Learn German Easily 2024
The FAST Guide to Learning German for Complete Beginners
Learn German Easily: The FAST Guide to Learning German for Complete Beginners is put together for novice who intend to learn not just the language but also the culture.
This is a step-by-step tutorial with a single purpose in mind: To assist total novices in learning German quickly.
Learn German Easily
Is learning to speak German hard?
No, the notion that learning German is difficult is a fallacy. It takes time and dedication to learn any language. The German language is the same way.
All it takes is enough determination and hard effort to achieve your objective. And if you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve put together some pointers in this post that can help you learn German quickly. Let’s be honest. Learning German will be more difficult for Chinese individuals than for English native speakers.
This is due to the fact that German is a member of the Germanic languages group of Indo-European languages, which shares many characteristics with other Germanic languages such as English and Dutch.
Why Learn the German Language
There are a number of reasons why you should learn the German language, and we’ve listed most of them below:
EARN
- Germany is the second-largest exporter in the world.
- Germany’s economy is ranked first in Europe and fourth globally. Its economy is similar to the combined economies of all Spanish-speaking countries in the globe.
- Numerous multinational firms have their headquarters in Germany.
- Germany has made a ten-billion-dollar direct investment in the United States.
KNOW
- In the European Union, Germany has the largest number of native speakers (far more than English, Spanish, or French).
- German is one of the top ten most widely spoken languages on the planet. It is also a Central and Eastern European lingua franca. What about the claim that “all Germans speak English anyway”? That is a complete fabrication.
- Scientists from the three major German-speaking nations have won 22 Nobel Prizes in Physics, 30 in Chemistry, and 25 in Medicine, while many laureates from other countries acquired their education at German universities. Eleven Nobel Prizes in Literature have been granted to German-language writers, and the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to seven Germans and Austrians.
- Germans are world leaders in engineering.
- German and English have a lot in common. Because the two languages share the same “grandparent,” many German words sound and/or look the same as similar English ones.
- From Fritz Lang through Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wenders, and a new generation of transnational directors like Tom Tykwer and Fatih Akin, the German-speaking world has produced some of the most acclaimed filmmakers of the twentieth century. Lang, Billy Wilder, and Ernst Lubitsch were among the German and Austrian directors who molded Hollywood’s history.
THINK
- Goethe, Marx, Nietzsche, and Kafka all wrote in German, as did Mann, Brecht, and Grass. Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, Wagner, Mahler, and Schoenberg, as well as Freud, Weber, Einstein, and Heisenberg, Kant, Hegel, and Heidegger, all spoke and wrote German.
- German is the world’s second most widely spoken scientific language.
- Only around a quarter of the world’s books are published in German, and only a few of them are ever translated into English.
- German is the key to obtaining a world-class education..
- Many of the most significant works of philosophy, literature, music, art history, religion, psychology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and medicine in the Western world were published in German and are still being written in German.
How Long Does It Take To Learn German?
Learning German can be challenging, especially if you are a natural speaker of a language that is not in the Indo-European family.
But, no matter what your first language is, and even if German appears difficult at first, don’t give up. If you’re wondering if there are any shortcuts or specialized strategies to learn German, we’ve included a couple in this tutorial that will assist you in making accelerated progress.
There is no time frame that can ensure your success in learning German, but persistence is the most crucial factor. You’re not going to wake up one day and be able to communicate fluently in German. That’s something you’d only see in a movie. You’ll notice results quickly if you just take one step at a time.
How Do I Learn German Quickly?
Learning a new language takes a varying amount of time based on a variety of factors such as past experience and exposure to the language, resilience, effort put into the learning process, motivation, and so on. However, if you practice on a regular basis for at least three to six months, you should be able to hold a daily conversation with a buddy and do tasks such as entering a café and ordering in German. Learn about German citizenship test.
Some people struggle more than others and take longer to achieve that level, but this is usually due to a lack of effort and frequent practice. It will certainly take a few years of practice to speak German well.
How To Learn the German Language
Here’s how to learn German easily and quickly:
- Find a compelling cause to keep you motivated.
- Learn everything there is to know about the German language.
- Practice on a daily basis. Speak with native German speakers if at all feasible.
- Learn slang, quirky phrases, and idioms to keep things interesting.
- It is said that understanding the fundamentals is the key to success. So, if you’re wondering where to begin learning German as a total novice, we recommend starting with the letters.
