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German vocabulary by topic

150 topic word lists for life and work in Germany. Every noun comes with its article and plural, every word with an example sentence, flashcards and a short test.

How to use it

Learn words in topics, not alphabetically: the words you need at the doctor, in a flat viewing or in a job interview belong together. Each list shows the level it is usually taught at, and links to the lessons where the words appear in dialogues.

Always learn nouns with their article: der Termin, not just Termin. When you are unsure, use the noun gender lookup or practise with the der, die, das trainer.

Everyday life

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธGreetings and introductionsHello, goodbye, your name and where you come from: the very first German words.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธNumbers and quantitiesNumbers, halves, kilos and pieces: the words you need for prices and amounts.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธDays, months and seasonsMonday to Sunday, the seasons and words for weeks, months and holidays.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTime expressionsHours, minutes, parts of the day and words like frรผh, spรคt and pรผnktlich.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธColours and shapesBasic colours, light and dark, and shapes like Kreis, Dreieck and Quadrat.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFamily and relativesParents, siblings, grandparents, in-laws and cousins in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธParts of the bodyHead, back, stomach and more: say where it hurts at the doctor's.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธClothes and accessoriesJackets, trousers, shoes, scarves and sizes: shopping for clothes in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFood basicsBread, rice, eggs, meat and vegetables: the food words you need every day.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFruit and vegetablesApples, mangoes, onions, spinach and aubergines in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธIndian cooking and spicesCumin, turmeric, cardamom, lentils and cooking verbs for Indian food in Germany.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธKitchen and cookingPots, pans, appliances and cooking verbs for your German kitchen.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธDrinksWater, tea, coffee, juice and the bottle deposit (Pfand) in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRestaurant and cafรฉMenus, ordering, paying separately and tipping in German restaurants.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAt the supermarketTrolleys, checkouts, offers, receipts and deposit machines in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธShoppingShops, sales staff, receipts, card payment and returns in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRooms of the houseRooms, floors, stairs, balcony and cellar: describe your German flat.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFurnitureBeds, wardrobes, tables, lamps and verbs for setting up your flat.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHousehold choresCleaning, laundry, airing and rubbish: who does what at home.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธWeatherSun, rain, snow, wind and temperatures for daily small talk.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHobbies and free timeReading, games, outings, clubs and the verbs to talk about free time.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธSportsFootball, cricket, gym, teams, matches, winning and losing.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMusicSongs, singers, instruments, concerts and choirs in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFilm and TVFilms, series, episodes, subtitles and streaming in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFestivals and holidaysGerman festivals, public holidays, school holidays and seasonal greetings.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEmotions and feelingsHappy, sad, nervous, homesick: nouns, adjectives and verbs for feelings.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCharacter traitsStrengths, weaknesses and the adjectives Germans use to describe people.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธDescribing appearanceHeight, hair, beards, glasses and faces: describe how people look.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธDaily routineGetting up, commuting, lunch break, Feierabend and going to bed.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPets and animalsPets, farm animals and zoo animals, plus dog tax and the vet.

Living in Germany

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPlaces in townStation, town hall, pharmacy, library, temple and other places in town.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAsking for directionsLeft, right, straight ahead, crossings and traffic lights in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPublic transportBuses, trams, tickets, changing lines and ticket inspections in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTravelling by trainPlatforms, tickets, connections, delays, cancellations and refunds.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAir travelCheck-in, boarding pass, security, passport control and customs.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCars and drivingLicences, the Autobahn, parking, fines, garages and breakdowns.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCyclingBike parts, cycle lanes, locks, lights and repairs in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธBankingAccounts, IBAN, transfers, direct debits, cards and fees in German.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPost and parcelsLetters, stamps, parcels, tracking numbers and parcel lockers.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPhone and internetSIM cards, tariffs, data, Wi-Fi, routers and cancelling contracts.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFlat huntingAdverts, viewings, cold and warm rent, deposits and shared flats.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธThe rental contractKey terms in a German tenancy: deposit, notice, rent increases, defects.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธUtilities and billsElectricity, gas, heating, meter readings, statements and reminders.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMoving houseBoxes, vans, helpers, keys, mail forwarding and registering your new address.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธNeighbours and house rulesQuiet hours, noise, house rules, rubbish bins and talking to neighbours.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRegistering your addressAnmeldung, forms, documents and deadlines at the Bรผrgeramt.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธResidence permitsBlue Card, permits, extensions, settlement permit and citizenship terms.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTaxesTax classes, tax returns, deductions, refunds and the tax office.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธInsuranceLiability, contents and car insurance, premiums, excess and claims.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHealth insurancePublic and private cover, the health card, referrals, sick notes and co-payments.๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAt the doctor'sAppointments, symptoms, prescriptions and sick notes๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAt the pharmacyMedicine, dosage, side effects and prescriptions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธIn hospitalAdmission, ward, operation and discharge๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAt the dentistToothache, fillings, crowns and check-ups๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEmergenciesEmergency calls, accidents, fire and first aid๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPolice and reporting a crimeTheft, burglary, fraud and reporting to the police๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRecycling and wasteBins, bottles, deposits and bulky waste๐Ÿ—‚๏ธKita and schoolDaycare, school, teachers and parents' evenings๐Ÿ—‚๏ธUniversityLectures, exams, credits and enrolment๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAt the libraryLibrary card, borrowing, returning and renewing

