The 1000 most-used German words

About 1000 words cover 75% of everyday German speech. Master these first — everything else builds on top.

The 80/20 rule applies to language learning. A relatively small vocabulary covers the vast majority of everyday conversation. In German, around 1000 high-frequency words handle most of what you'll encounter in daily life — news, conversations, errands, and work.

This list is drawn from our A1 and A2 curriculum, which follows Goethe-Institut frequency priorities. Words are ordered by lesson sequence — earlier lessons introduce the most fundamental vocabulary. It's a reliable learning order, though not a formal corpus analysis.

1,000 words

TypeFlashcard
1 amon (days/times) preposition
2der Artikelarticle noun
3 Auf Wiedersehen!Goodbye! phrase
4 ausfrom, out of preposition
5der Automatmachine, vending machine noun
6der BankautomatATM noun
7das Bildpicture, image noun
8das Buchbook noun
9der Buchstabeletter (of the alphabet) noun
10 buchstabierento spell verb
11der Computercomputer noun
12 deutschGerman adjective
13 DeutschlandGermany noun
14der DienstagTuesday noun
15der DonnerstagThursday noun
16die Familiefamily noun
17 femininfeminine adjective
18die Fragequestion noun
19 fragento ask verb
20der FreitagFriday noun
21 glaubento believe verb
22 Guten Tag!Good day! phrase
23 Hallo!Hello! phrase
24das Heftnotebook, exercise book noun
25 heißento be called verb
26die Konjugationconjugation noun
27der Kuliballpoint pen noun
28 leichteasy, light adjective
29 lernento learn verb
30 maskulinmasculine adjective
31der Menschperson, human being noun
32der MittwochWednesday noun
33der MontagMonday noun
34 neinno adverb
35 neutralneuter adjective
36 nochstill, yet adverb
37das Nomennoun noun
38das Papierpaper noun
39die Personperson noun
40das Radioradio noun
41der SamstagSaturday noun
42der Satzsentence noun
43 schreibento write verb
44der SonntagSunday noun
45 sprechento speak verb
46der Stiftpen, pencil noun
47 supersuper, great adjective
48die Tafelblackboard noun
49die Taschebag noun
50die Uhrclock, watch noun
51das Verbverb noun
52der Vormittaglate morning noun
53 wannwhen adverb
54 werwho adverb
55 wiehow adverb
56 willkommenwelcome adjective
57 woherwhere from adverb
58die Wortstellungword order noun
59 alleinalone adjective
60die Antwortanswer noun
61 arbeitento work verb
62der Architektarchitect (male) noun
63die Architektinarchitect (female) noun
64 auchalso, too adverb
65das Auslandabroad, foreign country noun
66der Bruderbrother noun
67der Cousincousin (male) noun
68die Cousinecousin (female) noun
69 dannthen adverb
70 deinyour (informal) pronoun
71der Designerdesigner (male) noun
72die Designerindesigner (female) noun
73 dochyes (contradicting), but adverb
74 dreißigthirty phrase
75 eins / einone phrase
76das Einzelkindonly child noun
77die Elternparents noun
78 eueryour (plural informal) pronoun
79das Fotophoto noun
80der Fotografphotographer noun
81die Frauwoman noun
82der Freundfriend noun
83die Freundinfriend (female) noun
84 Fußball (spielen)to play football phrase
85 gerngladly, with pleasure adverb
86 geschiedendivorced adjective
87die Geschwistersiblings noun
88die Großelterngrandparents noun
89die Großmuttergrandmother noun
90der Großvatergrandfather noun
91 gutgood adjective
92 hörento hear verb
93 hunderthundred phrase
94 ihr (Pl.)their pronoun
95der InformatikerIT specialist (male) noun
96die InformatikerinIT specialist (female) noun
97der Ingenieurengineer (male) noun
98die Ingenieurinengineer (female) noun
99 internationalinternational adjective
100 jayes adverb
101 jetztnow adverb
102das Kindchild noun
103 kleinsmall adjective
104der Kochcook, chef (male) noun
105 kochento cook verb
106die Köchincook, chef (female) noun
107der Kollegecolleague (male) noun
108die Kollegincolleague (female) noun
109das Landcountry, land noun
110das Lebenlife noun
111 ledigsingle (unmarried) adjective
112der Lehrerteacher noun
113die Liebelove noun
114das Lieblingsthemafavorite topic noun
115das Mammom noun
116 manone (impersonal pronoun) pronoun
117der Managermanager (male) noun
118die Managerinmanager (female) noun
119der Mannman noun
120 meinmy pronoun
121 meinento mean/think verb
122der Musikermusician (male) noun
123die Musikerinmusician (female) noun
124die Muttermother noun
125 nichtnot adverb
126die Niederlandethe Netherlands noun
127 nullzero phrase
128die Operopera noun
129 ÖsterreichAustria noun
130der Partnerpartner noun
131der Pluralplural noun
132das Puzzlepuzzle noun
133das Schiffship noun
134 schönbeautiful adjective
135die Schwestersister noun
136 schwimmento swim verb
137 sehrvery adverb
138 seinto be verb
