German vocabulary: elementary (A2)
The 160 words and phrases taught in the elementary chapters, in the order the course teaches them. Press ▶ to hear each one.
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1. Talking about the past
From chapter 1: learn these words in context
- Was hast du gemacht?What did you do? · is the past participle of
- nachto (with cities and countries) · ,
- fahrento go (by car, train or bus), to drive · , ; Perfekt:
- schönnice, lovely; beautiful
- bleibento stay · Perfekt:
- lange(for) a long time · = to have a lie-in
- gesternyesterday · = the day before yesterday
- treffento meet · , ; Perfekt:
- wiederagain
- brauchento need
- letzte Wochelast week · ,
- vor zwei Tagentwo days ago · + a time = ago
2. Travel and hotels
From chapter 2: learn these words in context
- Willkommen!Welcome.
- reservierento book, to reserve · Perfekt: (no ge-)
- das Einzelzimmersingle room · neuter, plural: ; = double room
- die Nachtnight · feminine, plural:
- das Frühstückbreakfast · neuter, plural:
- inklusiveincluded
- Könnten Sie …?Could you …? · polite form of …?
- bestellento order; to book (a taxi, a table)
- natürlichof course
- der Stockfloor, storey · masculine; = on the third floor
- funktionierento work (machines) · = That doesn't work.
- die Heizungheating; radiator · feminine, plural:
- alleseverything
- der Zugtrain · masculine, plural: ; = by train
3. At the doctor's
From chapter 3: learn these words in context
- Was kann ich für Sie tun?What can I do for you? · = to do
- Mir geht es nicht gut.I'm not well. · = I'm fine.
- die Halsschmerzensore throat · plural; = throat, neck; = pain
- der Hustencough · masculine, no plural
- wehtunto hurt · separable: = My head hurts.
- das Fieberfever, (high) temperature · neuter, no plural; = 38 degrees
- ein bisschena little, a bit
- aufmachento open · separable:
- die Erkältungcold (illness) · feminine, plural:
- die Tablettetablet, pill · feminine, plural:
- zu Hauseat home
- dürfenmay, to be allowed to · , , ; = must not
- krankschreibento give someone a sick note · separable: ; = ill
- Gute Besserung!Get well soon.
4. Home and housing
From chapter 4: learn these words in context
- die Wohnungflat, apartment · feminine, plural:
- der Quadratmetersquare metre · masculine, plural: ; written m²
- ruhigquiet, calm
- das Schlafzimmerbedroom · neuter, plural:
- der Balkonbalcony · masculine, plural:
- der Gartengarden · masculine, plural:
- die Mieterent · feminine, plural: ; = How much is the rent?
- die Nebenkostenservice charges, bills (heating, water …) · plural
- unser / unsereour · like /
- alsthan · = bigger than
- der Wegway, route · masculine, plural: ; = the way to work
- Das stimmt.That's true. / That's right.
- nahnear, close · = really close
- welchewhich (one) · = Which one …? – This one.
5. Work and studies
From chapter 5: learn these words in context
- studierento study (at university) · Perfekt: ; = (university) studies
- die Informatikcomputer science · feminine, no plural
- danachafter that, afterwards
- zuerstfirst, at first
- die Firmacompany, firm · feminine, plural: ; = at a company
- der Kollege / die Kollegincolleague · plural: /
- Spaß machento be fun · = That was fun.
- warumwhy
- meine Frau / mein Mannmy wife / my husband · = woman, wife; = man, husband
- die Stellejob, position · feminine, plural:
- bekommento get, to receive · not “become”! Perfekt:
- umziehento move (house) · separable: ; Perfekt:
- die Bankbank · feminine, plural:
- sprechento speak · , ; Perfekt:
6. Weather and seasons
From chapter 6: learn these words in context
- die Omagrandma · feminine, plural: ; = grandpa
- das Wetterweather · neuter, no plural
- kaltcold
- windigwindy
- regnento rain · ; Perfekt:
- heute Morgenthis morning
- der Wetterberichtweather forecast · masculine, plural:
- sonnigsunny
- warmwarm
- der Graddegree · masculine; after a number it stays :
- nochstill · = It's still cold.
