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 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
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
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
Rain
Regen
Snow
Schnee
Fog
Nebel
Cloudy
bewölkt
Sunshine
Sonnenschein
Cold
Kälte
Warm
warm
Windy
windig
German words for Weather
German Vocabular Words for Vehieles
Car
Auto
Truck
LKW
Plane
Flugzeug
Boat
Boot
Van
Lieferwagen
German Words for Vehicles
German Vocabulary for Tmes/Day
Today
heute
Tomorrow
morgen
Vesterday
gestern
Tonight
heute Abend
Morning
Morgen
Afternoon
Nachmittag
German Words for Times & Day
German Vocabulary for Seasons/Year
Spring
Frühjahr
Summer
Sommer
Autumn
Herbst
Winter
Winter
German words for Seasons Year
German Vocabulary for Professions
Doctor
Arzt
Lawyer
Anwalt
Dentist
Zahnarzt
Writer
Schriftsteller
Banker
Banker
Secretary
Sekretär
Engineer
Ingenieur
Farmer
Bauer
Carpenter
Zimmermann
Architect
Architekt
Postman
Briefträger
Pilot
Pilot
Teacher
Lehrer
Cook
kochen
Mechanic
Mechaniker
Bartender
Barmann
German words for Professions
German Vocabulary for Months/Year
January
Januar
February
Februar
March
März
April
April
May
Mai
June
Juni
July
Juli
August
August
September
September
October
Oktober
November
November
December
Dezember
German words for Months Years
German Vocabulary for Meal times/Food
Breakfast
Frühstück
Lunch
Mittagessen
binner
Abendessen
Coffee
Kaffee
Fish
Fisch
Milk
Milch
Onion
Zwiebel
5alad
Salat
Beverage
Getränk
Tea
Tee
Cake
Kuchen
Sausage
Wurst
Cheese
Käse
German words for Meal times Food
German Vocabulary Words for Anatomy
Head
Kopf
Heart
Herz
Brain
Gehirn
Lungs
Lunge
Hands
Hände
Legs
Legs
Arms
Waffen
Chest
Brust
Fingers
Fingers
Toes
Toes
Eyes
Blick
German words for Anatomy
German Vocabulary for Animals
Dog
Hund
Cat
Katze
Fish
Fisch
Bird
Vogel
Pig
Schwein
Cow
Kuh
Monkey
Affe
Deer
Hirsch
German words for Animals
German Vocabulary for Colors
Black
schwarz
White
weiß
Yellow
gelb
Orange
orange
Blue
blau
Brown
braun
Green
grün
Purple
lila
Violet
violett
Red
rot
Gray
grau
German words for Colors
German Vocabulary Nords for Continents
Aftica
Afrika
Antarctica
Antarktika
Asia
Asien
Australia
Australien
Eurasia
Eurasien
Europe
Europa
North America
Nordamerika
South America
Südamerika
German words for Continents
German Vocabulary Nords for Countries
China
China
France
Frankreich
Italy
Italien
North Korea
Nordkorea
South Korea
Südkorea
USA
Vereinigte Staaten
Britain
Großbritannien
Russia
Russland
Japan
Japan
Canada
Kanada
Iraq
Irak
Egypt
Ägypten
Germany
Deutschland
India
Indien
Spain
Spanien
Mexico
Mexiko
German Words for Countries
German Vocabulary for Emotions/Feelings
Love
lieben
Worried
besorgt
Angry
wütend
sad
traurig
Embarassed
peinlich
Afraid
ängstlich
Kind
Art
Happy
glücklich
Impolite
unhöflich
Painful
empfindlich
Bored
gelangweilt
Tired
müde
Sensitive
schmerzhaft
Beautiful
schön
Delighted
erfreut
Amazed
erstaunt
Hate
hassen
German words for Emotions Feelings
German Vocabulary for Family Members
Family
Familie
Father
Vater
Mother
Mutter
Grandfather
Großvater
Grandmother
Großmutter
Grandson
Enkel
Granddaughter
Enkelin
Grandparents
Großeltern
Grandchildren
Enkelkinder
Brother
Bruder
Sister
Schwester
Son
Sohn
Daughter
Tochter
Uncle
Onkel
Aunt
Tante
Nephew
Neffe
Niece
Nichte
German words for Family Members
GermanVocabularyWords for Homes/Rooms
Home
Zuhause
House
Haus
Apartment
Wohnung
Dining Room
Dining Room
Bedroom
Schlafzimmer
Bathroom
Bad
Basement
Keller
Living Room
Wohnzimmer
Attic
Dachboden
Kitchen
Küche
German words for Homes & Rooms
German Vocabulary for Days/ Week
Sunday
Sonntag
Monday
Montag
Tuesday
Dienstag
Wednesday
Mittwoch
Thursday
Donnerstag
Friday
Freitag
Saturday
Samstag
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.
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