139 selbständigindependent, self-employed adjective
140der Singularsingular noun
141der Sohnson noun
142 spielento play verb
143der Stewardflight attendant (male) noun
144die Stewardessflight attendant (female) noun
145der Tagday noun
146der Tanzdance noun
147 tanzento dance verb
148 Tennis (spielen)to play tennis phrase
149das Thematopic, subject noun
150die Tochterdaughter noun
151 tollgreat, awesome adjective
152die TürkeiTurkey noun
153die UkraineUkraine noun
154 unserour pronoun
155der Vaterfather noun
156 verheiratetmarried adjective
157 weilbecause conjunction
158die Wocheweek noun
159die Zahlnumber noun
160 zeichnento draw verb
161 zwanzigtwenty phrase
162der Abendevening noun
163der Apfelapple noun
164 bestellento order verb
165das Bierbeer noun
166 bioorganic adjective
167das Brotbread noun
168die Butterbutter noun
169der Durstthirst noun
170 Durst habento be thirsty phrase
171das Eiegg noun
172 ein / eine / einena/an (indefinite article) pronoun
173 essento eat verb
174der Fischfish noun
175das Fleischmeat noun
176das Gemüsevegetables noun
177 geöffnetopen (of a shop/restaurant) adjective
178 geschlossenclosed adjective
179das Getränkdrink, beverage noun
180 getrenntseparately (paying) adverb
181die Hauptspeisemain course noun
182der Hungerhunger noun
183 Hunger habento be hungry phrase
184die Kartoffelpotato noun
185der Käsecheese noun
186 kaufento buy verb
187 kein / keineno, not a pronoun
188 leckerdelicious, tasty adjective
189 lesento read verb
190das Menüset menu / menu noun
191die Minuteminute noun
192der Mittagnoon, midday noun
193 mittagsat midday, at lunchtime adverb
194 mögento like (general preference) verb
195der Morgenmorning noun
196der Nachtischdessert noun
197 nehmento take verb
198 nicht so gernnot really (like) phrase
199das Obstfruit noun
200die Pastapasta noun
201die Pizzapizza noun
202der Saftjuice noun
203der Salatsalad / lettuce noun
204das Schnitzelschnitzel (breaded meat cutlet) noun
205die Speisedish, food item noun
206die Stundehour noun
207die Suppesoup noun
208der Teetea noun
209die Tomatetomato noun
210 treffento meet verb
211 trinkento drink verb
212die Uhrzeittime (clock time) noun
213 umat (clock time) preposition
214 von ... bisfrom ... to preposition
215das Wasserwater noun
216der Weinwine noun
217 wichtigimportant adjective
218die Wurstsausage / cold cuts noun
219 zusammentogether adverb
220der Akkubattery (device) noun
221 anziehento get dressed, to put on verb
222die Arbeitwork noun
223 aufmachento open verb
224 aufräumento tidy up verb
225 aufstehento get up verb
226die Besprechungmeeting noun
227das Bürooffice noun
228der Chefboss, manager (male) noun
229die Chefinboss, manager (female) noun
230 downloadento download verb
231 einkaufento go shopping, to buy groceries verb
232 erlaubtallowed, permitted adjective
233 frühearly adjective
234 frustriertfrustrated adjective
235 funktionierento work, to function verb
236die Hausordnunghouse rules noun
237das Haustierpet noun
238 helfento help verb
239 heutetoday adverb
240 immeralways adverb
241 könnencan/be able to verb
242 ladento charge / to load verb
243das Laptoplaptop noun
244 lautloud, noisy adjective
245 möchtenwould like (polite request) verb
246 morgentomorrow adverb
247 müdetired adjective
248 müssenmust/have to verb
249 nervösnervous adjective
250 normalerweisenormally, usually adverb
251 parkento park verb
252das Passwortpassword noun
253das Problemproblem noun
254 rauchento smoke verb
255die Regelrule noun
256die Satzklammersentence bracket (grammar term) noun
257 spätlate adjective
258 surfento surf (internet) verb
259das Tablettablet noun
260der Tagesablaufdaily routine noun
261 verbotenforbidden, not allowed adjective
262die Wäschelaundry, washing noun
263 waschento wash verb
264die WLAN-VerbindungWiFi connection noun
265 wollento want verb
266 wütendangry adjective
267 zufriedencontent, satisfied adjective
268 zumachento close verb
269 abbiegento turn (direction) verb
270die Bankbank noun
271das Bettbed noun
272die Bibliotheklibrary noun
273 brauchento need verb
274das Cafécafé noun
275 dennbecause (coord. conjunction) conjunction
276 dichyou (accusative, informal) pronoun
277 dortthere adverb
278die Eckecorner noun
279 entlangalong preposition
280 esit pronoun
281das Fensterwindow noun
282 findento find verb
283 fürfor preposition
284 gegenüberopposite, across from preposition
285 geradeausstraight ahead adverb
286das Geschenkgift, present noun
287 hierhere adverb
288 ihnhim (accusative) pronoun
289 in der Nähenearby, in the vicinity phrase
290das Krankenhaushospital noun
291 liegento lie (position) verb
292 linksleft adverb
