Netzwerk 1: Greetings

Chapter 1 — greetings, introductions, countries, languages, and numbers.

Maskulin Feminin Neutrum Plural

der Name — name

Plural: die Namen. In Germany, you'll fill out forms asking for "Name" constantly — at the doctor, the bank, everywhere. It's one of the first words you need.

Nom Der Name ist schön.

The name is beautiful.

der Name (maskulin) = name · schön = beautiful. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Name is the subject.

Akk Ich buchstabiere den Namen.

I spell the name.

der Name (maskulin) = name · buchstabieren = to spell. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Name adds -n in Akkusativ (weak noun). Namen is the direct object.

Dat Was ist mit dem Namen?

What about the name?

der Name (maskulin) = name · was = what · mit = with. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit". Name adds -n in Dativ (weak noun).

der Vorname — first name

Plural: die Vornamen. Germans often use last names in formal settings. Your Vorname is for friends and family. On forms, Vorname always comes before Familienname.

Nom Der Vorname ist Maria.

The first name is Maria.

der Vorname (maskulin) = first name. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Vorname is the subject.

Akk Bitte sagen Sie den Vornamen.

Please say the first name.

bitte = please · sagen = to say · Sie = you (formal). "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Vorname adds -n (weak noun). Vornamen is the direct object.

Dat Ich beginne mit dem Vornamen.

I start with the first name.

beginnen = to begin · mit = with. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit". Vorname adds -n in Dativ (weak noun).

der Familienname — last name / surname

Plural: die Familiennamen. In formal German, people address each other as "Herr Schmidt" or "Frau Müller" — the Familienname is very important for politeness.

Nom Der Familienname ist Müller.

The last name is Müller.

der Familienname (maskulin) = last name/surname. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Familienname is the subject. Müller is the most common German surname.

Akk Schreiben Sie den Familiennamen, bitte.

Write the last name, please.

schreiben = to write · Sie = you (formal) · bitte = please. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Familienname adds -n (weak noun). Familiennamen is the direct object.

Dat Was passiert mit dem Familiennamen?

What happens with the last name?

was = what · passieren = to happen · mit = with. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit". Familienname adds -n in Dativ (weak noun).

das Land — country

Plural: die Länder. Notice the umlaut in the plural! Most countries in German are neuter and used without an article: "Ich komme aus Deutschland." But some countries like die Schweiz and die Türkei are feminine and need "die."

Nom Das Land ist groß.

The country is big.

das Land (neutrum) = country · groß = big. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ. Land is the subject.

Akk Wir kennen das Land gut.

We know the country well.

wir = we · kennen = to know (be familiar with) · gut = well. "Das" stays "das" in Akkusativ (neutrum does not change: das → das). Land is the direct object.

Dat Er erzählt von dem Land.

He tells about the country.

er = he · erzählen = to tell · von = from/about. "Dem" because neutrum Dativ (das → dem) after "von".

die Sprache — language

Plural: die Sprachen. In Germany, many people speak multiple Sprachen. Language names in German are adjectives turned into nouns: deutsch (German, adj.) → Deutsch (the German language). They don't need an article when used alone.

Nom Die Sprache ist interessant.

The language is interesting.

die Sprache (feminin) = language · interessant = interesting. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Sprache is the subject.

Akk Ich lerne die Sprache gern.

I like learning the language.

ich = I · lernen = to learn · gern = gladly/with pleasure. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin does not change: die → die). Sprache is the direct object.

Dat Sie hilft mir mit der Sprache.

She helps me with the language.

sie = she · helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · mir = me (Dativ) · mit = with. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "mit".

die Schweiz — Switzerland

One of the few countries in German with a feminine article! You must always say "die Schweiz," never just "Schweiz." Similarly: die Türkei, die Ukraine. Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

Nom Die Schweiz ist klein, aber schön.

Switzerland is small but beautiful.

die Schweiz (feminin) = Switzerland · klein = small · aber = but · schön = beautiful. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Schweiz is the subject.

Akk Wir besuchen die Schweiz im Sommer.

