian, but very common in casual spoken German — used the same way as "Tschüs" among friends.
Ciao! Bis später!
Bye! See you later!
bis später = see you later. Interchangeable with "Tschüs" in casual speech.
Bis bald! — See you soon!
A warm, open-ended goodbye — used when you don't have a specific next meeting time in mind.
Bis bald! Es war schön, dich zu treffen.
See you soon! It was nice to meet you.
es war schön = it was nice · treffen = to meet. A friendly closing line after a first meeting.
Auf Wiedersehen. — Goodbye. (formal)
The formal goodbye, literally "until we see each other again." Used in shops, offices, and with people you address as "Sie."
Auf Wiedersehen, Frau Bauer!
Goodbye, Mrs. Bauer!
wiedersehen = to see again (separable verb, used here as a noun). Formal parting, matching the formal "Guten Tag" greeting.
Nach dem Befinden fragen (asking how someone is doing)
Wie geht's? — How's it going? / How are you?
Short for "Wie geht es dir/Ihnen?" — a casual way to ask how someone is doing. Answered with a short phrase like "Danke, gut."
Wie geht's? — Danke, gut, und dir?
"How's it going?" — "Fine, thanks, and you?"
danke = thanks · und dir = and you (informal). A quick, casual exchange between people who use "du."
Sehr gut. — Very good / Very well.
The most enthusiastic of the standard replies to "Wie geht's?" — used when things are genuinely going well.
Wie geht's? — Sehr gut, danke!
How's it going? — Very well, thanks!
sehr = very · gut = good/well · danke = thanks. A positive, upbeat answer.
Danke, gut. — Thanks, good.
The most common neutral-to-positive answer to "Wie geht's?" — polite and simple.
Wie geht's? — Danke, gut. Und Ihnen?
How's it going? — Fine, thanks. And you (formal)?
danke = thanks · und Ihnen = and you (formal, Dativ). A standard, polite reply that also returns the question.
Ganz gut. — Pretty good / Okay.
A more lukewarm answer than "Sehr gut" — things are fine, but not especially great.
Wie geht's? — Ganz gut, danke.
How's it going? — Pretty good, thanks.
ganz = quite/pretty · gut = good. A moderate, non-committal answer.
Zahlen (numbers)
die Zahl — number / digit
Plural: die Zahlen. Don't confuse "die Zahl" (a number/figure) with "die Nummer" (an identifying number, like a phone number).
Nom Die Zahl ist sehr hoch.
The number is very high.
hoch = high. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Zahl is the subject.
Akk Ich schreibe die Zahl an die Tafel.
I write the number on the board.
schreiben = to write · die Tafel = board. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er antwortet mit der Zahl zwanzig.
He answers with the number twenty.
antworten mit = to answer with (+ Dativ). "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Zahl fehlt in der Reihe.
A number is missing in the sequence.
fehlen = to be missing · die Reihe = sequence/row. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Nennen Sie eine Zahl zwischen eins und zehn.
Name a number between one and ten.
nennen = to name · zwischen = between. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Das Kind übt mit den Zahlen von eins bis zehn.
The child practices with the numbers from one to ten.
üben mit = to practice with (+ Dativ) · von ... bis = from ... to. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Zahlen already ends in -n.
Zahlen 0–20
| 0 null | 1 eins | 2 zwei | 3 drei |
| 4 vier | 5 fünf | 6 sechs | 7 sieben |
| 8 acht | 9 neun | 10 zehn | 11 elf |
| 12 zwölf | 13 dreizehn | 14 vierzehn | 15 fünfzehn |
| 16 sechzehn | 17 siebzehn | 18 achtzehn | 19 neunzehn |
| 20 zwanzig |
Tip
Numbers 13–19 are stem + "-zehn" (dreizehn, vierzehn, fünfzehn ...) — but watch the spelling: "sechzehn" (not "sechszehn") and "siebzehn" (not "siebenzehn") each drop a letter. 20 is "zwanzig," not "zweizehn."
Im Kurs (in the classroom)
fragen — to ask
A regular verb: ich frage, du fragst, er/sie fragt. "Fragen nach" + Dativ means "to ask for/about": "Er fragt nach der Antwort."
Der Lehrer fragt die Klasse.
The teacher asks the class.
der Lehrer = teacher · die Klasse = class. "Fragt" — er-form.