293 michme (accusative) pronoun
294 nicht weitnot far phrase
295der Parkpark noun
296der Platzsquare, plaza noun
297die Postpost office noun
298das Rathauscity hall noun
299 rechtsright adverb
300 sieshe pronoun
301der Stadtplancity map noun
302die Straßestreet noun
303der Stuhlchair noun
304 suchento search verb
305der Supermarktsupermarket noun
306der Tischtable noun
307die Türdoor noun
308 wissento know (fact) verb
309 wowhere (location) adverb
310das Augeeye noun
311 besserbetter adjective
312 blaublue adjective
313 braunbrown adjective
314der Doktordoctor (informal title) noun
315 erkältethaving a cold adjective
316 erstethe first (ordinal) phrase
317 gelbyellow adjective
318 gesternyesterday adverb
319 graugrey adjective
320 grüngreen adjective
321die Handhand noun
322der Hustencough noun
323der Kopfhead noun
324 Kopfschmerzen (Pl.)headache noun
325 letzte Wochelast week phrase
326 letzten Monatlast month phrase
327 lilapurple / lilac adjective
328 orangeorange adjective
329die Praxisdoctor's office / practice noun
330 rotred adjective
331die Ruherest, quiet noun
332 schlimmbad, terrible adjective
333 Schmerzen (Pl.)pain noun
334 schwarzblack adjective
335der Verbandbandage noun
336 von + Dativfrom, of (+ dative) preposition
337 vorgesternthe day before yesterday adverb
338 weißwhite adjective
339der Zahntooth noun
340die Altstadtold town noun
341 an dento the (lake/sea/river) phrase
342 auf dento the (mountain) phrase
343der Bahnhoftrain station noun
344 fantastischfantastic adjective
345der Graddegree noun
346 habento have verb
347 in dieto the (feminine countries) phrase
348 insinto the phrase
349der Kaffeecoffee noun
350 kühlcool adjective
351 liebe Grüßekind regards, love from phrase
352 nachto (cities/countries without article) preposition
353die Nachtnight noun
354 reservierento reserve verb
355die Rezeptionreception, front desk noun
356das Schlosscastle, palace noun
357der Schlüsselkey noun
358die Sonnesun noun
359 viele Grüßemany greetings from phrase
360 wunderschönwonderful, gorgeous adjective
361der Zugtrain noun
362 aufwachento wake up verb
363 bleibento stay/remain verb
364 dieserthis (demonstrative article) pronoun
365 diryou (dative, informal) pronoun
366 einschlafento fall asleep verb
367 euchyou all (accusative) pronoun
368 fahrento drive/travel verb
369der Filmfilm, movie noun
370 fliegento fly verb
371 gefallento please/like verb
372 gehento go/walk verb
373die Handschuhegloves (plural) noun
374 ihmhim (dative) pronoun
375 ihnenthem (dative) pronoun
376 ihryou (plural) pronoun
377der KarnevalCarnival / Mardi Gras noun
378 kommento come verb
379 laufento run verb
380 mirme (dative) pronoun
381die Mützehat, woolly hat noun
382die Nachrichtennews (always plural) noun
383das OktoberfestOktoberfest noun
384 onlineonline adverb
385 passierento happen verb
386der Podcastpodcast noun
387der Schalscarf noun
388 schmeckento taste (good/bad) verb
389 schonalready adverb
390die SerieTV series noun
391 stehento stand verb
392 unsus (accusative) pronoun
393 warumwhy adverb
394der WeihnachtsmarktChristmas market noun
395 welcherwhich (question word for nouns) adjective
396die Zeitschriftmagazine noun
397die Zeitungnewspaper noun
398die Abkürzungabbreviation noun
399die Absagecancellation, decline noun
400 absagento cancel, decline verb
401 anfangento begin, to start verb
402 anrufento call (phone) verb
403die Ansageannouncement, outgoing message noun
404die Appapp noun
405 aufhörento stop, to cease verb
406 bekommento receive, to get verb
407 beleidigento insult verb
408 benutzento use verb
409der Briefletter noun
410der Chatchat noun
411 chattento chat verb
412das Cybermobbingcyberbullying noun
413 dassthat (conjunction) conjunction
414 diskutierento discuss verb
415 dringendurgent adjective
416die E-Mailemail noun
417 einladento invite verb
418 entwickelnto develop verb
419 erfindento invent verb
420die Erfindunginvention noun
421die Feiercelebration, party noun
422 feiernto celebrate verb
423das Festcelebration, party, festival noun
424 formellformal adjective
425 früherin the past, formerly adverb
426die Geschichtehistory / story noun
427das Handymobile phone noun
428der Hauptsatzmain clause noun
429 herzlichheartfelt, warm adjective
430 heutzutagenowadays adverb
431 in Kontakt bleibento stay in contact phrase
432 indirektindirect adjective
433 informellinformal adjective
434das Internetinternet noun
435das Jahrhundertcentury noun
436 jeden Tagevery day phrase
437die Kommunikationcommunication noun
438die Mailboxvoicemail / mailbox noun
439 manchmalsometimes adverb
440 mitbringento bring along verb
441 mitteilento inform, communicate verb