- mitnehmento take (with you), to bring · separable: ,
- der Pulloverjumper, sweater · masculine, plural:
- wahrscheinlichprobably
7. Clothes and shopping
From chapter 7: learn these words in context
- Kann ich Ihnen helfen?Can I help you? · = to help; the person is in the dative
- suchento look for
- die Jackejacket · feminine, plural:
- die Größesize · feminine, plural:
- dieser / diese / diesesthis, these
- gefallento be liked; to please · = I like it
- anprobierento try on · separable: ; Perfekt:
- die Kabinechanging room · feminine, plural: ; also
- zutoo · = too small, = too expensive
- der Schalscarf · masculine, plural:
- die Hose(pair of) trousers · feminine, plural: ; singular in German
- zurückgebento give back, to return · separable: ,
- passento fit · = The trousers don't fit me.
- der Kassenbonreceipt (from a till) · masculine, plural:
8. Plans and invitations
From chapter 8: learn these words in context
- Wollen wir …?Shall we …? · = to want:
- ins Kino gehento go to the cinema · = cinema, plural:
- weilbecause · the verb goes to the end
- Schade.What a shame. / Pity.
- Lass uns …Let's … · = Let's go.
- draußenoutside, outdoors
- Wie wäre es mit …?How about …? · + dative:
- die Radtourbike ride, cycling trip · feminine, plural: ; = bike
- sich treffento meet (up) ·
- klarsure, of course · informal
- sich freuento be happy; to look forward to · = I'm looking forward to Saturday.
- Soll ich …?Shall I …?
- mitbringento bring (along) · separable: ; Perfekt:
9. Directions and transport
From chapter 9: learn these words in context
- die Fahrkarteticket (for a train, bus or tram) · feminine, plural:
- einfachsingle, one-way (ticket); simple; just · … = Just take …
- oderor
- hin und zurückreturn (ticket), there and back
- zurückkommento come back · separable: ; Perfekt:
- der nächste Zugthe next train · = next
- das Gleisplatform, track · neuter, plural: ; = from platform 4
- umsteigento change (trains, buses) · separable: ; Perfekt:
- direktdirect(ly), straight
- die Verspätungdelay · feminine, plural: ; = The train is late.
- Keine Sorge.Don't worry.
- die Hallehall; (station) concourse · feminine, plural: ; = into the hall
- Gute Reise!Have a good trip. · = trip, journey
10. Describing people
From chapter 10: learn these words in context
- der Cousin / die Cousinecousin (male / female) · plural: /
- abholento pick up, to collect · separable:
- kennento know (a person, a place) · = I don't know him.
- aussehento look (like) · separable: ; = What does he look like?
- die Haarehair · plural; = one hair
- der Bartbeard · masculine, plural:
- tragento wear; to carry · ,
- als Kindas a child
- schüchternshy
- redento talk, to chat
- besuchento visit · Perfekt: (no ge-)
- noch nienever (before) · = I've never been here before.
- ankommento arrive · separable: ; Perfekt:
- bestimmtdefinitely, surely · = Then I'm sure I'll find him.
11. Phone calls and messages
From chapter 11: learn these words in context
- das Bürooffice · neuter, plural:
- ausrichtento pass on (a message) · separable: = Can I give her a message?
- dassthat · the verb goes to the end
- Mache ich.Will do.
- buchstabierento spell · Perfekt:
- die Nummernumber · feminine, plural: ; short for
- glaubento think, to believe · = I think so.
- die E-Mailemail · feminine, plural:
- schreibento write · Perfekt:
- vielleichtmaybe, perhaps
- zurückrufento call back · separable: ; = to call, to phone
- die Nachrichtmessage; text message · feminine, plural:
- schickento send
12. A weekend away
From chapter 12: learn these words in context
- Na, …?So, …? / Well, …? · a friendly way to start a question
- Wie war …?How was …? / What was … like? · = was (Präteritum of )
- der BodenseeLake Constance
- der Seelake · masculine, plural: ; careful: = the sea
- direkt am Seeright on the lake
- schwimmento swim · Perfekt:
- dochyes (to a negative question) · = Isn't it cold? – Yes, it is.
- den ganzen Tagall day
- der Tipptip, piece of advice · masculine, plural:
- unbedingtdefinitely, whatever you do · … = Make sure you go …
- das Schiffship, boat · neuter, plural:
Other levels: Beginner (A1) · Intermediate (B1) · Upper intermediate (B2)