Learning German: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free German course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What German is like
German has three genders (der/die/das) and capitalizes every noun. The verb usually comes second; cases tweak the articles (der→den…). For travel you'll be understood without perfect cases — focus on vocabulary and word order.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
German is largely phonetic. Master these letters and you'll read aloud confidently.
- ä — like 'e' in bed, as in Mädchen (girl).
- ö — like 'u' in fur — same as Turkish ö, as in schön (nice).
- ü — German ü / 'ew', as in über (over).
- ß — a sharp 'ss', as in Straße (street).
- ch — breathy h (like 'loch'), or soft 'sh', as in ich (I) = ish.
- w — like English 'v', as in Wasser (water) = VAH-ser.
- v — like English 'f', as in vier (four) = feer.
- z — like 'ts', as in zehn (ten) = tsayn.
- ei / ie — ei = 'eye', ie = 'ee', as in nein = nine, vier = feer.
- r — soft, in the throat, as in rot (red).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| German | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hallo | HAH-loh | hello |
| Danke | DAN-kuh | thanks |
| Bitte | BIT-tuh | please / you're welcome |
| Tschüss | chewss | bye |
| Ja | yah | yes |
| Nein | nine | no |
| Entschuldigung | ent-SHOOL-di-goong | excuse me |
| eins | ines | 1 |
| zwei | tsvy | 2 |
| drei | dry | 3 |
| zehn | tsayn | 10 |
| hundert | HOON-dert | 100 |
| Wasser | VAH-ser | water |
| Tee | tay | tea |
| Brot | broht | bread |
| Die Rechnung, bitte | dee RESH-noong | the bill, please |
| lecker | LEK-er | tasty |
| Wo ist…? | voh ist | where is…? |
| links | links | left |
| rechts | reshts | right |
| die Toilette | dee twa-LET-tuh | the toilet |
| der Flughafen | dair FLOOK-hah-fen | the airport |
| Hilfe! | HIL-fuh | Help! |
| Ich verstehe nicht | ish fer-SHTAY-uh nisht | I don't understand |
| Ich brauche einen Arzt | ish BROW-khuh INE-en artst | I need a doctor |
| die Polizei | dee po-li-TSY | the police |
How the German course is structured
The course has 32 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings — Hallo · Danke · Guten Tag
- I'd like" Ich möchte — Ich möchte · Wie viel
- Numbers — eins–zehn · zwanzig
- Food — Speisekarte · kein Fleisch
- Getting around — Wo ist…? · links/rechts
- I have / there is" — Ich habe · es gibt · Haben Sie…?
- Talking about the past — habe … gegessen · bin … gegangen
- Mine & yours — mein · Ihr
- Time & when — heute · jetzt · Wie spät?
- The question words — was · wer · warum · wie
- Where things are — in / im · hier · in der Nähe
- Need & can — Ich brauche · Kann ich · Können Sie
- Word order & "because" — weil · denn, aber, und
- Shopping & bargaining — kaufen · zu teuer · billiger
- Help & emergencies — Hilfe · Arzt · Polizei
- Family & people — Familie · Frau · Kinder
- Colours & describing — Farbe · rot · groß/klein
- At the restaurant — die Speisekarte · die Rechnung
- Days, dates & months — Wochentage · Monate
- Weather & small talk — das Wetter · wie geht's?
- Transport & tickets — der Zug · die Fahrkarte
- Money & prices — das Geld · mit Karte zahlen
- Hotel & booking — ein Zimmer · der Schlüssel
- Phone, internet & staying in touch — das Handy · das WLAN
- How I feel — glücklich · müde · hungrig
- Everyday verbs & routines — ich stehe auf · jeden Tag
- Feeling ill / at the doctor — ich bin krank · der Arzt
- Countries, nationalities & languages — woher kommst du? · ich spreche
- Making plans & suggestions — wollen wir? · abgemacht
- Politeness & survival — bitte · könnten Sie?
- Bonus: The compound machine — Handschuh · Flugzeug · Krankenhaus
- Stacking it higher — Bahnhof · Zahnarzt · Kühlschrank
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings
Key pieces: Hallo · Danke · Guten Tag
- Hallo (HAH-loh) — hello
- Danke (DAN-kuh) — thanks
- Tschüss (chewss) — bye (casual)
To say “Good morning” in German: Guten Morgen (GOO-ten MOR-gen). Built from guten = good; Morgen = morning.
