Basic 500 German Foundation Word List
1-100
- der / die / das (def. art.) the; (dem. pron.) that, those; (rel. pron) who, that
- und (conj.) and
- sein (verb) to be; (aux./perfect tense)
- in (prep.) in (variation: im in the)
- ein (indef. art.) a, an; (pron.) one (of)
- zu (prep.) to, at; (adv.) too
- haben (verb) to have; (aux./perfect tense)
- ich (pers. pron.) I
- werden (verb) to become; (aux./future tense); ; (aux./passive voice)
- sie (pers. pron.) she, her (acc. form of sie [sing.]); they, them (acc. form of sie [pl.]; Sie (pers. pron.) you (formal)
- von (prep.) from, of
- nicht (adv.) not
- mit (prep.) with
- es (pers. pron.) it
- sich (refl. pron.) -self
- auch (adv.) also, too
- auf (prep.) on, at, in
- für (prep.) for
- an (prep.) at, on (variation: am at/on the)
- er (pers. pron.) he
- so (adv.) so; thus, this way, such
- dass (conj.) that
- können (verb) can, to be able
- dies- (det. /pron.) this, that
- als (conj.) as, when; (adv.) than
- ihr (pers. pron.) you (pl., familiar), her (dat. form of sie [sing.]); (poss. adj.) her, their, hers, theirs (poss. form of sie [sing.], sie [pl.]); Ihr (poss. adj.) your (formal, poss. form of Sie)
- ja (adv.) yes; certainly, really
- wie (adv.) how; as
- bei (prep.) by, with, at
- oder (conj.) or
- wir (pers. pron.) we
- aber (conj.) but; (adv./flavoring particle)
- dann (adv.) then
- man (pron.) one, you
- da (adv.) there; (conj.) because
- sein (poss. adj.) his, its (poss. form of er, es)
- noch (adv.) still, yet
- nach (prep.) after, toward
- was (pron.) what
- also (adv.) so, therefore
- aus (prep.) out, out of, from
- all (pron.) all
- wenn (conj.) if, when
- nur (adv.) only
- müssen (verb) to have to, must
- sagen (verb) to say
- um (prep.) around, at [variation: um … zu in order to] 48. über (prep.) above, over, about
- machen (verb) to do, make
- kein (pron.) no, not a/an
- Jahr das, -e (noun) year
- du (pron.) you (familiar, sing.)
- mein (poss. adj.) my (poss. form of ich)
- schon (adv.) already; (adv./flavoring particle)
- vor (prep.) in front of, before, ago
- durch (prep.) through
- geben (verb) to give
- mehr (adv.) more
- andere, anderer, anderes (adj./pron.) other
- viel (adj./pron.) much, a lot, many
- kommen (verb) to come
- jetzt (adv.) now
- sollen (verb) should, ought to :triangular_flag_on_post:
- mir (pers. pron.) [to/for] me (dat. form of ich)
- wollen (verb) to want
- ganz (adj.) whole, all the; (adv.) quite
- mich (pers. pron.) me (acc. form of ich)
- immer (adv.) always
- gehen (verb) to go
- sehr (adv.) very
- hier (adv)
- doch (adv.) however, still; (adv./flavoring particle) here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- bis (prep./conj.) until
- groß (adj.) big, large, great
- wieder (adv.) again
- Mal das, -e (noun) time; mal (conj.) times [math]; (part.) time(s); once; just
- zwei (num.) two
- gut (adj.) good
- wissen (verb) to know
- neu (adj.) new
- sehen (verb) to see
- lassen (verb) to let, allow, have (something) done
- uns (pers. pron.) us (acc., dat. form of wir)
- weil (conj.) because here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- unter (prep.) under
- denn (conj.) because; (part.) (used in questions to tone down bluntness)
- stehen (verb) to stand
- jed- (det./pron.) every, each
- Beispiel, das, -e (noun) example
- Zeit, die (noun) time
- erste, erster, erstes (adj.) first
- ihm (pers. pron.) him, it (dat. form of er, es)
- ihn (pers. pron.) him (acc. form of er)
- wo (adv.) where
- lang (adj.) long; lange (adv.) for a long time
- eigentlich (adv.) actually; (adj.) actual, real here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- damit (adv.) with it; (conj.) so that here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- selbst, selber (pron.) -self; (adv.) even
- unser (poss. adj.) our (poss. of wir)
- oben (adv.) above, up there
101-200
- drei (num.) three
- wenig (adj.) few; (pron.) little, few
- Frau, die, -en (noun) woman, wife, Mrs.
