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Learn German Language

Different German Dialects List and Map

Within any language or language group, there may be significant changes in speech, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The term used to describe these changes is called a dialect. Some words or phrases that exist in one dialect may exist or be absent from different German dialects. A Few German Dialects exist today because of various German dialects merging together through German history.


German Dialects Map

German Dialets Map
German Dialets Map

German Dialects List

  • Low German – Named after the flat lands in the region. Low German is spoken from the Dutch border to the former German lands of Eastern Pommerania, and Eastern Prussia. Low German includes many sub dialects.
  • Frisian German – Dialect found along the border of Denmark and the North Sea Coast.
  • Middle German – Spoken in the region in the middle of German from Luxembourg to Poland and Silesia. Middle German includes many sub dialects.
  • Frankish German – The Frankish Dialects lie east of the Rhine River in near the very center of Germany.
  • Alemannic German – This dialect follows the Rhine River north from Switzerlan to Basel and Freibug. This dialect includes many sub dialects like Alsatian, Swabian, Low and High Alemannic.
  • Bavarian-Austrian German – Included most of southern Germany. This region hosts many different sub dialects that fall under this category. Theses include (South, Middle, and North Bavarian as well as Tyrolian and Salzburgian)

Different German dialects of the German language are spoken in many different nations and regions around the world, most commonly throughout Europe. However, the differences in regional dialects may not make one German speaker nearly incomprehensible to another. In most cases, the different German dialects don’t have a specific written form of the language, but there’s usually a certain amount of literature that accompanies each German dialects.

Interested in further study into German or confused on where to start? I recommend reading our German Beginners Guide

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Learn German Language

Learn German Alphabet – German Language Alphabet Letters & Chart

The German alphabet is part of language that’s origins trace back to early 700s. German contains the twenty-six letters of the English alphabet and adds the extra letters ä, ö, ü and ß. All German letter have upper and lowercase version except for ß. The letter ß will never be at the start of a word.

German is s viewed by non-native German speakers as a harsh sounding language.

The German language is a more consistent phonetically language than English.


German Alphabet Table

German Alphabet Table

Learn German Alphabet Pronunciation

Some German Letters way different their English counterparts. For example, the German W sounds like English V, and German V sounds like the English F. Most of the time the German sounds like Z in English when placed at the beginning of a word followed by a vowel. Learn German Alphabet letters g, ch, and pronounce mostly in the back of the throat. The pronunciation of some of these German letters not have an English counterpart (Like “ü” for example”).


Learn German Alphabet Diphthongs and Grouped Consonants

Diphthongs are combinations of two vowels(and only vowels) that are combined and sounded together. Consonants can be grouped together this way as well. Instead of each letter being pronounced separately, the two letters have combined pronunciation and sound. Example of German Alphabet Diphthongs and Group Consonants below.

German Diphthong Examples

German Alt Codes

To do the extra German letters without using German keyboard. Alt code can be used. Alt code is when you press then hold down the Alt key on your keyboard then type in numbers on your num pad then release the alt key.

German Useful German Alt Codes

The German Alphabet plays a very important role in learning German, especially when it comes to pronunciation. So make sure to practice pronouncing the German Alphabet multiple times often. Whenever you can.


Interested in further study into German or confused on where to start? I recommend reading our German Beginners Guide

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Learn Languages

Learn Basic German Language – German Language Basics Guide

German Language Beginners Guide

This guide was written for German beginners that don’t know where to start learning the German language. Take the time to learn with this German language guide and let these points soak in, then build on them as you continue your German studies.

Good luck, and have fun learning German.

Why Learn the German Language?

The German language is known by an estimated 140 Million across Europe and around the world.

German is tied with French as the most learned second language in the European Union.

The importance of German as playing a crucial role for centuries in Europe and on the world stage.


German Language Beginners Outline


German Dialect Map

German Dialets Map

Within any language or language group, there may be significant changes in speech, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The term used to describe these changes is called a dialect.

