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 Artikelarticlenoun
3 Auf Wiedersehen!Goodbye!phrase
4 ausfrom, out ofpreposition
5der Automatmachine, vending machinenoun
6der BankautomatATMnoun
7das Bildpicture, imagenoun
8das Buchbooknoun
9der Buchstabeletter (of the alphabet)noun
10 buchstabierento spellverb
11der Computercomputernoun
12 deutschGermanadjective
13 DeutschlandGermanynoun
14der DienstagTuesdaynoun
15der DonnerstagThursdaynoun
16die Familiefamilynoun
17 femininfeminineadjective
18die Fragequestionnoun
19 fragento askverb
20der FreitagFridaynoun
21 glaubento believeverb
22 Guten Tag!Good day!phrase
23 Hallo!Hello!phrase
24das Heftnotebook, exercise booknoun
25 heißento be calledverb
26die Konjugationconjugationnoun
27der Kuliballpoint pennoun
28 leichteasy, lightadjective
29 lernento learnverb
30 maskulinmasculineadjective
31der Menschperson, human beingnoun
32der MittwochWednesdaynoun
33der MontagMondaynoun
34 neinnoadverb
35 neutralneuteradjective
36 nochstill, yetadverb
37das Nomennounnoun
38das Papierpapernoun
39die Personpersonnoun
40das Radioradionoun
41der SamstagSaturdaynoun
42der Satzsentencenoun
43 schreibento writeverb
44der SonntagSundaynoun
45 sprechento speakverb
46der Stiftpen, pencilnoun
47 supersuper, greatadjective
48die Tafelblackboardnoun
49die Taschebagnoun
50die Uhrclock, watchnoun
51das Verbverbnoun
52der Vormittaglate morningnoun
53 wannwhenadverb
54 werwhoadverb
55 wiehowadverb
56 willkommenwelcomeadjective
57 woherwhere fromadverb
58die Wortstellungword ordernoun
59 alleinaloneadjective
60die Antwortanswernoun
61 arbeitento workverb
62der Architektarchitect (male)noun
63die Architektinarchitect (female)noun
64 auchalso, tooadverb
65das Auslandabroad, foreign countrynoun
66der Bruderbrothernoun
67der Cousincousin (male)noun
68die Cousinecousin (female)noun
69 dannthenadverb
70 deinyour (informal)phrase
71der Designerdesigner (male)noun
72die Designerindesigner (female)noun
73 dochyes (contradicting), butadverb
74 dreißigthirtyphrase
75 eins / einonephrase
76das Einzelkindonly childnoun
77die Elternparentsnoun
78 eueryour (plural informal)phrase
79das Fotophotonoun
80der Fotografphotographernoun
81die Frauwomannoun
82der Freundfriendnoun
83die Freundinfriend (female)noun
84 Fußball (spielen)to play footballphrase
85 gerngladly, with pleasureadverb
86 geschiedendivorcedadjective
87die Geschwistersiblingsnoun
88die Großelterngrandparentsnoun
89die Großmuttergrandmothernoun
90der Großvatergrandfathernoun
91 gutgoodadjective
92 hörento hearverb
93 hunderthundredphrase
94 ihr (Pl.)theirphrase
95der InformatikerIT specialist (male)noun
96die InformatikerinIT specialist (female)noun
97der Ingenieurengineer (male)noun
98die Ingenieurinengineer (female)noun
99 interessieren (sich für)to be interested inverb
100 internationalinternationaladjective
101 jayesadverb
102 jetztnowadverb
103das Kindchildnoun
104 kleinsmalladjective
105der Kochcook, chef (male)noun
106 kochento cookverb
107die Köchincook, chef (female)noun
108der Kollegecolleague (male)noun
109die Kollegincolleague (female)noun
110das Landcountry, landnoun
111das Lebenlifenoun
112 ledigsingle (unmarried)adjective
113der Lehrerteachernoun
114die Liebelovenoun
115das Lieblingsthemafavorite topicnoun
116das Mammomnoun
117 manone (impersonal pronoun)pronoun
118der Managermanager (male)noun
119die Managerinmanager (female)noun
120der Mannmannoun
121 meinmyphrase
122 meinento mean/thinkverb
123der Musikermusician (male)noun
124die Musikerinmusician (female)noun
125die Muttermothernoun
126 nichtnotadverb
127die Niederlandethe Netherlandsnoun
128 nullzerophrase
129die Operoperanoun
130 ÖsterreichAustrianoun
131der Partnerpartnernoun
132der Pluralpluralnoun
133das Puzzlepuzzlenoun
134das Schiffshipnoun
135 schönbeautifuladjective
136die Schwestersisternoun
137 schwimmento swimverb
138 sehrveryadverb
139 seinto beverb
140 selbständigindependent, self-employedadjective