- Mensch, der, -en (noun) human being, person
- deutsch (adj.) German; Deutsch das (noun) German (language)
- Kind, das, -er (noun) child
- etwas (pron.) something, some, a little
- Tag, der, -e (noun) day
- nun (adv.) now
- finden (verb) to find
- nichts (pron.) nothing
- bleiben (verb) to stay
- sondern (conj.) but (on the contrary) here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- klein (adj.) small, little
- zwischen (prep.) between
- alt (adj.) old
- gegen (prep.) against
- liegen (verb) to lie
- ohne (prep.) without (variation: ohne … zu without (doing something))
- nein (adv.) no
- heute (adv.) today
- weit (adj.) wide, far
- heißen (verb) to be called
- denken (verb) to think
- eben (adv.) just now; (part.) just, simply, exactly here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- erst (adv.) first, only, not until; (part.) only now, already, more so
- natürlich (adj./adv.) natural(ly), of course
- ob (conj.) whether
- hoch (adj.) high
- beide (pron.) both here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Mann, der, -(ä)-er (noun) man
- einfach (adj.) simple, easy; (part.) simply
- vielleicht (adv.) maybe, perhaps; (part.) maybe, really here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- dort (adv.) there
- dabei (adv.) with it; there, in the process
- einmal (adv.) once
- ihnen (pers. pron.) [to/for] them (dat. form of sie [pl.]); Ihnen (pers. pron.) [to/for] you (dat. form of Sie [pl.])
- welch- (det./pron.) which
- nehmen (verb) to take
- tun (verb) to do
- seit (prep.) since, for (a period of time)
- dürfen (verb) to be allowed, may
- glauben (verb) to believe
- halten (verb) to stop, hold
- nennen (verb) to name, call (a thing/person something)
- Land, das, -(ä) er (noun) land, country, state
- letzt- (adj.) last
- gleich (adj./adv.) same; right away, just
- solch- (det./pron.) such here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- dazu (adv.) in addition, furthermore, to that here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- mögen (verb) to like
- Frage, die, -en (noun) question
- gar (adv.) at all
- zeigen (verb) to show
- führen (verb) to lead
- möglich (adj.) possible
- sprechen (verb) to speak
- während (prep.) during; (conj.) while, whereas here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Haus, das, -(äu)-er (noun) house
- Fall, der, -(ä)-e, fall, case
- eigen (adj.) one’s own
- bringen (verb) to bring, take
- Leute, die (pl. noun) people
- schön (adj.) beautiful, pleasant, good
- einige (pron./adj.) a few, some
- bereits (adv.) already
- Arbeit, die (noun) work
- leben (verb) to live
- fahren (verb) to drive, ride, go (by vehicle)
- meinen (verb) to think, have an opinion
- spät (adj.) late
- etwa (adv.) about, approximately; (part.) perhaps
- wer (interrog. pron.) who, whoever
- Prozent, das, -e (noun) percent
- fragen (verb) to ask
- gerade (adv.) just, just now; (adj.) straight here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- wichtig (adj.) important
- zwar (adv.) admittedly, to be precise
- Hand, die -(ä)-e, hand
- wirklich (adj./adv.) real(ly), actual(ly)
- kennen (verb) to know
- weitere(-r/-s) (adj.) additional
- genau (adj.) exact
- jung (adj.) young
- gelten (verb) to be valid
- Stadt, die -(ä)-e (noun) city
- Herr, der, -en (noun) gentleman, Mr.
