German A1 — Beginner Vocabulary
The first survival words: greetings, numbers, family, food, everyday basics. · 578 words.
578 A1 words
| German word | English meaning |
|---|---|
| rechts | right, on the right |
| der Regen | rain |
| regnen | rain |
| der Reis | rice |
| die Reise | trip, journey |
| das Reisebüro | travel agency |
| der Reiseführer | travel guide |
| reisen | travel |
| die Reparatur | repair |
| reparieren | repair |
| das Restaurant | restaurant |
| die Rezeption | reception, front desk |
| richtig | correct, right |
| riechen | to smell |
| ruhig | calm, peaceful |
| die S-Bahn | commuter train |
| der Saft | juice |
| sagen | to say |
| der Salat | salad |
| das Salz | salt |
| der Satz | sentence |
| der Schalter | counter, switch |
| scheinen | to seem, shine |
| schicken | to send |
| das Schild | sign |
| der Schinken | ham |
| schlafen | to sleep |
| schlecht | bad, poor |
| schließen | to close |
| der Schluss | end, conclusion |
| der Schlüssel | key |
| schmecken | to taste |
| schnell | fast, quick |
| schon | already |
| schön | beautiful, nice |
| der Schrank | cupboard, wardrobe |
| schreiben | to write |
| der Schuh | shoe |
| die Schule | school |
| der Schüler | student, pupil |
| schwer | heavy, difficult |
| die Schwester | sister |
| das Schwimmbad | swimming pool |
| schwimmen | to swim |
| der See | lake |
| sehen | to see |
| die Sehenswürdigkeit | sight, attraction |
| sehr | very |
| sein | to be |
| seit | since, for |
| selbstständig | independent |
| sich | himself/herself/itself |
| sie | she, they |
| sitzen | to sit |
| so | so, thus |
| das Sofa | sofa, couch |
| sofort | immediately |
| der Sohn | son |
| sollen | shall, should |
| die Sonne | sun |
| spät | late |
| später | later |
| die Speisekarte | menu |
| spielen | play |
| der Sport | sport |
| die Sprache | language |
| sprechen | speak |
| die Stadt | city, town |
| stehen | stand |
| die Stelle | position, job |
| stellen | put, place |
| der Stock | floor, storey |
| die Straße | street, road |
| die Straßenbahn | tram |
| der Student | university student |
| studieren | study |
| das Studium | studies, university |
| die Stunde | hour |
| suchen | search, look for |
| tanzen | dance |
| die Tasche | bag, pocket |
| das Taxi | taxi |
| der Tee | tea |
| der Teil | part, piece |
| das Telefon | telephone |
| telefonieren | telephone, call |
| der Termin | appointment, date |
| der Test | test |
| teuer | expensive |
| der Text | text |
| das Thema | topic, subject |
| das Ticket | ticket |
| der Tisch | table |
| die Tochter | daughter |
| die Toilette | toilet |
| die Tomate | tomato |
| tot | dead |
| die Treppe | stairs |
| trinken | drink |
| tschüss | goodbye |
Quiz yourself on A1 words
Turn this list into a spaced-repetition quiz — multiple choice or flashcards, with the same tap-to-translate meanings, synonyms and etymology you see here. Free to start; sign up to save your progress and pick up where you left off.
Frequently asked questions
How many words are in the German A1 vocabulary list?
578 words, each with its English translation, the article (der/die/das) and an example sentence.
Is the German A1 word list free to download?
Yes — download the whole list free as a CSV spreadsheet or an Anki flashcard deck for spaced repetition.
What topics does German A1 vocabulary cover?
Communication & Media, Everyday Actions, Society & Abstract, Time & Dates, Travel & Transport, Family & People, Feelings & Character, Work & Education and more — browse them above, or open a topic for its own list.
Learn A1 by watching real German videos
Watch popular German videos with dual subtitles — German on top, English beneath — and tap any word for the same meaning, synonyms and etymology you see in the list above.
Vocabulary quiz
generated from this clip
„Wie heißt du?" — what is being asked?
Question 1 of 5 · after every video you watch
Free to start · no credit card
Words fade fast — spaced reviews make them stick.
Based on Dr. Hermann Ebbinghaus · memory science, proven since 1885