The German language, like English, contains 26 letters. There are a few letters that have no English pronunciation: ä,ö,ü, and ü, but these letters are not included in the Alphabet. Practice pronouncing them correctly, since this can considerably help you alter your accent.
German Alphabets |
|||
| Alphabet | Pronunciation | Alphabet | Pronunciation |
| A | Ah | N | Enn |
| B | Beh | O | Oh |
| C | Tseh | P | Peh |
| D | Deh | Q | Kuh |
| E | Eh | R | Err |
| F | Eff | S | Ess |
| G | Geh | T | Teh |
| H | Hah | U | Uh |
| I | Ih | V | Fau |
| J | Yott | W | Veh |
| K | Kah | X | Iks |
| L | Ell | Y | Ypsilon |
| M | Emm | Z | Tzett |
German Language Grammar
What makes you think a language is difficult? Isn’t it just a matter of grammar? Grammar is often a headache for anybody learning a new language, and this is not unique to the German language. However, if you master this section, you’ll be speaking German fluently in no time.
Tenses In German
Prasens, Präteritum, Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt, Futur I, and Futur II are the six tenses in German.
In English, Präsens refers to the Present tense.
Präteritum relates to Perfect tenses,
Past Perfect is referred to as Plusquamperfekt.
The Future tense is represented by Futur I.
Futur II is made up of the Future perfect, as well as the words “will” and “have.”
This relationship isn’t flawless, but it will make it simpler for you to learn German grammar if you look at the tenses in this manner. They have four cases to deal with (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive). The 16 variants that “the” of English takes on German in different contexts and genders is a tough element about German that many people note frequently. Die (for feminine nouns), der (for masculine nouns), and das (for neutral gender) are the three noun prepositions in German.
Every time you learn a new word in the German language, you must also learn what preposition goes before it. It may be perplexing at first since a biological gender does not always correspond to its grammatical gender. With exceptions, there are some rules that determine which noun gets which article. There’s no reason to get too worked up over this. Although you must learn them all mechanically, a large portion of this grammar essential will begin to make sense to you shortly.
German Phrases and Daily Expressions
When learning a new language, you definitely don’t want to start with all of the grammatical rules and other complexities that come with it.
Apart from the desire to enhance your knowledge, language learning is all about the fun and entertainment factor. To accomplish this, you’ll need to start with a question that makes you wonder what’s next, catch your attention, and ignite your motivation.
There is no better approach to learn German than to begin with learning a few words and everyday phrases such as saying hello or asking for something. This will offer you a sense of accomplishment and increase your self-assurance. To begin, here are a few fundamental German everyday terms. Examine them and then attempt to imagine a basic conversation in your thoughts.
How To Say… in German |
|
| Hallo! – Hello! | Wie heißen Sie? – What’s your name? |
| Willkommen! – Welcome! | Ich bin hier wegen + Genitiv… – I’m here for… |
| Guten Morgen! – Good Morning! | Tschüß! – Bye! |
| Vielen Dank! – Thank you very much! | Ich komme aus… – I’m from |
| Fröhliche Weihnachten – Merry Christmas | Mir geht’s gut. – I’m doing well |
| Ich heiβe… – My name is… | Wie geht’s? – How are you? |
| Danke! – Thank you! | Bis später! – See you later |
| Guten Abend! – Good evening! | Mir geht’s nicht gut. – I’m not doing well |
| Alles Gute zum Geburtstag – Happy Birthday | |
Learn German Easily – Funny German Words
Let’s have a little more fun with this, shall we? Like any other language, there are terms in German that sound hilarious when translated literally into English.
In English, for example, what do you call someone who pees outside the toilet?
In English, there is no unique term for these people, but in German, they are known as “Wildpinkler,” which literally translates to “wild pee-er.” Here’s a list of the ten funniest German terms, along with their English translations.
Brustwarze – breast wart
This word literally means “breast wart”. In English, it means “nipple.” This isn’t the only time someone has used a quirky word to describe a bodily component. There’s also Zahnfleisch (tooth-meat), which is the German word for gums.
Liebfrauenmilch – beloved lady milk
This word refers to the Virgin Mary and comes from a German wine from the 1700s. The term “Liebfrauenmilch” is currently a legally recognized German wine (from the Mosel region).
Handschuhe – hand shoes
Germans don’t have the time or patience to coin a distinct term for the clothing we wear on various body parts. Everything you put in your hands is referred to as Handschuhe, which means “hand shoes” in English.
