Illustration of the A2 German word “früher”, which translates to “in the past, formerly”. Looking through an ornate keyhole to see a sepia-toned version of the room, where furniture from a bygone era is still softly humming.
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früher is one of the A2 words in the free course — with this picture, the audio, and spaced repetition.

früher

in the past, formerly

/ˈfʁyːɐ/

Examples — früher in a sentence

Früher wohnte ich in Berlin.

In the past, I lived in Berlin.

Mein Bruder hat früher oft Fußball gespielt.

My brother often played soccer in the past.

How to remember it

FRÜHER sounds like "FROO-her". Think of a FRUITER (fruit seller) who, IN THE PAST, used to sell only "her" fruit.

More A2 words

Illustration of the A2 German word “die Geschichte”, which translates to “history / story”. An open book where the ink letters transform into tiny, golden birds that fly off the page to act out the story in the air.
die Geschichte

/ɡəˈʃɪçtə/

Tap to see details

history / story

Examples

Ich lese gerne alte Geschichten vor dem Schlafengehen.

I like to read old stories before going to bed.

Die Geschichte Europas ist sehr lang und komplex.

The history of Europe is very long and complex.

Illustration of the A2 German word “das Handy”, which translates to “mobile phone”. A wide-eyed, frantic smartphone sprouts spindly arms and legs, sprinting across a dinner table as a giant toddler reaches for it, the phone’s screen showing a pleading face with sweat drops.
das Handy

/ˈhɛndi/

mobile phone

Examples

Ich habe mein Handy zu Hause vergessen.

I forgot my mobile phone at home.

Kannst du mir bitte dein Handy leihen?

Can you please lend me your mobile phone?

Illustration of the A2 German word “der Hauptsatz”, which translates to “main clause”. A mighty crowned bear sits solidly on a grand throne built of carved stone letters, holding a scepter, while tiny dependent-clause mice scurry around its feet — the sentence everyone else serves.
der Hauptsatz

/ˈhaʊ̯ptˌzat͡s/

main clause

Examples

Ein Hauptsatz kann alleine stehen.

A main clause can stand alone.

Jeder Satz hat mindestens einen Hauptsatz.

Every sentence has at least one main clause.

Illustration of the A2 German word “herzlich”, which translates to “heartfelt, warm”. Two floating clouds shaped like soft, beating hearts embracing each other, radiating warm sunlight and golden embers across a blue sky.
herzlich

/ˈhɛʁt͡slɪç/

heartfelt, warm

Comparative Forms

Positive herzlich
Komparativ herzlicher
Superlativ am herzlichsten

Examples

Wir senden Ihnen herzliche Grüße aus Berlin.

We send you heartfelt greetings from Berlin.

Der Empfang war sehr herzlich.

The welcome was very warm.

Illustration of the A2 German word “heutzutage”, which translates to “nowadays”. A bustling 21st-century city square where people walk on levitating glass paths, checking holographic watches under a candy-colored sunset.
heutzutage

/ˈhɔɪ̯tt͡suˌtaːɡə/

nowadays

Examples

Heutzutage ist alles teurer als früher.

Nowadays everything is more expensive than before.

Viele Leute arbeiten heutzutage von zu Hause.

Many people nowadays work from home.

Illustration of the A2 German word “in Kontakt bleiben”, which translates to “to stay in contact”. A small astronaut kneels on the moon plugging a long winding cable into a server tower, the cable stretching up through the starry sky to a glowing Earth, staying connected across the void.
in Kontakt bleiben

/ɪn kɔnˈtakt ˈblaɪbn̩/

to stay in contact

Examples

Lasst uns nach dem Kurs in Kontakt bleiben.

Let's stay in contact after the course.

Es ist wichtig, mit Freunden in Kontakt zu bleiben.

It's important to stay in contact with friends.

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feminine Geschichte — history / story

GeschichteHandyHauptsatzherzlichheutzutagein Kontakt bleibenAll German word pages

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