To say “Good day / hello” in German: Guten Tag (GOO-ten tahk). Built from guten = good; Tag = day.
Please = bitte, thank you very much = danke schön, you're welcome = bitte schön.
To say “Thank you very much” in German: Danke schön (DAN-kuh shurn). Built from danke = thanks; schön = nicely.
To say “Goodbye (formal)” in German: Auf Wiedersehen (owf VEE-der-zane). Built from auf Wiedersehen = until we meet again.
I'd like" Ich möchte
Key pieces: Ich möchte · Wie viel
The polite traveller verb: Ich möchte = 'I would like'.
To say “I'd like a coffee” in German: Ich möchte einen Kaffee (ish MURSH-tuh INE-en KAH-fey). Built from Ich möchte = I'd like; einen Kaffee = a coffee.
To say “I'd like a water” in German: Ich möchte ein Wasser (ish MURSH-tuh ine VAH-ser). Built from Ich möchte = I'd like; ein Wasser = a water.
To say “I'd like a tea” in German: Ich möchte einen Tee (ish MURSH-tuh INE-en tay). Built from Ich möchte = I'd like; einen Tee = a tea.
To ask the price: Wie viel kostet das?
To say “How much is that?” in German: Wie viel kostet das? (vee feel KOS-tet das). Built from wie viel = how much; kostet = costs; das = that.
Numbers
Key pieces: eins–zehn · zwanzig
- eins (ines) — 1
- zwei (tsvy) — 2
- drei (dry) — 3
- vier (feer) — 4
- fünf (fewnf) — 5
- sechs (zeks) — 6
- sieben (ZEE-ben) — 7
- acht (ahkht) — 8
- neun (noyn) — 9
- zehn (tsayn) — 10
To say “twenty” in German: zwanzig (TSVAN-tsig). Built from zwanzig = 20.
To say “one hundred” in German: hundert (HOON-dert). Built from hundert = 100.
To say “How much is that?” in German: Wie viel kostet das? (vee feel KOS-tet das). Built from recall from lesson 2.
Food
Key pieces: Speisekarte · kein Fleisch
- die Speisekarte (dee SHPY-zuh-kar-tuh) — the menu
- das Wasser (das VAH-ser) — water
- das Brot (das broht) — bread
To say “The menu, please” in German: Die Speisekarte, bitte (dee SHPY-zuh-kar-tuh BIT-tuh). Built from die Speisekarte = the menu; bitte = please.
'I eat no meat' — German says it neatly: Ich esse kein Fleisch.
To say “I don't eat meat” in German: Ich esse kein Fleisch (ish ES-suh kine flysh). Built from esse = eat; kein = no; Fleisch = meat.
To say “Very delicious” in German: Sehr lecker (zair LEK-er). Built from sehr = very; lecker = tasty.
To say “Enjoy your meal” in German: Guten Appetit (GOO-ten ah-puh-TEET). Built from Guten Appetit = bon appétit.
Getting around
Key pieces: Wo ist…? · links/rechts
'Where is…?' = Wo ist…?
To say “Where is the toilet?” in German: Wo ist die Toilette? (voh ist dee twa-LET-tuh). Built from Wo ist = where is; die Toilette = the toilet.
- links (links) — left
- rechts (reshts) — right
- geradeaus (guh-RAH-duh-ows) — straight ahead
To say “Where is the train station?” in German: Wo ist der Bahnhof? (voh ist dair BAHN-hofe). Built from Wo ist = where is; der Bahnhof = the station.
To say “Where is the airport?” in German: Wo ist der Flughafen? (voh ist dair FLOOG-hah-fen). Built from Wo ist = where is; der Flughafen = the airport.
To say “A taxi, please” in German: Ein Taxi, bitte (ine TAK-see BIT-tuh). Built from ein Taxi = a taxi; bitte = please.
I have / there is"
Key pieces: Ich habe · es gibt · Haben Sie…?
'I have' is Ich habe. 'There is / are' is es gibt. 'Do you have…?' is Haben Sie…?
To say “I have a question (eine Frage)” in German: Ich habe eine Frage (ish HAH-buh INE-uh FRAH-guh). Built from Ich habe = I have; eine Frage = a question.
To say “Do you have wifi? (WLAN)” in German: Haben Sie WLAN? (HAH-ben zee vay-lahn). Built from Haben Sie = do you have; WLAN = wifi.