Some words or phrases that exist in one dialect may exist or be absent from different German dialects. A Few German Dialects exist today because of various German dialects merging together through German history. German Dialects

  • Low German
  • Frisian German
  • Middle German
  • Frankish German
  • Alemannic German
  • Bavarian-Austrian German

Different German dialects of the German language are spoken in many different nations and regions around the world, most commonly throughout Europe.


German Language Alphabet

Learning to read the German Alphabet should be the first stop for German beginners.

The German Alphabet has four more letters than the English Alphabet and different pronunciation too.

The German alphabet is part of Germanic language that’s origins trace back to early 700s. German contains the twenty-six letters of the English alphabet and adds the extra letters ä, ö, ü and ß. All German letter have upper and lowercase version except for ß. The letter ß will never be at the start of a word.

German is sometime viewed by non-native German speakers as a harsh sounding language. The German language is a more consistent phonetically language than English.

Learn German Alphabet Pronunciation
Some German Letters are pronounce way different then their English counterparts. For example, the German W sounds like English V, and German V sounds like the English F. Most of the time the S in German sounds like Z in English when placed at the beginning of a word followed by a vowel. Learn German Alphabet letters g, ch, and r are pronounce mostly in the back of the throat. The pronunciation of some of these German letters does not have an English counterpart (Like “ü” for example”).

German Alphabet Table

German Number System

German numbers are easy to understand because they are written exactly like English Numbers but are pronounced differently. Understanding how to write German numbers should take very little time and effort to learn.

It’s actually pretty straightforward when it comes to learning how to use the German number system. Pronouncing German numbers on the other hands get a little bit tricky. German numbers 1 to 10 should be your primary focus when you begin. German numbers after gain a suffix added to the base number. To illustrate what I mean, here are German numbers 1 to 100.

German Numbers 1 to 100 Table

German Numbers 1 to 100

German Vocabulary for Numbers
Zero Null
One ein
Two zwei
Three drei
Four vier
Five fünf
Six sechs
Seven sieben
Eight acht
Nine neun
Ten zehn
German Numbers Table

German Numbers beginning at ten through nineteen gain the suffix “zehn” added to the base number. German numbers from 13-19 work like this. However, the number twenty adds und- to the mix. So it goes base number + und + the appropriate suffix. Example of how to write the pronunciation of German numbers below.

Pronunciation of German Numbers

Understanding how to write German numbers is really that simple to learn. Only takes an hour or two to fully memorizes the German number system.

German numbers are just alike English numbers except for different pronunciation


German Vocabulary and Phrases

Logical next step for German beginners after learning the German Alphabet would be to start developing your German vocabulary with German words and phrases.

Learning German grammar rules can be considered the cornerstone of the language and will take some time to learn but creates a sturdy foundation to help you completely learn German in no time.

German Grammar

The German grammar rules you must follow and understand to properly speak the German language.

German Grammer Rules:

  • German sentence structure follows a Subject-Verb-Object pattern.
  • German Nouns can be either masculine, feminine, and neuter.
  • German Nouns and Pronouns are always capitalized.
  • German Verbs have different endings to the words depending on which tense of the word is used.
  • German Adjectives vary depending on which gender and case of the noun they are describing.

More German Grammar Rules

The fun part of learning any language.. learning Grammar!

German Grammar Rules: Sentence Structure

German Sentence structure as 4 distinct cases that can potentially follow.

  • Nominative case
    Identifies the subject (who or what is doing the action).
  • Accusative case
    Identifies the direct object (whom or what the subject “verbs”).
  • Genitive case
    Indicates that this noun belongs to someone or something.
  • Dative case
    identifies the indirect object (the receiver of the object or an action.)

German Grammar Rules: Nouns and Pronouns

German Masculine Feminine Examples

• German Nouns can be either masculine, feminine, and neuter. German Nouns and Pronouns are always capitalizes.
• Masculine and Feminine don’t always apply to how “manly” or how “female” the subject is.
• Masculine nouns usually include male people and animals, the seasons, and months of the year.


German Grammar Rules: Verbs

• German Verbs have different endings to the words depending on which tense of the word is used.

Examples of German Verbs

German Grammar Rules: Adjectives

• German Adjectives vary depending on which gender and case of the noun they are describing.