- Teil, der/das, -e (noun) part
- Problem, das, -e (noun) problem
- Welt, die, -en (noun) world
- jedoch (adv.) however here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- stellen (verb) to place, set (in a horizontal position)
- darauf (adv.) on it, to it here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- bisschen, bissel (pron.) little bit
- vier (num.) four
- nie (adv.) never
- spielen (verb) to play
- denen (dem. pron./rel. pron.) [to/for] whom/that (dat. pl. form of die [pl.]) here :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Recht, das, -e (noun) right, law; recht (adj.) all right; (part.) rather
- arbeiten (verb) to work
200-300
- brauchen (verb) to need
- folgen (verb) to follow
- lernen (verb) to learn
- Ende, das, -n (noun) end
- kurz (adj.) short
- Million, die, -en (noun) million
- stark (adj.) strong
- Schule, die, -n (noun) school
- Woche, die, -n (noun) week
- bestehen (verb) to exist, insist, pass (an exam)
- richtig (adj.) right, correct
- dich (pers. pron.) you (acc. form of du)
- dafür (adv.) for it :triangular_flag_on_post:
- sowie (conj.) as well as :triangular_flag_on_post:
- oft (adv.) often
- Vater, der, -(ä) father
- Seite, die, -n side, page
- verschieden (adj.) different :triangular_flag_on_post:
- halt (part.) just, simply
- Leben, das (noun) life
- allerdings (adv.) though, indeed, certainly :triangular_flag_on_post:
- verstehen (verb) to understand
- fast (adv.) almost
- wohl (adv.) well; (part.) probably :triangular_flag_on_post:
- dein (poss. adj./poss. pron.) your (poss. form of du)
- bestimmt (adj.) special, certain
- Mutter, die, -(ü) mother
- setzen (verb) to set, place, put
- überhaupt (adv.) at all, generally
- Grund, der, -(ü)-e (noun) reason, basis
- besser (adj.) better :triangular_flag_on_post:
- dir (pers. pron.) [to/for] you (dat. form of du)
- schnell (adj.) fast
- bekommen (verb) to get, receive
- gern(e) (adv.) gladly
- Auge, das, -n (noun) eye
- sicher (adj.) safe, secure, certain :triangular_flag_on_post:
- davon (adv.) from it, about it, thereof
- beginnen (verb) to begin
- erzählen (verb) to narrate, tell :triangular_flag_on_post:
- versuchen (verb) to try, attempt
- besonders (adv.) especially
- Wort, das, -e/-(ö)-er word
- neben (prep.) beside, next to
- schreiben (verb) to write
- warum (adv.) why
- nächst- (adj.) next
- laufen (verb) to run
- Geld, das (noun) money
- erklären (verb) to explain
- Sache, die, -n (noun) thing
- Art, die, -en (noun) kind, type :triangular_flag_on_post:
- politisch (adj.) political
- entsprechen (verb) to correspond to (+ dat. obj.)
- klar (adj.) clear
- schwer (adj.) difficult, heavy
- Bereich, der, -e (noun) area, region :triangular_flag_on_post:
- allein(e) (adv.) alone
- kaum (adv.) hardly :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Weg, der, -e (noun) way
- sitzen (verb) to sit, to be sitting
- Stunde, die, -n (noun) hour
- einzeln (adj.) individual :triangular_flag_on_post:
- deshalb (adv.) for that reason
- deren (dem. pron./rel. pron.) whose (gen. form of die [pl.]) :triangular_flag_on_post:
- ziehen (verb) to pull, move
- na (part.) well :triangular_flag_on_post:
- beziehungsweise (bzw.) (conj.) and/or :triangular_flag_on_post:
- sogar (adv.) even, in fact :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Name, der, -n (noun) name
- damals (adv.) back then :triangular_flag_on_post:
- fünf (num.) five
- Geschichte, die, -n (noun) history, story
- wegen (prep.) because of :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Gesellschaft, die, -en (noun) society, company :triangular_flag_on_post:
- scheinen (verb) to shine, seem, appear
- darüber (adv.) above it, about it
- fallen (verb) to fall
- Kopf, der, -(ö)-e (noun) head
- gehören (verb) to belong to :triangular_flag_on_post:
- entstehen (verb) to originate