Klobrille – toilet glasses
Germans are famed for their attention to detail. Some people claim that when they check into a hotel and decide to spend the night there, they inspect the toilets to ensure that they are all clean. Toilet glasses aren’t a unique equipment used by Germans to check toilets. They’re nothing more than toilet seats.
Stinktier – Stink animal
Germans give animals names based on their scent, appearance, or any other physical or non-physical feature that distinguishes them from the others. The slug is a snail that looks like an animal but doesn’t have a home. It’s known in Germany as Nacktschnecke, which translates to “naked snail.” Wolverine is known as Vielfraß, which translates to “eating a lot.”
Eselsbrücke – donkey’s bridge
This word refers to a technique for remembering something when it doesn’t spring to mind at the time you need it. The phrase “pons asinorum” comes from the Latin term “pons asinorum” (bridge of donkeys).
Donnerbalken – thunder beam
This term originally referred to a military latrine, but it is currently used to refer to a toilet. The slang term “thunderbox” would be appropriate in English. You can probably figure out what’s hilarious about it.
Durchfall is a German word that means “throughfall.” In English, it means “diarrhea.” It comes from Greek and it means “through-flow”
Wildpinkler – wild pee-er
When it comes to persons who pee outside of a toilet, it’s a distinctive term. According to a report, “Wildpinkler”–s were destroying the historic walls of Ulm Minister church for the sake of your interest.
Dudelsack – yodel sack
Dudelsack is the name of a well-known Scottish musical instrument. It literally means “tootle sack.”
German Idioms
“If you want to learn the German language, you have to think like a German,” you’ve undoubtedly heard.
To put it another way, you must comprehend a statement beyond its literal meaning. In English, for example, they say “I’m out of gas,” yet no one is rushing out of nowhere.
It simply indicates that there isn’t enough gas in the automobile. These are idioms, and there are a lot of them in Germany. Idioms are nothing more than metaphorical statements.
In some ways, they show a country’s social and cultural history. Although an English phrase may sound similar to a German term, they are often diametrically opposed. The English expression “piece of cake,” for example, alludes to anything we completed with ease and satisfaction. It’s “Das schaffe ich mit links” in German, which translates to “I could only accomplish it with my left hand.”
As a result, understanding idioms will provide you a more creative way of expressing yourself.
German Idioms & Their English Meaning
Here are some German idioms and their English translations.
Da steppt der Bär (Literally: The bear dances there) – It will be a good party
Tomaten auf den Augen haben (Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes) – to be unaware of what is going around you
Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen (Literally: Put heaven and hell in motion) – to move heaven and earth
Eine Extrawurst verlangen (Literally: to ask for an extra sausage) – ask for special treatment
Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen (Literally: You can take poison on that) – you can bet on it
den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen (Literally: to hit the nail on the head) – you hit it right
seinen Senf dazugeben (Literally: to add their mustard) – to put two cents in
klar wie Kloßbrühe (Literally: clear as soup) – clear as crystal
Schwein haben (Literally: to have a pig) – to be lucky
German Slang
If you’re stranded on the streets of Berlin and can’t understand what others are saying, these slang expressions will come in handy. Here are a few to get you started:
Auf dicke Hose machen
When someone acts as if they are stronger or wealthier than others, this phrase is used. It literally means “act as though you had enormous trousers.”
Gebongt sein
It denotes that a bargain has been reached. When you buy something, you get a “bon,” which is a receipt. The term “gebongt” refers to anything that has been agreed upon or reserved.
Was geht ab?
In English, it’s the equivalent of “What’s up?” Teenagers use the even shorter variant, “Was geht.”
Is a greeting that simultaneously says “hi” and “what are you doing?” It’s also used to question the other person “how are you doing?” coupled with “gehts” and various greeting phrases like “Na, alles gut?”
Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben
It denotes that you are insane. You don’t have all the cups in your cabinet, literally.
Bock haben
It means to be in a happy mood. They are in a terrible mood when they say “Null bock.”
Die Nase voll haben
It literally means “to have your nose full,” and it alludes to having enough of something to the point that you’ve lost all interest in it.
Chillen
Is a German slang variant of the English phrase “to relax,” which means “to hang out, have fun.”
Aus der Reihe tanzen
Refers to persons who choose to stay off the grid and act differently than the others. It might also have a good connotation for someone who is simply going about his business.
