FAQ

How long does it take to learn German?

According to the CEFR, about 80–200 hours per level for beginners. With 1 hour per day you can reach A2 in about 6 months and B1 in about 12.

Time depends on your starting point, how many hours you study each week and how much German you hear and speak outside lessons. Many learners plan on roughly 80 to 200 hours per CEFR level, but treat that as a planning estimate rather than a promise. Track progress with the level tests and read what each CEFR level means.

Is German hard for English speakers?

Both are Germanic languages, so many words are similar. Cases, genders and word order take time, but the pronunciation is mostly regular.

German is easier for English speakers in vocabulary, because many words are related, such as Haus (house) and Wasser (water). The harder parts are the three genders, the four cases and verb position. Pronunciation is mostly regular once you learn the sounds of ch, ei and sch. Start with the articles guide and the verb position rule.

What are the CEFR levels?

A1–A2 (basic), B1–B2 (independent), C1–C2 (proficient). This app covers A1 to C1.

The CEFR describes language ability in six levels: A1 and A2 (basic user), B1 and B2 (independent user) and C1 and C2 (proficient user). A1 covers simple everyday phrases, B1 covers travel and personal topics, and C1 covers fluent, flexible use in social, academic and professional life. This course covers A1 to C1. See the CEFR guide for details.

Should I learn Hochdeutsch or a dialect?

Learn Standard German (Hochdeutsch) first; every German speaker understands it. Dialects can come later.

Standard German (Hochdeutsch) is the language of schools, media, official documents and most textbooks, and it is understood across all German-speaking countries. Dialects such as Bavarian or Swabian are rich and interesting, but they are harder to learn without a local context. Start with Standard German and add regional vocabulary later, when you live or spend time in a region.

Which German exams exist?

Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, telc, ÖSD and DSH. Each tests reading, listening, writing and speaking.

The main certificates are the Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, telc Deutsch, the ÖSD exams and the DSH for university entrance. Each tests reading, listening, writing and speaking at a set CEFR level. Check which exam and level your university, employer or visa office accepts, and use the official sample papers to practise the format. This site is not affiliated with any exam body.

Do I need to learn all the cases?

Yes, but gradually: nominative and accusative at A1, dative at A2, genitive at B1.

You do need all four cases eventually, but you can learn them in stages. Start with the nominative and accusative at A1, add the dative at A2 and the genitive at B1. The German cases guide shows the article tables for each case, and the accusative and dative topics explain the most important patterns.

How many words do I need?

About 500 for A1/A2 survival, 2,000 for B1, 4,000 for B2, 8,000+ for C1.

Vocabulary needs depend on your goals. Roughly 500 words cover basic survival and simple conversation at A1 to A2, around 2,000 words support everyday B1 conversation and reading, and 4,000 words or more are needed for B2 reading and discussion. These figures are rough guides. Learn words in sets by topic, such as the vocabulary sets, and review them with example sentences.

Is German phonetic?

Mostly. Once you know the rules for ei/ie, ch, sch, sp/st, and umlauts, you can read almost any word.

German spelling is quite regular compared with English, so once you know the rules you can read most words aloud correctly. The main exceptions are loanwords from English and French, and some words with silent letters. The sounds to learn first are ch, ei, ie, sch and the umlauts. See the pronunciation guide for a full overview.

How many hours per week should I study German?

Most learners progress steadily with three to five hours per week. Short daily sessions work better than one long weekly session, because memory needs regular review.

Can I reach B1 German in a year?

It is possible for a motivated learner with several hours of study per week and regular speaking practice. Results depend on your starting point, study time and how much German you hear and read.

Is it realistic to learn German in six months?

Reaching A1 or A2 in six months is realistic with regular study. Reaching B2 in that time is unlikely for most people, so set realistic milestones and measure progress with level tests.

Do Germans speak English?

Many do, especially younger people and in large cities. Using German still helps you learn and is appreciated, and official settings such as offices and hospitals usually expect German.

Why are there three genders?

It is a historical feature. Learn each noun with its article, and use patterns: -ung, -heit, -keit are feminine; -chen, -lein are neuter.

German keeps grammatical gender from its older history, and it affects articles, pronouns and adjective endings. Gender does not always match the natural sex of a noun: das Mädchen (the girl) is neuter. The best approach is to learn each noun with its article and to notice endings that predict gender, such as -ung (feminine) and -chen (neuter). See the three genders topic.

How do I know whether a noun is der, die or das?

There are rules (days = der, -ung = die, -chen = das) but many exceptions. Always memorise the article with the noun.

Some endings predict the gender reliably: -ung, -heit, -keit and -schaft are feminine, while -chen and -lein are neuter. Many masculine nouns refer to male people and to days, months and seasons. However, there are many exceptions, so it is safest to memorise each noun with its article from the start. The German articles guide lists the most useful patterns.

