simple german essays for beginners

German Texts for Beginners

Here are some easy and engaging texts to practice and develop your German reading and comprehension skills. Written by experienced German language intitlestructors, these texts are specifically written to aid German students from the elementary and beginner A1 and A2 levels, as well as meeting the needs of the more advanced B1 and B2 level student.

Texts for beginners include simple sentences with basic vocabulary. More advanced texts feature complex sentences with relative and subordinate clauses and wider use of tenses. Our innovative teaching system clearly indicates the vocabulary level in each reading, making it very easy for any German student to choose appropriate texts for their needs.

Upon completing each reading you can test your comprehension by answering the accompanying questions. Every text is available as a printable PDF. They are ideal for German language students working on their own. They are also perfect for German teachers to use in class or as take-home exercises.

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50 Useful German Essay Words and Phrases

by  fredo21  

January 9, 2019

2  Comments

Essay-writing is in itself already a difficult endeavor. Now writing an essay in a foreign language like German ---that’s on a different plane of difficulty.  

To make it easier for you, here in this article, we’ve compiled the most useful German essay phrases. Feel free to use these to add a dash of pizzazz into your essays. It will add just the right amount of flourish into your writing---enough to impress whoever comes across your work!

You can also download these phrases in PDF format by clicking the button below.

Now here’s your list!

What other German vocabulary list would you like to see featured here? Please feel free to leave a message in the comment section and we’ll try our best to accommodate your requests soon!

Once again, you can download your copy of the PDF by subscribing using the button below!

For an easier way to learn German vocabulary, check out German short stories for beginners!

A FUN AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO LEARN GERMAN

• 10 entertaining short stories about everyday themes
• Practice reading and listening with 90+ minutes of audio 
• Learn 1,000+ new German vocabulary effortlessly!

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Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

Asking questions are genuinely good thing if you are not understanding anything completely, except this piece of writing provides nice understanding yet.

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German Texts for Beginners

German texts for beginners to practice reading and comprehension in German language. Understanding written German is both demanding and critical. Here is one simple and enjoyable way to see how you are doing.

Experienced German teachers prepared easy articles and simple conversations in German for beginners (level A1 and A2) and intermediates (level B1 and B2) to evaluate your comprehension and leave you feeling challenged and satisfied. Just click, read, and then answer the multiple-choice questions of the associated test. Your answers get evaluated immediately, and you are ready to move on to the next exercise. It's easy, enjoyable and free.

As an added convenience, you can download and print a pdf version of all texts and exercises.

Easy German Reading | Texts With Audio & Translations | A2 - B1

Immerse yourself in German culture with our beginner-friendly, interactive essays. Explore traditions, history, and contemporary life, enhancing language learning with engaging insights.

A2 READING COMPREHENSION A2 GERMAN TEXTS TEXTS WITH AUDIO

B1 READING COMPREHENSION B1 GERMAN TEXTS TEXTS WITH AUDIO

B2 READING COMPREHENSION B2 GERMAN TEXTS ESSAYS

German Essay Phrases: 24 Useful Expressions to Write an Essay (For Goethe Exam or Real Life)

As we often think in English first, translating our ideas into useful German phrases can be tricky.

This handy blog post includes 24 essential German essay phrases to help make your writing flow more smoothly and sound more natural. Whether you’re preparing for the Goethe exam, a GCSE test, or just want to improve your written German for real-life situations, these chunks and phrases will help you. Easy German has a great video on useful German expression:

From organizing your thoughts with transitions like “ zudem ” and “ außerdem “, to expressing your opinion with phrases like “ meiner Meinung nach ” and “ ich denke, dass… “, this post has you covered.

Write an essay with German essay phrases: learn how to structure your story

Goethe tests love a clear and logical format. They follow the same structure throughout the different levels. The good news is, when you’re learning a language, you can use these German essay phrases with these structures even in your real-life dialogues. Then, gradually, you can shift your focus to a more natural-sounding speaking.

First, begin with an engaging introduction to get the reader’s attention. This intro paragraph should also include a short thesis statement that outlines the central argument you’ll be taking.

In the body of your essay, organize your thoughts into separate paragraphs. Use transitional phrases like “ außerdem ” (furthermore) and “ zudem ” (moreover) to connect your paragraphs and create a flow.

After that, summarize your main points and restate your thesis. But! Avoid introducing new information. Leave the reader with a compelling final thought or even a call to action that makes your central argument stronger.

If you’re not certain enough, check the following list and learn about the must-have go-to German essay phrases now!

1. Erstens – Firstly

This German essay phrase is used to introduce the first point in your essay.

Erstens werden wir die Hauptargumente diskutieren. [Firstly, we will discuss the main arguments.]

2. Zweitens – Secondly

Normally, this phrase is there for you when you want to introduce the second point in a structured manner.

Zweitens betrachten wir einige Gegenbeispiele. [Secondly, we will look at some counterexamples.]

3. Drittens – Thirdly

Used to signal the third point for clarity in your argument.

Drittens ziehen wir eine Schlussfolgerung. [Thirdly, we will draw a conclusion.]

4. Einleitend muss man sagen… – To begin with, one has to say…

Start your essay with this phrase to introduce your key points.

Einleitend muss man sagen, dass dieses Thema komplex ist. [To begin with, one has to say that this topic is complex.]

5. Man muss … in Betracht ziehen – One needs to take … into consideration

When you want to consider a specific aspect in your discussion.

Man muss den historischen Kontext in Betracht ziehen. [One needs to take the historical context into consideration.]

6. Ein wichtiger Aspekt von X ist … – An important aspect of X is …

To highlight an important part…

Ein wichtiger Aspekt von Nachhaltigkeit ist die Ressourcenschonung. [An important aspect of sustainability is resource conservation.]

7. Man muss erwähnen, dass… – One must mention that …

Used to emphasize a point that need acknowledgement.

Man muss erwähnen, dass es verschiedene Ansichten gibt. [One must mention that there are different viewpoints.]

8. Im Vergleich zu – In comparison to…

To compare different elements in your essay.

Im Vergleich zu konventionellen Autos sind Elektrofahrzeuge umweltfreundlicher. [In comparison to conventional cars, electric vehicles are more eco-friendly.]

9. Im Gegensatz zu – In contrast to…

When you want to present an alternative viewpoint or argument.

Im Gegensatz zu optimistischen Prognosen ist die Realität ernüchternd. [In contrast to optimistic forecasts, reality is sobering.]

10. Auf der einen Seite – On the one hand

To add a new perspective.

Auf der einen Seite gibt es finanzielle Vorteile. [On the one hand, there are financial benefits.]

11. Auf der anderen Seite – On the other hand

Present an alternative viewpoint.

Auf der anderen Seite bestehen ethische Bedenken. [On the other hand, ethical concerns exist.]

12. Gleichzeitig – At the same time

When you want to show a simultaneous relationship between ideas.

Gleichzeitig müssen wir Kompromisse eingehen. [At the same time, we must make compromises.]

13. Angeblich – Supposedly

If you want to add information that is claimed but not confirmed.

Angeblich wurde der Konflikt beigelegt. [Supposedly, the conflict was resolved.]

14. Vermutlich – Presumably

Used when discussing something that is presumed but not certain.

Vermutlich wird sich die Situation verbessern. [Presumably, the situation will improve.]