German Culture
Germany has a diverse cultural heritage. It was the home of numerous intellectuals and historical events for centuries. They affected and formed not just the old continent of Europe’s civilization, but also the culture of the entire world. Their imprints may be found all throughout the world and throughout history.
With approximately 81 million people, Germany is Europe’s second most populous country, after only Russia. Germans account for 91 percent of the population, with Turkish constituting the largest minority group at 2.4 percent. 70% say they are Christians, 3.7 percent say they are Muslims, and the remainder say they don’t belong to a religion or have a faith that isn’t Christian or Muslim. Learn how to migrate to Germany.
How Does It Feel To Be A German?
Germans have a reputation for being hard workers. They value perfection and dislike making excuses or jokes about it. Their demeanor seems chilly and unpleasant at first, yet they are decent individuals in the end. They are passionate about cuisine, thus it’s no surprise that they have a large number of classic meals. Beer is their preferred beverage. Germans drink 106 litters of beer per capita per year, which places them third in the world. Germany manufactures about 300 different types of baked bread.
One of the major festivities conducted in Germany is Oktoberfest, the largest celebration of their favorite beverage, beer. The Berlin Cinema Festival brings together superstars from the film and art worlds from all over the world.
The Germans excel in the building and automotive sectors, making them one of the world’s most formidable rivals in these sectors. Their influence on historical architecture may be found all throughout Europe (Romanesque buildings, Gothics, Classicists, Baroque, Rococos and Renascences). There are mostly historic castles and religious artifacts. The Cathedral of Ulm, which stands 161.53 meters tall, is Germany’s tallest church.
People like Einstein and Mozart were born in the country of many notable intellectuals who made their stamp on history and donated to the world. Germany is recognized as “Das Land der Dichter und Denker” (the country of poets and thinkers).
German Food
Another thing that will make you fall in love with Germany is its traditional delectable cuisine. The following are the ten most well-known German foods:
Top German Meals |
|
| German Delicacies | Description |
| Spätzle | Spätzle is a kind of vegetarian pasta, which contains eggs, flour, salt, and little water to inflate the dough. |
| Bratwurst | Bratwursts are sausages from pork meat and are part of every barbeque in Germany. Most known are the ones from Nurnberg. |
| Currywurst | Are also pork meat. This food was invented in Berlin by Herta Heuwer in 1949. |
| Bratkartoffeln | Potatoes are regarded as a traditional German dish. It’s hardly surprising that they made a comedy out of it. Every day, Germans consume at least a bit of this cuisine. |
| Sauerbraten | This is a meat dish. Basically, you just submerge a piece of beef in heated liquids for hours and hours, and you’ll end up with soft, delectable meat. |
| Maultaschen | If you’re in Germany, Maultaschen is another delectable dish to try. It’s a meal with a lot of meat, such as pig and beef, but there’s also a vegetarian variation. |
| Leberkäse | The other pork-based dish is seen below. Rather than being a whole meal, Leberkäse is served in little portions with bread and mustard. It’s a sausage, but unlike other German sausages, it’s cooked for a lengthy period in the oven. |
| Schnitzel | You slice veal flesh and coat it with flour, egg, and small bits of bread before frying it in oil or butter till golden brown on the exterior. That is how Schnitzel is prepared. |
| Rouladen | Rouladen is a time-consuming dish to prepare. If you want to cook it, you’ll need a thin slice of pork on which to layer components like mustard, onions, and ham before rolling it into a cylinder shape. After that, you’ll need to grill it. |
| Gulasch | You assumed Gulasch came from somewhere else. You were accurate, of course. The Germans, on the other hand, have their own version. German Gulasch consists of a sliced piece of beef coupled with a rich sauce and, occasionally, wine, which softens and tenderizes the flesh. |
German Language Mistakes To Avoid
Language tutors will constantly tell you to make errors if you want to learn a language quickly. There’s no need to be self-conscious about it because making errors can help you discover your problems and conquer them.
When people begin learning a second language other than their mother tongue, they encounter several issues that are common for that language, such as an English native. Some of these blunders are caused by mispronunciation or incorrectly connecting a term to your own tongue. When you say “bekommen,” it may conjure up images of the phrase “to become,” but it actually refers to the process of receiving something.