What is the difference between nicht and kein?

Use kein to negate a noun with an indefinite article or no article; use nicht for everything else.

Kein negates a noun that has an indefinite article or no article: Ich habe kein Auto, Ich habe keine Zeit. Nicht negates everything else, including verbs, adjectives and whole sentences: Ich habe das Auto nicht, Das ist nicht gut. A simple test is to ask whether the phrase you are negating has an article. If it does, use kein; if not, use nicht. See negation with kein.

When do I use dative vs accusative?

Accusative = direct object, dative = indirect object. Two-way prepositions: Wohin? → accusative, Wo? → dative.

The accusative marks the direct object, the thing directly affected by the verb (Ich sehe den Film). The dative marks the indirect object, often the person who receives or benefits (Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch). Certain prepositions and verbs also require the dative. For places, two-way prepositions take the dative for location (Wo?) and the accusative for movement (Wohin?). See the cases guide.

Why does the verb go to the end?

In subordinate clauses (weil, dass, wenn, obwohl …) the conjugated verb moves to the end.

In subordinate clauses introduced by conjunctions such as weil, dass, wenn, ob and obwohl, the conjugated verb moves to the end. Verb-final clauses are the most distinctive feature of German word order. Practise by building sentences with weil and dass, then check your work against the verbs and word order guide.

Perfekt or Präteritum?

Perfekt in speaking; Präteritum in writing, with sein, haben and modals used in both.

In everyday speech Germans usually use the Perfekt, the past tense with haben or sein and a participle. In writing, especially narratives, news and formal reports, the Präteritum (simple past) is more common. Haben, sein and the modal verbs are used in the simple past even in conversation. Learn the Präteritum of common verbs such as sein, haben and gehen first. See the verbs guide.

How do separable verbs work?

The prefix goes to the end in main clauses: Ich rufe dich an. In subordinate clauses they stay together: …, weil ich dich anrufe.

A separable verb has a prefix that detaches in main clauses and goes to the end of the clause: Ich rufe dich morgen an. In subordinate clauses the prefix stays attached to the verb, and the whole verb goes to the end: weil ich dich morgen anrufe. In the perfect tense, the participle is written as one word with ge- in the middle: angerufen. Learn each separable verb with its prefix. See separable verbs.

When do I use sein vs haben in the Perfekt?

Use sein for motion (gehen, fahren) and change of state (aufwachen), plus bleiben and sein. Otherwise haben.

Use sein with verbs of movement from one place to another, such as gehen, fahren and fliegen, and with verbs of change of state, such as aufwachen and werden. Sein, bleiben and passieren also take sein. Most other verbs take haben. Learn verbs in groups, and check each new verb in the dictionary. See perfect with sein.

What is the difference between wissen and kennen?

wissen = know facts; kennen = know a person or place.

Wissen is used for facts, information and knowing how to do something: Ich weiß, wo der Bahnhof ist. Kennen is used for being familiar with a person, place, book or work: Ich kenne diesen Film. The verb wissen is irregular in the present tense, with forms such as ich weiß and du weißt. Using kennen for facts is a common mistake. See wissen vs kennen.

When do I use Konjunktiv II?

For polite requests, wishes and hypothetical situations: Ich hätte gern …, Wenn ich reich wäre …

Konjunktiv II expresses wishes, polite requests, unreal conditions and hypothetical situations. Common forms include hätte, wäre, könnte and würde plus the infinitive. Examples are Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee (I would like a coffee) and Wenn ich reich wäre, würde ich reisen (If I were rich, I would travel). See the Konjunktiv II wishes topic.

How do adjective endings work?

They depend on case, gender and whether there is an article. Learn the three tables: definite, indefinite and no article.

Adjective endings depend on three things: the case, the gender and number of the noun, and whether an article comes before the adjective. After der, die and das the endings are mostly -e or -en. After ein, eine and kein they follow the article pattern. Without an article, the adjective takes the strong ending that the article would have had: frischer Kaffee, mit frischem Kaffee. Learn the three tables. See the cases guide.

What is the difference between als and wenn?

als = a single event in the past; wenn = repeated events or present/future conditions.

Als is used for a single event in the past: Als ich ankam, regnete es (When I arrived, it was raining). Wenn is used for repeated events in the past (Wenn ich ankam, regnete es immer) and for present and future events (Wenn ich ankomme, rufe ich an). Using als for a repeated or future event is a common mistake. See als vs wenn.

What is the Konjunktiv?

Konjunktiv I is mainly used for reported speech in news and formal writing. Konjunktiv II is used for wishes, polite requests and unreal conditions, such as Ich würde gern kommen.