141der Singularsingularnoun
142der Sohnsonnoun
143 spielento playverb
144der Stewardflight attendant (male)noun
145die Stewardessflight attendant (female)noun
146der Tagdaynoun
147der Tanzdancenoun
148 tanzento danceverb
149 Tennis (spielen)to play tennisphrase
150das Thematopic, subjectnoun
151die Tochterdaughternoun
152 tollgreat, awesomeadjective
153die TürkeiTurkeynoun
154die UkraineUkrainenoun
155 unserourphrase
156der Vaterfathernoun
157 verheiratetmarriedadjective
158 weilbecauseconjunction
159die Wocheweeknoun
160die Zahlnumbernoun
161 zeichnento drawverb
162 zwanzigtwentyphrase
163der Abendeveningnoun
164der Apfelapplenoun
165 bestellento orderverb
166das Bierbeernoun
167 bioorganicadjective
168das Brotbreadnoun
169die Butterbutternoun
170der Durstthirstnoun
171 Durst habento be thirstyphrase
172das Eieggnoun
173 ein / eine / einena/an (indefinite article)phrase
174 essento eatverb
175der Fischfishnoun
176das Fleischmeatnoun
177das Gemüsevegetablesnoun
178 geöffnetopen (of a shop/restaurant)adjective
179 geschlossenclosedadjective
180das Getränkdrink, beveragenoun
181 getrenntseparately (paying)adverb
182die Hauptspeisemain coursenoun
183der Hungerhungernoun
184 Hunger habento be hungryphrase
185die Kartoffelpotatonoun
186der Käsecheesenoun
187 kaufento buyverb
188 kein / keineno, not aadjective
189 leckerdelicious, tastyadjective
190 lesento readverb
191das Menüset menu / menunoun
192die Minuteminutenoun
193der Mittagnoon, middaynoun
194 mittagsat midday, at lunchtimeadverb
195 mögento like (general preference)verb
196der Morgenmorningnoun
197der Nachtischdessertnoun
198 nehmento takeverb
199 nicht so gernnot really (like)phrase
200das Obstfruitnoun
201die Pastapastanoun
202die Pizzapizzanoun
203der Saftjuicenoun
204der Salatsalad / lettucenoun
205das Schnitzelschnitzel (breaded meat cutlet)noun
206die Speisedish, food itemnoun
207die Stundehournoun
208die Suppesoupnoun
209der Teeteanoun
210die Tomatetomatonoun
211 treffento meetverb
212 trinkento drinkverb
213die Uhrzeittime (clock time)noun
214 umat (clock time)preposition
215 von ... bisfrom ... topreposition
216das Wasserwaternoun
217der Weinwinenoun
218 wichtigimportantadjective
219die Wurstsausage / cold cutsnoun
220 zusammentogetheradverb
221der Akkubattery (device)noun
222 anziehento get dressed, to put onverb
223die Arbeitworknoun
224 aufmachento openverb
225 aufräumento tidy upverb
226 aufstehento get upverb
227die Besprechungmeetingnoun
228das Büroofficenoun
229der Chefboss, manager (male)noun
230die Chefinboss, manager (female)noun
231 downloadento downloadverb
232 einkaufento go shopping, to buy groceriesverb
233 erlaubtallowed, permittedadjective
234 frühearlyadjective
235 frustriertfrustratedadjective
236 funktionierento work, to functionverb
237die Hausordnunghouse rulesnoun
238das Haustierpetnoun
239 helfento helpverb
240 heutetodayadverb
241 immeralwaysadverb
242 könnencan/be able toverb
243 ladento charge / to loadverb
244das Laptoplaptopnoun
245 lautloud, noisyadjective
246 möchtenwould like (polite request)verb
247 morgentomorrowadverb
248 müdetiredadjective
249 müssenmust/have toverb
250 nervösnervousadjective
251 normalerweisenormally, usuallyadverb
252 parkento parkverb
253das Passwortpasswordnoun
254das Problemproblemnoun
255 rauchento smokeverb
256die Regelrulenoun
257die Satzklammersentence bracket (grammar term)noun
258 spätlateadjective
259 surfento surf (internet)verb
260das Tablettabletnoun
261der Tagesablaufdaily routinenoun
262 verbotenforbidden, not allowedadjective
263die Wäschelaundry, washingnoun
264 waschento washverb
265die WLAN-VerbindungWiFi connectionnoun
266 wollento wantverb
267 wütendangryadjective
268 zufriedencontent, satisfiedadjective
269 zumachento closeverb
270 abbiegento turn (direction)verb
271die Bankbanknoun
272das Bettbednoun
273die Bibliotheklibrarynoun
274 brauchento needverb
275das Cafécafénoun
276 dennbecause (coord. conjunction)conjunction