442die Nachrichtmessage noun
443der Nebensatzsubordinate clause noun
444 nienever adverb
445 obwhether, if conjunction
446 oftoften adverb
447das Partizip IIpast participle noun
448 seitsince, for (time) preposition
449 seltenrarely adverb
450das Smartphonesmartphone noun
451der Smileysmiley, emoji noun
452die SMStext message noun
453die Technologietechnology noun
454das Telefontelephone noun
455 trennbarseparable (prefix) adjective
456 ungefährapproximately adverb
457 unhöflichimpolite, rude adjective
458 untrennbarinseparable (prefix) adjective
459das Videovideo noun
460 zurückrufento call back verb
461die Zusageacceptance (of an invitation) noun
462 zusagento accept (invitation) verb
463der Anzugsuit noun
464 aussehento look, to appear verb
465das Aussehenappearance / looks noun
466der Blogblog noun
467die Bluseblouse noun
468 dafür seinto be in favour phrase
469 dagegen seinto be against phrase
470das Demonstrativpronomendemonstrative pronoun noun
471 energischenergetic adjective
472 engtight / narrow adjective
473 erste Eindruckfirst impression phrase
474 gern → lieber → am liebstengladly/rather/most phrase
475die Größesize noun
476 gut → besser → am bestengood → better → best phrase
477die Handtaschehandbag noun
478das Hemdshirt noun
479die Hosetrousers / pants noun
480 hübschpretty / good-looking adjective
481der Huthat noun
482 intelligentintelligent adjective
483die Jackejacket noun
484die Jeansjeans noun
485 jungyoung adjective
486das Kleiddress noun
487der Komparativcomparative noun
488der Konjunktiv IIsubjunctive II noun
489 kurzshort adjective
490 langlong adjective
491der Mantelcoat noun
492die Meinungopinion noun
493die Operationoperation noun
494 optimistischoptimistic adjective
495 passento fit verb
496 pessimistischpessimistic adjective
497 probierento try (on) verb
498der Pulloverpullover / jumper noun
499der Rabattdiscount noun
500das Rauchverbotsmoking ban noun
501 recht habento be right phrase
502der Rockskirt noun
503 ruhigcalm / quiet adjective
504die Schneiderinseamstress / tailor (female) noun
505der Schönheitschirurgcosmetic surgeon noun
506die Schönheitsoperationcosmetic surgery noun
507die Schuheshoes noun
508 so ... wieas ... as phrase
509 sofortimmediately / right away adverb
510das Sonderangebotspecial offer noun
511 sportlichsporty / athletic adjective
512die Stiefelboots noun
513die Stimmevoice noun
514der Superlativsuperlative noun
515das T-ShirtT-shirt noun
516die Umkleidekabinechanging room / fitting room noun
517 ungefährlichnot dangerous / safe adjective
518 unsympathischunpleasant / unlikeable adjective
519der Verkäufersalesman noun
520 viel → mehr → am meistenmuch → more → most phrase
521 weitwide / loose adjective
522 zu groß / zu kleintoo big / too small phrase
523 abfahrento depart verb
524 ankommento arrive verb
525der Ausflugday trip, excursion noun
526der Bergmountain noun
527 besichtigento visit, to sightsee verb
528 bewölktcloudy adjective
529der Flugflight noun
530 fotografierento photograph verb
531 genießento enjoy verb
532das Gewitterthunderstorm noun
533 heißhot adjective
534das Hostelhostel noun
535 kaltcold adjective
536die Kameracamera noun
537die Kirchechurch noun
538 letzten Sommerlast summer phrase
539der Marktmarket noun
540der Nebelfog noun
541 packento pack verb
542der Passpassport noun
543die Postkartepostcard noun
544der Regenrain noun
545 regnerischrainy adjective
546 reisento travel verb
547die Reservierungreservation noun
548der Schneesnow noun
549 schönes Wetter habento have nice weather phrase
550die Sehenswürdigkeitsight, tourist attraction noun
551 sonnigsunny adjective
552das Souvenirsouvenir noun
553der Stammstem (of a verb) noun
554das Taxitaxi noun
555das Ticketticket noun
556der Touristtourist noun
557die Touristeninformationtourist information noun
558 übernachtento stay overnight verb
559 unregelmäßigirregular adjective
560 vor einem Jahra year ago phrase
561die Vorvergangenheitnarrative past noun
562der Waldforest noun
563 wandernto hike verb
564 warmwarm adjective
565das Wetterweather noun
566der Windwind noun
567 zum ersten Malfor the first time phrase
568die Allergieallergy noun
569der Armarm noun
570das Aspirinaspirin noun
571 ausreichendsufficiently adverb
572der Bauchbelly, stomach noun
573das Beinleg noun
574 Bitteplease adverb
575die Brustchest, breast noun
576 dürfenmay, to be allowed to verb
577 Erhol dich!Get well! phrase
578das Fieberfever noun
579der Fingerfinger noun
580der Fußfoot noun
581die Grippeflu noun
582der Halsneck, throat noun
583 Halsschmerzen (Pl.)sore throat noun
584der Imperativimperative (grammar) noun
585das Knieknee noun
586der Kopfschmerzheadache noun