German Adjective Example

Learn Common German Phrases

Help you Around German Countries

If you ever play to visit a country where the primary spoken language is German, then knowing and being able to use common German phrases. Even though English is gradually becoming the most used language in international business in some situations. Speaking the language of the locals and talking to the people. It shows respect and an effort to their culture by just knowing a few common German phrases.

In any language, you should be able to greet people and introduce yourself or simply ask for help or directions. German greeting and phrases to start or end conversations. Being able to introduce yourself in German. Being able to say your “Sorry” or ask politely for someone to repeat themselves. Common German words and phrases like saying “yes’ and “no”

Most of the sentences below can be used for travel and daily life conversations. So they might come handy if you memorize and practice then. The following is a list of common German phrases that you may need to know in the German language:

Common German phases
German Compliments Flirting Phases
German Compliments/Flirting
You’re so handsome! Du bist so schön!
You’re very beautiful. Du bist sehr schön.
I love your smile. Ich liebe dein Lächeln.
You have beautiful eyes. Du hast schöne Augen.

Learn Common German Words

I hope you find this page of common German phrases useful in your travels. Memorizes them and try to incorporate them into your daily conversation

German Vocabulary Words for Weather
RainRegen
SnowSchnee
FogNebel
Cloudybewölkt
SunshineSonnenschein
ColdKälte
Warmwarm
Windywindig
German words for Weather

German Vocabular Words for Vehieles
CarAuto
TruckLKW
PlaneFlugzeug
BoatBoot
VanLieferwagen
German Words for Vehicles

German Vocabulary for Tmes/Day
Todayheute
Tomorrowmorgen
Vesterdaygestern
Tonightheute Abend
MorningMorgen
AfternoonNachmittag
German Words for Times & Day

German Vocabulary for Seasons/Year
SpringFrühjahr
SummerSommer
AutumnHerbst
WinterWinter
German words for Seasons Year

German Vocabulary for Professions
DoctorArzt
LawyerAnwalt
DentistZahnarzt
WriterSchriftsteller
BankerBanker
SecretarySekretär
EngineerIngenieur
FarmerBauer
CarpenterZimmermann
ArchitectArchitekt
PostmanBriefträger
PilotPilot
TeacherLehrer
Cookkochen
MechanicMechaniker
BartenderBarmann
German words for Professions

German Vocabulary for Months/Year
JanuaryJanuar
FebruaryFebruar
MarchMärz
AprilApril
MayMai
June Juni
JulyJuli
AugustAugust
SeptemberSeptember
OctoberOktober
NovemberNovember
DecemberDezember
German words for Months Years

German Vocabulary for Meal times/Food
BreakfastFrühstück
LunchMittagessen
binnerAbendessen
CoffeeKaffee
FishFisch
MilkMilch
OnionZwiebel
5aladSalat
BeverageGetränk
TeaTee
CakeKuchen
SausageWurst
CheeseKäse
German words for Meal times Food

German Vocabulary Words for Anatomy
HeadKopf
HeartHerz
BrainGehirn
LungsLunge
HandsHände
LegsLegs
ArmsWaffen
ChestBrust
FingersFingers
ToesToes
EyesBlick
German words for Anatomy

German Vocabulary for Animals
DogHund
CatKatze
FishFisch
BirdVogel
PigSchwein
CowKuh
MonkeyAffe
DeerHirsch
German words for Animals

German Vocabulary for Colors
Blackschwarz
Whiteweiß
Yellowgelb
Orangeorange
Blueblau
Brownbraun
Greengrün
Purplelila
Violetviolett
Redrot
Graygrau
German words for Colors

German Vocabulary Nords for Continents
AfticaAfrika
AntarcticaAntarktika
AsiaAsien
AustraliaAustralien
EurasiaEurasien
EuropeEuropa
North AmericaNordamerika
South AmericaSüdamerika
German words for Continents

German Vocabulary Nords for Countries
ChinaChina
FranceFrankreich
ItalyItalien
North KoreaNordkorea
South KoreaSüdkorea
USAVereinigte Staaten
BritainGroßbritannien
RussiaRussland
JapanJapan
CanadaKanada
IraqIrak
EgyptÄgypten
GermanyDeutschland
IndiaIndien
SpainSpanien
MexicoMexiko
German Words for Countries