277 dichyou (accusative, informal)adverb
278 dortthereadverb
279die Eckecornernoun
280 entlangalongpreposition
281 esitpronoun
282das Fensterwindownoun
283 findento findverb
284 fürforpreposition
285 gegenüberopposite, across frompreposition
286 geradeausstraight aheadadverb
287das Geschenkgift, presentnoun
288 hierhereadverb
289 ihnhim (accusative)adverb
290 in der Nähenearby, in the vicinityphrase
291das Krankenhaushospitalnoun
292 liegento lie (position)verb
293 linksleftadverb
294 michme (accusative)adverb
295 nicht weitnot farphrase
296der Parkparknoun
297der Platzsquare, plazanoun
298die Postpost officenoun
299das Rathauscity hallnoun
300 rechtsrightadverb
301 sieshepronoun
302der Stadtplancity mapnoun
303die Straßestreetnoun
304der Stuhlchairnoun
305 suchento searchverb
306der Supermarktsupermarketnoun
307der Tischtablenoun
308die Türdoornoun
309 wissento know (fact)verb
310 wowhere (location)adverb
311das Augeeyenoun
312 besserbetteradjective
313 blaublueadjective
314 braunbrownadjective
315der Doktordoctor (informal title)noun
316 einema/an (dative, masc./neut.)adverb
317 erkältethaving a coldadjective
318 erstethe first (ordinal)phrase
319 gelbyellowadjective
320 gesternyesterdayadverb
321 graugreyadjective
322 grüngreenadjective
323die Handhandnoun
324 hattehad (past tense of haben)verb
325der Hustencoughnoun
326 keinemno (dative, masc./neut.)adverb
327der Kopfheadnoun
328die Kopfschmerzen (Pl.)headachenoun
329 letzte Wochelast weekphrase
330 letzten Monatlast monthphrase
331 lilapurple / lilacadjective
332 meinemmy (dative, masc./neut.)adverb
333 orangeorangeadjective
334die Praxisdoctor's office / practicenoun
335 rotredadjective
336die Ruherest, quietnoun
337 schlimmbad, terribleadjective
338die Schmerzen (Pl.)pain (plural)noun
339 schwarzblackadjective
340 Trink!Drink! (to one person, informal)verb
341 Trinkt!Drink! (to a group, informal)verb
342der Verbandbandagenoun
343 von + Dativfrom, of (+ dative)preposition
344 vorgesternthe day before yesterdayadverb
345 warwas / were (past tense of sein)verb
346 weißwhiteadjective
347der Zahntoothnoun
348die Altstadtold townnoun
349 an dento the (lake/sea/river)phrase
350 auf dento the (mountain)phrase
351der Bahnhoftrain stationnoun
352 fantastischfantasticadjective
353 fotografiertphotographed (Partizip II of fotografieren)verb
354 geflogenflown (Partizip II of fliegen)verb
355 gegesseneaten (Partizip II of essen)verb
356 gekauftbought (Partizip II of kaufen)verb
357 gelesenread (Partizip II of lesen)verb
358 gemachtdone (Partizip II of machen)verb
359 genommentaken (Partizip II of nehmen)verb
360 geschriebenwritten (Partizip II of schreiben)verb
361 gesehenseen (Partizip II of sehen)verb
362 getroffenmet (Partizip II of treffen)verb
363 getrunkendrunk (Partizip II of trinken)verb
364der Graddegreenoun
365 habento haveverb
366 in dieto the (countries with feminine article)phrase
367 insinto thephrase
368der Kaffeecoffeenoun
369 kühlcooladjective
370 liebe Grüßekind regards, love fromphrase
371 nachto (cities/countries without article)preposition
372die Nachtnightnoun
373 reservierento reserveverb
374 reserviertreserved (Partizip II of reservieren)verb
375die Rezeptionreception, front desknoun
376das Schlosscastle, palacenoun
377der Schlüsselkeynoun
378die Sonnesunnoun
379 viele Grüßemany greetings fromphrase
380 wunderschönwonderful, gorgeousadjective
381 wurdebecame (Präteritum of werden)verb
382der Zugtrainnoun
383 aufwachento wake upverb
384 bleibento stay/remainverb
385 dieserthis (demonstrative article)adjective
386 diryou (dative, informal)adverb
387 einschlafento fall asleepverb
388 euchyou all (accusative)adverb
389 fahrento drive/travelverb
390der Filmfilm, movienoun
391 fliegento flyverb
392 gefallento please/likeverb
393 gehento go/walkverb
394die Handschuhegloves (plural)noun
395 ihmhim (dative)adverb
396 ihnenthem (dative)adverb
397 ihryou (plural)pronoun
398der KarnevalCarnival / Mardi Grasnoun