We visit Switzerland in the summer.

wir = we · besuchen = to visit · im = in the (in + dem) · der Sommer = summer. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). Schweiz is the direct object.

Dat Er kommt aus der Schweiz.

He comes from Switzerland.

er = he · kommen = to come · aus = from. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "aus". Note: for feminine countries, you always say "aus der Schweiz," not "aus Schweiz."

die Türkei — Turkey

Another feminine country that always needs its article. Germany has a large Turkish community — about 3 million people. Turkish (Türkisch) is one of the most spoken languages in Germany after German.

Nom Die Türkei ist ein schönes Land.

Turkey is a beautiful country.

die Türkei (feminin) = Turkey · ein = a · schönes = beautiful (neutrum ending) · das Land = country. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Türkei is the subject.

Akk Ich kenne die Türkei gut.

I know Turkey well.

ich = I · kennen = to know (be familiar with) · gut = well. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). Türkei is the direct object.

Dat Sie kommt aus der Türkei.

She comes from Turkey.

sie = she · kommen = to come · aus = from. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "aus". Same rule as "die Schweiz" — feminine countries need the article with "aus."

der Morgen — morning

"Guten Morgen" literally means "good morning" — the "Guten" is Akkusativ because the full phrase is short for "Ich wünsche Ihnen einen guten Morgen" (I wish you a good morning). This is a formal greeting used until about noon.

Nom Der Morgen ist kalt.

The morning is cold.

der Morgen (maskulin) = morning · kalt = cold. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Morgen is the subject.

Akk Ich liebe den Morgen.

I love the morning.

ich = I · lieben = to love. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Morgen is the direct object.

Dat Am Morgen trinke ich Kaffee.

In the morning I drink coffee.

am = at the (an + dem) · trinken = to drink · der Kaffee = coffee. "Am" = an + dem — maskulin Dativ (der → dem). "An dem" contracts to "am" with times of day.

der Abend — evening

"Guten Abend" is used from about 6 PM onward. Germans also say "Schönen Abend!" (Have a nice evening!) when parting in the evening — again in Akkusativ because it's short for "Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Abend."

Nom Der Abend ist warm.

The evening is warm.

der Abend (maskulin) = evening · warm = warm. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Abend is the subject.

Akk Wir genießen den Abend.

We enjoy the evening.

wir = we · genießen = to enjoy. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Abend is the direct object.

Dat Am Abend lese ich ein Buch.

In the evening I read a book.

am = at the (an + dem) · lesen = to read · ein Buch = a book. "Am" = an + dem — maskulin Dativ (der → dem). Same contraction as "am Morgen."

der Tag — day

Plural: die Tage. "Guten Tag" is the standard formal greeting — it works anytime from late morning to early evening. You'll hear it in shops, offices, and when meeting strangers. It literally means "good day."

Nom Der Tag ist lang.

The day is long.

der Tag (maskulin) = day · lang = long. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Tag is the subject.

Akk Ich habe einen schönen Tag.

I am having a nice day.

ich = I · haben = to have · einen = a (maskulin Akkusativ) · schönen = nice/beautiful. "Einen" because maskulin Akkusativ (ein → einen). Tag is the direct object.

Dat An dem Tag bin ich frei.

On that day I am free.

an = on · bin = am (sein) · frei = free. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "an" (time context). "An dem" can contract to "am."

heißen — to be called / to be named

The most essential verb for introductions! "Ich heiße..." is how you say your name. "Wie heißen Sie?" (formal) and "Wie heißt du?" (informal) are the standard ways to ask someone's name. Notice: "ß" is the Eszett, pronounced like a sharp "s."

Nom Wie heißt der Mann?

What is the man called?

wie = how/what · heißen = to be called (er heißt) · der Mann (maskulin) = man. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Mann is the subject of heißen.

Akk Ich kenne den Mann. Er heißt Thomas.

I know the man. He is called Thomas.

kennen = to know (a person) · der Mann (maskulin) = man · er = he. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Mann is the direct object of kennen.

Dat Ich sage der Frau: „Wie heißen Sie?"