15. In der Tat – In fact

To add a fact or truth in your essay.

In der Tat sind die Herausforderungen groß. [In fact, the challenges are great.]

16. Tatsächlich – Indeed

Emphasize a point or a fact.

Tatsächlich haben wir Fortschritte gemacht. [Indeed, we have made progress.]

17. Im Allgemeinen – In general

When discussing something in a general context.

Im Allgemeinen ist das System reformbedürftig. [In general, the system needs reform.]

18. Möglicherweise – Possibly

Spice your essay with a possibility or potential scenario.

Möglicherweise finden wir einen Konsens. [Possibly, we will find a consensus.]

19. Eventuell – Possibly

To suggest a potential outcome or situation.

Eventuell müssen wir unsere Strategie überdenken. [Possibly, we need to rethink our strategy.]

20. In jedem Fall / Jedenfalls – In any case

Used to emphasize a point regardless of circumstances.

In jedem Fall müssen wir handeln. [In any case, we must take action.]

21. Das Wichtigste ist – The most important thing is

If you want to highlight the most important thing in your saying.

Das Wichtigste ist, dass wir zusammenarbeiten. [The most important thing is that we cooperate.]

22. Ohne Zweifel – Without a doubt

To introduce a statement that is unquestionably trues.

Ohne Zweifel ist Bildung der Schlüssel zum Erfolg. [Without a doubt, education is the key to success.]

23. Zweifellos – Doubtless

Just as the previous one, when you want say something that is, without a doubt, true.

Zweifellos gibt es noch viel zu tun. [Doubtless, there is still a lot to be done.]

24. Verständlicherweise – Understandably

If you want to add a thing that is understandable in the given context.

Verständlicherweise sind einige Menschen besorgt. [Understandably, some people are concerned.]

Practice the most important German essay phrases

Practice the German essay phrases now!

This is just part of the exercises. There’s many more waiting for you if you click the button below!

Learn the language and more German essay words and sentences with Conversation Based Chunking

Conversation Based Chunking represents a powerful approach to learning language skills. It’s especially useful for productive purposes like essay writing.

By learning phrases and expressions used in natural discourse, students internalize vocabulary and grammar in context rather than as isolated rules. This method helps you achieve fluency and helps you develop a ‘feel’ for a an authentic patterns.

Chunking common multi-word units accelerates progress by reducing cognitive load compared to consciously constructing each sentence from individual words. Sign up now to get access to your German Conversation Based Chunking Guide.

Lukas is the founder of Effortless Conversations and the creator of the Conversation Based Chunking™ method for learning languages. He's a linguist and wrote a popular book about learning languages through "chunks". He also co-founded the language education company Spring Languages, which creates online language courses and YouTube content.

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Home » Articles » German Reading Practice: 20 Resources for Beginners

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ?

written by Benny Lewis

Language: German

Reading time: 10 minutes

Published: Apr 22, 2022

German Reading Practice: 20 Resources for Beginners

Let’s talk about German reading for German learners.

Does it really help? And  where  can you read in German, then?

That’s where I come in. I’ll help you find the best German reading resources for you in this post.

Table of contents

Reading will help you improve your german, german news in simple language, germany’s most widely circulated magazine, news for younger readers, german wikipedia, read translations of books you already know, discover german authors, project gutenberg, germany through the eyes of a newcomer, essays covering life in berlin, the brothers grimm, max and moritz, german-english poems and plays, you’re all set for your german reading practice.

One of the surest ways to become disillusioned with learning a language is to focus on one resource alone. That’s why I advise language learners  not to rely too heavily on textbooks  and look elsewhere for ways to improve their knowledge.

Anyone wanting to become fluent in German should be continually looking for methods to build three key skills – listening, speaking and reading. There are endless ways and opportunities to enhance them, with many resources available online.

Watching German movies  will help you hone your listening skills.

You can improve your spoken German by having conversations with  native speakers  by  any means necessary .

As far as reading goes, there are many methods available to build your vocabulary and learn German fast. From novels to plays, non-fiction texts and children’s stories, there is something for everyone, no matter what their learning level or interests.

Stay up to Date: Read German Newspapers and Magazines

Newspapers can be easily accessed online, often without a subscription.

They offer an insight into politics, current affairs, sports and culture. They’re also written in Standard German, making them accessible even for those at the early stages of learning German.

Nachrichtenleicht , or “News Easily”, is a website that makes news uncomplicated.

Every week, they publish articles about world politics, sport and human-interest stories in simple language. They omit long, difficult words, embrace shorter sentence structure and are largely concerned with presenting information as plainly as possible.

That’s perfect!

The service is designed for people with language difficulties, making it ideal for anyone wanting to learn German online. You can get up to speed on current affairs within Germany and expand your knowledge of the language at a level that’s suitable for beginners.

Der Spiegel  is a German weekly news magazine, with a circulation of more than one million.

Likened to  Time  magazine, it’s known across German-speaking countries for its investigative journalism and is cited as being one of Central Europe’s most influential magazines.

It’s for intermediate to advanced learners and will give you exposure to high level German language.

If you are unable to get a hard copy print of the magazine, check out the articles featured on  Spiegel.de .

Neon  targets a younger audience, using an aesthetically pleasing spread and covering topics ranging from cultural issues to band reviews.

You’ll even find a section titled  Useless Knowledge , which contains random gems of information.

For example, German language learners who also own bars will be delighted to discover that “Guests in a premises where the music is 88 decibels loud drink more than guests at a bar with 72 decibels.”

Get that music pumping!

Culture Reading: Look Up Online German Encyclopaedias

It never hurts to have a dictionary on hand when learning a language, whether in hard copy, or online.

The following resources will help you learn all kinds of unfamiliar words and phrases.

In case you didn’t know, the world’s most famous online encyclopaedia is available in German.

Navigate to the  German version  to read articles on just about anything you fancy!

Also make sure to click “Deutsch” on the language menu if you find yourself reading an article in English!

Hurraki  is a German online encyclopaedia that works a lot like Wikipedia, with an emphasis on plain language.

It’s an online community where people can add and edit articles in simple German. The website is designed to be easy to reference and read.

Read and Relax: Get German Novels

If you enjoy reading novels in your native language, you have an excellent opportunity to transform passive time into active time!

A brilliant way to get German reading practice is to re-read books you’ve already read in your native language. By picking books that are already familiar to you, you’ll find it easier to translate the stories and keep in the loop with what’s going on.

If you grew up devoted to the  Harry Potter  series and devoured the books in your youth, why not try reading them in German? You can pick up the German versions by searching for  Harry Potter German Edition  on  Amazon.com .

Since the story’s familiar to you, you’ll find it easier to translate what you’re reading.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be Harry Potter – any English book whose plot you know will make for perfect German reading practice.

If you wish to delve deeper into the world of German culture, take up the challenge of reading novels written by German speaking authors.

Franz Kafka was a famous novelist of the 20th century, publishing both books and short stories.  Die Verwandlung  (  The Metamorphosis ) is one of his most celebrated novels, which can be purchased in a  dual-language format .

Siddhartha  is a story by Hermann Hesse, similar to the book  The Alchemist  with its theme of self-discovery and written in a style that is simple and lyrical. It too can be bought online as a  dual-language  book, making it ideal for intermediate learners.