Why does the verb go to the end in some sentences?

In subordinate clauses introduced by weil, dass, wenn, ob or obwohl, the conjugated verb moves to the end. This signals that the clause depends on the main clause.

What is the dative case in simple terms?

The dative shows to whom or for whom an action is done. Many prepositions such as mit and bei and verbs such as helfen and gefallen always take the dative.

Do I need to learn the genitive?

Yes, for reading and writing at B1 and above. In everyday speech Germans often use von with the dative instead, so you will hear the genitive mainly in formal texts.

What is a separable verb?

A separable verb has a prefix such as an-, auf- or ein- that splits off in main clauses and goes to the end: Ich stehe um sieben auf. In subordinate clauses the prefix stays attached.

How can I form the perfect tense quickly?

Use haben or sein in the present tense, then add the past participle at the end of the clause. Learn each verb with its participle and note which verbs take sein.

What are modal particles?

Modal particles are short words such as doch, mal, ja, eben and halt. They show attitude, reassurance or emphasis, are very common in speech and are hard to translate directly.

What is the best way to build vocabulary?

Use spaced repetition: revisit words after 1, 3, 7 and 21 days. Learn words in context and with their article.

Combine three methods: learn words in sentences rather than in isolation, use spaced repetition so that you review each word after one, three, seven and twenty-one days, and always learn the article and plural with nouns. Use the vocabulary sets by topic and test yourself with the quizzes. Keep a short list of words you keep forgetting and review it daily.

How can I improve my pronunciation?

Listen and shadow native speakers. Use the speaker button in this app on each word and phrase.

Listen to native speakers and repeat short phrases aloud, copying their rhythm and intonation. Use the speaker button on words and phrases in the app, and record yourself to compare. Focus first on the sounds that differ most from English: ch, the umlauts, r, and the stress patterns. The pronunciation guide covers these sounds in detail.

How can I practise speaking alone?

Describe your day aloud in German, narrate what you do, and record yourself.

Describe your day aloud in German, narrate what you are doing as you do it, and read short texts out loud. Record yourself and listen back for mistakes in word order and endings. Prepare short talks on familiar topics such as your job, family or hobbies. These exercises build fluency without needing a partner.

How can I practise writing?

Use the Writing section templates, then write a short daily diary entry.

Start with the templates in the writing section, then write a short diary entry in German every day. Ask a native speaker or teacher to correct one text per week, and keep a list of recurring errors. Writing a few lines daily builds vocabulary and word order faster than occasional long essays.

How should I use the quizzes?

Take a short quiz daily, then review mistakes. The Progress page shows how scores change.

Take a short quiz every day, then review the mistakes shown after each quiz. Quizzes work best when you repeat them, because the answer options are shuffled and you must recall words rather than recognise them. Use the Progress page to see whether your scores are improving over time.

How do I keep motivated?

Set a small daily goal (10 words, 1 quiz). The streak counter and XP in this app are there to reward consistency.

Set a small daily goal, such as ten new words or one quiz, and keep it realistic so you can meet it on busy days. Tracking a streak helps many learners keep going. Choose a concrete reason for learning, such as a trip, a job or a friend, and write it down where you will see it.

What should I watch or read?

Start with children's shows and easy readers, then move to news in simple German ("Nachrichtenleicht") and podcasts.

Start with children's programmes, simple readers and short news in simple German, sometimes called Nachrichten leicht. Use subtitles in German, not English, once you can follow the basics. Move on to podcasts for learners, then to newspapers and novels as your reading improves. Look up only the words that block the main meaning.

Should I translate everything?

At first yes, but gradually try thinking in German. Use picture dictionaries and explain words in German.

At the beginning, translation helps you understand grammar and vocabulary. As you progress, try to understand German directly, using pictures, context and simple German definitions. Explaining a word in simpler German is a strong test of understanding. Limit translation to the words you truly need, and move away from it as your level rises.

How do I learn German articles efficiently?

Learn every noun together with its article and plural, group nouns by ending and gender, and review the article rules in the German articles guide. Practise saying the article aloud.

How do I stop translating word for word from English?

Learn set phrases and whole sentences, think about the situation rather than the English sentence, and practise with short daily prompts that you answer in German without translating.

Are flashcards worth using for German?

Yes, if each card includes the article, the plural and an example sentence. Review cards regularly and mark the words you know so you can focus on the rest.

How often should I take a level test?

Take a level test when you finish a level path, or every few weeks. Use the results to decide which grammar topics to review before moving on.

Should I learn with a teacher or alone?

A teacher or conversation partner gives feedback on speaking and writing, while self-study works well for vocabulary and grammar. Many learners combine both.

How do Germans greet each other?

Handshake in formal situations; "Hallo" among friends. Use "Sie" until invited to say "du".

