hello
A WORD TO HAND
Essential German words and phrases for beginners
Hear the words from your first six lessons, check their English meaning and see a useful phrase. This free reference follows the opening unit, so it connects with what you are learning.
Open the searchable dictionaryStart your first lessonFirst words
Say hello, greet someone in the morning and say goodbye.
morning
thank you
bye
A phrase you can use
— Hello!
A useful greeting when meeting someone. In a more formal setting, Guten Tag is also common.
Read lesson 1: First wordsHow are you?
Ask how someone is, understand a reply and return the question.
how
well / good
and
also / too
A phrase you can use
— How are you?
Use this with someone you address as du. You will also hear Wie geht’s?
Read lesson 2: How are you?Nice to meet you
Introduce yourself and ask someone their name.
I
you (informal singular)
the name
to be called
A phrase you can use
— What is your name?
Literally, how are you called? Du addresses one person informally.
Read lesson 3: Nice to meet youA little politeness
Be polite, get someone’s attention and respond to thanks.
please / you are welcome
excuse me / sorry
the problem
again
A phrase you can use
— Excuse me.
Useful when getting a stranger’s attention or apologising for a small interruption.
Read lesson 4: A little politenessWhere are you from?
Ask where someone is from and say where you live.
from where
where
England
Germany
A phrase you can use
— Where are you from?
Woher asks about origin. Kommst is the du form of kommen.
Read lesson 5: Where are you from?When you do not understand
Ask for English, a slower pace or a repetition.
English
slow
to repeat
a little
A phrase you can use
— I do not understand.
Verstehe is the ich form of verstehen. Nicht makes the statement negative.
Read lesson 6: When you do not understandMake the sound and meaning familiar
Use a word in a whole sentence, hear it again, then try the interactive lesson. Each set of three teaching lessons leads to a short mini-test. Revision returns previously learnt phrases using spaced repetition; it does not require a streak or score target.
This reference covers the free opening unit. Full account access opens the remaining lesson content and vocabulary. The first five-minute listening recording and complete Little Town game are also free; checkout is currently closed.
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