587 kranksick, ill adjective
588die Krankenkassehealth insurance noun
589die Krankenversicherunghealth insurance noun
590der Mundmouth noun
591die Nasenose noun
592das Ohrear noun
593der Patientpatient (male) noun
594die Patientinpatient (female) noun
595der Ratadvice noun
596das Reflexivpronomenreflexive pronoun noun
597der Rückenback noun
598 Ruh dich aus!Get some rest! phrase
599 ruhento rest verb
600 schluckento swallow verb
601 Schmerzen habento have pain phrase
602die Schultershoulder noun
603 sich ausruhento rest, to relax verb
604 sich bewegento move, to exercise verb
605 sich erholento recover verb
606 sich erkältento catch a cold verb
607 sich ernährento eat, to nourish oneself verb
608 sich fühlento feel verb
609 sich Sorgen machento worry phrase
610 sollenshould, ought to verb
611die Sprechstundeconsultation hours noun
612das Symptomsymptom noun
613 täglichdaily adverb
614der Terminappointment noun
615 untersuchento examine verb
616 wehtunto hurt verb
617 wennwhen / whenever conjunction
618 am liebstenmost of all / best of all adverb
619 anat, on (vertical) preposition
620das Apartmentapartment noun
621 aufon (horizontal) preposition
622das Badezimmerbathroom noun
623 bauento build verb
624der Bodenfloor noun
625das Bücherregalbookshelf noun
626 dunkeldark adjective
627 einziehento move in verb
628die Farbecolour / paint noun
629 fertigfinished / ready adjective
630der Flurhallway noun
631das Gerichtdish / meal noun
632 günstigcheap / good value adjective
633der Handwerkercraftsman / tradesman noun
634 hängento hang verb
635das Hauptgerichtmain course noun
636 hellbright / light adjective
637 hinterbehind preposition
638 idealideal adjective
639 inin, into preposition
640 kaputtbroken adjective
641der Kellnerwaiter noun
642die Kellnerinwaitress noun
643das Kissencushion / pillow noun
644die Küchekitchen noun
645die Lampelamp noun
646 legento lay, to put (flat) verb
647 lieberrather / preferably adverb
648der Malerpainter (decorator) noun
649die Mieterent noun
650die Möbelfurniture noun
651 modernmodern adjective
652die Nachspeisedessert noun
653 nebennext to preposition
654das Parkettparquet (flooring) noun
655der Quadratmeter (m²)square metre noun
656die Rechnungbill noun
657das Regalshelf / bookcase noun
658 renovierento renovate verb
659die Renovierungrenovation noun
660 reparierento repair verb
661das Restaurantrestaurant noun
662das Schlafzimmerbedroom noun
663der Schrankwardrobe / cupboard noun
664der Sesselarmchair noun
665das Sofasofa noun
666die Speisekartemenu noun
667 streichento paint (walls) verb
668das Studiostudio (flat) noun
669der Teppichrug / carpet noun
670 teuerexpensive adjective
671 überover, above preposition
672 umziehento move (house) verb
673 unterunder preposition
674der Vermieterlandlord noun
675die Vermieterinlandlady noun
676 vorin front of preposition
677die Vorspeisestarter noun
678die Wandwall noun
679 werdento become verb
680die Wohnungflat / apartment noun
681das Wohnzimmerliving room noun
682der Wunschwish noun
683das Zimmerroom noun
684 zwischenbetween preposition
685das Abiturschool-leaving exam / A-levels (D) noun
686der Abschlussgraduation, qualification, degree noun
687 alsthan (in comparisons) conjunction
688 an deiner Stelleif I were you phrase
689 an Ihrer Stellein your position (formal) phrase
690der Arztdoctor (male) noun
691die Ärztindoctor (female) noun
692der Astronautastronaut (male) noun
693die Ausbildungvocational training, apprenticeship noun
694der Berufprofession, job noun
695die Berufsschulevocational school noun
696die Bewerbungjob application noun
697 deshalbtherefore, that's why conjunction
698der Einsatzmission, operation, deployment noun
699das Feuerfire noun
700die Feuerwehrfraufirefighter (female) noun
701der Feuerwehrmannfirefighter (male) noun
702die Gefahrdanger noun
703der Gegensatzcontrast, opposite noun
704die Grundschuleprimary school noun
705das Gymnasiumgrammar school noun
706die Hauptschulelower secondary school (D) noun
707 in + Dativ (zeitlich)in (temporal, with dative) preposition
708 in einem Jahrin one year phrase
709 in zwei Wochenin two weeks phrase
710 jeder / jedes / jedeevery, each pronoun
711 körperlichphysical adjective
712der LebenslaufCV, résumé noun
713 löschento extinguish verb
714die Maturaschool-leaving exam noun
715der Nachteildisadvantage noun
716 obwohlalthough, even though conjunction
717der Pilotpilot (male) noun
718die Pilotinpilot (female) noun
719der Polizistpolice officer (male) noun
720die Polizistinpolice officer (female) noun
721 psychischpsychological, mental adjective
722der Quereinstiegcareer change, lateral entry noun