Cornelia Funke has been referred to as Germany’s version of J.K. Rowling, penning fantasy tales for young adults.  Tintenherz  ( Inkheart ) is the  first book  of a trilogy about a young girl and her father who have the ability to bring characters to life by reading a story aloud.

Chaos ensues!

If the copyright laws in your country allow it, you might be able to explore the selection of  free German eBooks on Project Gutenberg .

German Short Stories

If the idea of reading an entire novel in a foreign language is a bit too overwhelming at this point in your studies, consider reading short stories instead.

Café in Berlin  is a collection of ten short stories, which follow the life of a young man from Sicily who has just moved to Berlin.

It explores daily life in the German capital, offering insights about the country and people from a foreign perspective.

The text is targeted at beginners and aims to help language learners build upon their knowledge of isolated words and phrases, to understand how these can be worked into sentences.

Wladimir Kaminer  is a Russian-born German short story writer. After emigrating to Berlin in 1990, Kaminer immersed himself in the city’s art and literature scenes.

Although Russian is his first language, his writing is entirely in German.

In describing what it is he writes about, Kaminer claims to  make notes about the world, the past, present and future, social reality and life  observed through the eyes of a migrant.

His first book,  Russian Disco , is a series of short autobiographical essays about life in Berlin just after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Use this book as a resource for German reading practice, as well as a direct account of what life was like during one of the most exciting and rapidly changing times in modern German history.

German Children’s Stories

If reading a novel or a short story for adults seems too advanced at this stage in your learning, I’ve got you covered with some great children’s books.

Children’s books are more likely to use simple words and sentences, making them easy to understand. And illustrations can help you get to grips with what’s going on even if you don’t understand every word.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were German academics who collected and published folktales during the 19th century.

Their stories, which include the likes of  Aschenputtel  (Cinderella),  Dornröschen  (Sleeping Beauty) and  Hänsel und Gretel  (Hansel and Gretel), have been turned into films by  Walt Disney  and, more darkly, were used as propaganda by the Third Reich.

The Grimm Brothers’ original stories are still popular bedtime stories – the words of watered down versions of the tales told to children by parents the world over with the hopes of carrying them off to sleep!

The Grimm Brothers’ folk stories are tales many of you would have grown up both reading and having read to you. This makes them an excellent resource for building upon your reading skills in German.

As the original stories are no longer copyrighted, there are  resources available online  which feature each stories like “Little Red Riding Hood” in  German  and  English .

Lesser known in the English-speaking world is the children’s book  Max and Moritz (A Story of Seven Boyish Pranks) , originally titled  Max und Moritz  –  Eine Bubengeschichte in sieben Streichen .

Written and illustrated by Wilhelm Busch and published in 1865, it’s a humorous tale told in rhyming couplets. The book is well known and adored across German-speaking countries and remains a popular choice for children’s bedtime stories.

The book covers seven pranks that Max and Moritz – tormentors and troublemakers – play on their family members, teachers and acquaintances.

As this text is also available within the public domain, the original  German version and English translated text  can be found online. Try the “dual language” option to read the story side by side in both languages!

Continue to test your German language knowledge with a series of  quizzes  on the text.

Once you’ve reached a more advanced level of learning, you can look to German poems and plays to build your German skills.

Dual language books are a helpful resource for this. You can read them as a standalone text and have the English version available for when you come across words or phrases you don’t fully understand.

If you have an interest in poetry, start with a  dual-language book  that features the poems of many renowned German poets, alongside the English translations.

If you want to get more specific, try reading the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. His poems have been translated and appear  in dual language books  for easy side-by-side reading.

Fun fact – the  Goethe-Institut , an operation that promotes the study of the German language abroad, is named after him!

For German practice through plays, start with  Der Besuch der Alten Dame (The Visit of the Old Lady) , a tragicomedy written by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. This play is about a wealthy woman who returns to her hometown seeking vengeance. She wants the townspeople to rally together to kill the man who abandoned her, in exchange for money.

The  printed version  of this play features the full German text on one page, accompanied by the English translation and notes on the next page.

The book also has an extended vocabulary at the back and a detailed introduction in English, explaining the social and historical context of the piece.

I hope you’ve found the ideal resource to get you started on reading German!

(Psst… There’s also  plenty of content on the  Fluent in 3 Months  blog  if you’d rather read  about  German than  in  German.)

If you need more German content, check out  my list of the best online resources to learn German .

Happy practice!

Benny Lewis

Founder, Fluent in 3 Months

Fun-loving Irish guy, full-time globe trotter and international bestselling author. Benny believes the best approach to language learning is to speak from day one .

Speaks: Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Esperanto, Mandarin Chinese, American Sign Language, Dutch, Irish

Have a 15-minute conversation in your new language after 90 days

10 sources of easy texts to read in German

• by Deutsch mit Leo
• 4 minute read

It’s no secret that reading is a basic skill for mastering a language. Basic, but sometimes very difficult! According to the law of meanness, already at the very beginning of the path you suddenly come across a text that is easy to read, you just understand it through a word, or even two. And if you look into the dictionary every minute, all the pleasure of reading is lost!

Today we’ll talk about how and where to find interesting and simple texts for the entry level. And the so-called “simple German” ( Leichtes Deutsch ) – a variant of a simplified and very understandable to all segments of the population of the German language. 

TIP:   Take texts marked “Leichtes Deutsch” as a basis for learning at the  initial levels  . At first, this will really bring relief, but do not forget that our task in the end is to learn how to read German texts of any complexity. When the level seems to you taken – give up such texts in favor of more difficult ones!

So how can you learn to read German without problems? In the age of electronic technology, there is a great source of interesting and simple free texts – the Internet!

Where are we looking? TOP most useful resources

You can just open Google and type “simple german texts”, “leichte deutschen Texte”, “leicht lesen” and so on … We, in turn, took the liberty of recommending a selection of verified sites.

The Lingua service is a full-fledged platform for learning foreign languages. Here you can find reading texts and listening files, write a dictation or do exercises on various grammar topics. As for the texts,  40  of them are open for free access. Texts for beginners – levels A1 and A2 – contain  basic vocabulary  and  simple sentences . After each text, you can check your reading comprehension by answering  questions . 

Nachrichtenleicht.de

Another site with simple context and  audio options  . The most difficult texts are also explained and immediately understandable. As a rule, the news here is quite fresh, and the news feed is updated frequently.

Bidok.uibk.ac.at

Site-piggy bank of  topics  . Here there are texts, probably, on any topic! There are quite a few of them and they are all simple, but new texts are, unfortunately, not released so often.

o ffene-bibel.de

The Common Bible project, as the name implies, tells us about the Old and New Testaments in a simple transcription. An indisputable plus of the project is the simplicity of the presentation of the material, but it is certainly designed for a rather narrow audience.

NDR is the public broadcaster of Northern Germany. Some of the news here is published in simple German, understandable to beginners; Each news item comes with an audio file to listen to. For children (and not only),  adapted fairy tales in German  can be found on the NDR website ,  which also include audio. And for the real fans, the site hosts a small  Low German dictionary .

Treasury of simple German!  Explanatory Dictionary . A very useful thing to learn for the initial levels of training. If a word seems complicated to you, try this resource and you will see that the meaning of the most difficult words can be conveyed in the simplest language. The benefits of using an explanatory dictionary are undeniable – you immediately feel complete immersion in a foreign language and gradually stop using (even in your thoughts) your native language.

