The 500 most common German words

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 101 das Jahr A1 year (solar year, the time it takes the Earth to complete one orbit of the Sun) 102 ob A2 Introduces an indirect question, a doubt. if, whether 103 zwischen A1 between 104 ihn A1 him (accusative masculine singular of er) 105 seiner A2 his (substantival possessive) 106 dabei B1 with one, on one 107 als ob A2 as if, as though 108 dort A1 there, yonder 109 müssen A1 to have to (do something); must; to be obliged (to do something); to need (to do something) 110 das A A1 A 111 gerade A1 now (at the moment) 112 sondern B1 rather, but (instead) 113 erst A1 first, at first 114 lassen A2 to allow; to permit; to let 115 Ihrer B2 yours (polite/formal; both singular and plural) 116 warum A1 why; for what reason 117 wirklich A2 real 118 weiter A1 further, farther, more 119 weiß A1 white 120 der Mann A1 man, male human being 121 wohl A2 possibly, probably; as I was told (modal particle expressing an assumption, often like English must + infinitive, or (US) guess + clause) 122 vielleicht A1 perhaps, maybe 123 dazu A2 in addition to it, in addition, besides 124 kommen A1 to come; to arrive 125 wollen A1 to want; to wish; to desire; to demand 126 bitte A1 please, if you please (used to make a polite request or affirm an offer) 127 die Bitte A1 request, plea 128 sehen A1 to see; to have sight 129 sowie A2 as well as 130 der Tag A1 day (a 24-hour period) 131 dafür A1 for that, for it 132 sagen A1 to say (to pronounce; communicate verbally) 133 während B1 while (at the same time as) 134 bereits B1 already 135 das Ende A1 end, finish 136 nie A1 never, never at all (referring to an indefinite period of time) 137 die Uhr A1 clock, watch (instrument used to measure or keep track of time) 138 wegen A2 for, because of 139 weg A2 away 140 der Weg A2 path, trail, track (usually for foot traffic) 141 einmal A1 once, one time (one and only one time) 142 die Frau A1 woman (adult female human) 143 die Stadt A1 city (a large settlement) 144 die Welt A1 world 145 gehen A1 to go, to walk 146 genau A2 exact 147 gar B1 at all; even 148 danke A1 thanks, thank you 149 auf einmal A1 at once, at a time, in one go 150 das Leute A1 people (several individual persons, a group of people in general, esp. of one kind or another), folk (folks), peeps (slang), guys (boys and/or girls) 151 jeder A1 each, every 152 etwa A2 approximately 153 natürlich A1 naturally 154 recht B1 proper, correct 155 das Recht B1 right, privilege 156 finden A1 to find; to discover 157 geben A1 to give (changing ownership) 158 das Geld A1 money 159 gleich A1 alike 160 der Teil A1 part, piece (of a whole, often in relation to living things or an abstract concept) 161 lange A1 long, for a long time 162 zu Recht A2 rightly, justly 163 davon A2 from it, from that, therefrom, off it, off that 164 allem A2 Dative singular masculine and neutral gender forms of alles ("all") 165 eigentlich A2 really, actually, in truth (with that description being the more pertinent one) 166 richtig A1 correct, accurate, right 167 tun A1 to do (to perform or execute an action) 168 fast A1 almost; nearly 169 die Arbeit A1 toil, regularly performed work, regularly pursued economic activity, labor, job, employment, occupation 170 zurück A1 back, backward, backwards, to the rear 171 erste A1 first 172 die Frage A1 question (interrogative sentence or phrase) 173 denen A2 whom, (to) which, that 174 meiner A2 mine (substantival possessive) 175 jedoch B1 however, yet, nevertheless 176 klar A1 clear; transparent; bright 177 paar A2 some; few; a few 178 das Paar A2 pair, couple 179 zusammen A1 together, in the same place 180 wissen A1 to know; to be aware of (a fact) 181 welche B1 some 182 das Wissen A1 knowledge 183 der Fall B1 case (actual event, situation, or fact) 184 sicher A1 safe, secure (not dangerous or in danger) 185 darauf A2 after (behind; later in time; following) 186 schön A1 beautiful, lovely, pretty, handsome 187 zwar B1 namely 188 sogar A2 even, actually, in fact 189 das Nein A1 a no 190 nein A1 no 191 allen B2 Genitive singular masculine and neutral gender forms of alles ("all") for strong Substantives 192 meinen A2 to opine, to think; to believe; to suppose 193 die Art