723der Ratschlagpiece of advice noun
724die Realschuleintermediate secondary school (D) noun
725 rettento save, to rescue verb
726 riskantrisky adjective
727 sich bewerbento apply (for a job) verb
728 spannendexciting, thrilling adjective
729der Stressstress noun
730das Studiumuniversity studies noun
731der Traumberufdream job noun
732 trotzdemnevertheless, still, anyway adverb
733 überlegento consider, to think about verb
734 um ... herumaround phrase
735die Universitätuniversity noun
736der Vorteiladvantage noun
737 wechselnto change, to switch verb
738das Amtgovernment office noun
739der Austauschexchange noun
740der AusweisID card noun
741die Beziehungrelationship noun
742das Blind Dateblind date noun
743der Charmecharm noun
744die Dating-Showdating show noun
745 ehrlichhonest adjective
746die Ehrlichkeithonesty noun
747die Eigenschaftcharacteristic, quality noun
748das Einwohnermeldeamtregistration office noun
749das Formularform (document) noun
750die Freizeitfree time, leisure noun
751 frischfresh adjective
752die Geduldpatience noun
753 geduldigpatient adjective
754 gestresststressed adjective
755das Hobbyhobby noun
756der Humorhumour noun
757 langweiligboring adjective
758 lustigfunny adjective
759der Muttersprachlernative speaker noun
760 nettnice, kind adjective
761 neugierigcurious, inquisitive adjective
762 offenopen, open-minded adjective
763die Persönlichkeitpersonality noun
764das Profilprofile noun
765 romantischromantic adjective
766die Schlangequeue / snake noun
767 sich anmeldento register verb
768 sich beeilento hurry verb
769 sich beschwerento complain verb
770 sich duschento shower verb
771 sich entspannento relax verb
772 sich kämmento comb (hair) verb
773 sich kennenlernento get to know each other verb
774 sich setzento sit down verb
775 sich treffento meet up verb
776 sich verliebento fall in love with verb
777 sich verstehento get along verb
778 sich vorstellento introduce oneself verb
779 sich wohlfühlento feel comfortable verb
780 sich wünschento wish for verb
781die Sprachelanguage noun
782 sympathischlikeable / pleasant adjective
783das Tandemtandem (language exchange partnership) noun
784 ungeduldigimpatient adjective
785die Wartenummerqueue number noun
786 zuverlässigreliable adjective
787 abendsin the evenings adverb
788der Balkonbalcony noun
789die Bergemountains noun
790 beschreibento describe verb
791die Breitewidth noun
792 buchento book verb
793das Campingcamping noun
794der Campingplatzcampsite noun
795 des Vaters / der Mutterof the father / of the mother phrase
796das Doppelzimmerdouble room noun
797das Einzelzimmersingle room noun
798die Erinnerungmemory, souvenir noun
799das Frühstückbreakfast noun
800das Fundbürolost property office noun
801der Genitivgenitive case noun
802 herhere (motion toward speaker) adverb
803 herkommento come from verb
804 hinthere (motion away from speaker) adverb
805 hinlegento put down verb
806die Höheheight noun
807das Hotelhotel noun
808 inklusiveinclusive, included adjective
809die Inselisland noun
810die Jugendherbergeyouth hostel noun
811die Kindheitchildhood noun
812der Koffersuitcase noun
813die Küstecoast noun
814die Längelength noun
815das Meersea noun
816 messento measure verb
817 montagson Mondays adverb
818 morgensin the mornings adverb
819das Portemonnaiewallet, purse noun
820der Regenschirmumbrella noun
821die Reisetrip, journey noun
822das Rekordrecord noun
823der Relativsatzrelative clause noun
824der Rucksackbackpack noun
825der Seelake noun
826die Sonnenbrillesunglasses noun
827der Strandbeach noun
828die Übernachtungovernight stay noun
829die Unterkunftaccommodation noun
830 unvergesslichunforgettable adjective
831der Urlaubvacation, holiday noun
832 verbringento spend (time) verb
833 verlierento lose verb
834der Weltrekordworld record noun
835das Zelttent noun
836 aufschreibento write down verb
837 beeindruckendimpressive adjective
838der Cachecache (hidden object) noun
839 dafür / wofürfor that / for what adverb
840 darüber / worüberabout that / about what adverb
841 davon / wovonof/from that / of/from what adverb
842 einverstanden seinto agree, be in agreement phrase
843das Festivalfestival noun
844der Flash Mobflash mob noun
845das Geocachinggeocaching noun
846 interessantinteresting adjective
847die Karteikarteflashcard noun
848 kein Problemno problem phrase
849das Kinocinema noun
850 klappento work out, to go as planned verb
851das Konzertconcert noun
852die Kulturculture noun
853 kulturellcultural adjective
854die Kunstart noun
855 leiderunfortunately adverb
856 mitmachento participate verb
857das Museummuseum noun
858die Musikmusic noun
859 nachdenkento think about verb