Darf ich etwas fragen?
May I ask something?
dürfen = may/to be allowed to · etwas = something. "Fragen" — infinitive after the modal verb "dürfen."
die Antwort — answer
Plural: die Antworten. Pairs naturally with "fragen" — "die Frage" (question) and "die Antwort" (answer).
Nom Die Antwort ist richtig.
The answer is correct.
richtig = correct. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Antwort is the subject.
Akk Ich weiß die Antwort nicht.
I don't know the answer.
wissen = to know (a fact). "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er ist mit der Antwort zufrieden.
He is satisfied with the answer.
zufrieden sein mit = to be satisfied with (+ Dativ). "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Antwort reicht.
One answer is enough.
reichen = to be enough. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich brauche eine Antwort bis morgen.
I need an answer by tomorrow.
brauchen = to need · bis morgen = by tomorrow. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Der Lehrer hilft bei den Antworten.
The teacher helps with the answers.
helfen bei = to help with (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Antworten already ends in -n.
hören — to hear / to listen
A regular verb: ich höre, du hörst, er/sie hört. Used both for passively hearing and actively listening, e.g. to a recording in class.
Hören Sie gut zu.
Listen carefully.
zuhören = to listen (separable) · gut = carefully/well. "Hören ... zu" — formal imperative, separable prefix moves to the end.
Ich höre den Dialog zweimal.
I listen to the dialogue twice.
der Dialog = dialogue · zweimal = twice. "Höre" — ich-form.
lesen, er liest — to read
Stem-changing verb: ich lese, du liest, er/sie liest. Note du and er/sie share the same form.
Er liest den Text laut vor.
He reads the text aloud.
der Text = text · vorlesen = to read aloud (separable). "Liest" — er-form, stem change e → ie.
Wir lesen zusammen im Kurs.
We read together in class.
zusammen = together · der Kurs = course/class. "Lesen" — wir-form, same as the infinitive.
machen — to do / to make
A very common all-purpose verb: ich mache, du machst, er/sie macht. Appears in many fixed classroom instructions, like "Machen Sie eine Pause."
Machen Sie bitte Übung drei.
Please do exercise three.
die Übung = exercise. "Machen Sie" — formal imperative.
Was machst du gerade?
What are you doing right now?
was = what · gerade = right now. "Machst" — du-form.
notieren — to note down / to jot down
A regular verb: ich notiere, du notierst, er/sie notiert. A common classroom instruction: "Notieren Sie die Antworten."
Notieren Sie Ihre Antworten.
Note down your answers.
die Antwort = answer. "Notieren Sie" — formal imperative.
Ich notiere mir die neuen Wörter.
I jot down the new words for myself.
das Wort = word · sich etwas notieren = to note something down for oneself. "Notiere" — ich-form.
raten, er rät — to guess
Stem-changing verb: ich rate, du rätst, er/sie rät. A common classroom instruction verb — guess the meaning or the answer before checking.
Raten Sie mal!
Take a guess!
mal = just (a filler word softening a request). "Raten Sie" — formal imperative.
Er rät die richtige Antwort.
He guesses the correct answer.
richtig = correct · die Antwort = answer. "Rät" — er-form, stem change a → ä.
sagen — to say
A regular verb: ich sage, du sagst, er/sie sagt. Don't confuse with "sprechen" (to speak a language/have a conversation) — "sagen" is for saying specific words.
Was sagt er?
What does he say?
was = what. "Sagt" — er-form.
Sagen Sie Ihren Namen, bitte.
Say your name, please.
der Name = name · bitte = please. "Sagen Sie" — formal imperative.
sammeln — to collect / to gather
A regular verb: ich sammle, du sammelst, er/sie sammelt (note the dropped "e" in the ich-form). Often used for gathering ideas or vocabulary in class.
Wir sammeln Ideen an der Tafel.
We gather ideas on the board.
die Idee = idea · die Tafel = board. "Sammeln" — wir-form.
Ich sammle neue Wörter in einem Heft.
I collect new words in a notebook.
das Wort = word · das Heft = notebook. "Sammle" — ich-form (drops the middle "e").
schreiben — to write
A strong verb: ich schreibe, du schreibst, er/sie schreibt (regular present tense, irregular past participle: geschrieben).
Schreiben Sie den Satz auf.