399 kommento comeverb
400 laufento runverb
401 mirme (dative)adverb
402die Mützehat, woolly hatnoun
403die Nachrichtennews (always plural)noun
404das OktoberfestOktoberfestnoun
405 onlineonlineadverb
406 passierento happenverb
407der Podcastpodcastnoun
408der Schalscarfnoun
409 schmeckento taste (good/bad) — used with Dativ personverb
410 schonalreadyadverb
411die SerieTV seriesnoun
412 stehento standverb
413 unsus (accusative)adverb
414 warumwhyadverb
415der WeihnachtsmarktChristmas marketnoun
416 welcherwhich (question word for nouns)adjective
417die Zeitschriftmagazinenoun
418die Zeitungnewspapernoun
419die Abkürzungabbreviationnoun
420die Absagecancellation, declinenoun
421 absagento cancel, declineverb
422 anfangento begin, to startverb
423 anrufento call (phone)verb
424die Ansageannouncement, outgoing messagenoun
425die Appappnoun
426 aufhörento stop, to ceaseverb
427 bekommento receive, to getverb
428 beleidigento insultverb
429 benutzento useverb
430der Briefletternoun
431der Chatchatnoun
432 chattento chatverb
433das Cybermobbingcyberbullyingnoun
434 dassthat (conjunction)conjunction
435 diskutierento discussverb
436 dringendurgentadjective
437die E-Mailemailnoun
438 einladento inviteverb
439 entwickelnto developverb
440 erfindento inventverb
441die Erfindunginventionnoun
442die Feiercelebration, partynoun
443 feiernto celebrateverb
444das Festcelebration, party, festivalnoun
445 formellformaladjective
446 früherin the past, formerlyadverb
447die Geschichtehistory / storynoun
448das Handymobile phonenoun
449der Hauptsatzmain clausenoun
450 herzlichheartfelt, warmadjective
451 heutzutagenowadaysadverb
452 in Kontakt bleibento stay in contactphrase
453 indirektindirectadjective
454 informellinformaladjective
455das Internetinternetnoun
456das Jahrhundertcenturynoun
457 jeden Tagevery dayphrase
458die Kommunikationcommunicationnoun
459die Mailboxvoicemail / mailboxnoun
460 manchmalsometimesadverb
461 mitbringento bring alongverb
462 mitteilento inform, communicateverb
463die Nachrichtmessagenoun
464der Nebensatzsubordinate clausenoun
465 nieneveradverb
466 obwhether, ifconjunction
467 oftoftenadverb
468das Partizip IIpast participlenoun
469 seitsince, for (time)preposition
470 seltenrarelyadverb
471das Smartphonesmartphonenoun
472der Smileysmiley, emojinoun
473die SMStext messagenoun
474die Technologietechnologynoun
475das Telefontelephonenoun
476 trennbarseparable (prefix)adjective
477 ungefährapproximatelyadverb
478 unhöflichimpolite, rudeadjective
479 untrennbarinseparable (prefix)adjective
480das Videovideonoun
481 zurückrufento call backverb
482die Zusageacceptance (of an invitation)noun
483 zusagento accept (invitation)verb
484der Anzugsuitnoun
485 aussehento look, to appearverb
486das Aussehenappearance / looksnoun
487der Blogblognoun
488die Bluseblousenoun
489 dafür seinto be in favourphrase
490 dagegen seinto be againstphrase
491das Demonstrativpronomendemonstrative pronounnoun
492 energischenergeticadjective
493 engtight / narrowadjective
494 erste Eindruckfirst impressionphrase
495 gern → lieber → am liebstengladly → preferably → most of allphrase
496die Größesizenoun
497 gut → besser → am bestengood → better → bestphrase
498die Handtaschehandbagnoun
499das Hemdshirtnoun
500die Hosetrousers / pantsnoun
501 hübschpretty / good-lookingadjective
502der Huthatnoun
503 intelligentintelligentadjective
504die Jackejacketnoun
505die Jeansjeansnoun
506 jungyoungadjective
507das Kleiddressnoun
508der Komparativcomparativenoun
509der Konjunktiv IIsubjunctive II (for polite requests)noun
510 könntencould (subjunctive)verb
511 kurzshortadjective
512 langlongadjective
513der Mantelcoatnoun
514die Meinungopinionnoun
515die Operationoperationnoun
516 optimistischoptimisticadjective
517 passento fitverb
518 pessimistischpessimisticadjective
519 probierento try (on)verb
520der Pulloverpullover / jumpernoun
521der Rabattdiscountnoun