Deutsch-perfekt.com

A selection of simple texts from one of the most respected educational projects Deutsch Perfekt. The texts are mostly small and diverse, some of them are available only by subscription, but many are still  in the public domain . The peculiarity of this resource is that the texts correspond to the initial levels, but  are not texts in Leichtes Deutsch . In other words, reading these short and simple notes in literary German can be even more useful than learning from obviously adapted texts.

“Vitamin de” is a magazine for German learners and German teachers. New issues are available by subscription, but some older articles can be found in the “Leseproben” section, as well as on the social networks of the magazine.

H ow to read correctly

At first glance, it seems that reading is not difficult at all, but when the material is already selected and the dictionary is nearby, there is a feeling of uncertainty, a premonition that something will be incomprehensible.

Do not worry!  Here are the basic rules for reading for beginners:

• Read only such texts that  correspond to the level of your preparation  . Reading texts that are too complex makes you often get distracted by the dictionary and, as a result, demotivates.
• Do not use a dictionary  , or use it as little as possible! Simple texts are simple in order to be understood without a dictionary. Read the word several times, try to learn its meaning from the general context, reread the sentence or text. If you still can’t, take a dictionary.
• Use an  explanatory dictionary  , this increases the speed of immersion in the language.
• Don’t get hung up on all the new words  by writing them out. Gradually, as you learn the language, you will introduce them into your vocabulary without time-consuming cramming.

READ MORE!  Read everywhere, a lot, often! This greatly expands the possibilities and vocabulary. 

This is perhaps the most important thing to know about reading when starting to learn German. Over time, the vocabulary will expand noticeably, and you will read more and more complex and complex texts, enjoying the process. Many believe that there is nothing better than reading literary works in the original. Who knows what you will choose: a volume of Goethe, Schiller or modern romance novels – the world of German literature will definitely open up before you!

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Dive into a World of German Mastery with Leo.  Over 7500 enthusiasts  are already  unlocking the secrets   to fluency with our  tailored strategies , tips, and now, the German language learning planner.  Secure yours today   and  transform your language   journey with me!

Deutsch mit Leo

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German Essays on My Family: Meine Familie

Learning or Practising German Language? or your tutor asked you to write about your family, or you can say you need to write an essay on My family (Meine Familie) but you have no idea how to do that and where to start?

Well, In this blog post, I have shared some Easy Essays on My Family (Meine Familie) . All the best and keep learning.

Before Start, First we need to discuss some vocabulary related to Family.

The following list includes most of the members of your family tree. Get familiar with these words so you can recognize them:

Read Also: Easy German Essays for Beginners: 8 Examples to Practice Your Language Skills

• der Bruder (dêr brooh -der) ( brother )
• der Cousin (dêr kooh -zen) ( male cousin )
• die Cousine (dee kooh- zeen -e) ( female cousin )
• die Eltern (dee êl -tern) ( parents )
• die Frau (dee frou) ( woman/wife )
• die Geschwister (dee ge- shvis -ter) ( siblings )
• die Großeltern (dee grohs -êl-tern) ( grandparents )
• die Großmutter (dee grohs -moot-er) ( grandmother )
• der Großvater (dêr grohs -fah-ter) ( grandfather )
• der Junge (dêr yoong -e) ( boy )
• die Kinder (dee kin -der) ( children, kids )
• das Mädchen (dâs maid -Hên) ( girl )
• der Mann (dêr mân) ( man/husband )
• die Mutter (dee moot -er) ( mother )
• der Onkel (dêr on -kel) ( uncle )
• die Schwester (dee shvês -ter) ( sister )
• der Sohn (dêr zohn) ( son )
• die Tante (dee tân -te) ( aunt )
• die Tochter (dee toH -ter) ( daughter )
• der Vater (dêr fah -ter) ( father )

Use the following words for the in-laws:

• der Schwager (dêr shvah -ger) ( brother-in-law )
• die Schwägerin (dee shvai -ger-in) ( sister-in-law )
• die Schwiegereltern (dee shvee -ger-êl-tern) ( parents-in-law )
• die Schwiegermutter (dee shvee -ger-moot-er) ( mother-in-law )
• der Schwiegersohn (dêr shvee -ger-zohn) ( son-in-law )
• die Schwiegertochter (dee shvee -ger-toH-ter) ( daughter-in-law )
• der Schwiegervater (dêr shvee -ger-fah-ter) ( father-in-law )

To express the term step-, you use the prefix Stief- with the name of the relative, like in this example: Stiefbruder ( steef- brooh-der) ( step-brother ). The term for a half relative uses the prefix Halb- , so half-sister looks like this: Halbschwester ( hâlp- shvês-ter).

German-speaking children use the following terms to talk about their parents and grandparents:

• die Mama (dee mâ -mâ) ( mom )
• die Mutti (dee moot -ee) ( mommy )
• die Oma (dee oh -mâ) ( grandma )
• der Opa (der oh -pâ) ( grandpa )
• der Papa (dêr pâ -pâ) ( dad )
• der Vati (dêr fâ -tee) ( daddy )

When directly addressing their elders, children leave out the articles dee (dee) ( the ) and der (dêr) ( the ). For example, Mama! Komm her! ( mâ -mâ!! kom hêr!) ( Mom! Come here! )

Read our Complete Vocabulary: Talking about – The Family – in German

Essay One: The Average Family

Meine Familie ist eine kleine Kernfamilie, die zu einer bürgerlichen Familie gehört. Meine Familie besteht aus vier Mitgliedern, einem Vater, einer Mutter, mir und einer kleinen Schwester. Wie andere indische Familien sind wir keine große Familie. Wir leben in Berlin, aber meine Großeltern leben auf dem Land. Zusammen mit meinen Großeltern wird meine Familie eine kleine Familie. Meine Familie ist eine vollständige, positive und glückliche Familie, die mir und meiner Schwester viel Liebe, Wärme und Sicherheit schenkt. Ich fühle mich in meiner Familie so glücklich, dass es auf mich aufpasst und alle meine Bedürfnisse erfüllt. Eine glückliche Familie bietet ihren Mitgliedern die folgenden Vorteile.

Here is what the text is about (this is not a 1-to-1 translation!)

My family is a small nuclear family that belongs to a middle-class family. My family consists of four members, a father, a mother, me and a little sister. Like other Indian families, we are not a big family. We live in Berlin, Germany, but my grandparents live in the countryside. Together with my grandparents, my family becomes a little family together. My family is a complete, positive and happy family, giving me and my sister a lot of love, warmth and security. I feel so happy in my family that it takes care of me and meets all my needs. A happy family offers the following benefits to its members.