Write down the sentence.
aufschreiben = to write down (separable) · der Satz = sentence. "Schreiben Sie ... auf" — formal imperative.
Ich schreibe eine E-Mail auf Deutsch.
I'm writing an email in German.
die E-Mail = email · auf Deutsch = in German. "Schreibe" — ich-form.
spielen — to play
A regular verb: ich spiele, du spielst, er/sie spielt. In class, often used for role-play activities: "Spielen Sie den Dialog."
Spielen Sie den Dialog zu zweit.
Act out the dialogue in pairs.
der Dialog = dialogue · zu zweit = in pairs. "Spielen Sie" — formal imperative.
Die Kinder spielen im Park.
The children are playing in the park.
das Kind = child · der Park = park. "Spielen" — sie-form (plural), same as the infinitive.
zuordnen — to match / to assign
A separable verb: ich ordne zu, du ordnest zu, er/sie ordnet zu. A very common classroom instruction: "Ordnen Sie die Wörter den Bildern zu" (Match the words to the pictures).
Ordnen Sie die Wörter zu.
Match the words.
das Wort = word. "Ordnen Sie ... zu" — separable verb, prefix "zu-" splits off to the end in a main clause.
Ich kann die Bilder nicht richtig zuordnen.
I can't match the pictures correctly.
das Bild = picture · richtig = correctly. "Zuordnen" stays together as the infinitive after the modal "kann."
der Partner — partner
Plural: die Partner (unchanged). Used constantly in classroom instructions for pair work: "Fragen Sie Ihren Partner."
Nom Der Partner antwortet zuerst.
The partner answers first.
antworten = to answer · zuerst = first. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Partner is the subject.
Akk Fragen Sie Ihren Partner.
Ask your partner.
Ihr = your (formal) · fragen = to ask. "Ihren" — maskulin Akkusativ possessive; Partner itself doesn't change (it is not a weak noun).
Dat Sie spricht mit dem Partner.
She talks with the partner.
sprechen mit = to talk with (+ Dativ). "Dem" — maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Partner fehlt in dieser Gruppe.
A partner is missing in this group.
fehlen = to be missing · die Gruppe = group. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Ich suche einen Partner für die Übung.
I'm looking for a partner for the exercise.
suchen = to look for · die Übung = exercise. "Einen" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite; Partner is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Der Lehrer spricht mit den Partnern.
The teacher talks with the partners.
sprechen mit = to talk with (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Partner adds -n → Partnern (it does not already end in -n or -s).
die Partnerin — partner (female)
Plural: die Partnerinnen. The feminine form of "der Partner," formed with the suffix "-in" (doubling the "n").
Nom Die Partnerin hat die Antwort schon.
The (female) partner already has the answer.
schon = already · die Antwort = answer. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Partnerin is the subject.
Akk Ich frage die Partnerin.
I ask the (female) partner.
fragen = to ask. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er hilft der Partnerin.
He helps the (female) partner.
helfen = to help (+ Dativ). "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Partnerin reicht für diese Übung.
One (female) partner is enough for this exercise.
reichen = to be enough · die Übung = exercise. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich suche eine Partnerin für den Kurs.
I'm looking for a (female) partner for the course.
suchen = to look for · der Kurs = course. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Der Kurs dankt den Partnerinnen für die Hilfe.
The course thanks the (female) partners for their help.
danken = to thank (+ Dativ) · die Hilfe = help. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Partnerin adds -nen → Partnerinnen, which already ends in -n.
Lernwortschatz (essential vocabulary)
die Person — person
Plural: die Personen. A cognate — easy to recognize, but remember it's feminine in German: die Person, not der/das Person.
Nom Die Person ist mir unbekannt.
The person is unknown to me.
unbekannt = unknown · mir = to me (Dativ). "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Person is the subject.
Akk Ich kenne die Person nicht.
I don't know the person.
kennen = to know (be familiar with). "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er spricht mit der Person am Telefon.
He talks with the person on the phone.
sprechen mit = to talk with (+ Dativ) · am Telefon = on the phone. "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Person fehlt noch.
One person is still missing.
fehlen = to be missing · noch = still. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich suche eine Person für den Job.
I'm looking for a person for the job.
suchen = to look for · der Job = job. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Der Chef dankt den Personen im Team.