522das Rauchverbotsmoking bannoun
523 recht habento be rightphrase
524der Rockskirtnoun
525 ruhigcalm / quietadjective
526die Schneiderinseamstress / tailor (female)noun
527der Schönheitschirurgcosmetic surgeonnoun
528die Schönheitsoperationcosmetic surgerynoun
529die Schuheshoesnoun
530 so ... wieas ... asphrase
531 sofortimmediately / right awayadverb
532das Sonderangebotspecial offernoun
533 sportlichsporty / athleticadjective
534die Stiefelbootsnoun
535die Stimmevoicenoun
536der Superlativsuperlativenoun
537das T-ShirtT-shirtnoun
538die Umkleidekabinechanging room / fitting roomnoun
539 ungefährlichnot dangerous / safeadjective
540 unsympathischunpleasant / unlikeableadjective
541der Verkäufersalesmannoun
542 viel → mehr → am meistenmuch → more → mostphrase
543 weitwide / looseadjective
544 zu groß / zu kleintoo big / too smallphrase
545 abfahrento departverb
546 ankommento arriveverb
547der Ausflugday trip, excursionnoun
548der Bergmountainnoun
549 besichtigento visit, to sightseeverb
550 bewölktcloudyadjective
551der Flugflightnoun
552 fotografierento photographverb
553 genießento enjoyverb
554das Gewitterthunderstormnoun
555 heißhotadjective
556das Hostelhostelnoun
557 kaltcoldadjective
558die Kameracameranoun
559die Kirchechurchnoun
560 letzten Sommerlast summerphrase
561der Marktmarketnoun
562der Nebelfognoun
563 packento packverb
564der Passpassportnoun
565die Postkartepostcardnoun
566der Regenrainnoun
567 regnerischrainyadjective
568 reisento travelverb
569die Reservierungreservationnoun
570der Schneesnownoun
571 schönes Wetter habento have nice weatherphrase
572die Sehenswürdigkeitsight, tourist attractionnoun
573 sonnigsunnyadjective
574das Souvenirsouvenirnoun
575der Stammstem (of a verb)noun
576das Taxitaxinoun
577das Ticketticketnoun
578der Touristtouristnoun
579die Touristeninformationtourist information officenoun
580 übernachtento stay overnightverb
581 unregelmäßigirregularadjective
582 Urlaub war tollthe vacation was greatphrase
583 vor einem Jahra year agophrase
584die Vorvergangenheitnarrative pastnoun
585der Waldforestnoun
586 wandernto hikeverb
587 warmwarmadjective
588das Wetterweathernoun
589der Windwindnoun
590 zum ersten Malfor the first timephrase
591die Allergieallergynoun
592der Armarmnoun
593das Aspirinaspirinnoun
594 ausreichendsufficientlyadverb
595der Bauchbelly, stomachnoun
596das Beinlegnoun
597 Bittepleaseadverb
598die Brustchest, breastnoun
599 dürfenmay, to be allowed toverb
600 Erhol dich!Get well!phrase
601das Fieberfevernoun
602der Fingerfingernoun
603der Fußfootnoun
604die Grippeflunoun
605der Halsneck, throatnoun
606die Halsschmerzensore throatnoun
607der Imperativimperative (grammar)noun
608das Kniekneenoun
609der Kopfschmerzheadachenoun
610 kranksick, illadjective
611die Krankenkassehealth insurancenoun
612die Krankenversicherunghealth insurancenoun
613der Mundmouthnoun
614die Nasenosenoun
615das Ohrearnoun
616der Patientpatient (male)noun
617die Patientinpatient (female)noun
618der Ratadvicenoun
619das Reflexivpronomenreflexive pronounnoun
620der Rückenbacknoun
621 Ruh dich aus!Get some rest!phrase
622 ruhento restverb
623 schluckento swallowverb
624 Schmerzen habento have painphrase
625die Schultershouldernoun
626 sich ausruhento rest, to relaxverb
627 sich bewegento move, to exerciseverb
628 sich erholento recoververb
629 sich erkältento catch a coldverb
630 sich ernährento eat, to nourish oneselfverb
631 sich fühlento feelverb
632 sich Sorgen machento worryphrase
633 sollenshould, ought toverb
634die Sprechstundeconsultation hoursnoun
635das Symptomsymptomnoun
636 täglichdailyadverb
637der Terminappointmentnoun
638 untersuchento examineverb
639 wehtunto hurtverb
640 wennwhen / wheneverconjunction
641 am liebstenmost of all / best of alladverb
642 anat, on (vertical)preposition
643das Apartmentapartmentnoun
644 aufon (horizontal)preposition
645das Badezimmerbathroomnoun
646 bauento buildverb
647der Bodenfloornoun