Work and careers

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธJob searchJob adverts, requirements, employers and contracts๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCV and applicationCV, cover letter, certificates and replies๐Ÿ—‚๏ธThe job interviewStrengths, experience, goals and practical questions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธThe employment contractProbation, notice, working hours, leave and clauses๐Ÿ—‚๏ธSalary and payslipGross, net, deductions, tax and social insurance๐Ÿ—‚๏ธIn the officeDesk, equipment, colleagues and the working day๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMeetingsAgenda, minutes, proposals and decisions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธBusiness correspondenceLetters, emails, enquiries, offers and invoices๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPhone calls at workCalls, callbacks, messages and extensions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธIT and softwareSoftware, servers, bugs, updates and access๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEngineeringDesign, components, testing, standards and specs๐Ÿ—‚๏ธNursing and careShifts, handover, care, documentation and vital signs๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMedicineAnamnesis, findings, diagnosis, therapy and consent๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHospitality and tourismHotels, guests, bookings, service and tips๐Ÿ—‚๏ธLogistics and transportWarehouse, deliveries, pallets, freight and routes๐Ÿ—‚๏ธSales and marketingCustomers, brands, campaigns, turnover and trade fairs๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFinance and accountingBookkeeping, invoices, balance sheet and VAT๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHuman resourcesHiring, onboarding, appraisals, leave and dismissal๐Ÿ—‚๏ธStartups and foundingFounding, business plan, funding and legal forms๐Ÿ—‚๏ธProject managementMilestones, deadlines, risks and status reports๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPresentationsSlides, structure, charts, audience and questions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธNegotiationOffers, counter-offers, conditions and compromise๐Ÿ—‚๏ธWorkplace safetyProtective gear, accidents, signs and escape routes๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTools and workshopHammer, screwdriver, drill, screws and more๐Ÿ—‚๏ธConstructionBuilding site, trades, materials and building parts๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRetailShop, till, offers, sizes, returns and vouchers๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCustomer serviceEnquiries, complaints, refunds and warranty๐Ÿ—‚๏ธScience and researchStudies, methods, results, publications and proof๐Ÿ—‚๏ธLaw and legal termsLaws, sections, clauses, claims and objections๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRemote workHome office, video calls, connection and flexible hours

Society and ideas

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPoliticsGovernment, parliament, parties, laws and states๐Ÿ—‚๏ธElectionsVotes, ballot papers, campaigns, polls and results๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCourts and justiceCourts, judges, trials, verdicts and appeals๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMedia and newsNewspapers, headlines, reports, sources and press๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEnvironment and climateClimate change, pollution, weather extremes and nature๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEnergyElectricity, heating, renewables and the energy transition๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEconomyGrowth, inflation, markets, jobs and interest rates๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMigration and integrationImmigration, permits, courses, citizenship and identity๐Ÿ—‚๏ธReligion and beliefsFaith, prayer, places of worship and festivals๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHistoryCenturies, wars, division, reunification and memory๐Ÿ—‚๏ธThe education systemGrundschule, Gymnasium, Abitur and Ausbildung explained word by word๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTechnology and AIDevices, apps, data and KI: everyday tech words with articles๐Ÿ—‚๏ธSocial mediaPosts, comments, followers and sharing: social media words in German๐Ÿ—‚๏ธArtGemรคlde, Ausstellung, Kรผnstler: talk about art and museums in German๐Ÿ—‚๏ธLiteratureRoman, Gedicht, Handlung, Figur: talk and write about books๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTheatre and operaBรผhne, Auffรผhrung, Inszenierung: words for a night at the theatre๐Ÿ—‚๏ธArchitectureAltbau, Fassade, Fachwerkhaus: describe buildings and styles๐Ÿ—‚๏ธNature and wildlifeWald, Reh, Fuchs, Igel: animals and nature you meet in Germany๐Ÿ—‚๏ธGarden and plantsBalkon, Beet, GieรŸkanne: words for gardening and plants๐Ÿ—‚๏ธGeography and landscapeGebirge, Kรผste, Tal, Grenze: describe landscapes and regions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTravel in EuropeReisepass, Visum, Unterkunft: words for trips around Europe๐Ÿ—‚๏ธHiking and outdoorsWanderung, Zelt, Hรผtte: words for hiking and camping trips๐Ÿ—‚๏ธParentingHebamme, Elternzeit, Kindergeld: words for parents in Germany๐Ÿ—‚๏ธRelationships and weddingsBeziehung, Verlobung, Standesamt: talk about love and weddings๐Ÿ—‚๏ธOld age and careRente, Pflege, Pflegegrad: words for retirement and elderly care๐Ÿ—‚๏ธVolunteering and clubsVerein, Ehrenamt, Mitglied: words for clubs and volunteering๐Ÿ—‚๏ธSustainable livingPfand, regional, ร–kostrom: words for an eco-friendly everyday life๐Ÿ—‚๏ธData privacyDatenschutz, DSGVO, Einwilligung: privacy and data protection terms๐Ÿ—‚๏ธConsumer rightsWiderruf, Gewรคhrleistung, Abofalle: know your rights as a consumer๐Ÿ—‚๏ธClimate scienceKlimawandel, Treibhausgas, Kipppunkt: talk about climate science