The boss thanks the people on the team.
danken = to thank (+ Dativ) · der Chef = boss · das Team = team. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Personen already ends in -n.
der Text — text
Plural: die Texte. Used constantly in class for reading exercises: "Lesen Sie den Text."
Nom Der Text ist nicht so schwer.
The text isn't that difficult.
schwer = difficult. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Text is the subject.
Akk Lesen Sie den Text laut.
Read the text aloud.
lesen = to read · laut = aloud/loudly. "Den" — maskulin Akkusativ (der → den); Text is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Sie antwortet nach dem Text.
She answers based on the text.
antworten nach = to answer based on (+ Dativ here, indicating source). "Dem" — maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Text im Buch ist über die Schweiz.
One text in the book is about Switzerland.
das Buch = book · über = about (+ Akkusativ). "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Wir schreiben einen Text über uns selbst.
We write a text about ourselves.
schreiben = to write · über uns selbst = about ourselves. "Einen" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite; Text is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Der Lehrer hilft bei den Texten.
The teacher helps with the texts.
helfen bei = to help with (+ Dativ). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Text adds -en → Texten.
das Wort — word
Plural: die Wörter (umlaut, for individual vocabulary words). A second plural, "die Worte," exists for words in a connected speech — "Wörter" is the one you need for vocabulary.
Nom Das Wort ist neu für mich.
The word is new to me.
neu = new · für mich = for me. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ. Wort is the subject.
Akk Ich verstehe das Wort nicht.
I don't understand the word.
verstehen = to understand. "Das" stays "das" — neutrum Akkusativ (das → das).
Dat Sie hilft mir mit dem Wort.
She helps me with the word.
helfen mit = to help with (+ Dativ). "Dem" — neutrum Dativ (das → dem).
Nom Ein Wort fehlt im Satz.
A word is missing in the sentence.
fehlen = to be missing · der Satz = sentence. "Ein" — no ending before neutrum Nominativ.
Akk Ich lerne heute ein neues Wort.
I'm learning a new word today.
lernen = to learn · neu = new. "Ein" stays unchanged — neutrum Akkusativ (ein → ein); "neues" carries the neutrum Akkusativ adjective ending.
Dat Wir arbeiten mit den Wörtern aus dem Text.
We work with the words from the text.
arbeiten mit = to work with (+ Dativ) · der Text = text. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Wort takes the umlaut plural Wörter and adds -n → Wörtern.
Andere wichtige Wörter und Wendungen (other important words and phrases)
die Autobahn — highway / motorway
Plural: die Autobahnen. Germany's famous high-speed highway network — some stretches have no general speed limit.
Nom Die Autobahn ist heute frei.
The highway is clear today.
frei = clear/free. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Autobahn is the subject.
Akk Wir nehmen die Autobahn nach München.
We're taking the highway to Munich.
nehmen = to take · München = Munich. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er fährt auf der Autobahn sehr schnell.
He drives very fast on the highway.
fahren auf = to drive on (+ Dativ, location) · schnell = fast. "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Autobahn verbindet die beiden Städte.
A highway connects the two cities.
verbinden = to connect · die Stadt = city. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Sie bauen eine neue Autobahn.
They are building a new highway.
bauen = to build · neu = new. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Das Navi zeigt eine Route mit den Autobahnen im Süden.
The GPS shows a route with the highways in the south.
das Navi = GPS/sat-nav · der Süden = the south. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Autobahnen already ends in -n.
die Flasche — bottle
Plural: die Flaschen. Germany has a deposit system (Pfand) on most bottles — you get money back when you return them.
Nom Die Flasche ist leer.
The bottle is empty.
leer = empty. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Flasche is the subject.
Akk Ich öffne die Flasche.
I open the bottle.
öffnen = to open. "Die" stays "die" — feminin Akkusativ.
Dat Er trinkt aus der Flasche.
He drinks from the bottle.
trinken aus = to drink from (+ Dativ). "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der).
Nom Eine Flasche Wasser reicht.
One bottle of water is enough.
das Wasser = water · reichen = to be enough. "Eine" — feminin Nominativ indefinite.
Akk Ich kaufe eine Flasche Milch.
I buy a bottle of milk.
kaufen = to buy · die Milch = milk. "Eine" stays "eine" in Akkusativ — feminine indefinite is unchanged from Nominativ.
Dat Wir bringen das Pfand mit den Flaschen zurück.