I say to the woman: "What is your name?"

sagen = to say · die Frau (feminin) = woman · Sie = you (formal). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der). Frau is the indirect object (to whom you say it).

kommen — to come

"Woher kommen Sie?" (Where do you come from?) is the standard way to ask about someone's origin. With most countries: "Ich komme aus Deutschland." But with feminine countries: "Ich komme aus der Schweiz / der Türkei."

Nom Die Frau kommt aus Spanien.

The woman comes from Spain.

die Frau (feminin) = woman · kommen = to come (sie kommt) · aus = from · Spanien = Spain. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Frau is the subject.

Akk Ich besuche den Kurs. Alle kommen aus verschiedenen Ländern.

I attend the course. Everyone comes from different countries.

besuchen = to attend/visit · der Kurs (maskulin) = course · alle = everyone · verschieden = different · die Länder = countries. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Kurs is the direct object.

Dat Er kommt aus der Türkei und wohnt in Berlin.

He comes from Turkey and lives in Berlin.

er = he · kommen = to come · aus = from · die Türkei (feminin) = Turkey · und = and · wohnen = to live. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "aus."

wohnen — to live (reside)

"Wo wohnen Sie?" means "Where do you live?" Important: "wohnen" means to reside/dwell, while "leben" means to live (be alive). For your address, use wohnen: "Ich wohne in Berlin." Germans take their Wohnort (place of residence) seriously — you must register it at the Einwohnermeldeamt!

Nom Der Student wohnt in München.

The student lives in Munich.

der Student (maskulin) = student · wohnen = to live/reside (er wohnt) · in = in · München = Munich. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Student is the subject.

Akk Wir suchen die Wohnung. Du wohnst hier, oder?

We are looking for the apartment. You live here, right?

wir = we · suchen = to look for · die Wohnung (feminin) = apartment · du = you (informal) · hier = here · oder = right?/or. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). Wohnung is the direct object.

Dat Sie wohnt in der Stadt.

She lives in the city.

sie = she · wohnen = to live · in = in · die Stadt (feminin) = city. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "in" (location, not direction).

sprechen — to speak

"Sprechen Sie Deutsch?" is one of the most useful sentences you'll learn. Notice the stem change: ich spreche, du sprichst, er/sie spricht. You can use it with languages directly (no article needed): "Ich spreche Deutsch und Englisch."

Nom Der Lehrer spricht Deutsch und Türkisch.

The teacher speaks German and Turkish.

der Lehrer (maskulin) = teacher · sprechen = to speak (er spricht — stem change!) · Deutsch = German · und = and · Türkisch = Turkish. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Lehrer is the subject.

Akk Du sprichst die Sprache sehr gut.

You speak the language very well.

du = you (informal) · sprechen = to speak (du sprichst) · die Sprache (feminin) = language · sehr = very · gut = good/well. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). Sprache is the direct object.

Dat Wir sprechen mit dem Lehrer auf Deutsch.

We speak with the teacher in German.

wir = we · sprechen = to speak · mit = with · der Lehrer (maskulin) = teacher · auf Deutsch = in German. "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem) after "mit."

mein — my

A possessive pronoun that takes the same endings as "ein": mein Name, meine Sprache, mein Land. "Mein Name ist ..." is the very first sentence most learners say in German.

Nom Mein Name ist Anna.

My name is Anna.

mein = my · der Name (maskulin) = name. "Mein" takes no ending before a maskulin Nominativ noun, just like "ein." Name is the subject.

Akk Ich buchstabiere meinen Namen.

I spell my name.

buchstabieren = to spell · der Name (maskulin) = name. "Meinen" — maskulin Akkusativ ending -en (like "einen"). Name adds -n (weak noun) → Namen, the direct object.

Dat Er fragt nach meinem Namen.

He asks for my name.

fragen nach = to ask for (always Dativ) · der Name (maskulin) = name. "Meinem" — maskulin Dativ ending -em (like "einem"). Namen adds -n in Dativ too.

dein — your (informal)

The possessive pronoun for the informal "du" — used with friends, family, and children. Declines exactly like "mein": dein Name, deine Sprache, dein Land.