In formal situations, Germans usually shake hands when meeting for the first time, and they say Guten Tag or Guten Morgen. Among friends a simple Hallo is common, and a hug or kiss on the cheek is used by people who know each other well. When you meet someone new, it is polite to use Sie until the other person offers du.

What does "Duzen" and "Siezen" mean?

Duzen = using du (informal); Siezen = using Sie (formal).

Duzen means addressing someone with du, the informal you. Siezen means addressing someone with Sie, the formal you. Using du with a stranger or an older colleague can seem rude, so start with Sie. Once someone suggests the switch with a phrase such as Wir können uns duzen, you may use du. See du vs Sie.

Why do Germans value punctuality?

Being on time shows respect. Arriving 5 minutes early is considered polite.

Punctuality is seen as a sign of respect for other people's time. It matters for trains, appointments, meetings and social invitations. Arriving a few minutes early is considered polite, while arriving late without warning can cause friction. Plan journeys with a margin, especially for official appointments.

What is Kaffee und Kuchen?

A German tradition of afternoon coffee and cake, usually around 3–4 pm.

Kaffee und Kuchen is a German tradition of coffee and cake, usually served in the afternoon, often around three or four o'clock. It is a relaxed way to visit family or friends, and it often includes homemade cake. Many cafés also offer it on Sunday afternoons, so it is a good way to meet German customs in everyday life.

How do I write a date in German?

Day.Month.Year: 24.12.2026 and "der vierundzwanzigste Dezember".

Dates are written day first, then month, then year, with dots after the day and the month: 24.12.2026. In words you say the ordinal day and the month name: der vierundzwanzigste Dezember. Use the preposition am with the day: am 24. Dezember. Writing the month in full is common in formal letters.

What are Austrian and Swiss German?

Regional variants with different vocabulary and accents; Standard German is used in writing.

Austrian and Swiss German are regional varieties with their own vocabulary, pronunciation and some grammar differences. Examples include Jänner (January in Austria) and Grüezi (greeting in Switzerland). Standard German is used in writing across all these countries, and the official language rules are the same. Learners at this level will understand both with practice.

Do I need German to live in Germany?

English works in big cities, but German is needed for administration, work and integration; B1 is required for many visas.

English is widely spoken in large cities and in some companies, but German is needed for daily administration, healthcare, housing contracts and most jobs. Integration courses and visa or residence permit requirements often specify a level, commonly B1 for many permits. Check the requirements with the local authority, as they change over time.

What is the Duden?

The standard reference dictionary and spelling guide for German.

The Duden is the standard German dictionary and spelling guide, published in Germany and used across German-speaking countries. It sets the official spelling rules, many of which were updated by the reform of 1996. Teachers, editors and exam boards often refer to it, so it is a reliable reference when you check spelling or the meaning of a word.

What is Feierabend?

Feierabend is the end of the working day, as in Feierabend machen. Germans value a clear boundary between work and free time, so avoid calling colleagues about work after hours.

Is it rude to be late in Germany?

Being late can seem disrespectful, especially for appointments and trains. Plan to arrive a few minutes early for meetings, and tell people as soon as you know you will be late.

What do Germans eat for breakfast?

Many Germans eat Brötchen (bread rolls) with cheese, cold cuts, jam or eggs, often with coffee. Weekend breakfast can be a long and relaxed meal.

How do I write a formal German email?

Start with Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren or Sehr geehrte Frau/Herr and a surname. State your purpose clearly, use Sie and polite forms such as könnten Sie, and close with Mit freundlichen Grüßen.

How can I improve my German speaking?

Speak every day, even when alone. Shadow recordings, prepare short talks on familiar topics, and ask native speakers to correct your mistakes gently.

What should a German cover letter include?

A formal greeting, a clear reference to the job, your main qualifications with examples, why you want the role, and a polite closing. Keep it to one page and check the order of the sentences.

Which German certificate should I take?

Choose the exam your employer, university or visa office requires. Goethe-Zertifikat, telc and ÖSD are widely recognised. Check the required level and exam type before you register.

Does this course prepare me for an official exam?

It helps with vocabulary, grammar and reading practice, but it is not an official exam and cannot guarantee a result. Use the official sample materials for the exam format.

What can I do with a B1 certificate?

B1 shows that you can handle most everyday situations, travel and simple work tasks, and talk about familiar topics. Requirements for visas and jobs vary, so check with the official body.

How do I pronounce the German r?

The r is usually a soft sound made at the back of the throat. Some regions use a rolled or tapped r. Practise with words such as rot and Brot, and listen to native speakers.

Why are German words so long?

German joins words to form compound nouns, such as Krankenhaus (hospital, literally sick house). Break a long word into its parts and look up each part to understand it.