German Vocabulary for Emotions/Feelings
Lovelieben
Worriedbesorgt
Angrywütend
sadtraurig
Embarassedpeinlich
Afraidängstlich
KindArt
Happyglücklich
Impoliteunhöflich
Painfulempfindlich
Boredgelangweilt
Tiredmüde
Sensitiveschmerzhaft
Beautifulschön
Delightederfreut
Amazederstaunt
Hatehassen
German words for Emotions Feelings

German Vocabulary for Family Members
FamilyFamilie
FatherVater
MotherMutter
GrandfatherGroßvater
GrandmotherGroßmutter
GrandsonEnkel
GranddaughterEnkelin
GrandparentsGroßeltern
GrandchildrenEnkelkinder
BrotherBruder
SisterSchwester
SonSohn
DaughterTochter
UncleOnkel
AuntTante
NephewNeffe
NieceNichte
German words for Family Members

GermanVocabularyWords for Homes/Rooms
HomeZuhause
HouseHaus
ApartmentWohnung
Dining RoomDining Room
BedroomSchlafzimmer
BathroomBad
BasementKeller
Living RoomWohnzimmer
AtticDachboden
KitchenKüche
German words for Homes & Rooms

German Vocabulary for Days/ Week
SundaySonntag
MondayMontag
TuesdayDienstag
WednesdayMittwoch
ThursdayDonnerstag
FridayFreitag
SaturdaySamstag
German words Days Week

Consider Using an Online German Language Course

Try Language Software

If you are really serious about learning German and want to maximize your time then you should consider using a German language course to further aid you in your quest to learn German. There are several great programs out there that deliver a great language learning experience. The advantages of a language learning program are the organization and having a next step already lined up.

Most break down the lessons into 30-minute intervals that can fit into any type of schedule. Flexible to retry a lesson to make sure you understand what you are learning and give you confidence in succeeding.

Examples of great Online German language programs can be found below.

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Importance of Languages

Importance of the German Language Guide [2025]

Why it’s Important to the Learn German Language?

The importance of the German language is known by an estimated 140 million across Europe and around the world. German is tied with French as the most learned second language in the European Union. The importance of German as playing a crucial role for centuries in Europe and on the world stage.

Why Learn German Video?


German Language Origin & History

From Gutenberg’s printing press to Hertz’ discovery of electromagnetic waves, from Ehrlich’s development of chemotherapy to Einstein’s theory of relativity, to Brandenburg’s creation of the MP3 digital music format, throughout history, Germans have proven themselves time and again to be great innovators.

In addition to the very wealthy cultural heritage of the German themselves add to the importance of the German language history. With art and architecture spanning centuries ranging from the middle ages to modern times. It’s a shame that Germany receives little tourism though from the Lakes of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to the beautiful Bavarian Alps to the beautiful Swiss cities of Bern and Zurich only add and highlight the pure beauty to the landscape of Germany with plenty of theatres, choirs, and Orchestras to go to.

A good amount of the original immigrants to America were German and with them brought many customs and traditions with them to America. Cultural mainstays such as kindergarten, the Christmas tree, hotdogs/hamburgers/ketchup, and founded many breweries as well as Levi jeans and Hershey’s chocolate were introduced by German immigrants to America.

[idea]It is estimated that One out of every four Americans nationwide has German heritage. [/idea]


Important Facts about German Language

German Language Today

Importance German Language Facts and Statistics

The importance of the German language in the European Union as the most crucial language to possess in enterprise cause it bridges the particular divide involving the established and emerging financial systems of Central and Eastern Europe.

As a result, knowing German is highly valued in parts of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, the Baltic states and the Czech Republic is a great asset to have. German speakers form the biggest group of potential business partners in the European Union, forming around one-third of the population.

Being in a position to speak the actual language of the target group can be a major factor of influence in successful advertising cause the majority of customers anticipate the service or product to end up being presented within their own language.