Nom Dein Name ist schön.

Your name is beautiful.

dein = your (informal) · der Name (maskulin) = name · schön = beautiful. "Dein" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ, like "ein." Name is the subject.

Akk Ich höre deinen Namen gern.

I like hearing your name.

hören = to hear/listen · gern = gladly. "Deinen" — maskulin Akkusativ -en. Deinen Namen is the direct object.

Dat Ich schreibe mit deinem Stift.

I'm writing with your pen.

schreiben = to write · der Stift (maskulin) = pen · mit = with (always Dativ). "Deinem" — maskulin Dativ -em after "mit."

Ihr — your (formal)

The possessive pronoun for the formal "Sie" — always capitalized, so you don't confuse it with "ihr" (her/their, lowercase). "Wie ist Ihr Name?" is the standard formal way to ask someone's name.

Nom Ihr Name, bitte?

Your name, please?

Ihr = your (formal) · der Name (maskulin) = name · bitte = please. "Ihr" — no ending before maskulin Nominativ. Name is the subject.

Akk Ich notiere Ihren Namen.

I'm noting down your name.

notieren = to note down. "Ihren" — maskulin Akkusativ -en. Ihren Namen is the direct object.

Dat Ich helfe Ihnen mit Ihrem Namen.

I'll help you with your name.

helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · Ihnen = you (formal, Dativ) · mit = with. "Ihrem" — maskulin Dativ -em after "mit."

der Nachname — last name / surname

Plural: die Nachnamen. A close synonym of "der Familienname" — "Nachname" is the more everyday word, while "Familienname" sounds slightly more official and often appears on forms.

Nom Der Nachname steht auf dem Formular.

The surname is on the form.

der Nachname (maskulin) = surname · das Formular (neutrum) = form · stehen = to stand/appear. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Nachname is the subject.

Akk Bitte buchstabieren Sie den Nachnamen.

Please spell the surname.

buchstabieren = to spell. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den). Nachname adds -n (weak noun). Nachnamen is the direct object.

Dat Sie fragt nach dem Nachnamen.

She asks for the surname.

fragen nach = to ask for (always Dativ). "Dem" because maskulin Dativ (der → dem). Nachnamen adds -n in Dativ too (weak noun).

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 everywhere — for identity, nationality, and states of being.

Nom Der Mann ist Lehrer.

The man is a teacher.

der Mann (maskulin) = man · sein = to be → ist (er form) · der Lehrer = teacher. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Mann is the subject.

Akk Ich bin für den Kurs da.

I am here for the course.

sein = to be → bin (ich form) · für = for (always Akkusativ) · der Kurs (maskulin) = course. "Den" because maskulin Akkusativ (der → den) after "für."

Dat Sie ist aus der Schweiz.

She is from Switzerland.

sein = to be → ist (sie form) · aus = from (always Dativ) · die Schweiz (feminin) = Switzerland. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "aus."

in — in (preposition, + Dativ or Akkusativ)

"In" is a two-way preposition (Wechselpräposition): Dativ for location ("wo?"), Akkusativ for direction ("wohin?"). With "wohnen" it's always Dativ, since living somewhere is a fixed location, not a movement. "Ich wohne in Berlin."

Nom Die Stadt in der Mitte ist klein.

The city in the middle is small.

die Stadt (feminin) = city · klein = small. Die Stadt is the subject in Nominativ.

Akk Wir ziehen in die Stadt.

We are moving into the city.

ziehen = to move (relocate) · die Stadt (feminin) = city. "Die" — feminin Akkusativ after "in" for direction (wohin? → in die Stadt).

Dat Ich wohne in der Stadt.

I live in the city.

wohnen = to live/reside. "Der" — feminin Dativ (die → der) after "in" for location (wo? → in der Stadt). This is the core use with "wohnen."

aus — from (preposition, + Dativ)

Always Dativ — used for origin: "Woher kommst du? — Ich komme aus Indien." With most countries no article is needed, but feminine countries keep theirs: "aus der Schweiz," "aus der Türkei."

