Learn the German Language: Online Vocabulary Lessons & Resources
German Vocabulary
According to the encyclopedia, German has approximately 100 million speakers. It ranks 10 in languages spoken around the world. Knowing even a little German, therefore, comes in handy if you plan on traveling to Europe.
German is a language built on word roots, which makes it somewhat easier to understand. Learning the words that convey meaning for daily tasks such as shopping, eating or emergencies gives students’ confidence when they arrive in Deutschland. The following articles provide a range of topics for teaching and learning German vocabulary.
All About Food and Drink
One doesn’t have to spend much time in Germany before realizing that food and drink are taken seriously. From the tiniest cafe to the four-star restaurant, the creation of dishes, use of condiments and the enjoyment of a glass of good wine or stein of beer are considered some of the ultimate pleasures of life. Knowing the vocabulary around eating, drinking, and cooking goes a long way to contributing to a first-class visit to Germany.
- German Food Vocabulary
- Food in Germany Lesson Plan
- Ordering Food in German
- Beer: German Vocabulary and History
Home, Community and Daily Life
English has “borrowed” many words from other languages. German is one of the most borrowed languages in English. For instance, many of the German words for family members are very close to English names, making it easier to remember the vocabulary. An example is the English word, mother. In German this word is Mutter. However, the meaning of some German words is not so obvious to native English speakers and worth learning before a visit to Germany. Learning these words, along with the vocabulary for various items found in and round the household, phrases used to get around town and idioms found in daily life, will give German second language speakers the confidence to feel at home.
- Lesson Plan: Household Items in German
- German Names for Family Members and other People
- Vocabulary for Sightseeing, Banks and the Disabled
- Getting Around Town in German
- German Travel Vocabulary and Lesson
- German Words Used When Shopping or in Hotels
Holidays, Festivals and Celebrations
Germans, like many Europeans, love to gather together to celebrate feast days, seasonal changes and cultural events such as the harvest. Each occasion has its own traditions, which make the event colorful, interesting and memorable. Before traveling to Germany, students should learn the vocabulary for the various holidays, festivals and celebrations.
- Father’s Day in German
- History, Vocabulary and Traditions: German Thanksgiving
- St. Martin’s Fest: Vocabulary and Traditions
- Mother’s Day in Germany: Vocabulary and Traditions
- Vocabulary for German Easter Traditions
- Vocabulary for Observing Christmas in Germany
- All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day German Vocabulary
Vocabulary for Other Times
There are hundreds of words we use every day without having to think about their definition or why we are using that particular word rather than another. Words that describe the color or shape of something, words that help us know what clothes to wear, along with the names of those articles of clothing and words used for activities such as going to the movies or learning a trade, fill our vocabulary. Learning the equivalent words in German makes life much easier.
- Learn the Names of Traditional German Clothes
- German Words for Outdoor Activities and Weather
- Colors and Shapes: A German Vocabulary Lesson
- Types of Movies in German
- German Vocabulary: Wanderjahre/ Years on the Road
German Idioms
In informal language, we use idioms to describe specific things or events. Every area of the world has their favorite idioms. Some are shared with other cultures, while others are unknown except in a specific location. Knowing the common idioms of a language, as well as the translations of idioms familiar to the speaker, creates a rich dialogue for both the native speaker and the second language speaker.
- German Equivalents of Common English Idioms
- English Idioms with German Equivalents
- German Conversational Idioms
Romance, Legalities and Emergencies
Some say that the easiest way to learn a language is to fall in love; however, knowing the correct phrases to share your love in German takes a bit of practice. In addition, knowing the correct words and phrases to use if you need legal assistance or in case of an emergency is vital. These articles provide vocabulary for just such occasions.
- Words of Love: German Vocabulary
- German Phrases for Emergencies
- German Vocabulary: Legal Words and Terms
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
With this well-rounded list of vocabulary lessons, students will learn the German language quickly. In no time, they will find that they can converse in German with confidence in most everyday situations. From ordering food to phrases for emergencies, this vocabulary table of contents has something for everyone.
References
- Learn German Guide.com: German Vocabulary,
- Image: German Coat of Arms by Wappenentwurf: Karl-Tobias Schwab (1887-1967), under CC by -SA 3.0