B1 kind, sort, type 194 schnell A1 quickly 195 sollen A1 should; to be obligated (to do something); ought; shall 196 allerdings B1 but, however 197 vor allem B1 above all (of prime importance), especially, particularly 198 jemand A2 someone, somebody 199 stehen A1 to stand (to be upright, support oneself in an erect position) 200 später A1 later 201 gerne A1 don't mention it, not at all, you're welcome 202 die Seite A2 side (a bounding straight edge of a two-dimensional shape) 203 wenig A2 little, few (a small amount, a small number) 204 das Spiel A2 a game (instance or way of playing) 205 oft A1 often 206 die Liebe B1 love (tender feeling of affection) 207 das B A1 B-flat 208 das Land A1 country (territory of a nation) 209 neben A1 next to, beside, alongside, adjacent to, near, near to 210 statt B1 instead of 211 fragen A1 to ask 212 der Platz A1 place, seat, spot, position (precise location someone or something occupies) 213 dein A1 thy, your (esp. to friends, relatives, children, etc.) 214 die Geschichte A2 history 215 besonders A2 especially, particularly 216 nehmen A1 to take (something into one's possession or on one's body) 217 ne Slang right?; is it?; is it not?; tag question 218 darüber A1 about it/this/that (concerning a matter) 219 hin A2 gone (somewhere), left, situated 220 kurz A1 briefly (for a short extent) 221 sonst A1 otherwise (under different circumstances) 222 morgen A1 tomorrow 223 der Morgen A1 morning (part of the day from dawn to noon) 224 unser A1 our 225 alles klar A1 all right; okay (used either as a question or answer/agreement) 226 bekommen A1 to receive; to get 227 spielen A1 to play (engage in some activity for fun or entertainment) 228 der Euro A1 euro (currency) 229 weniger A1 less 230 zur Seite A2 aside; to the side 231 die Familie A1 family 232 das Haus A1 house 233 das Bild A1 depiction, image, picture 234 je B1 ever 235 möglich A1 possible (what can be done or achieved) 236 weit A1 far 237 arbeiten A1 to work (to do a specific task by employing physical or mental powers) 238 deshalb A2 therefore; for that (reason), because of that 239 die Polizei A1 police; law enforcement 240 eben A1 just; a moment ago 241 gewesen A2 been (past participle of sein) 242 Was darf es sein? A1 What can I get you? 243 beide A1 both 244 die Woche A1 week (period of seven days counting from Monday to Sunday, or from Sunday to Saturday) 245 leider A1 unfortunately 246 online A1 online 247 außerdem A1 in addition; furthermore, besides 248 unternehmen A2 to undertake 249 das Unternehmen A2 business, enterprise, company 250 der Tage A1 period, that time of the month (female menstruation) 251 stellen A1 to put, place, position (someone or something) so that it stands upright 252 bleiben A1 to remain (to continue to be) 253 der Grund B1 reason; motive, cause 254 kaum B1 barely, hardly (qualifying verbs or adjectives) 255 das Problem A1 problem 256 daher B1 therefore; because of that; hence; thus 257 daran A2 on it, on that 258 neu A1 new 259 das Thema A1 topic, subject, issue 260 die Nacht A1 night 261 der Halt B1 hold; adhesion 262 halt B1 Indicating that something is generally known, or cannot be changed, or the like; often untranslatable; so, just, simply, indeed, well 263 der Stand A1 standing, state, status, position, situation 264 genug A2 enough, sufficient, in an adequate way 265 das Beispiel A1 example 266 Wie geht es Ihnen heute? A1 How are you today? 267 allein A1 alone 268 die Schule A1 school (an institution for teaching and learning) 269 halten A1 to hold (an object in one's hands) 270 echt A2 authentic, genuine, true 271 überhaupt A2 overall, in general 272 dessen A2 whose, of which 273 direkt A1 direct, straight, without deviation or interruption 274 anders A2 different, differently 275 essen A1 to eat 276 lang A1 long; lengthy (in space or time) 277 das Essen A1 meal 278 Mann gegen Mann A1 man-to-man 279 hinter A2 behind, after 280 die Musik A2 music 281 der Dank A1 thanks, gratitude, appreciation 282 das Wasser A1 water (H₂O) 283 pro A2 per, each 284 ebenfalls B1 also, likewise, as well 285 der Abend A1 evening; the time from dusk until midnight 286 eher B1 rather 287 das H A1 B 288 bald A1 soon (near in time) 289 nachdem B1 after (that) 290 erhalten B1 to