For 'is there…?' use Gibt es…?
To say “Is there a toilet here?” in German: Gibt es hier eine Toilette? (gipt es heer INE-uh twa-LET-tuh). Built from Gibt es = is there; hier = here; eine Toilette = a toilet.
To say “I don't have time (Zeit)” in German: Ich habe keine Zeit (ish HAH-buh KINE-uh tsite). Built from Ich habe = I have; keine = no; Zeit = time.
Talking about the past
Key pieces: habe … gegessen · bin … gegangen
In speech, German's past is the 'Perfekt': haben + a past participle. 'I have eaten' = Ich habe gegessen (and that's how you say 'I ate').
To say “I ate” in German: Ich habe gegessen (ish HAH-buh guh-GES-sen). Built from Ich habe = I have; gegessen = eaten.
To say “I saw (it)” in German: Ich habe gesehen (ish HAH-buh guh-ZAY-en). Built from habe = have; gesehen = seen.
Verbs of motion use sein (to be) instead: 'I went' = Ich bin gegangen.
To say “I went” in German: Ich bin gegangen (ish bin guh-GANG-en). Built from Ich bin = I am; gegangen = gone.
To say “I was in Berlin” in German: Ich war in Berlin (ish var in ber-LEEN). Built from war = was; in Berlin.
Mine & yours
Key pieces: mein · Ihr
'My' is mein (mein/meine); 'your' (polite) is Ihr (Ihr/Ihre).
To say “my name” in German: mein Name (mine NAH-muh). Built from mein = my; Name = name.
To say “This is my bag (Tasche)” in German: Das ist meine Tasche (das ist MINE-uh TASH-uh). Built from Das ist = this is; meine = my; Tasche = bag.
To say “your passport (Reisepass)” in German: Ihr Reisepass (eer RYE-zuh-pass). Built from Ihr = your; Reisepass = passport.
To say “my friend (Freund)” in German: mein Freund (mine froynt). Built from mein = my; Freund = friend.
Time & when
Key pieces: heute · jetzt · Wie spät?
Time words: heute today, morgen tomorrow, gestern yesterday, jetzt now.
- heute (HOY-tuh) — today
- morgen (MOR-gen) — tomorrow
- jetzt (yetst) — now
To say “today” in German: heute (HOY-tuh). Built from heute = today.
To say “now” in German: jetzt (yetst). Built from jetzt = now.
'What time is it?' is Wie spät ist es? (literally 'how late is it?').
To say “What time is it?” in German: Wie spät ist es? (vee shpayt ist es). Built from wie spät = how late; ist es = is it.
To say “tomorrow” in German: morgen (MOR-gen). Built from morgen = tomorrow.
The question words
Key pieces: was · wer · warum · wie
The W-words: was what, wo where, wer who, warum why, wie how.
- was (vas) — what
- wer (vair) — who
- wie (vee) — how
To say “What is this?” in German: Was ist das? (vas ist das). Built from was = what; ist das = is that.
To say “Who is that?” in German: Wer ist das? (vair ist das). Built from wer = who; ist das = is that.
To say “Why?” in German: Warum? (vah-ROOM). Built from warum = why.
To say “How are you?” in German: Wie geht es Ihnen? (vee gayt es EE-nen). Built from wie geht es = how goes it; Ihnen = to you.
Where things are
Key pieces: in / im · hier · in der Nähe
'in the' is im. Ich bin im Hotel = I'm at the hotel. hier here, dort there.
To say “I'm at the hotel” in German: Ich bin im Hotel (ish bin im ho-TEL). Built from Ich bin = I am; im = in the; Hotel = hotel.
To say “here” in German: hier (heer). Built from hier = here.
To say “The toilet is here” in German: Die Toilette ist hier (dee twa-LET-tuh ist heer). Built from die Toilette = the toilet; ist hier = is here.
'nearby' is in der Nähe.
To say “Is there a bank nearby?” in German: Gibt es eine Bank in der Nähe? (gipt es INE-uh bank in dair NAY-uh). Built from Gibt es = is there; eine Bank = a bank; in der Nähe = nearby.
Need & can
Key pieces: Ich brauche · Kann ich · Können Sie
'I need' is Ich brauche…; 'can I…?' is Kann ich…?; 'can you…?' is Können Sie…?