648das Bücherregalbookshelfnoun
649 dunkeldarkadjective
650 einziehento move inverb
651die Farbecolour / paintnoun
652 fertigfinished / readyadjective
653der Flurhallwaynoun
654das Gerichtdish / mealnoun
655 günstigcheap / good valueadjective
656der Handwerkercraftsman / tradesmannoun
657 hängento hangverb
658 hättewould have (subjunctive)verb
659das Hauptgerichtmain coursenoun
660 hellbright / lightadjective
661 hinterbehindpreposition
662 idealidealadjective
663 inin, intopreposition
664 kaputtbrokenadjective
665der Kellnerwaiternoun
666die Kellnerinwaitressnoun
667das Kissencushion / pillownoun
668die Küchekitchennoun
669die Lampelampnoun
670 legento lay, to put (flat)verb
671 lieberrather / preferablyadverb
672der Malerpainter (decorator)noun
673die Mieterentnoun
674die Möbelfurniturenoun
675 modernmodernadjective
676die Nachspeisedessertnoun
677 nebennext topreposition
678das Parkettparquet (flooring)noun
679der Quadratmeter (m²)square metrenoun
680die Rechnungbillnoun
681das Regalshelf / bookcasenoun
682 renovierento renovateverb
683die Renovierungrenovationnoun
684 reparierento repairverb
685das Restaurantrestaurantnoun
686das Schlafzimmerbedroomnoun
687der Schrankwardrobe / cupboardnoun
688der Sesselarmchairnoun
689das Sofasofanoun
690die Speisekartemenunoun
691 streichento paint (walls)verb
692das Studiostudio (flat)noun
693der Teppichrug / carpetnoun
694 teuerexpensiveadjective
695 überover, abovepreposition
696 umziehento move (house)verb
697 unterunderpreposition
698der Vermieterlandlordnoun
699die Vermieterinlandladynoun
700 vorin front ofpreposition
701die Vorspeisestarternoun
702die Wandwallnoun
703 wärewould be (subjunctive)verb
704 werdento becomeverb
705die Wohnungflat / apartmentnoun
706das Wohnzimmerliving roomnoun
707der Wunschwishnoun
708das Zimmerroomnoun
709 zwischenbetweenpreposition
710das Abiturschool-leaving exam / A-levels (D)noun
711der Abschlussgraduation, qualification, degreenoun
712 alsthan (in comparisons)conjunction
713 an deiner Stellein your position / if I were youphrase
714 an Ihrer Stellein your position (formal)phrase
715der Arztdoctor (male)noun
716die Ärztindoctor (female)noun
717der Astronautastronaut (male)noun
718die Ausbildungvocational training, apprenticeshipnoun
719der Berufprofession, jobnoun
720die Berufsschulevocational schoolnoun
721die Bewerbungjob applicationnoun
722 deshalbtherefore, that's whyconjunction
723der Einsatzmission, operation, deploymentnoun
724das Feuerfirenoun
725die Feuerwehrfraufirefighter (female)noun
726der Feuerwehrmannfirefighter (male)noun
727die Gefahrdangernoun
728der Gegensatzcontrast, oppositenoun
729die Grundschuleprimary schoolnoun
730das Gymnasiumgrammar school / academic secondary schoolnoun
731die Hauptschulelower secondary school (D)noun
732 in + Dativ (zeitlich)in (temporal, with dative)preposition
733 in einem Jahrin one yearphrase
734 in zwei Wochenin two weeksphrase
735 jeder / jedes / jedeevery, eachadjective
736 körperlichphysicaladjective
737der LebenslaufCV, résuménoun
738 löschento extinguishverb
739die Maturaschool-leaving exam (A/CH equivalent of Abitur)noun
740der Nachteildisadvantagenoun
741 obwohlalthough, even thoughconjunction
742der Pilotpilot (male)noun
743die Pilotinpilot (female)noun
744der Polizistpolice officer (male)noun
745die Polizistinpolice officer (female)noun
746 psychischpsychological, mentaladjective
747der Quereinstiegcareer change, lateral entrynoun
748der Ratschlagpiece of advicenoun
749die Realschuleintermediate secondary school (D)noun
750 rettento save, to rescueverb
751 riskantriskyadjective
752 sich bewerbento apply (for a job)verb
753 sollteshould (subjunctive)verb
754 solltenshould (plural, subjunctive)verb
755 spannendexciting, thrillingadjective
756der Stressstressnoun
757das Studiumuniversity studiesnoun
758der Traumberufdream jobnoun
759 trotzdemnevertheless, still, anywayadverb
760 überlegento consider, to think aboutverb