receive (something given, sent, won, etc.) 291 sofort A1 immediately, at once 292 der Ort A1 place, location, point, position 293 der Junge A1 boy 294 das Auto A1 car 295 bringen A1 to bring, to fetch, to take, to convey, to bear 296 die Hand A1 hand 297 danach A1 after it, after that; thereafter (formal), afterwards 298 der Kopf A1 head 299 deutlich A2 articulate, clear 300 bitte schön A1 you're welcome, don't mention it, not at all (reply to thanks) 301 damals A2 at that time (in the past); at the time, then 302 schwer A1 heavy, weighty 303 wichtig A1 important, relevant, significant, weighty 304 die Person A2 person, individual 305 zeigen A2 to show, make see 306 endlich A1 eventually, at last, finally 307 gefunden A1 found, located 308 egal A2 all the same, unimportant 309 hoch A1 high, tall 310 die Gesellschaft B1 society, the public (abstract concept of an organised social group or a local population in general) 311 letzte A1 last 312 stark A1 strong (intense, powerful, unyielding) 313 das Kind A1 kid; child (young person) 314 gegenüber A2 on the opposite side 315 der Anfang A1 start, beginning, origin (spatially or temporally) 316 oben A1 above 317 die Straße A1 street; road (a way wide enough to be passable for vehicles, generally paved, in or outside a settlement) 318 das Alter A1 age, old age 319 rund A2 round, rounded 320 vor Ort A1 on site, at the location 321 die Eltern A1 parents 322 die Mutter A1 mother 323 bisher B1 so far, until now, as yet 324 der Gott B1 god 325 bekannt A1 known, familiar 326 los B1 going on 327 her B1 hither, to this place, to here, to me/us 328 trotzdem A2 anyhow, nevertheless 329 die Gruppe A1 group 330 schreiben A1 to write, to write out (use letters to make words and texts) 331 treffen A2 to meet; to encounter 332 die Beste A2 the best; the best thing or person 333 das Treffen A2 a meeting 334 das Schreiben A1 writing, letter 335 unter Wasser A1 under water 336 die Hilfe A1 help, aid 337 das Glück A1 happiness, joy, bliss (state or emotion) 338 leicht A1 light (not heavy) 339 der Artikel A2 article 340 mehrere B1 multiple, several; more than one; a number of 341 niemand A2 nobody, no one 342 die Sache A2 matter, affair, case, question, issue 343 der Herr A1 man, gentleman 344 die Politik B1 politics 345 zunächst B1 first, first of all, in the first place, to begin with, initially 346 die Folge B1 episode 347 deutsch A1 German (of or pertaining to the German people) 348 bestimmt B1 certain 349 bisschen A1 bit; (a) little 350 der Film A1 motion picture 351 denken A1 to think, to believe, to assume, to conjecture 352 die Richtung B1 direction 353 die Regierung A2 government/administration 354 schließlich B1 in the end, finally, eventually 355 das Team A2 team 356 das Internet A1 internet 357 lesen A1 to read (to look at and understand symbols, words, or data) 358 oh A1 oh 359 laut A1 loud, noisy 360 ab sofort A1 with immediate effect, from now on 361 das Buch A1 book (collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge; long work fit for publication) 362 dürfen A1 to be allowed (to do something); to be permitted (to do something); may 363 der Sohn A1 son 364 das Wort A1 word as an isolated unit 365 das Prozent A1 percent 366 die Stelle A1 location, spot (specific location in space, relevant in context but typically otherwise unmarked) 367 der Spaß A2 fun 368 früher A1 formerly, in the past (often years ago, in contrast to nowadays) 369 groß A1 big, large, large-scale 370 der Mensch A1 human, human being, person, man 371 das Mädchen A2 girl 372 der Vater A1 father 373 die Zukunft B1 future 374 der Bereich B1 area, realm, range, scope 375 der Ernst B1 earnestness, seriousness 376 darum A2 around it, around that 377 die Idee A2 idea 378 all B1 all 379 die Form B1 shape 380 liegen A1 to lie (to be in a horizontal position) 381 fahren A1 to go; to run; to drive; to sail 382 fest A2 firm; compact; hard 383 das Fest A2 feast, celebration, festival, party 384 das Neues A1 nominalization of neues: something new 385 passiert A2 sieved 386 keiner B1 none 387 frei A1 free; unenslaved; unimprisoned 388 hin und zurück A2 return, there and back 389 bevor B1 before 390 manchmal A1 sometimes 391 raus Slang out, out of there, outta there 392 die Wahl B1 