860 öffentlichpublic adjective
861 organisierento organize verb
862 regelmäßigregular adjective
863 sich begeisternto be enthusiastic about verb
864 sich freuen aufto look forward to verb
865 sich freuen überto be happy about verb
866 sich interessierento be interested in verb
867 sich verabredento arrange to meet verb
868das Sprachlernapplanguage learning app noun
869die Strategiestrategy noun
870das Theatertheatre noun
871der Tipptip, piece of advice noun
872 träumento dream of verb
873der Treffpunktmeeting point noun
874die Verabredungdate, appointment (informal) noun
875die Vokabelvocabulary word noun
876 vorhabento intend, to plan verb
877der Vorschlagsuggestion, proposal noun
878 vorschlagento suggest verb
879 wiederholento repeat verb
880 aggressivaggressive adjective
881die Ampeltraffic light noun
882die Apothekepharmacy noun
883der Ärgerannoyance, anger noun
884 ärgernto annoy, to anger verb
885 aufregendexciting adjective
886die Ausdauerendurance, stamina noun
887der Autofahrercar driver (male) noun
888die Autofahrerincar driver (female) noun
889 bremsento brake verb
890die Dosierungdosage noun
891 einerone (of them) pronoun
892die Einladunginvitation noun
893 empfehlento recommend verb
894 entspannento relax verb
895die Entzündunginflammation, infection noun
896die Erkältungcold (illness) noun
897 erklärento explain verb
898die Erklärungexplanation noun
899das Extremsportextreme sport noun
900der Fahrerdriver (male) noun
901die Fahrerindriver (female) noun
902das Fahrradbicycle noun
903 fitfit, in shape adjective
904das Fitnessstudiogym, fitness studio noun
905der Fußgängerpedestrian (male) noun
906 gefährlichdangerous adjective
907der Gehwegpavement, sidewalk noun
908 gesundhealthy adjective
909die Gesundheithealth noun
910die Handlungaction, plot noun
911der Helmhelmet noun
912 hupento honk, to beep verb
913der Hustensaftcough syrup noun
914 keinernone, no one pronoun
915 kletternto climb verb
916das Kletternclimbing (as activity noun) noun
917die Kreuzungintersection, crossroads noun
918die Lehrerinteacher (female) noun
919 leihento lend verb
920das Medikamentmedication, medicine noun
921 meinermine pronoun
922der Mutcourage noun
923 mutigbrave, courageous adjective
924das Pflasterplaster, band-aid noun
925 plötzlichsuddenly adverb
926der Radfahrercyclist (male) noun
927die Radfahrerincyclist (female) noun
928das Rezeptprescription noun
929 rezeptpflichtigprescription-only adjective
930das Risikorisk noun
931die Salbeointment, cream noun
932 sich ärgernto be annoyed about verb
933die Situationsituation noun
934das Skydivingskydiving noun
935der Sportsport noun
936der Sportlerathlete (male) noun
937die Sportlerinathlete (female) noun
938der Stautraffic jam noun
939das Surfensurfing (as activity noun) noun
940die Tablettetablet, pill noun
941 trainierento train, to exercise verb
942 überholento overtake verb
943die Übungexercise, practice noun
944 ungesundunhealthy adjective
945die Untersuchungexamination, investigation noun
946die Verletzunginjury noun
947 verschreibento prescribe verb
948das Vitaminvitamin noun
949die Wortbildungword formation noun
950 wünschento wish verb
951 abfrom (+ time/place) preposition
952 aberbut conjunction
953die Abfahrtdeparture noun
954 abholento pick up verb
955der Absendersender noun
956die Adresseaddress noun
957die Ahnungidea, clue noun
958 aktivactive adjective
959 aktuellcurrent adjective
960 allerall pronoun
961 alsoso, therefore adverb
962 altold adjective
963das Alterage noun
964 anbietento offer verb
965 andererother pronoun
966 ändernto change verb
967der Anfangbeginning noun
968 angebotenoffered verb
969die Angstfear noun
970 anhaltenstop verb
971 anklickento click (on) verb
972die Ankunftarrival noun
973 anmachenturn on verb
974 anmeldento register verb
975die Anmeldungregistration noun
976die Anredeform of address noun
977der Anrufphone call noun
978der Anrufbeantworteranswering machine noun
979 ansehenlook at / regard verb
980 antwortento answer verb
981die Anzeigeadvertisement noun
982der Apparatdevice, apparatus noun
983der Appetitappetite noun
984der Arbeitsplatzworkplace noun
985 armpoor adjective
986die Aufgabetask noun
987 aufpassento pay attention verb
988der Aufzugelevator noun
989 ausfüllento fill out verb
990der Ausgangexit noun
991 ausgebenspend / issue verb
992 ausgehengo out / assume / run out verb
993 ausgenommenexcept preposition
994die Auskunftinformation (desk) noun
995der Ausländerforeigner noun
996 ausleihento lend, to borrow verb
997 außerexcept, apart from preposition
998 außerdembesides, moreover adverb
999die Aussprachepronunciation noun
1000 ausziehentake off / move out verb