Nom Der Mann kommt aus Spanien.

The man comes from Spain.

der Mann (maskulin) = man · kommen = to come. "Der" — maskulin Nominativ. Mann is the subject.

Akk Ich besuche den Mann aus Spanien.

I'm visiting the man from Spain.

besuchen = to visit. "Den" — maskulin Akkusativ (der → den), the direct object of "besuchen," unrelated to "aus" itself.

Dat Sie kommt aus der Türkei.

She comes from Turkey.

die Türkei (feminin) = Turkey. "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "aus" — "aus" always takes Dativ.

die Stadt — city (plural: die Städte)

Note the umlaut in the plural: Stadt → Städte. You'll be asked "In welcher Stadt wohnen Sie?" (In which city do you live?) on almost every form and in every introduction.

Nom Die Stadt ist groß.

The city is big.

die Stadt (feminin) = city · groß = big. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Stadt is the subject.

Akk Ich mag die Stadt.

I like the city.

mögen = to like. "Die" stays "die" because feminin Akkusativ = Nominativ. Stadt is the direct object.

Dat Ich wohne in der Stadt.

I live in the city.

wohnen = to live · in = in (Dativ for location). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "in."

Das ist Herr/Frau … — This is Mr./Mrs. …

The standard way to introduce someone formally. "Herr" and "Frau" are always followed by the surname, never the first name, in formal introductions: "Das ist Frau Müller."

Nom Das ist Herr Schmidt.

This is Mr. Schmidt.

Das ist = this is · der Herr (maskulin) = Mr./gentleman. Herr Schmidt is the predicate noun following "ist."

Akk Ich kenne Frau Schmidt gut.

I know Mrs. Schmidt well.

kennen = to know (be familiar with) · die Frau (feminin) = Mrs./woman. Frau Schmidt is the direct object.

Dat Ich helfe Herrn Schmidt.

I'm helping Mr. Schmidt.

helfen = to help (+ Dativ). "Herrn" — der Herr is a weak noun and adds -n in every case except Nominativ, so Dativ/Akkusativ is "Herrn," not "Herr."

die E-Mail-Adresse — email address (plural: die E-Mail-Adressen)

A compound of "die E-Mail" + "die Adresse" — takes the gender of the last part, "die Adresse," so it's feminin. You'll need this on almost every registration form in Germany.

Nom Die E-Mail-Adresse ist lang.

The email address is long.

die E-Mail-Adresse (feminin) = email address · lang = long. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. E-Mail-Adresse is the subject.

Akk Bitte notieren Sie die E-Mail-Adresse.

Please note down the email address.

notieren = to note down. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). E-Mail-Adresse is the direct object.

Dat Er schreibt mit der E-Mail-Adresse.

He writes using the email address.

schreiben = to write · mit = with (always Dativ). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "mit."

die Handynummer — mobile number (plural: die Handynummern)

Compound of "das Handy" (mobile phone) + "die Nummer" (number) — takes the gender of "Nummer," so feminin. Note "Handy" is a false friend: it's a German invention that doesn't mean "handy" in English, it means "mobile phone."

Nom Die Handynummer ist neu.

The mobile number is new.

die Handynummer (feminin) = mobile number · neu = new. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Handynummer is the subject.

Akk Ich gebe dir die Handynummer.

I'll give you the mobile number.

geben = to give · dir = to you (Dativ). "Die" stays "die" in 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 verb) · unter = at/under (Dativ for location here). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "unter."

die Telefonnummer — telephone number (plural: die Telefonnummern)

Compound of "das Telefon" + "die Nummer" — again feminin, from "Nummer." German phone numbers are usually read out digit by digit or in pairs, not as one long number.

Nom Die Telefonnummer ist falsch.

The telephone number is wrong.

die Telefonnummer (feminin) = telephone number · falsch = wrong. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Telefonnummer is the subject.

Akk Ich brauche die Telefonnummer.

I need the telephone number.

brauchen = to need. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ. Telefonnummer is the direct object.

Dat Er fragt nach der Telefonnummer.