We bring the deposit back with the bottles.
das Pfand = deposit · zurückbringen = to bring back (separable). Plural Dativ: article "den"; Flaschen already ends in -n.
der Kindergarten — kindergarten / preschool
Plural: die Kindergärten — an irregular, umlaut-only plural (no ending added). A German word borrowed directly into English.
Nom Der Kindergarten beginnt um acht Uhr.
Kindergarten starts at eight o'clock.
beginnen = to begin · um acht Uhr = at eight o'clock. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Kindergarten is the subject.
Akk Wir besuchen den Kindergarten heute.
We're visiting the kindergarten today.
besuchen = to visit. "Den" — maskulin Akkusativ (der → den); Kindergarten is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Sie arbeitet in dem Kindergarten.
She works at the kindergarten.
arbeiten in = to work at (+ Dativ, location). "Dem" — maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Kindergarten ist gleich um die Ecke.
A kindergarten is just around the corner.
gleich um die Ecke = just around the corner. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Die Stadt baut einen neuen Kindergarten.
The city is building a new kindergarten.
die Stadt = city · bauen = to build · neu = new. "Einen" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite; Kindergarten is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Die Stadt hilft den Kindergärten mit neuen Büchern.
The city helps the kindergartens with new books.
helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · das Buch = book. Plural Dativ: article "den"; the irregular umlaut plural Kindergärten already ends in -n, so no further change is needed.
der Koffer — suitcase
Plural: die Koffer (unchanged). Airlines often check whether your Koffer fits the size and weight limits.
Nom Der Koffer ist sehr schwer.
The suitcase is very heavy.
schwer = heavy. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Koffer is the subject.
Akk Ich packe den Koffer heute Abend.
I'm packing the suitcase tonight.
packen = to pack · heute Abend = tonight. "Den" — maskulin Akkusativ (der → den); Koffer is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Der Name steht auf dem Koffer.
The name is on the suitcase.
stehen auf = to be (written) on (+ Dativ, location) · der Name = name. "Dem" — maskulin Dativ (der → dem).
Nom Ein Koffer fehlt am Gepäckband.
A suitcase is missing at the baggage carousel.
fehlen = to be missing · das Gepäckband = baggage carousel. "Ein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ.
Akk Ich kaufe einen neuen Koffer für die Reise.
I'm buying a new suitcase for the trip.
kaufen = to buy · die Reise = trip. "Einen" — maskulin Akkusativ indefinite; Koffer is unchanged (not a weak noun).
Dat Das Personal hilft den Passagieren mit den Koffern.
The staff helps the passengers with the suitcases.
das Personal = staff · helfen mit = to help with (+ Dativ) · der Passagier = passenger. Plural Dativ: article "den"; Koffer adds -n → Koffern.
Entschuldigung, noch einmal, bitte. — Excuse me, once more, please.
Used when you need someone to repeat what they said — a very useful phrase for a beginner in any conversation.
Entschuldigung, noch einmal, bitte. Ich habe das nicht verstanden.
Excuse me, once more, please. I didn't understand that.
die Entschuldigung = excuse/apology · noch einmal = once more · verstehen = to understand. A polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves.
Wie bitte? — Sorry? / Excuse me? (didn't hear)
Shorter and more casual than "Entschuldigung, noch einmal, bitte" — a quick way to ask someone to repeat themselves.
Wie bitte? Können Sie das wiederholen?
Sorry? Can you repeat that?
wiederholen = to repeat · können = can. Used the moment you mishear or don't catch something.
Das verstehe ich nicht. — I don't understand that.
A direct, useful sentence for beginners — more specific than "Wie bitte?" since it says you heard the words but not the meaning.
Das verstehe ich nicht. Können Sie es anders sagen?
I don't understand that. Can you say it differently?
verstehen = to understand · anders = differently · sagen = to say. "Das" is fronted for emphasis, pushing "ich" after the verb.
Bitte ein bisschen langsamer. — A little slower, please.
One of the most useful survival phrases for a language learner — politely asks someone to slow down without stopping the conversation.
Bitte ein bisschen langsamer. Ich lerne noch Deutsch.
A little slower, please. I'm still learning German.
ein bisschen = a little · langsam = slow → langsamer = slower (comparative) · lernen = to learn. "Langsamer" is the comparative form of "langsam," used here as an adverb.