Greetings & Basics - A1
Master essential German greetings and basic vocabulary for everyday conversations. This comprehensive list covers everything from saying hello to introducing yourself.
Learn essential words and phrases for greetings, polite expressions, asking questions, and basic communication in German.
These fundamental words will help you start conversations and communicate basic needs in German-speaking countries.
Word List
| # | German | English | German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hallo | hello | Hallo, wie geht es dir? | Hello, how are you? |
| 2 | Guten Tag | good day | Guten Tag, Herr Schmidt. | Good day, Mr. Schmidt. |
| 3 | Guten Morgen | good morning | Guten Morgen, wie schläfst du? | Good morning, how did you sleep? |
| 4 | Guten Abend | good evening | Guten Abend, schön dich zu sehen. | Good evening, nice to see you. |
| 5 | Gute Nacht | good night | Gute Nacht, träum schön! | Good night, sweet dreams! |
| 6 | Tschüss | bye | Tschüss, bis morgen! | Bye, see you tomorrow! |
| 7 | Auf Wiedersehen | goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen, bis bald! | Goodbye, see you soon! |
| 8 | Bitte | please | Bitte, nehmen Sie Platz. | Please, take a seat. |
| 9 | Danke | thank you | Danke für deine Hilfe. | Thank you for your help. |
| 10 | Bitte schön | you're welcome | Bitte schön, gern geschehen. | You're welcome, my pleasure. |
| 11 | Entschuldigung | excuse me / sorry | Entschuldigung, wo ist die Toilette? | Excuse me, where is the bathroom? |
| 12 | Es tut mir leid | I'm sorry | Es tut mir leid, ich bin zu spät. | I'm sorry, I'm late. |
Page 2
| # | German | English | German Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Wie geht es dir? | how are you? | Wie geht es dir heute? | How are you today? |
| 14 | Mir geht es gut | I'm fine | Mir geht es gut, danke. | I'm fine, thanks. |
| 15 | Ja | yes | Ja, das stimmt. | Yes, that's correct. |
| 16 | Nein | no | Nein, das ist falsch. | No, that's wrong. |
| 17 | Vielleicht | maybe | Vielleicht komme ich später. | Maybe I'll come later. |
| 18 | Ich verstehe | I understand | Ich verstehe nicht. | I don't understand. |
| 19 | Sprechen Sie Englisch? | do you speak English? | Sprechen Sie Englisch? | Do you speak English? |
| 20 | Ich heiße | my name is | Ich heiße Maria. | My name is Maria. |
| 21 | Wie heißt du? | what's your name? | Wie heißt du? | What's your name? |
| 22 | Freut mich | nice to meet you | Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen. | Nice to meet you. |
| 23 | Woher kommst du? | where are you from? | Woher kommst du? | Where are you from? |
| 24 | Ich komme aus | I come from | Ich komme aus Deutschland. | I come from Germany. |
Related Exercises
Multiple Choice
Test your vocabulary with multiple-choice questions. Switch between English → German and German → English modes.
Write the Word
Active recall exercise. Type the German word for the English translation. Handles umlauts and case variations.
Insert a Word in a Sentence
Complete sentences by choosing the correct word from multiple choice options. Practice vocabulary in context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vocabulary is covered in this topic?
This page covers 24 essential German words for Greetings & Basics at A1 level, including common terms and phrases you'll need in real-world situations.
How should I practice these words?
Practice by reading the example sentences, using the words in context, and completing the related exercises. Regular review is key to retention.
Are there exercises available?
Yes! Check the Related Exercises section above for interactive practice activities that will help you master this vocabulary.