To say “I need help (Hilfe)” in German: Ich brauche Hilfe (ish BROW-khuh HIL-fuh). Built from Ich brauche = I need; Hilfe = help.
To say “I need a doctor” in German: Ich brauche einen Arzt (ish BROW-khuh INE-en artst). Built from Ich brauche = I need; einen Arzt = a doctor.
To say “Can I sit here?” in German: Kann ich hier sitzen? (kan ish heer ZIT-sen). Built from Kann ich = can I; hier = here; sitzen = sit.
To say “Can you help me?” in German: Können Sie mir helfen? (KUR-nen zee meer HEL-fen). Built from Können Sie = can you; mir = me; helfen = help.
Word order & "because"
Key pieces: weil · denn, aber, und
Little joining words like und (and), aber (but), denn (for/because) keep normal word order.
- und (oont) — and
- aber (AH-ber) — but
- auch (owkh) — also Memory hook: auch≈eke/also.
- denn (den) — because / for
- weil (vyl) — because
But weil is special: it sends the verb to the very end. "Ich bleibe, weil ich müde bin."
To say “I am tired, but happy.” in German: Ich bin müde, aber glücklich. (ikh bin MEW-de, AH-ber GLEWK-likh). Built from müde = tired; aber = but; glücklich = happy.
To say “I stay because I am tired.” in German: Ich bleibe, weil ich müde bin. (ikh BLY-be, vyl ikh MEW-de bin). Built from bleibe = stay; weil = because; bin goes to the end.
To say “I eat because I am hungry.” in German: Ich esse, weil ich hungrig bin. (ikh ES-se, vyl ikh HOONG-rikh bin). Built from esse = eat; weil = because; bin at the end.
To say “I come, for I have time.” in German: Ich komme, denn ich habe Zeit. (ikh KOM-me, den ikh HAH-be tsyt). Built from denn = for/because (normal order); habe = have; Zeit = time.
Shopping & bargaining
Key pieces: kaufen · zu teuer · billiger
'To buy' is kaufen. 'Too expensive' is zu teuer; 'cheaper' is billiger.
To say “I'd like to buy this” in German: Ich möchte das kaufen (ish MURSH-tuh das KOW-fen). Built from Ich möchte = I'd like; das = this; kaufen = to buy.
To say “Too expensive” in German: Zu teuer (tsoo TOY-er). Built from zu = too; teuer = expensive.
To say “Do you have something cheaper?” in German: Haben Sie etwas Billigeres? (HAH-ben zee ET-vas BIL-ig-er-es). Built from Haben Sie = do you have; etwas = something; Billigeres = cheaper.
To say “I'll take it” in German: Ich nehme das (ish NAY-muh das). Built from Ich nehme = I take; das = it/this.
Help & emergencies
Key pieces: Hilfe · Arzt · Polizei
Hilfe! help!, Arzt doctor, Krankenhaus hospital, Polizei police.
To say “Help, please!” in German: Hilfe, bitte! (HIL-fuh BIT-tuh). Built from Hilfe = help; bitte = please.
To say “I'm sick” in German: Ich bin krank (ish bin krank). Built from Ich bin = I am; krank = sick.
To say “Call a doctor” in German: Rufen Sie einen Arzt (ROO-fen zee INE-en artst). Built from Rufen Sie = call; einen Arzt = a doctor.
To say “Where is the hospital?” in German: Wo ist das Krankenhaus? (voh ist das KRANK-en-howss). Built from Wo ist = where is; Krankenhaus = hospital.
Family & people
Key pieces: Familie · Frau · Kinder
Familie family, Frau wife/woman, Kinder children, Freund friend.
To say “my family” in German: meine Familie (MINE-uh fah-MEE-lee-uh). Built from meine = my; Familie = family.
To say “my wife” in German: meine Frau (MINE-uh frow). Built from meine = my; Frau = wife.
To say “I have three children” in German: Ich habe drei Kinder (ish HAH-buh dry KIN-der). Built from Ich habe = I have; drei = three; Kinder = children.
To say “This is my friend” in German: Das ist mein Freund (das ist mine froynt). Built from Das ist = this is; mein = my; Freund = friend.
Colours & describing
Key pieces: Farbe · rot · groß/klein
Farbe colour. rot red, blau blue, weiß white, schwarz black.
- rot (roht) — red
- blau (blow) — blue
- weiß (vice) — white
To say “red” in German: rot (roht). Built from rot = red.