761 um ... herumaroundphrase
762die Universitätuniversitynoun
763der Vorteiladvantagenoun
764 wechselnto change, to switchverb
765 würdewould (subjunctive)verb
766 würdenwould (subjunctive)verb
767das Amtgovernment officenoun
768der Austauschexchangenoun
769der AusweisID cardnoun
770die Beziehungrelationshipnoun
771das Blind Dateblind datenoun
772der Charmecharmnoun
773die Dating-Showdating shownoun
774 ehrlichhonestadjective
775die Ehrlichkeithonestynoun
776die Eigenschaftcharacteristic, qualitynoun
777das Einwohnermeldeamtresidents' registration officenoun
778das Formularform (document)noun
779die Freizeitfree time, leisurenoun
780 frischfreshadjective
781die Geduldpatiencenoun
782 geduldigpatientadjective
783 gestresststressedadjective
784das Hobbyhobbynoun
785der Humorhumournoun
786 langweiligboringadjective
787 lustigfunnyadjective
788der Muttersprachler / die Muttersprachlerinnative speakernoun
789 nettnice, kindadjective
790 neugierigcurious, inquisitiveadjective
791 offenopen, open-mindedadjective
792der Partner / die Partnerinpartnernoun
793die Persönlichkeitpersonalitynoun
794das Profilprofilenoun
795 romantischromanticadjective
796die Schlangequeue / snakenoun
797 sich anmeldento registerverb
798 sich beeilento hurryverb
799 sich beschwerento complainverb
800 sich duschento showerverb
801 sich entspannento relaxverb
802 sich erinnern anto rememberverb
803 sich kämmento comb (hair)verb
804 sich kennenlernento get to know each otherverb
805 sich setzento sit downverb
806 sich treffento meet upverb
807 sich verlieben into fall in love withverb
808 sich verstehento get alongverb
809 sich vorstellento introduce oneselfverb
810 sich wohlfühlento feel comfortableverb
811 sich wünschento wish forverb
812die Sprachelanguagenoun
813 sympathischlikeable / pleasantadjective
814das Tandemtandem (language exchange partnership)noun
815 ungeduldigimpatientadjective
816die Wartenummerqueue numbernoun
817 zuverlässigreliableadjective
818 abendsin the eveningsadverb
819der Balkonbalconynoun
820die Bergemountainsnoun
821 beschreibento describeverb
822die Breitewidthnoun
823 buchento bookverb
824das Campingcampingnoun
825der Campingplatzcampsitenoun
826 des Vaters / der Mutterof the father / of the motherphrase
827das Doppelzimmerdouble roomnoun
828das Einzelzimmersingle roomnoun
829die Erinnerungmemory, souvenirnoun
830das Frühstückbreakfastnoun
831das Fundbürolost property officenoun
832der Genitivgenitive casenoun
833 herhere (motion toward speaker)adverb
834 herkommento come fromverb
835 hinthere (motion away from speaker)adverb
836 hinlegento put downverb
837die Höheheightnoun
838das Hotelhotelnoun
839 inklusiveinclusive, includedadjective
840die Inselislandnoun
841die Jugendherbergeyouth hostelnoun
842die Kindheitchildhoodnoun
843der Koffersuitcasenoun
844die Küstecoastnoun
845die Längelengthnoun
846das Meerseanoun
847 messento measureverb
848 montagson Mondaysadverb
849 morgensin the morningsadverb
850das Portemonnaiewallet, pursenoun
851der Regenschirmumbrellanoun
852die Reisetrip, journeynoun
853das Rekordrecordnoun
854der Relativsatzrelative clausenoun
855der Rucksackbackpacknoun
856der Seelakenoun
857die Sonnenbrillesunglassesnoun
858der Strandbeachnoun
859die Übernachtungovernight staynoun
860die Unterkunftaccommodationnoun
861 unvergesslichunforgettableadjective
862der Urlaubvacation, holidaynoun
863 verbringento spend (time)verb
864 verlierento loseverb
865der Weltrekordworld recordnoun
866das Zelttentnoun
867 aufschreibento write downverb
868 beeindruckendimpressiveadjective
869der Cachecache (hidden object)noun
870 dafür / wofürfor that / for whatadverb
871 darüber / worüberabout that / about whatadverb
872 davon / wovonof/from that / of/from whatadverb
873 einverstanden seinto agree, be in agreementphrase
874das Festivalfestivalnoun
875der Flash Mobflash mobnoun
876das Geocachinggeocachingnoun
877 interessantinterestingadjective
878die Karteikarteflashcardnoun