How to actually learn 1000 words

A list is just raw material. Memorizing definitions doesn't stick — you need a method. Spaced repetition schedules reviews so you see each word just before you'd forget it, compressing months of rote repetition into weeks of targeted practice.

Pair spaced repetition with memory palace images. Each noun in our system has a scene-based image that anchors it to a visual memory. When you see das Haus alongside a specific green-lit house image, you're encoding both the word and its gender in one shot.

Start with nouns — they're the most frequent, and gender is a fact you can only learn once. Then move to verbs. Adjectives and connectors come after you have a stable core vocabulary.

What's NOT in this list

These 1000 words are everyday vocabulary. You won't find:

  • Abstract/formal constructions — Konjunktiv II phrasing, formal subjunctive registers
  • Academic language — technical terminology, discipline-specific vocabulary
  • Specialized domains — medical, legal, trades vocabulary
  • B1 vocabulary — the next tier of frequency beyond A1/A2

For B1 words, see our B1 vocabulary list. For connectors (conjunctions that structure sentences), see German connectors.

Methodology note

Our ranking is based on lesson order in the A1 + A2 curriculum — not a statistical frequency corpus. Our curriculum follows Goethe-Institut frequency priorities, so the ordering is defensible as a learning sequence. But if you need academic-grade frequency data, use the Deutsches Referenzkorpus (DWDS).

When we add an explicit frequency_rank field to our database, this table will re-sort to true frequency order. Until then, lesson order is the best available proxy.

Learn these with memory palace images

Our A1 course covers the first 400 words in this list — with images, mnemonics, and spaced repetition built in.

Common questions