Germany and the German language have a wealth of musical talent, literature, architecture and even Scientific and technological advancements.

German Cultural Examples

The demand for German-speakers is highly sought after within the fields associated with:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Pharmacy
  • Engineering

List of German-Speaking Countries

German is the official language in six countries

  • Germany
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Liechtenstein
  • Belgium (co-official)
  • Luxembourg (co-official)

The German Language

German is a West Germanic language as ties to English and Dutch languages and presents some degree of difficulty for English speakers due to its different vocabulary, three-word genders, case system, and rigid syntax.

Although it is quite easy to articulate words however there really are a few difficult ones to understand.

The three genders (Masculine, Neuter or Feminine) is the most demanding part of learning German cause you can’t really predict which gender the word requires. Potentially forgetting them altogether however sad that might be, it usually isn’t an option since sentence structure and vocabulary of the phase depends on the gender.


10 Reasons to Learn German

You probably already have your own reasons to learn German but in case you don’t have one already or still looking for more reasons to get motivated to learn German. This article should help you answer the question “why learn German?”


German is one of the most Spoken Languages in Europe

German is a popular language around Europe as a native language and has a second language. Germany is one of the most populated areas of the European Union.

It is also an official language:

of Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. And it is the native language of a significant portion of the population in northern Italy, eastern Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, eastern France, parts of Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Romania, as well as in other parts of Europe.


German Immigrants influence World Culture

A good amount of the original immigrants to America were German and with them brought many customs and traditions with them to America. Cultural mainstays such as kindergarten, the Christmas tree, hotdogs/hamburgers/ketchup, and founded many breweries as well as Levi jeans and Hershey’s chocolate were introduced by German immigrants to America. It is estimated that One out of every four Americans nationwide has German heritage.


Some of the Greatest Discoveries Were Done by German Scientists

From Gutenberg’s printing press to Hertz’ discovery of electromagnetic waves, from Ehrlich’s development of chemotherapy to Einstein’s theory of relativity, to Brandenburg’s creation of the MP3 digital music format, throughout history, Germans have proven themselves time and again to be great innovators.


Tons of Great Literature And Music in German

German speakers produce nearly 80,000 new book titles each year. Munich, Germany is second only to New York in the number of new books produced each year and roughly as little as 5% of those are translated into English and other world languages. Most of the world’s famous composers were German.

Foreign Business Opportunities with German Businesses

Improve Business Opportunities by Learning New Languages

Knowledge in a second language increases your potential business opportunities.

Businesses planning to break into international markets should understanding that communicating in your target demographic native languages increases confidence and builds trust among both parties.


German’s Importance to the World’s Economy

Germany has the third largest economy in the world and is one of the biggest exporters.

The German Language has a Strong Job outlook

Rich Cultural History of German on the World

Learn Cultural History With Languages

Apart from its impact on American culture, Germany has a wealth of history and art of its own. Germany part referred to as “the land of Dichter und Denker” or “the land of poets and thinkers


Academic Reasons to Learn German

Considering the importance of the German language in the fields of publishing and research, it’s not surprising that many graduate schools want their graduates to have at least a reading knowledge of German.

Knowing German gives graduates access to important research published in German books and professional journals. Many of the world’s governments and agencies have been offering scholarships and other opportunities for individuals who are interested in German studies and learning German.


Learn German as a Hobby/Love of Learning Languages

Love of Language Learning

Maybe you are just one of those people that just enjoy learning languages for the fun of it! Once you’ve mastered the urge to learn more becomes pretty strong. Contrary to popular opinion, not much confusion happens between languages.


German is an Easy Second Language to Learn for English Speakers

English and German both come from the Germanic language and are pretty similar in vocabulary and grammar. There is a good chance you already understand a little German already.

Meine Schwester hat braunes Haar. Sie ist intelligent. Sie studiert Medizin in Berlin. Sie kann gut singen.

If you understand that with little to no problem then learning German should be no problem for you.

German is truly an amazing language to learn. I hope you find this article helpful in narrowing and strengthening your reasons to learn German.

Why study German Summary?

Interested in a further study into German or confused on where to start? I recommend reading our German Beginners Guide

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