Essay Two: The Average Family

If you live with your Mum, Dad, and with your brother or sister. Then use this text to describe your family in your German essay:

Wir sind eine ganz normale Familie. Ich wohne zusammen mit meinen Eltern, meiner kleinen Schwester Lisa und unserer Katze Mick. Meine Großeltern wohnen im gleichen Dorf wie wir. Oma Francis arbeitet noch. Sie ist Krankenschwester. Die Anderen sind schon in Rente. Oma Lydia nimmt sich viel Zeit für mich und geht häufig mit mir Kleider oder Schuhe kaufen. Leider will meine kleine Schwester dann auch immer mit. Mein Vater arbeitet bei einer Bank und fährt am Wochenende gern mit seinem Motorrad. Das findet meine Mutter nicht so gut, da sie meint, dass Motorradfahren so gefährlich ist. Sie sagt, dass ich und meine Schwester auf keinen Fall mitfahren dürfen. Mein Vater versteht das nicht, aber er will sich auch nicht streiten. Nächstes Jahr wollen wir in ein größeres Haus ziehen, weil meine Eltern noch ein Baby bekommen. Ich hoffe, dass wir nicht zu weit weg ziehen, da alle meine Freunde hier in der Nähe wohnen. Meine Tante Clara, die Schwester meiner Mutter, wohnt sogar genau gegenüber. Meine Cousine Barbara kommt deshalb häufig zu Besuch.

We are a very normal family. I live with my parents, my little sister, and our cat Mick. My grandparents live in the same village where we live. Grandma Francis still works. She is a nurse. The others are already retired. Grandma Lydia spends a lot of time with me, and we often go shopping together to look for clothes or shoes. Unfortunately, my little sister wants to come with us as well. My father works in a bank and likes to ride his motorbike on the weekend. My mother does not like that because she thinks it is very dangerous. She says we are never allowed to ride with him on the bike. My father doesn’t understand why, but he doesn’t want to argue with her. Next year, we are going to move into a bigger house because my parents will have another baby. I hope we are not moving too far because all of my friends are here. My aunt Clara even lives opposite to us. Therefore, my cousin Barbara often visits us.

Example Three: A Big Family

If you have a big family, this example may help you with your German essay:

Meine Familie ist sehr groß. Ich habe zwei Schwestern, einen Bruder, drei Tanten, einen Onkel und sechs Cousins. Meine große Schwester hat lange blonde Haare und heißt Laura und eine kleine Schwester heißt Miranda und ist dunkelhaarig. Mein Bruder heißt Fred und trägt eine Brille. Ich verstehe mich gut mit meiner kleinen Schwester und meinem Bruder. Mit meiner großen Schwester streite ich mich oft um den Computer. Mein Vater arbeitet zwar viel, aber am Wochenende hilft er uns immer bei den Hausaufgaben. Meine Mutter backt gerne Torten. Ihre Schokotorten mag ich besonders gerne. In den Ferien besuchen wir häufig meine Großeltern, da sie leider so weit entfernt wohnen. Meine anderen Großeltern, die Eltern meiner Mutter wohnen eine Straße weiter. Das finde ich schön, da wir uns oft sehen können. Außerdem haben sie eine süße Perserkatze, mit der ich immer spiele. Wenn uns meine Cousins besuchen kommen, unternehmen wir meist etwas Besonderes. Letztes Wochenende waren wir alle zusammen im Zoo. Das war lustig, da mein Cousin Ben Angst vor Schlangen hatte. Ich mag meine Familie!

Now, the same story in English:

My family is very big. I have got two sisters, one brother, three aunts, one uncle, and six cousins. My older sister has long blond hair, and her name is Laura. My little sister is called Miranda and has dark hair. My brother’s name is Fred and wears glasses. I get along well with my little sister and my brother. But I argue a lot with my older sister about the computer. Although my father works a lot, he always helps us with homework on the weekend. My mother likes to bake cakes. I especially like her chocolate cake. During the holidays, we often visit my grandparents because they live so far from us. My other grandparents, the parents of my mother, live on the street next to ours. I like that because that way we can see each other a lot. In addition to that, they have a cute Persian cat I always play with. When my cousins visit us, we always do something special together. Last weekend, we went to the zoo together. That was fun because my cousin Ben was afraid of the snake. I like my family!

Read Also:  Learn German Numbers (Deutsche Zählen) and Pronunciation 1 to 999999

Essay Four: A Small Family

If you are living with only one parent, check out this text:

Meine Familie ist sehr klein. Ich lebe zusammen mit meiner Mutter und meinem Bruder. Tanten oder Onkel habe ich nicht. Meinen Vater sehe ich nur in den Sommerferien, da er weit weg wohnt. Meine Oma wohnt gleich nebenan. Sie kūmmert sich nachmittags um mich und meinen Bruder, wenn meine Mutter arbeiten muss. Meine Oma ist schon in Rente. Sie hat frūher mal bei der Post gearbeitet. Mein Opa und meine anderen Großeltern sind leider schon gestorben. Mein Bruder heißt Patrick und ist sehr gut in der Schule. Er ist sehr groß und schlank und hat blonde Locken. Meine Freundin findet ihn sūß. Das verstehe ich gar nicht. Ich mag es aber nicht, wenn er laut Musik hört und es gerade meine Lieblingssendung im Fernsehen gibt. Dafūr geht er immer mit unserem Hund Gassi, so dass ich das nicht tun muss. Ich wūnschte, ich hätte noch eine Schwester, die mir helfen könnte, meine Haare zu frisieren, oder mit der ich die Kleider tauschen könnte. Ich hoffe nur, dass meine Mutter nicht noch mal heiratet.

In English:

My family is very small. I live with my mother and my brother. I have no aunts or uncles. I only see my father during the summer holiday because he lives far away. My grandma lives next door. She looks after me and my brother when my mother has to work. My grandma is already retired. She used to work at a post office. My grandpa and my other grandparents are already dead. My brother’s name is Patrick, and he is doing very well at school. He is very tall and slim and has curly blond hair. My friend thinks he is cute. I cannot understand that at all. But I do not like it when he listens to loud music when my favorite tv show is on. On the other hand, he always walks the dog so that I don’t need to do that. I wish I had a sister who would help me style my hair or who I could swap clothes with. I do hope that my mother is not going to marry again.

Read Also: Easy Sentences you need for Introduce yourself in German

Essay Five: Living with Grandparents

Do you live with your grandparents? Then check out this example if it suits you:

Ich wohne bei meinen Großeltern, da meine Eltern gestorben sind, als ich noch ein Baby war. Wir wohnen in einem großen Haus, und ich habe ein riesiges Zimmer mit meinem eigenen Balkon. Im Sommer mache ich dort immer meine Hausaufgaben. Meine Großeltern sind ganz lieb zu mir. Mein Opa hilft mir immer, mein Fahrrad zu reparieren und meine Oma lädt meine Freunde oft zum Essen ein. Ich habe auch noch einen Onkel, der manchmal am Wochenende vorbeikommt und Architekt ist. Momentan arbeitet er jedoch in Japan für drei Monate. Wir passen solange auf seinen Hund auf, und er hat mir versprochen, mir eine Überraschung aus Japan mitzubringen. Eine Frau hat mein Onkel nicht. Meine Oma sagt immer, er sei mit seiner Arbeit verheiratet. Dann gibt es noch Tante Miriam, die eigentlich keine richtige Tante ist, sondern die beste Freundin meiner Oma. Die beiden kennen sich aber schon so lange, dass sie inzwischen auch zur Familie gehört. Tante Miriam hat viele Enkelkinder und manchmal treffen wir uns alle zusammen im Park. Dann machen wir ein großes Picknick und haben ganz viel Spaß.

