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Learn German —
the words that actually come up

Learn the German you'll actually use for travel, work, study, and daily conversations. Master the most frequent words with context examples.

Start for freeBrowse all German words

Why learn German?

Open up new opportunities for travel, career growth, university study, or connecting with friends and family.

Travel & tourismJob interviewChatting with localsEveryday travel
Start learning now
✓1000 most-frequent words
✓Free, no card
✓AI speaking practice

How it works

A proven method to fluency in three simple steps.

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1. Top 1000 Words

We focus exclusively on the high-frequency vocabulary that makes up 80% of daily conversations.

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2. Spaced Repetition

Our smart algorithm calculates the perfect time for you to review each word, moving it to long-term memory.

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3. Practice with AI

Apply your vocabulary in real-world scenarios through interactive, voice-based conversations with our AI.

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1000+
Core Words
12
Languages
∞
AI Scenarios
A1–B1
Levels Covered

Why German matters

German is the most widely spoken native language in the EU. Over 100 million people speak it worldwide — it's the language of work, healthcare, and daily administration in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Without German, basic things get hard: a doctor's appointment, a letter from the Finanzamt, a question from your Vermieter. Most expats put off learning because the grammar looks scary.

It's less scary than it looks. Zipf's law: the 1000 most frequent words cover 85% of everyday speech. Start with those, and you can hold a real conversation in 2–3 months.

Where you actually need German

At work

At work

  • ✓ Follow instructions
  • ✓ Read job assignments
  • ✓ Talk to colleagues
  • ✓ Fill in forms
At the doctor

At the doctor

  • ✓ Describe your symptoms
  • ✓ Understand the prescription
  • ✓ Book an appointment
  • ✓ Read medical reports
Everyday life

Everyday life

  • ✓ Ask about prices
  • ✓ Read price tags
  • ✓ Ask for help
  • ✓ Return something

10 German words worth knowing first

These show up in almost every conversation

1
ich— I
Ich lerne Deutsch.
2
sein— to be
Das ist mein Haus.
3
haben— to have
Ich habe ein Auto.
4
werden— to become
Ich werde Arzt.
5
dieArbeit— work
Die Arbeit beginnt um 8 Uhr.
6
dasHaus— house
Das Haus ist groß.
7
dieZeit— time
Ich habe keine Zeit.
8
dasGeld— money
Ich brauche Geld.
9
derArzt— doctor
Der Arzt kommt um 10 Uhr.
10
bitte— please
Bitte sprechen Sie langsamer.
Browse all German words

How it works

1

Pick a word

Words are sorted by frequency — most useful first.

2

Read the explanation

Grammar note + 2 example sentences at your level.

3

Practice

Flashcards, quiz, listening — pick what works for you.

4

Come back

Spaced repetition reminds you before you forget.

🇩🇪 Life in Germany — free guides

Step-by-step help with bureaucracy, documents and the vocabulary you actually need.

→Anmeldung (registration)→Health insurance→Bürgergeld / Jobcenter→telc B1 exam→Job application & CV
All guides →

Frequently Asked Questions

We focus on the 1000 most frequently used words in the language, which make up about 80% of everyday conversations. By mastering these first, you can start communicating much faster.
Spaced Repetition System (SRS) calculates the perfect time for you to review a word just before you forget it. This moves vocabulary from short-term to long-term memory efficiently.
Yes! The core learning experience, including the 1000 words and basic SRS, is free. An optional PRO plan adds unlimited AI features, unlimited voice practice and removes ads.
Yes, you can try it as a guest. Your progress will be saved locally on your device. However, creating an account lets you save your progress in the cloud and use it across devices.
While fluency depends on many factors, mastering the core 1000 words usually takes 1-3 months of consistent daily practice (15-20 mins/day), giving you a solid conversational foundation.
Yes! Every noun comes with its definite article, and our quizzes will frequently test your memory of the correct genders.
Instead of random sentences and gamified translation, we focus strictly on high-frequency vocabulary, spaced repetition, and real-time AI conversation practice.
Yes, an internet connection is required to sync your progress and use the AI pronunciation and conversation features.
Absolutely! TheLernen is a Progressive Web App (PWA). You can install it on your home screen and use it just like a native app.
PRO unlocks unlimited AI conversational scenarios, smart grammar explanations, and removes daily limits on speaking exercises. It's great if you want to practice speaking intensely.
When you struggle with a word or grammar concept, our AI tutor provides context-aware, tailored explanations, just like a human teacher would.

Start with the 1513 most common German words

Free. No account needed.

Open the dictionary
📖 Free guide

The 1000 most common German words

Read the full list →