He asks for the telephone number.

fragen nach = to ask for (always Dativ). "Der" because feminin Dativ (die → der) after "nach."

Deutschland — Germany

Like most country names in German, "Deutschland" is neuter and used without an article: "Ich komme aus Deutschland," not "aus dem Deutschland." Compare with the few exceptions like "die Schweiz."

Nom Deutschland ist groß.

Germany is big.

Deutschland = Germany · groß = big. No article needed — Deutschland is the subject directly.

Akk Ich besuche Deutschland im Sommer.

I'm visiting Germany in summer.

besuchen = to visit · der Sommer = summer. No article/ending change — country names without an article stay the same in every case.

Dat Er kommt aus Deutschland.

He comes from Germany.

kommen = to come · aus = from (always Dativ). "Aus Deutschland" needs no article, unlike "aus der Schweiz."

Österreich — Austria

Also neuter and article-free like Deutschland: "aus Österreich," "nach Österreich." Austria shares German as its official language, with its own regional flavor and vocabulary (e.g., "Erdapfel" for potato instead of "Kartoffel").

Nom Österreich ist schön.

Austria is beautiful.

Österreich = Austria · schön = beautiful. No article — Österreich is the subject directly.

Akk Wir kennen Österreich gut.

We know Austria well.

kennen = to know (be familiar with) · gut = well. No article/ending change in Akkusativ.

Dat Sie wohnt in Österreich.

She lives in Austria.

wohnen = to live · in = in (Dativ for location). No article needed after "in" for a neuter, article-free country.

lernen — to learn

A regular verb: ich lerne, du lernst, er/sie lernt. "Ich lerne Deutsch" (I'm learning German) is a sentence you'll say constantly as a beginner. Don't confuse "lernen" (to study/learn) with "studieren" (to study at university).

Nom Die Studentin lernt fleißig.

The student learns diligently.

die Studentin (feminin) = female student · fleißig = diligently. "Die" — feminin Nominativ. Studentin is the subject.

Akk Ich lerne die Sprache.

I'm learning the language.

die Sprache (feminin) = language. "Die" stays "die" in Akkusativ (feminin: die → die). Sprache is the direct object.

Dat Sie hilft mir beim Lernen.

She helps me with the learning.

helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · beim = bei + dem (with/during). "Lernen" used here as a neuter noun (infinitive as noun) — "beim Lernen" = while learning, a very common construction.

welche — which

An interrogative pronoun that declines like "die/der/das": welcher (m.), welche (f.), welches (n.), welche (pl.). "Welche Sprachen sprechen Sie?" asks about languages, which are plural, so "welche" is used.

Nom Welche Sprache ist das?

Which language is this?

welche = which (feminin/plural form) · die Sprache (feminin) = language. "Welche" — feminin Nominativ, matching "die Sprache."

Akk Welche Sprachen sprechen Sie?

Which languages do you speak?

sprechen = to speak. "Welche Sprachen" is plural Akkusativ (plural forms of welche/die stay the same as Nominativ). Sprachen is the direct object.

Dat Mit welcher Sprache beginnen wir?

Which language shall we begin with?

beginnen = to begin · mit = with (always Dativ). "Welcher" — feminin Dativ (die → der pattern; welche → welcher) after "mit."

Deutsch — German (the language)

Language names are adjectives turned into nouns and used without an article when standing alone: "Ich spreche Deutsch." With an article, they're neuter: "Mein Deutsch ist noch nicht perfekt."

Nom Das Deutsch hier ist schwer.

The German (language) here is difficult.

das Deutsch (neutrum, with article) = the German language · schwer = difficult. "Das" — neutrum Nominativ. Deutsch is the subject.

Akk Ich spreche Deutsch und Englisch.

I speak German and English.

sprechen = to speak. No article needed when naming a language directly as a direct object. Deutsch is the direct object.

Dat Ich helfe dir mit deinem Deutsch.

I'll help you with your German.

helfen = to help (+ Dativ) · mit = with (always Dativ). "Deinem Deutsch" — neutrum Dativ (dein → deinem) after "mit."