And here is what the text is about (Remember, this isn’t a 1-to-1 translation!):

I live with my grandparents because my parents died when I was a baby. We live in a big house, and I have a huge room with my own balcony. In the summertime, I do my homework there. My grandparents are very nice to me. My grandpa always helps me repair my bike, and my grandma often invites my friends for dinner. I also have an uncle who comes around for the weekend from time to time, and he is an architect. At the moment, he is working in Japan for three months, and we are looking after his dog. But he promised me to bring a surprise back from Japan. My uncle has no wife. My grandma always says he is married to his job. Then there is aunt Miriam who is not a real aunt actually but the best friend of my grandma. Since they have known each other for such a long time, she became a member of our family. Aunt Miriam has lots of grandchildren, and sometimes we all meet in the park. Then we have a great picnic and much fun!

If you have any doubt or have some suggestions for us, or even if we missed something to mention in My Family (Meine Familie), Let us know by writing in a comment box. Thanks for reading and sharing with your friends.

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German Writing: How to Write in German

Writing poses its own unique set of benefits and issues for German language learners. Since you have time to think and review what you want to say, there are better odds that you can learn the grammar and other aspects of German.

The most difficult skill to master when learning German is writing texts. There are quite a few problems to overcome before one can produce a readable or even enjoyable text.

Like written English, written German is more structured and formal. This means that the rules that you learned always apply, so it’s a great way of practicing what you learn in a class or after a lesson. Let me do a quick analysis of the difficulties that you will come across and then present to you what I think is an excellent tool to get started with your German writing practice: Dictations!

German Spelling of Native German Words

One of the main two problems of written language is the fact that German is spoken differently than it is written. The word ‚Vater‘ e.g. is spoken ‚farter‘. The ‚r‘ is never pronounced at the end of an unstressed syllable.

Also, in everyday communication Germans tend to ignore the second last ‚e‘  like in ‚kaufen‘ e.g. which then sounds like ‚cow-fn‘. Or the ‚ig‘ in ‚mutig‘ turns into an ‚ich‘ just because it is at the end of the syllable making it indistinguishable from the ‘ich’ in ‘glücklich’.

There are surely many more examples and the good news is that in German the gap between the spoken and the written language is much narrower than in English. But yet the differences certainly will cause you trouble. Please see also the article about how to practice listening comprehension to understand the physiological side of this issue.

Upside down

The other big challenge is the German sentence structure that often differs from the English one (or your native language’s structure). As you have already internalized your mother tongue’s patterns and melodies, you will find it hard to switch to something totally different. Let me illustrate:

Maria geht ins Kino. Gestern ging Maria ins Kino. Maria goes to the cinema. Yesterday, Maria went to the cinema. >> identical structure           >> different word order

Or the side-clauses: Ich fahre nicht in Urlaub, weil ich kein Geld habe . I don’t go on holiday, because I have no money.

and when you put the sideclause in front: Weil ich kein Geld habe , fahre ich nicht in Urlaub. Because I have no money, I don’t go on holiday.

Understand that your mind will always be tempted to use the structures that it got used to over the last twenty to forty years. It will take quite some effort from you to overcome this tendency.

das Heft – the notebook / Image via Pixabay

Dictations will help you overcome these problems

You might remember dictations from your time at a regular school. I never really liked them that much as I wasn’t really the king of orthography at that time. But later on, while learning French, I realized that writing dictations helped me to improve my writing skills. Nevertheless, it took me many years to realize why it helped me and why I should use it in my classes. A dictation has several benefits:

• You train several skills at once: vocabulary, reading, listening, writing and structuring
• They can be done on your own.
• They reveal your progress almost instantly

I won’t go into detail here as I would like you to simply try it for a few minutes a day for just one week. Then you can see for yourself if what I have experienced also is true for you.

How to do Proper Dictations

Before you start listening and writing, prepare the text that you are going to work with. That means, read it, mark the new words, write them in a list and look them up in your dictionary. Then read the text again until you get 80% of its content. You may use your vocabulary list in the beginning.

Only when you understand what you are listening to can you learn from it. That’s why I do not recommend listening to the radio as it provides too little backup for beginners to work with. When you are clear about the text, get ready for the dictation. There are a few steps that you should always follow to establish a working routine:

• Note the time when you start with the following routine.
• First listen to the whole text. Do not write anything at that stage.
• Listen a second time but this time: sentence by sentence or at least part by part. Listen as many times to a sentence (part) as you need to get a grip on what is being said. Later on you will widen your attention span automatically. Pause after what you consider a fair amount of words and write down what you have  just heard.
• When you are through with the text, take a deep breath, or take a one minute break and then listen to the text again while going over what you have written. Correct mistakes that become clear to you.
• Now take the original text and compare with your work. Mark the mistakes with a highlighter. Do not use a pencil or simple blue pen. Your mistakes have to  be clearly visible. Don’t listen to those who claim that one shouldn’t mark mistakes but the correct words. That’s nonsense. You are a smart human being and can easily differentiate. To learn from your mistakes you must notice your mistakes.
• Write the number of mistakes and the time that you needed until step 5 onto the paper.
• Write it again after several hours or better one day break.
• Repeat this routine until you are only making a few minor mistakes.

This is it. Give it one week with one text. Check this link to get to the links with the dictation material. I wish you success and would love to read about your experience with dictations in the comments.

More to come as often as I find time. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog be up to date.

Mastering the art of German writing involves immersing yourself in the language through extensive reading. Reading not only expands your vocabulary but also acquaints you with the intricacies of German grammar structures and idiomatic phrases or expressions, which can prove challenging for learners.

While learning the German alphabet is fundamental, understanding the rules of written German (orthography, punctuation, and conventions for various formats) takes your understanding to a higher echelon. Regular reading practices play a pivotal role in achieving this. Optimal progress comes from selecting texts slightly above your current fluency level. This challenges you while ensuring steady advancement.

Diversify your reading materials, encompassing novels, newspapers, essays, academic texts, and web articles in what is considered Standard German, as well as regional varieties. A varied approach enhances your overall writing skills, exposing you to different language styles and grammatical structures in written German. This exposure will make learning German more efficient, as well as more fun.

Regular Practice

To enhance your writing skills, establish a regular writing routine. Dedicate time daily or weekly to writing in German, even if it’s just for ten minutes, for example. How long the text should be is based on your current level but also on how busy you are.

In any case, consistency is key, and the more you write, the more skilled you become at writing in German. Also, making your writing practice interesting is crucial to sustaining motivation. Explore online platforms offering writing tasks or prompts for diverse topics.

Consider maintaining a journal in German to practice regularly and track your progress over time. You can also engage in writing contests or challenges to push your boundaries and measure your skills against other learners.

The essence lies in finding topics you are interested in and enjoyable ways to express yourself in German. Whether it’s through fiction, poetry, a letter to a friend, a translation of your favorite lyrics, or simple blog posts about daily life, make it fun. Finding enjoyment in writing increases the likelihood of sticking with it in the long run.

Start Small and Move to More Advanced Topics

For those at the beginning of their German writing journey, starting with simple sentences and topics makes the experience stress-free and fun. Start simple and begin by writing about familiar or everyday subjects, such as describing your day or telling about a recent event. No need to be overly ambitious, just use phrases and grammar that align with your comfort level, gradually expanding as you gain confidence.

As your comfort and confidence grow, challenge yourself with more complex subjects, advanced German vocabulary, and intricate grammar structures. Experiment with longer sentences, varied syntax, and different tenses.