879 kein Problemno problemphrase
880das Kinocinemanoun
881 klappento work out, to go as plannedverb
882das Konzertconcertnoun
883die Kulturculturenoun
884 kulturellculturaladjective
885die Kunstartnoun
886 leiderunfortunatelyadverb
887 mitmachento participateverb
888das Museummuseumnoun
889die Musikmusicnoun
890 nachdenkento think aboutverb
891 öffentlichpublicadjective
892 organisierento organizeverb
893 passtworks (for a time/date)verb
894 regelmäßigregularadjective
895 sich begeistern fürto be enthusiastic aboutverb
896 sich freuen aufto look forward toverb
897 sich freuen überto be happy aboutverb
898 sich interessieren fürto be interested inverb
899 sich verabredento arrange to meetverb
900das Sprachlernapplanguage learning appnoun
901die Strategiestrategynoun
902das Theatertheatrenoun
903der Tipptip, piece of advicenoun
904 träumento dream ofverb
905der Treffpunktmeeting pointnoun
906die Verabredungdate, appointment (informal)noun
907die Vokabelvocabulary wordnoun
908 vorhabento intend, to planverb
909der Vorschlagsuggestion, proposalnoun
910 vorschlagento suggestverb
911 wiederholento repeatverb
912 aggressivaggressiveadjective
913die Ampeltraffic lightnoun
914die Apothekepharmacynoun
915der Ärgerannoyance, angernoun
916 ärgernto annoy, to angerverb
917 aufregendexcitingadjective
918die Ausdauerendurance, staminanoun
919der Autofahrercar driver (male)noun
920die Autofahrerincar driver (female)noun
921 bremsento brakeverb
922die Dosierungdosagenoun
923 einerone (of them)phrase
924die Einladunginvitationnoun
925 empfehlento recommendverb
926 entspannento relaxverb
927die Entzündunginflammation, infectionnoun
928die Erkältungcold (illness)noun
929 erklärento explainverb
930die Erklärungexplanationnoun
931das Extremsportextreme sportnoun
932der Fahrerdriver (male)noun
933die Fahrerindriver (female)noun
934das Fahrradbicyclenoun
935 fitfit, in shapeadjective
936das Fitnessstudiogym, fitness studionoun
937der Fußgängerpedestrian (male)noun
938 gefährlichdangerousadjective
939der Gehwegpavement, sidewalknoun
940 gesundhealthyadjective
941die Gesundheithealthnoun
942die Handlungaction, plotnoun
943der Helmhelmetnoun
944 hupento honk, to beepverb
945der Hustensaftcough syrupnoun
946 keinernone, no onephrase
947 kletternto climbverb
948das Kletternclimbing (as activity noun)noun
949die Kreuzungintersection, crossroadsnoun
950die Lehrerinteacher (female)noun
951 leihento lendverb
952das Medikamentmedication, medicinenoun
953 meinerminephrase
954der Mutcouragenoun
955 mutigbrave, courageousadjective
956das Pflasterplaster, band-aidnoun
957 plötzlichsuddenlyadverb
958der Radfahrercyclist (male)noun
959die Radfahrerincyclist (female)noun
960das Rezeptprescriptionnoun
961 rezeptpflichtigprescription-onlyadjective
962das Risikorisknoun
963die Salbeointment, creamnoun
964die Schmerzenpainnoun
965 sich ärgern überto be annoyed aboutverb
966die Situationsituationnoun
967das Skydivingskydivingnoun
968der Sportsportnoun
969der Sportlerathlete (male)noun
970die Sportlerinathlete (female)noun
971der Stautraffic jamnoun
972das Surfensurfing (as activity noun)noun
973die Tablettetablet, pillnoun
974 trainierento train, to exerciseverb
975 überholento overtakeverb
976die Übungexercise, practicenoun
977 ungesundunhealthyadjective
978die Untersuchungexamination, investigationnoun
979die Verletzunginjurynoun
980 verschreibento prescribeverb
981das Vitaminvitaminnoun
982die Wortbildungword formationnoun
983 wünschento wishverb
984 altoldadjective
985 antwortento answerverb
986das Autocarnoun
987 bedeutento meanverb
988 beginnento beginverb
989 beißento biteverb
990 besuchento visitverb
991 bezahlento payverb
992 bietento offerverb
993 bittento ask, requestverb
994 blasento blowverb
995die Blumeflowernoun
996 bratento roast, fryverb
997 brechento breakverb
998 brennento burnverb
999 bringento bringverb
1000 denkento thinkverb

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