To say “big” in German: groß (grohss). Built from groß = big.
To say “small” in German: klein (kline). Built from klein = small.
To say “very beautiful” in German: sehr schön (zair shurn). Built from sehr = very; schön = beautiful.
To compare: größer = bigger, am größten = biggest, als = than. German just adds -er / am -sten to most adjectives.
- größer (GRUR-ser) — bigger
- am größten (am GRUR-sten) — biggest
- als (als) — than
At the restaurant
Key pieces: die Speisekarte · die Rechnung
Eating out uses a few set phrases. First: to reserve is reservieren — it looks like the English "reserve".
- reservieren (re-zer-VEE-ren) — to reserve Memory hook: reserve.
- ein Tisch für zwei (eyn tish fewr tsvai) — a table for two Memory hook: Tisch≈desk/table.
- die Speisekarte (SHPY-ze-kar-te) — the menu Memory hook: Karte≈card.
- die Rechnung (REKH-nung) — the bill
- zum Mitnehmen (tsoom MIT-nay-men) — to take away
To ask if something is included, say ist ... inklusive? — again close to English "inclusive".
To say “A table for two, please.” in German: Einen Tisch für zwei, bitte. (EYN-en tish fewr tsvai, BIT-te). Built from Einen = a (accusative); Tisch = table; für = for.
To say “The menu, please.” in German: Die Speisekarte, bitte. (dee SHPY-ze-kar-te, BIT-te). Built from Speise = dish; Karte = card.
To say “The bill, please.” in German: Die Rechnung, bitte. (dee REKH-nung, BIT-te). Built from Rechnung = bill.
To say “Is the tip included?” in German: Ist das Trinkgeld inklusive? (ist das TRINK-gelt in-kloo-ZEE-ve). Built from Trinkgeld = tip; inklusive = included. inklusive≈inclusive.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- Tschüss (chewss): casual.
- könnten Sie (KERN-ten zee): formal.
Culture and etiquette
Punctuality is respect
Being on time — even a few minutes early — matters in Germany. Arriving late without warning reads as rude.
Sie vs. du
Use the formal Sie with strangers, officials and elders until you're invited to switch to the casual du.
Cash is still king
Many bakeries, cafés and small shops are cash-only or prefer it. Always carry some euros.
Eye contact when you toast
Clinking glasses? Look the person in the eye as you say Prost! — skipping it is said to bring bad luck.
Quiet hours & recycling
Sundays and late evenings are 'Ruhezeit' (quiet time) — keep noise down. And sort your rubbish; Germans take recycling seriously.
Mind the bike lanes
Don't walk in the red-paved bike lanes — cyclists move fast and have right of way.
Example dialogues
Ordering a tea
Server: Hallo, was möchten Sie? (HAH-loh, vas MURSH-ten zee) — Hello, what would you like?
You: Ich möchte einen Tee, bitte. (ish MURSH-tuh INE-en tay BIT-tuh) — I'd like a tea, please.
Server: Sonst noch etwas? (zonst nokh ET-vas) — Anything else?
You: Wie viel kostet das? (vee feel KOS-tet das) — How much is it?
Server: Drei Euro. (dry OY-roh) — Three euros.
You: Danke schön! (DAN-kuh shurn) — Thank you!
Taking a taxi
You: Hallo, ich möchte zum Flughafen. (HAH-loh, ish MURSH-tuh tsoom FLOOK-hah-fen) — Hello, I'd like to go to the airport.
Driver: Gerne. (GAIR-nuh) — Gladly.
You: Wie lange dauert es? (vee LANG-uh DOW-ert es) — How long does it take?
Driver: Zwanzig Minuten. (TSVAN-tsig mi-NOO-ten) — Twenty minutes.
You: Halten Sie hier, bitte. Danke. (HAL-ten zee heer, BIT-tuh, DAN-kuh) — Stop here, please. Thanks.
Meeting someone
Local: Hallo! Wie heißen Sie? (HAH-loh! vee HY-sen zee) — Hello! What's your name?
You: Ich heiße Alex. (ish HY-suh Alex) — My name is Alex.
Local: Woher kommen Sie? (vo-HAIR KOM-en zee) — Where are you from?
You: Ich komme aus Indien. (ish KOM-uh ows IN-dee-en) — I'm from India.
Local: Willkommen! (VIL-kom-en) — Welcome!
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.