Integrate topics related to learning German into your writing practice. Explore aspects such as the German spelling reform, compare native German words to vocabulary in other Germanic languages, loan words, or expand your knowledge of German culture. Practice specific writing elements, such as formal letters or discussions on specific topics, to become adept at various writing styles, acquire academic vocabulary, and prepare for exams.

Revise Your Texts and Work on Your Weak Spots

Regularly revising your writing is crucial, especially without native speaker feedback. Identify common mistakes or weak spots in grammar or spelling and commit to improving them.

You can use a German grammar checker or opt for a traditional approach by printing your text and meticulously checking it, correcting mistakes as you go. Consider rewriting the edited text to reinforce correct spelling and grammar patterns.

Anyway, just try to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. The more you practice and revise, the more errors you correct, leading to continuous improvement in your German writing skills.

Incorporating these strategies into your journey of learning German enhances your writing skills while making the process enjoyable and sustainable. Explore, express, and evolve in the rich tapestry of the German language. You can use these skills in combination with others to help you learn german fast and master your new language.

Online Tools for German Writing Practice

Here are some helpful suggestions on tools that can help you in your German writing practice.

Use Online Dictionaries, and Not Just to Correct Spelling

There are many free online German dictionaries available today. You should use one whenever writing to not just look up the spelling or meaning or translation of a word but also see an example or two of how it can be used in context.

For German learners, Leo is an excellent resource for looking up words and common phrases. It also offers the advantage of discussion forums. If you encounter a term that still perplexes you after searching, you can initiate a new discussion, and fellow members will readily assist you.

Linguee proves beneficial for intermediate to advanced German learners. Upon searching for a word, the website displays paragraphs illustrating the word’s usage, providing insights into various contexts.

Thesauruses

Beginners often find themselves using the same words repeatedly due to a limited vocabulary. As you expand your word repertoire, online thesauruses become invaluable.

Open Thesaurus stands out as one of the finest online German thesauruses. If you are tired of always using “schön” to say ”beautiful”, a quick search in the thesaurus will yield a wealth of alternatives like “hübsch” (cute), “umwerfend” (gorgeous), and “prächtig” (magnificent), accompanied by in-context usage. As we already said, seeing an example helps you see nuances in synonyms and learn how to use a word correctly.

Many basic German documents and letter styles adhere to a stylistic approach distinct from that in America. Rather than hastily drafting an important letter as you would in your home country, careful consideration is required to avoid conveying the wrong impression. Using an online template can help you navigate these nuances.

Numerous letter and email templates are available online. Depending on your specific needs, a simple Google search for terms like “German cover letter” or its equivalent in German, such as “ein Anschreiben” or “Bewerbungsschreiben,” will yield a variety of options.

If you like these ideas on how to improve your German, we have many other tips on our blog. Check out our articles on interesting and innovative ways to improve your German.

Interesting to Know: The German Kurrentschrift

From the 16th century until World War II, Germany had a distinctive style of printing and handwriting that set German apart from other European languages. The term “Fraktur” was used to describe the printed German, characterized by its “broken” appearance.

In contrast, the handwritten spelling form of German, where the letters were connected, was referred to as “Kurrent” or “running” script. While Fraktur remained relatively consistent over the centuries, various norms for Kurrent were developed, leading to different styles of handwriting.

Many older Germans today were taught to write in the “Sütterlin” Kurrent style. This style was developed by Ludwig Sütterlin, a graphic artist from Vienna (1865–1917). The Sütterlin script was based on the style of handwriting used in the old German Chancery and was taught in German schools from 1915 to 1941.

Here are some of the questions asked by those interested in improving their writing skills.

What is the German writing style?

The German writing style is characterized by a formal and precise approach. It values clarity and directness, with a tendency towards longer sentences and complex syntax. Additionally, formalities such as addressing people by their titles are common, reflecting a structured and well-organized communication style.

What writing system does German use?

The German writing system uses the Latin alphabet, like English. However, it includes a set of additional characters such as umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and the Eszett (ß). The alphabet consists of 26 letters, with certain letters having unique diacritic marks, contributing to the distinctive German pronunciation and spelling.

What is a ß in the German alphabet called?

The ß in the German alphabet is called “Eszett.” It is one of the unique letters in German representing the sharp “ss” sound. The letter is used in specific instances, especially after long vowels or diphthongs. While not every word with a double “s” uses the Eszett, it has its own rules and is an essential part of German orthography.

How can I improve my German fluency?

Improving your German language skills involves a multifaceted approach. You can learn German with the help of a tutor and by having regular conversations with native speakers. You can also watch German films, and listen to German music or podcasts to enhance your listening skills.

Also, immersing yourself in the foreign language you are studying through various activities contributes to overall fluency. Consider language exchange programs or online platforms to converse with native speakers and gain practical experience.

Summing Up: How to Write in German

So, the ”correct way” to learn German writing involves regular reading, diversified materials, and consistent practice. Starting with simple topics and progressing to advanced subjects ensures a gradual and enjoyable learning process. Revision becomes crucial to identify and rectify weak spots. And with the variety of tools available online today, you should also explore online tools like dictionaries and thesauruses to enhance your writing skills.

Your guide to the best free online learning resources.

Writing : appropriate and elegant

Alpha ARD Educational Channel - Punctuation

Nancy Thuleen - Practise Writing in German

Schlaukopf.de - Spelling Rules

Mittelschulvorbereitung - Upper- and Lowercase Spelling

Mittelschulvorbereitung - Drafting German Texts

Online-lernen - Spelling and Dictations

Online Lernen - Discussions, Interpretations, and More

Orthographietrainer - Spelling Exercises and More

Mein Deutschbuch - Practise with Dictations

Deutschfoerdern.de - Interactive Exercises

Linguee - Learn Phrases in Context

YouTube: Alina Sonnenschein - Learn how to Write and Pronounce New Words

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Are you planning to live and work in Germany? You can find free exercises here to improve your German for work – from levels A1 to C2. These exercises will also help you find out what it is like to actually work in Germany for a German employer. What should you watch out for in an interview? How many hours a week do people work on average? You’ll find the answers to these, and more workplace-focused questions, in videos from people already at work in Germany. 

Learning & Education

Do you want to learn German for free and practise for the next quiz show at the same time? Then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve prepared general knowledge questions about Germany and the world that are suitable for all levels. Which region of the world has the most penguins? What job did German inventor Carl Benz have in his summer holidays? Test your knowledge and impress your friends with what you know!

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Our recommendations.

YouTube Learning German with Ida: How to pronounce compounds

Hi! I'm Ida, your German teacher on YouTube. In this video, I'm cleaning my fridge. Why? I was on holiday and now, unfortunately, a lot has gone bad: Cucumber, pepper sauce, strawberry yoghurt. Help me make sure this doesn't happen again and I'll show you how to pronounce compounds like “Erdbeerjoghurt”.

YouTube Learning German with Ida: How to pronounce international words

I am so happy! My tablet works again. But what's the difference between a “Tablet” and a “Tablett”?! In this video I show you how to pronounce international words – that is words that come from another language.

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Listening Texts For All Levels

Do you listen to podcasts and want to learn German free of charge? Then you have come to the right place! Our podcasts, from all over the world, cover a wide range of topics and language levels. Whether you are just starting out at level A1 or can already speak more fluently at level B2 or C1 – give us a listen!