- bekannt (adj.) well-known :triangular_flag_on_post:
- erhalten (verb) to receive :triangular_flag_on_post:
- Paar, das, -e (noun) pair, couple; paar (pron.) few, couple
- leicht (adj.) light, easy
- Möglichkeit, die, -en (noun) possibility :triangular_flag_on_post:
- treffen (verb) to meet
- hinter (prep.) behind
- sonst (adv.) otherwise :triangular_flag_on_post:
- daran (adv.) on it
- Unternehmen, das, – (noun) enterprise, company :triangular_flag_on_post:
- weiter (adv.) further
- suchen (verb) to search, look for
- Bild, das, -er (noun) picture
- Buch, das, -er (n0un) book
- legen (verb) to put, lay (in a horizontal position)
- Wasser, das (noun) water
- Stelle, die, -n (noun) place :triangular_flag_on_post:
- vor•stellen (verb) to introduce, imagine
- Form, die, -en (noun) form, shape
300-400
- handeln (verb) to deal, trade
- Mark, die, – (noun) mark (former unit of German currency)
- Entwicklung, die, -en (noun) development
- Monat, der, -e (noun) month
- erreichen (verb) to reach, achieve
- anders (pred. adj./adv.) different(ly)
- schließlich (adv.) in the end, finally
- tragen (verb) to carry, wear
- eher (adv.) earlier, more likely, rather
- Familie, die, -n (noun) family
- Morgen, der, – (noun) morning; morgen (adv.) tomorrow
- je (adv.) ever, each
- Abend, der, -e (noun) evening
- zehn (num.) ten
- darin (adv.) in it, inside
- rund (adj.) round; (adv.) approximately
- Aufgabe, die, -n (noun) assignment, task, job
- frei (adj.) free
- Universität, die, -en / Uni, die, -s (noun) university
- schaffen (verb) to manage; to create
- Sinn, der, -e (noun) sense, meaning
- früh (adj.) early
- lesen (verb) to read
- Staat, der, -en (noun) state
- Ziel, das, -e(noun) goal, destination
- gegenüber (prep.) opposite
- Freund, der, -e (noun) friend
- Thema, das, Themen (noun) theme, topic, subject
- unterschiedlich (adj.) different
- daher (adv.) from there, therefore
- Person, die, -en (noun) person
- schlecht (adj.) bad
- Euro, der, -s (noun) euro (unit of currency of the EU)
- obwohl (conj.) although
- Nacht, die, -(ä)-e (noun) night
- verlieren (verb) to lose
- Ding, das, -e (noun) thing
- deutlich (adj.) clear
- allgemein (adj.) general
- Raum, der, -(äu)-e (adj.) room, space
- Blick, der, -e (noun) look, view, glance
- einzig (adj.) only, single
- dar•stellen (verb) to depict, portray
- Platz, der, -(ä)-e (noun) place, room, square
- Zahl, die, -en (noun) number
- gemeinsam (adj.) common, mutual
- nah(e) (adj.) near, close; (prep.) near, close to
- System, das, -e (noun) system
- Uhr, die, -en (noun) clock
- dessen (dem. pron. / rel. pron.) whose (gen. form of der, das)
- Eltern, die (pl. noun) parents
- erkennen (verb) to recognize
- entwickeln (verb) to develop
- früher (adv.) earlier, in former times
- Straße, die, -n (noun) street
- reden (verb) to talk
- voll (adj.) full
- ** aus•sehen** (verb) to appear, look (a certain way)
- erscheinen (verb) to appear
- mehrere (adj./pron.) several
- Minute, die, -n (noun) minute
- zunächst (adv.) first, at first, for now
- Gruppe, die, -n (noun) group
- Wert, der, -e (noun) value; wert (adj.) worth
- Gesicht, das, -er (noun) face
- irgendwie (adv.) somehow
- Sprache, die, -n (noun) language
- bilden (verb) to form, educate
- dadurch (adv.) through it, as a result
- direkt (adj.) direct, straight
- international (adj.) international
- sozial (adj.) social
- an•fangen (verb) to begin
- best- (adj.) best
- bisher (adv.) until now
- erwarten (verb) to expect
- Anfang, der, -e (noun) beginning
- nämlich (adv.) namely
- jen- (det./pron.) that, those
- wohnen (verb) to live
- rot (adj.) red
- offen (adj.) open
- Ort, der, -e (noun) place, town, location
- naja (part.) well …
- Moment, der (noun) moment
- betreffen (verb) to affect, concern
- meist- (adj.) most
- warten (verb) to wait
- Folge, die, -n (noun) result, consequence, series