Ich bekomme ein Geschenk – I get a present
Prepositions are another typical blunder made by persons learning German. There are no universal guidelines when it comes to this, so you’ll have to rely on your recollection. But don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it and everything will come effortlessly to you. For instance, “nach Hause” indicates “to the house,” but “zu Hause” denotes “to the house as a location.” A word-for-word translation is another blunder. The structure of sentences in German may differ from that of your native tongue. Here’s an illustration:
Dem Jungen gab ich einen Ball. – I gave the boy a ball.
It would be “The boy gave I one ball” if we translated it word by word. You see, it may indicate something completely different or it could be completely incorrect.
Mistakes in pronunciation are also prevalent. Here are only a few examples.
The letter “z”
The German letter “z” in English is spelled like “ts”. For example, “der Sturz” (crash).
The umlauts “ö”, and “ü”
These two vowels are considered to be the most difficult to pronounce. Such sounds do not exist in English. It’s difficult for a native German to tell you how to do it because of this. It could help you think about the “e” sound in the word “every,” but you’ll need to round your lips immediately. It will become natural to you after some practice.
Alternate forms of “ch”
Depending on whatever letter comes before it, the “ch” may have a varied sound. If you put “i” or “e” in front of “ch,” it creates a hissing sound like a cat. Touch your tongue on the roof of your mouth or your hard palate to make this sound. When the letters “a,” “o,” or “u” appear in front of the letters “a,” “o,” or “u,” the back of your neck creates a harsh sound. Obviously, it is not so simple; you must train your ear to recognize sounds, therefore listen to as many German-language audios as possible.
The letter “s”
In English, this letter is commonly spelt with a “z,” however it can also be spelled differently. If it’s letters like “z” at the end, and if it’s not, it’s always spelt like the English “z” at the end. In English, the double “SS” is always spelt as “s.”
The rules of “st” and “sp”
When “st” appears at the beginning of a word, it is pronounced as “sht”, but when “sp” appears at the start of a word, it is pronounced as “shp” in English. Consider the terms “die Straβe”, “der Strand”, “der Spaβ.”
When “st” and “sp” appear at the end of a word, ike “St” respectively “sp” in English.
Free Apps To Learn The German Language
Technology is now on your side. Make sure you put it to good use. There are several free online programs available on the Internet that might help you improve your language abilities. You may get them for free, and downloading them just takes a few minutes. Here are a few of these applications to think about:
German Language Apps |
|
| Apps | Description |
| Anki | It’s a flashcard-based program that will help you expand your vocabulary. You may create your own flashcards using text, graphics, or audio, or you can download ready-made ones. |
| Memrise | You can learn and socialize at the same time with Memrise. Using German, you may compete with your pals. This software also has different programs, so once you’ve finished with German, you may switch to something else. |
| WordPic | This software will help you broaden your vocabulary and practice your pronunciation by using visuals. |
| Babbel | You’ll come across questions in Babbel that offer many response options. The app plays out questions so you may practice your pronunciation. |
| DeutscheAcademie | This app is just for the purpose of practicing. You have access to a variety of materials that can assist you in improving your German language skills. |
| Wie geht’s | Is a multi-purpose software that covers a wide range of themes. It is mostly concerned with vocabulary. It may be used with or without a connection to the Internet. |
| Duolingo | Duolingo is a popular language learning program for German and other languages. It’s an online course where you may create your own goals and construct your own profile. |
Speed Up Learning The German Language
It takes time to learn a language, and you must be patient with yourself. Using a tutorial like this one can help you learn a language faster and achieve your objectives sooner than you expect.
However, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning German because people learn in various ways. So look for a learning method that works best for you.
When learning a language, pronunciation is always a challenge, so make sure you view a lot of YouTube videos to get your ears adjusted to hearing German. Download and listen to German songs with lyrics on a regular basis. Carry a portable dictionary with you and jot down any words that spring to mind that you’d want to learn in German.
Learn German – Tips To Note
Remember that there are a lot of individuals studying German, so make an effort to connect with them and share your language skills. It’s a great way to not only practice and track your progress, but also meet new people.
Many internet forums exist where ambitious students may debate ways to learn German while also practicing the language. Participate in topics by joining them. Make this a good time. It’s a well-known truth that while you’re having fun, your brain memorizes and links information, so strive to keep yourself entertained.
Inertia is a universal rule; you may struggle at first, but once you get going, stopping becomes difficult. There is no greater pleasure than engaging your intellect and solving a difficult task.
Enjoy the journey, not just the end result. Take a chance. You can both educate and enjoy yourself.
Finally, continuous practice is all that is required.
Get more tips on studying in Germany
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