choice, selection 393 wert B1 worth, worthy of 394 der Wert B1 value (determinable numerical quantity) 395 super A1 super, great, awesome 396 gegeben C1 given 397 helfen A1 to help (someone); to assist; to aid 398 obwohl B1 although, though, while 399 ziemlich B1 pretty, quite, rather, fairly, kind of 400 das Ziel A2 target 401 suchen A1 to search, to look for 402 folgen B1 to follow (on the same path or in a sequence) 403 die Entwicklung B1 development 404 die Kosten A1 costs 405 kosten A1 to cost 406 die Angst A2 fear; fright; anxiety 407 der Erfolg B1 success 408 die Lage B1 situation, condition 409 verstehen A1 to understand 410 wann A1 when 411 voll A2 full; filled 412 der Krieg B1 war, warfare 413 der September A1 September 414 wieso B1 why 415 der Mai A1 May (month) 416 dadurch A1 through it, through that 417 Viel Glück! A1 Good luck! 418 alt A1 old 419 brauchen A1 to need, to be in need of, to require 420 rein B1 pure, clear, plain 421 tagen B2 to meet 422 der Tod B1 death 423 aufgrund A1 due to, because of, as a result of, by reason of, on account of 424 der Preis A1 price 425 die Rolle B1 role, part 426 die Klasse A1 a class; a grouping 427 innerhalb B1 within, inside (spatial) 428 insgesamt B1 overall, altogether, in total, all in all, by and large, on the whole 429 zu Hause A1 home, at home (stationary) 430 stimmt A1 correct 431 klasse Slang great, awesome 432 zudem A2 moreover, furthermore 433 völlig B1 complete, total, utter 434 in Form sein A1 to be in shape 435 außer A2 except; referring to a following clause or adverb 436 gestern A1 yesterday 437 gern A1 willingly; gladly; with pleasure; usually expressed verbally in English, with like, enjoy etc 438 die Kirche A2 church (building) 439 vergessen A2 to forget (lose remembrance of) 440 irgendwie A2 somehow (in some unknown or unspecific manner) 441 vorbei A2 over, past, up (of time) 442 zahlen A1 to pay 443 das Ach A1 oh 444 trotz B1 in spite of, despite 445 meist A2 mostly, most often, usually 446 Stimmt so. A1 Keep the change. 447 kaufen A1 to buy, to purchase 448 dagegen B1 against it, against that 449 die Meinung A2 opinion 450 der Name A1 name (forename, Christian name, given name) 451 der Blick A1 glance, look 452 wobei A2 while, during which 453 ebenso B1 equally, as much 454 reden A2 to talk, to speak, to orate 455 die Partei B2 political party 456 lernen A1 to learn, to acquire knowledge 457 führen B1 to lead 458 zweite A1 second 459 ach so A1 ah, oh, I see; expresses understanding or surprise 460 Ist hier noch frei? A1 Is this seat still free? 461 schlecht A1 bad, evil, wicked (the opposite of good; immoral) 462 der Moment A1 moment 463 sprechen A1 to speak (some language, the truth, etc.) 464 das Video B1 video 465 jungen A1 to give birth 466 wahrscheinlich A2 likely, probable, plausible 467 glauben A1 to believe something (to consider true) 468 sowohl B1 both (only in combination with a contrasting second element, see derived terms) 469 die Mitte A1 middle 470 der August A1 August (month) 471 der November A1 November 472 die Scheiße C1 feces, shit 473 der Freund A1 friend 474 der Raum A1 room, chamber 475 per A1 by, by means of, through, via 476 der April A1 April 477 das System B1 system 478 deiner B1 yours, thine (substantival possessive) 479 einigen A2 to unite or unify (for example a group of people) 480 insbesondere B1 in particular, particularly 481 tatsächlich B1 actual, real, factual 482 nämlich A2 namely, specifically; used to further specify what exactly one was talking about just before 483 der Oktober A1 October 484 schaffen A2 to create, to call into being 485 der Juni A1 June 486 links A1 on the left 487 der Juli A1 July 488 die Suche A1 search 489 gemeinsam B1 together, jointly 490 setzen A2 to put, to place, to set 491 falls B1 if, in the event that 492 hören A1 to hear (to perceive sounds (or a sound) through the ear) 493 die Möglichkeit B1 possibility, likelihood 494 das Stück A2 one, item, piece, unit(of something countable; often untranslated in English) 495 gleichzeitig B1 at the same time, simultaneously 496 rechts A1 on the right 497 der Einsatz A1 something inserted, inset, inlay, compartment 498 der Rahmen B1 frame, scope 499 rahmen B1 to frame 500 zu Ende lesen A1 to finish reading