Language toolkit

๐Ÿ—‚๏ธVerbs of movementgehen, fahren, umsteigen, abbiegen: verbs for getting around๐Ÿ—‚๏ธVerbs of communicationsagen, erzรคhlen, behaupten, vorschlagen: verbs for talking๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAdjective oppositesgroรŸ โ€“ klein, teuer โ€“ billig: 30 basic adjectives in pairs๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAdverbs of timegestern, bald, damals, neulich: say when things happen๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAdverbs of frequencyimmer, oft, manchmal, nie: say how often you do things๐Ÿ—‚๏ธConnecting wordsweil, obwohl, trotzdem, deshalb: connectors and their word order๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFalse friends (Englishโ€“German)Handy, Chef, Gift, bekommen: words that don't mean what you think๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAnglicisms in GermanMeeting, Homeoffice, Deadline: English words in everyday German๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCommon compound nounsKรผhlschrank, Krankenhaus, Feierabend: compounds and their articles๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEveryday idiomsBahnhof, Wurst, Schwein haben: idioms Germans use every day๐Ÿ—‚๏ธIdioms at workam Ball bleiben, blaumachen: idioms you hear in German offices๐Ÿ—‚๏ธGerman proverbsรœbung macht den Meister: German sayings and their meaning๐Ÿ—‚๏ธColloquial GermanNa?, Passt schon, Bock haben: the German people really speak๐Ÿ—‚๏ธYouth languagecringe, lost, Digga, Ehrenmann: decode German teenage slang๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPolite phrasesBitte, Danke, Entschuldigung: polite phrases for every day๐Ÿ—‚๏ธSmall talkWie geht's?, Schรถnes Wetter, oder?: easy small talk phrases๐Ÿ—‚๏ธTelephone phrasesIch verbinde Sie, Auf Wiederhรถren: phrases for phone calls๐Ÿ—‚๏ธEmail phrasesSehr geehrte โ€ฆ, Mit freundlichen GrรผรŸen: phrases for emails๐Ÿ—‚๏ธGiving opinionsMeiner Meinung nach, Das sehe ich anders: share your view๐Ÿ—‚๏ธDiscussion phrasesDarf ich kurz unterbrechen?: phrases for meetings and debates๐Ÿ—‚๏ธPresentation phrasesWie Sie auf dieser Folie sehen: phrases for presentations๐Ÿ—‚๏ธExam phrasesWie wรคre es mit โ€ฆ?, Einverstanden!: phrases for the B1 exam๐Ÿ—‚๏ธFiller words and particleshalt, doch, mal, eben: small words that change the tone๐Ÿ—‚๏ธQuestion wordswer, was, wo, wann, wie viel: the German W-questions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMeasurements and unitsKilo, Gramm, Liter, Quadratmeter: weights, sizes and amounts๐Ÿ—‚๏ธMaterialsHolz, Metall, Baumwolle, Pappe: say what things are made of๐Ÿ—‚๏ธDates and yearsam 15. August, im Jahr 2026: say dates and years correctly๐Ÿ—‚๏ธCommon abbreviationsz. B., bzw., ggf., WG, GmbH: decode German short forms๐Ÿ—‚๏ธIdioms for feelingsaus der Haut fahren, Schmetterlinge im Bauch: idioms for emotions๐Ÿ—‚๏ธAcademic vocabularyHypothese, Ansatz, Erkenntnis: words for study and research
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