The 100 most common German words
Ranked by how often they turn up in real German. Learn these and you cover most of what you read in a day.
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1
der
A1
the (masculine nominative singular definite article)
2
und
A1
and
3
in
A1
[with dative] in, inside, within, at (inside a building)
4
das
A1
this, that, it
5
ich
A1
I (first person singular nominative (subject) pronoun)
6
das Ich
A1
ego
7
nicht
A1
not, non- (negates the meaning of a verb, adjective, or adverb)
8
zu
A1
shut, closed (made inaccessible or impassable; not open)
9
von
A1
from
10
mit
A1
with (in the company of, alongside)
11
es
A1
it, they
12
auf
A1
open
13
für
A1
for (intended for)
14
Sie
A1
you (polite, singular and plural)
15
sie
A1
she
16
sich
A1
oneself, himself, herself, itself, themselves (reflexive)
17
auch
A1
also, too, as well (in addition to whatever or whoever has previously been listed)
18
als
A2
at (approximately) the same moment, when, while, as
19
er
A1
he
20
der Er
A1
a person or animal of male gender, a male
21
an
A1
on
22
dass
A2
that
23
so
A1
so, such, that
24
bei
A1
by, near
25
wie
A1
how
26
aber
A1
but; however; though
27
aus
A1
out of; from (from the inside of something)
28
nach
A1
to, towards (with geographical names, directions etc.; see usage notes below)
29
noch
A1
still, yet (up to and including a given time)
30
wir
A1
we
31
du
A1
you (singular familiar), thou
32
das Du
A1
the thou, the you (singular)
33
nur
A1
only, just, merely, simply
34
wenn
A1
when, whenever
35
oder
A1
or
36
was
A1
what
37
werden
A1
will, to be going to, forms the future tense
38
einen
B1
to unite
39
am
A1
(the) most; forms the superlative of adverbs and predicative adjectives
40
man
A1
one, you, they (indefinite pronoun, referring to people at large; construed as a third-person singular)
41
um
A1
up, in the sense of finished
42
haben
A1
to have; to own (to possess, have ownership of; to possess a certain characteristic)
43
einer
B2
one
44
im Aus
A1
out of bounds
45
über
A1
[with accusative] about, concerning, over, at (in reference to)
46
da
A1
there
47
dann
A1
then, after that
48
schon
A1
already (happening rather early, continuing rather long)
49
ja
A1
yes; yea; yeah; aye
50
mehr
A1
more
51
sein
A1
his
52
vor
A1
in front of, ahead of (relative location in space)
53
das Mal
A2
time (as in the first time; many times)
54
mal
A2
times (indicating multiplication of two numbers)
55
durch
A1
through; entering, then exiting
56
hier
A1
here; in this place; refers to an environment one is currently in, or to something within reach
57
bis
A1
until
58
doch
A1
after all; yet; however; nevertheless
59
Ihr
A1
your (that belongs to you (when formally or politely addressing one or more people))
60
ihr
A1
her (possessive)
61
immer
A1
always
62
jetzt
A1
now (at this moment, right now)
63
wieder
A1
again; indicates that the action taking place has happened before
64
alle
A2
all; everyone
65
sehr
A1
very
66
können
A1
to be able (to do or be something), to have the possibility of, can
67
unter
A1
under
68
gut
A1
well (accurately, competently, satisfactorily)
69
das Gut
A1
commodity, property, possession, good
70
dieser
A1
this one, this
71
gegen
A1
against
72
alles
A1
everything; all
73
schon mal
A1
ever; before; already
74
also
A1
then, thus, so, hence (Used to connect a sentence or clause with previous information.)
75
viel
A1
much, a lot
76
die Zeit
A1
time (as a concept)
77
ab
A1
off, detached (not attached to anything anymore, having come off)
78
ganz
A2
all (with definite article or determiner)
79
machen
A1
to make, to produce, to create (an object, arrangement, situation, etc.)
80
denn
A1
so, then, ever, but, now; used for emphasis or to express interest, surprise or doubt, or in rhetorical questions
81
damit
B1
with it, with that
82
zu viel
A1
too much
83
einfach
A1
easy
84
ohne
A1
without
85
weil
A2
because, given that
86
etwas
A1
somewhat, slightly
87
mein
A1
my
88
kein
A1
no; not a(n); not one; not any
89
seit
A1
since
90
das Soll
B1
debit
91
selbst
A2
even
92
wo
A1
where (at what place)
93
heute
A1
today
94
nichts
A1
nothing
95
nun
A1
now, at this moment
96
was geht
Slang
what's up
97
wer
A1
who (what person or people)
98
das Leben
A1
life; being alive
99
leben
A1
to live, to be alive
100
die Macht
A2
power, authority