100 Most Common German Words for Beginners

The (masculine definite article). The most common word in the German language.

The (feminine/plural definite article). Essential for identifying subjects.

The (neuter definite article). Used for neuter nouns and as a pronoun.

And. The primary conjunction used to connect thoughts and sentences.

To be. The most important irregular verb in German (ich bin, du bist...).

In. A preposition indicating location or a state of being.

A / An (masculine/neuter indefinite article). Indicates a non-specific item.

To / At / Too. Used in many idioms and to indicate direction or intensity.

To have. Used for possession and as an auxiliary verb for past tenses.

I. The first-person singular pronoun.

To become. Also used to form the future tense and passive voice.

With. A common preposition that always takes the dative case.

Not. The primary word for negation in German.

From / Of. Used to indicate origin or possession.

On / At / Upon. Preposition indicating location or movement.

Himself / Herself / Itself / Themselves. Reflexive pronoun.

Also / Too. Used to express agreement or addition.

It. Neuter third-person pronoun.

At / On / To. Preposition often used with vertical surfaces or locations.

That. Conjunction used to introduce subordinate clauses.

Can / To be able to. Modal verb expressing ability.

One / They / You (generic). Used for general statements.

Only / Just. Adverb indicating limitation.

Before / In front of / Ago. Indicates time or position.

As / Than / When. Used in comparisons and temporal clauses.

We. First-person plural pronoun.

To say. Frequent verb for reporting speech.

After / To (cities/countries). Indicates direction or time.

To give. Used frequently in the expression "es gibt" (there is).

From / Out of. Preposition indicating origin or material.

For. Preposition that always takes the accusative case.

Or. Conjunction used for alternatives.

Around / At (time). Also used in "um... zu" (in order to).

You (plural) / Her / Their. Has multiple grammatical functions.

Then. Adverb used for sequencing events.

My. Possessive adjective for "ich".

Already. Used to emphasize that something has happened.

Still / Yet. Used to indicate continuation.

Must / To have to. Modal verb expressing necessity.

To know (facts). Distinguished from "kennen" (familiarity).

Good / Well. Essential adjective and adverb.

To go / To walk. Fundamental verb of movement.

Yes. The standard affirmative response.

Over / About. Preposition for location or topic.

At / With / Near. Often used with businesses or people's homes.

But / However / Yes (contradicting a no).

To come. Basic verb for arriving or originating.

Here. Adverb of place.

New. Common adjective used in daily context.

All / Everyone. Indicates totality.

So / Thus / This way. Used for emphasis or manner.

To do / To make. Very versatile verb.

You (informal singular). Used with friends and family.

To want. Modal verb expressing desire.

To see. Basic verb for visual perception.

To let / To allow / To leave. Versatile verb.

To stand. Used for people and stationary objects.

Quite / Whole / Very. Used as adjective or adverb.

Because. Subordinating conjunction for reasons.

There / Since. Indicates location or reason.

Always. Adverb of frequency.

Now. Adverb of time.

Much / Many. Quantity word.

Far / Wide. Indicates distance or breadth.

Time. One of the most common feminine nouns.

Year. Common neuter noun.

Human / Person. Common masculine noun.

Day. Frequent time-related noun.

Money. Vital vocabulary for daily life.

Country / Land. Common neuter noun.

House. Basic living vocabulary.

World. Common feminine noun.

Woman / Mrs. / Wife.

Man / Husband.

Child. Neuter noun used for young people.

City. Essential for travel.

Work / Job.

Hand. Common body part noun.

Eye.

Word.

Picture / Image.

Water.

Side / Page.

Life / To live (as noun or verb).

Case / Fall.

People (plural).

Question.

Both.

Big / Large / Tall.

Small / Little.

Old.

Young.

High / Tall.

Long.

First / Only (time).

Last.

Simple / Easy / One-way.

Heavy / Difficult.

Exactly / Precise.

More. Comparative of "viel".