If you are learning German vocabulary, why not start with the 100 most frequently used German words? When you are done with this frequency list, head over to the 1000 most common German words so you can master the first 1000. The 1000 word list uses a different dataset, so the first 100 may be slightly different.
Other great ways to level up your German:
- A private German tutor will help you stay motivated like a personal trainer. Many of our tutors are German dialect coaches that work with famous actors!
- Enroll in a fun + social online group German class
- Watch Netflix in Original language with original language captions
- Browse our list of the best GERMAN text books
- Do some quick daily exercises on DuoLingo or any other free language learning app
- Take a look free German vocab and grammar materials on the blog
- Check your level on our 5-min German placement CEFR test.
| 1. der / die / das (def. art.) the; (dem. pron.) that, those; (rel. |
| pron) who, that |
| 2. und (conj.) and |
| 3. sein (verb) to be; (aux./perfect tense) |
| 4. in (prep.) in [variation: im in the] |
| 5. ein (indef. art.) a, an; (pron.) one (of) |
| 6. zu (prep.) to, at; (adv.) too |
| 7. haben (verb) to have; (aux./perfect tense) |
| 8. ich (pers. pron.) I |
| 9. werden (verb) to become; (aux./future tense); ; |
| (aux./passive voice) |
| 10. sie (pron.) she, her; they, them; Sie (pron.) you (formal) |
| 11. von (prep.) from, of |
| 12. nicht (adv.) not |
| 13. mit (prep.) with |
| 14. es (pron.) it |
| 15. sich (refl. pron.) -self |
| 16. auch (adv.) also, too |
| 17. auf (prep.) on, at, in |
| 18. für (prep.) for |
| 19. an (prep.) at, on [variation: am at/on the] |
| 20. er (pron.) he |
| 21. so (adv.) so; thus, this way, such |
| 22. dass (conj.) that |
| 23. können (verb) can, to be able |
| 24. dies (pron.) this, that |
| 25. als (conj.) as, when; (adv.) than |
| 26. ihr (pron.) you, her; (poss. adj.) her, their, hers, theirs; Ihr |
| (poss. adj.) your (formal) |
| 27. ja (adv.) yes; certainly, really |
| 28. wie (adv.) how; as |
| 29. bei (prep.) by, with, at |
| 30. oder (conj.) or |
| 31. wir (pron.) we |
| 32. aber (conj.) but; (adv./flavoring particle) |
| 33. dann (adv.) then |
| 34. man (pron.) one, you |
| 35. da (adv.) there; (conj.) because |
| 36. sein (poss. adj.) his, its |
| 37. noch (adv.) still, yet |
| 38. nach (prep.) after, toward |
| 39. was (pron.) what |
| 40. also (adv.) so, therefore |
| 41. aus (prep.) out, out of, from |
| 42. all (pron.) all |
| 43. wenn (conj.) if, when |
| 44. nur (adv.) only |
| 45. müssen (verb) to have to, must |
| 46. sagen (verb) to say |
| 47. um (prep.) around, at [variation: um … zu in order to] |
| 48. über (prep.) above, over, about |
| 49. machen (verb) to do, make |
| 50. kein (pron.) no, not a/an |
| 51. Jahr das, -e (noun) year |
| 52. du (pron.) you |
| 53. mein (poss. adj.) my |
| 54. schon (adv.) already; (adv./flavoring particle) |
| 55. vor (prep.) in front of, before, ago |
| 56. durch (prep.) through |
| 57. geben (verb) to give |
| 58. mehr (adv.) more |
| 59. andere, anderer, anderes (adj./pron.) other |
| 60. viel (adj./pron.) much, a lot, many |
| 61. kommen (verb) to come |
| 62. jetzt (adv.) now |
| 63. sollen (verb) should, ought to |
| 64. mir (pron.) me |
| 65. wollen (verb) to want |
| 66. ganz (adj.) whole, all the; (adv.) quite |
| 67. mich (pron.) me |
| 68. immer (adv.) always |
| 69. gehen (verb) to go |
| 70. sehr (adv.) very |
| 71. hier (adv) here |
| 72. doch (adv.) however, still; (adv./flavoring particle) |
| 73. bis (prep./conj.) until |
| 74. groß (adj.) big, large, great |
| 75. wieder (adv.) again |
| 76. Mal das, -e (noun) time; mal (conj.) times [math]; (adv.) |
| time(s); once; just |
| 77. zwei (num.) two |
| 78. gut (adj.) good |
| 79. wissen (verb) to know |
| 80. neu (adj.) new |
| 81. sehen (verb) to see |
| 82. lassen (verb) to let, allow, have (something) done |
| 83. uns (pron.) us |
| 84. weil (conj.) because |
| 85. unter (prep.) under |
| 86. denn (conj.) because; (adv./flavoring particle) |
| 87. stehen (verb) to stand |
| 88. jede, jeder, jedes (art./pron.) every, each |
| 89. Beispiel, das, -e (noun) example |
| 90. Zeit, die (noun) time |
| 91. erste, erster, erstes (adj.) first |
| 92. ihm (pron.) him, it |
| 93. ihn (pron.) him |
| 94. wo (adv.) where |
| 95. lang (adj.) long; lange (adv.) for a long time |
| 96. eigentlich (adv.) actually; (adj.) actual, real |
| 97. damit (adv.) with it; (conj.) so that |
| 98. selbst, selber (pron.) -self; (adv.) even |
| 99. unser (poss. adj.) our |
| 100. oben (adv.) above, up there |
By learning the 100 most frequently used German words you will open the keys to getting to Strommen level 2 or 3. The 100 most frequently used German words below are compiled from a scientific study conducted by Randall Jones & Erwin Tschirner. For a longer list of the most common German words, consult their book A Frequency Dictionary of German. Core Vocabulary for Learners.
