Skip to content
Language Librarian

A1 Guide

Welcome to the A1 stage of German learning! This is where it all begins—you’re diving into the essentials. Think of A1 as your survival kit for everyday situations in German-speaking environments. It’s not about perfection yet.

At A1, your goal is to establish a strong foundation. You’ll concentrate on learning the alphabet, pronunciation, and some core vocabulary while familiarising yourself with the fundamental grammar rules that govern the language. The early stages might feel overwhelming, but with consistent practice, you’ll start to recognize patterns and begin to build confidence.

Let’s break down exactly what you need to know and the best strategies to get there.

What You’ll Learn at A1

Vocabulary: Your First 500 Words

By the end of A1, you’ll know around 500–700 words—enough to handle basic conversations and navigate daily life. Here’s what to focus on:

  • Everyday Phrases: Hallo (Hello), Guten Morgen (Good morning), and Wie heißt du? (What’s your name?).
  • Common Nouns: Words for things you see every day, like Haus (house), Tisch (table), and Buch (book).
  • Basic Verbs: Get comfortable with action words like sein (to be), haben (to have), and gehen (to go).
  • Adjectives for Description: klein (small), groß (big), neu (new), and alt (old).
  • Numbers, Time, and Days: Learn how to count, talk about the time, and name the days of the week.

Grammar: Cracking the Basics

German grammar has a reputation for being tricky, but don’t let it scare you. Start with the essentials:

  • Sentence Structure: Get a handle on Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order for simple sentences like Ich gehe nach Hause (I’m going home). Practice how questions change the word order.
  • Present Tense Verbs: Learn how to conjugate regular verbs (spielen: ich spiele, du spielst) and a few irregulars like sein and haben.
  • Personal Pronouns: Words like ich, du, er/sie/es (I, you, he/she/it) are your go-to tools for constructing sentences.
  • Negation: Start saying “no” in German with nicht (not) and kein (no).
  • Noun Genders: Every noun has a gender (der, die, das), and it’s worth learning these as you go.
  • Cases: Start with the nominative (subject) and accusative (direct object) cases. For example: Ich habe einen Hund (I have a dog).

Listening and Pronunciation

Listening and mimicking are crucial for building a good accent and understanding native speakers:

  • Pay attention to tricky sounds like the umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and the ch in ich and ach.
  • Use programs like Pimsleur or Coffee Break German to practice listening to slow, clear speech.
  • Try repeating phrases until they feel natural.

Speaking: Jump In Right Away

Don’t wait to start speaking—it’s the best way to lock in what you learn. Examples of what you can say at A1:

  • Introducing yourself: Ich heiße Anna und komme aus Spanien. (My name is Anna, and I’m from Spain.)
  • Asking for help: Wo ist der Bahnhof? (Where is the train station?)
  • Ordering at a café: Ich möchte einen Kaffee, bitte. (I’d like a coffee, please.)

Reading and Writing

  • Start small with signs, menus, and short ads.
  • Practice writing basic sentences about yourself: Ich wohne in Berlin. Ich arbeite als Lehrer. (I live in Berlin. I work as a teacher.)

Getting Started: Tools and Strategies

1. Use a Structured Course

A structured course will sequence skills and vocabulary in a logical order, allowing each lesson to build on previous ones. Follow a course like Nicos Weg, a free online program that combines storytelling with interactive exercises. For more options, visit our recommended resources page.

2. Make Flashcards Your Best Friend

Spaced repetition tools like Anki are amazing for vocabulary. Use pre-made decks or create your own as you learn new words. Look into shared decks like 4000 German Words by Frequency or the DW Nicos Weg A1 Deck.

3. Dive into German Media

Even at A1, you can start listening to podcasts or watching videos designed for beginners. Check out more beginner-friendly media options on our recommended resources page. Try Coffee Break German or Easy German on YouTube. Subtitles are your friend here!

4. Start Speaking Today

Find a conversation partner on iTalki or Tandem. Speaking early on helps you internalize grammar and vocabulary much faster than silent study alone.

5. Keep Grammar Simple and Useful

Focus on the grammar you’ll use the most:

  • Basic sentence structures.
  • Verb conjugations in the present tense.
  • Everyday cases (nominative and accusative).

Key Takeaways

To stay on track, focus on these three pillars:

  1. Core Vocabulary: Stick to the 500 most common words that you’ll actually use.
  2. Practical Grammar: Learn just enough grammar to start forming sentences.
  3. Speaking Confidence: Speak as much as you can, even if it’s messy.

Starting German at A1 is like assembling a toolkit. You’re gathering the basic tools you need to survive and communicate. Keep practicing every day, and soon you’ll be ready to tackle the more complex challenges of A2. Enjoy the ride—you’ve got this!