- ab (prep.) from
- besonder- (adj.) special
- gewiss (adj.) certain
- Interesse, das, -n (noun) interest
- manchmal (adv.) sometimes
- Milliarde, die, -n (noun) billion
- Rolle, die, -n (noun) role
- jemand (pron.) someone
- vergehen (verb) to elapse (time); to decay
- öffentlich (adj.) public
- Tür, die, -en (noun) door
400-500
- Schüler, der, – (noun) pupil, student (primary and secondary level)
- Bedeutung, die, -en (noun) meaning
- Text, der, -e (noun) text
- ach (part.) oh
- Ergebnis, das, -se (noun) result ⛳
- helfen (verb) to help
- Krieg, der, -e (noun) war
- sechs (num.) six
- niemand (pron.) nobody
- gewinnen (verb) to win
- halb (adj.) half
- schließen (verb) to close
- Weise, die, -n (noun) way, manner ⛳
- Regierung, die, -en (noun) government
- wahrscheinlich (adj./adv.) probable; probably
- europäisch (adj.) European
- Stück, das, -e (noun) piece
- Wohnung, die, -en (noun) apartment
- fühlen (verb) to feel
- Gespräch, das, -e (noun) conversation
- bieten (verb) to offer
- interessieren (verb) to interest; sich interessieren to be interested
- wesentlich (adj.) essential, fundamental ⛳
- erinnern (verb) to remind; sich erinnern to remember
- Meter, der, – (noun) meter
- her (adv.) (in a direction) away from ⛳
- Punkt, der, -e (noun) dot, point, period ⛳
- Situation, die, -en (noun) situation
- ähnlich (adj.) similar⛳
- ergeben (verb) to result in, yield⛳
- dagegen (adv.) against it, on the other hand⛳
- häufig (adj.) frequent
- Lehrer, der, –(noun) teacher
- an•bieten (verb) to offer
- ebenso (adv.) just as, as much as, as well
- studieren (verb) to study
- danach (adv.) after it, afterwards
- Preis, der, -e (noun) price, prize
- Abbildung, die, -en (noun) illustration
- Begriff, der, -e (noun) concept, idea, term
- Funktion, die, -en (noun) function
- verbinden (verb) to connect, link
- ziemlich (adv.) quite, fairly
- an•sehen (verb) to look at, watch
- Boden, der, -(ö) (noun) ground, floor, bottom
- fehlen (verb) to lack, to be missing, be absent (+ dat. obj.)
- Jahrhundert, das, -e (noun) century
- Sohn, der, -(ö)-e (noun) son
- Werk, das, -e (noun) work; factory
- bedeuten (verb) to mean
- schwarz (adj.) black
- vergleichen (verb) to compare
- außerdem (adv.) besides, in addition
- inzwischen (adv.) in the meantime
- sofort (adv.) immediately
- steigen (verb) to climb, increase ⛳
- Stimme, die, -n (noun) voice
- acht (num.) eight
- plötzlich (adj./adv.) sudden(ly) ⛳
- Rahmen, der, – (noun) frame, framework
- Richtung, die, -en (noun) direction
- völlig (adj.) complete
- nutzen (verb) to use
- Programm, das, -e (noun) program, schedule
- Angst, die, -(Ä)-e (noun) fear, anxiety
- gering (adj.) low (amount/level), small
- Information, die, -en (noun) information
- Kunst, die -(ü)-e (noun) art
- Musik, die (noun) music
- schauen (verb) to look
- schwierig (adj.) difficult
- Politik, die (noun) politics
- verlassen (verb) to leave
- manch- (det./pron.) some, many a
- bald (adv.) soon
- ein•setzen (verb) to put in, insert
- Beruf, der, -e (noun) occupation, job, profession
- praktisch (adj.) practical
- ändern (verb) to change
- genug (adv.) enough
- persönlich (adj./adv.) personal(ly)
- wachsen (verb) to grow
- aus•gehen (verb) to go out; assume
- Regel, die , -n (noun) rule
- Schritt, der, -e (noun) step
- jährig (adj.) -year-old
- Absatz, der -(ä)-e (noun) sales; paragraph; heel
- geschehen (verb) to happen, occur (+ dat. obj.)
- Gott, der, -(ö)-er (noun) god; God
- Auto, das, -s (noun) car
- beschreiben (verb) to describe
- Beziehung, die, -en (noun) relation, relationship
- Erfahrung, die, -en (noun) experience
- Tisch, der, -e (noun) table
- an•nehmen(verb) to accept, assume
- endlich (adv.) finally, at last
- kriegen (verb) to get, receive
- Zukunft, die, -(ü)-e (noun) future
- planen (verb) to plan
- Spiel, das, -e (noun) game