• LearnOutLive

25+ Easy German Short Stories To Boost Your Reading Skills

• Fairytales in simplified german

German Prankster Stories, Folk Tales & Fables

• An Interactive Messenger Story
• René Goscinny in German(re-narration)
• Mark Twain in German (re-narration)
• The Greedy Dog and other German fables
• Post-WWII German short stories

Short Stories, Novels & More From The Goethe Institute

Learning German with stories is one of the most effective ways to increase your vocabulary and rapidly make sense of grammar in action. It has many benefits and there’s even some interesting brain research on how languages affect our cerebral pathways.

But finding easy German short stories to practice your reading skills can be daunting, especially when combing through websites that are all in German. What are good sources? Do they actually use good German? Are they error-free? Fear not! I’ve done the work for you.

In a previous post about reading simple German short stories for beginners  I’ve showcased a handful of literary short stories, mostly from post-war times which are interesting  enough but not  too difficult for beginners. However, even these required a certain level of German to make sense of.

In today’s post, I want to recommend some stories that are easy to understand and accessible, specifically for those who are just beginning to read German. With these stories, even if you are a novice learner, you can start reading without any delay.

12 Fairytales in Easy German Language

Who doesn’t remember the classic fairy-tales by the Grimm brothers like Hänsel und Gretel, Rotkäppchen (Little Red Riding Hood) or Rapunzel? But if you’ve ever tried reading the original in German, you’ll know that most versions of these stories (especially those found on free websites) are told in a very archaic and baroque German, which is not just hard but almost impossible to fathom for novice learners.

Luckily the simplified German portal of national broadcaster NDR has a number of German fairy-tales rewritten in Einfache Sprache (simple language), so even absolute beginners can enjoy these classic tales. Bonus: They all come with slow professional audio narration, so you don’t have to puzzle over pronunciation.

Start reading (or listening) at  ndr.de or select one of the following fairy-tales:

• Rotkäppchen (Little Red Riding Hood)

(Sidenote: I recently wrote an interactive version of this particular fairytale with a modern twist: Rotkäppchen Reloaded )

• Schneewittchen und die sieben Zwerge (Snow White and the 7 dwarfs)
• Dornröschen (Sleeping Beauty)
• Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten (The Bremen Town-Musicians)
• Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein (The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids)
• Der Hase und der Igel (The Hare and the Hedgehog)
• Rumpelstilzchen (Rumpelstiltskin)
• Hänsel und Gretel
• Die 3 Federn (The Three Feathers)
• Des Teufels rußiger Bruder (The Devil’s Sooty Brother)

The strange and droll antics of the Schildbürger (“citizens of Schilda”) are similar to the Yiddish Chelm stories or the Wise Men of Gotham in the English speaking world and can make for enjoyable reading practice in German.

I’ve selected the tale of how they built a strange triangular town hall, added in-line translation and found a great narration on Youtube, all of which, including my own re-narration of the introduction to the Schildbürger, you can enjoy right here on the blog .

If you enjoy this format I also prepared the famous “ Belling the Cat ” fable by Aesop in a similar style. Fables can be a great literary genre for language learners, because they are often short and have a clear central message. If you’re looking for more fables like these, medienwerkstatt has a bunch.

German Chat Stories

If you’re looking for something a bit more interactive, also check out our Chat Stories where you can enjoy German storytelling in bite-sized bits. Pick up vocabulary as you go through the stories, listen to pronunciation of phrases, do little quizzes, collect words, build up your vocabulary and more. Dive right in or read my little “behind-the-scenes” post about this project.

This is available as an in-browser experience, or just simply add it to your home-screen as a progressive web app. No need to download or install anything.

Nick, His Friends And A Photographer, by René Goscinny (And 2 Other Stories)

This story is told after a chapter from “Le petit Nicolas” by the popular French author Goscinny, world-renown for the Asterix stories. The authors of  deutschalsfremdsprache.ch went to great lengths to retell the story using very simple but grammatically perfect German. This story even comes with a few basic text comprehension questions.

If you like this story, there are also two other chapters:

• Nick und seine Freunde spielen Fußball
• Der kleine Nick am Strand .

Tom Sawyer And The Garden Fence, by Mark Twain (And 7 Other Stories)

In this retelling of a chapter from Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”, deutschalsfremdsprache.ch did a similar feat like with the above French story: keeping the original narrative and restructuring grammar and vocabulary to make for easy German reading. Just like the above story, this PDF comes with some exercises.

Other chapters in this series include:

• Tom Sawyer kommt zu spät
• Tom Sawyer auf dem Friedhof
• Tom Sawyer auf der Insel
• Tom Sawyer und die Gerichtsverhandlung
• Tom Sawyer auf Schatzsuche
• Tom Sawyer in der Höhle
• Tom Sawyer findet einen Schatz

Note: all of these stories come with some exercises, but without  an answer key. If you’d like to get the correct answers to all the exercises the owners of this website sell a USB stick containing all their worksheets plus answers.

The Greedy Dog, by Erasmus Alberus (And Tons Of Other Stories)

The Carl-Kehr-Schule in Halberstadt offers a content-rich website with tons of easy German short stories in a wide range of categories. You’ll find stories about animals, seasons, quizzes, fables, legends, ballads and much more.

While these texts are originally intended to help deaf children boost their vocabulary and reading skills (see my post on Leichte Sprache ), they are actually really helpful for German learners as well, since the stories are very short and to the point.

The presentation of the website may look a bit outdated, but don’t be discouraged. This is a treasure trove of easy German short stories, all available in convenient PDF format, many of them even with illustrations. The stories are organized according to categories: Märchen (fairy-tales), Sagen (legends), Fabeln (fables), Schwänke (droll stories), animals , and much more.

For example, here’s a very short fable entitled “The Greedy Dog”, originally by Erasmus Alberus, retold in easy German:

And since we’re talking about Leichte Sprache , I’d also like to mention Bremen Lebenshilfe, a registered association that is dedicated to helping the mentally handicapped, and their website in simplified German with easy German short stories.

The stories cost a few euros each, but they also provide a free sample which showcases the barrier-free layout and fitting illustrations. While originally designed for people with handicap, I think these short stories can be an excellent way for beginner German learners to start reading.

5 German Post-WWII Short Stories

Trümmerliteratur (“rubble literature”) was a German literary movement that began somewhere after World War II, dealing with both the literal and metaphorical rubble. Taking the American short story as a model, authors of this movement employed very simple and direct language as a way of coming to terms with the new post-destruction reality. They focused on clear and concise descriptions, and cut out a lot of the embellishments of prior literary movements.

It is precisely this simplified language which can serve as a stepping stone for German learners to make their first forays into literary German without getting bogged down in endlessly meandering sentences.

As mentioned in the intro, I’ve selected and summarized five of these stories for you.

The Goethe Institute offers more than 35,000 German language media, including novels, magazines, audiobooks and of course short stories in their eLibrary titled “Onleihe” (a wordplay on ‘online’ and ‘ausleihen’, i.e. to borrow). After registering a free account you can borrow desired titles for up to 2, 4 or 7 days.

Before signing up you can browse their library and check out free reading samples. Tip: Enter “Kurzgeschichte” into the search form to filter for “short stories”. As of the time of this writing, Onleihe offers more than 82 entries for this keyword, some even with audio. For beginners, I’d recommend checking out the graded readers by “Hueber” ( example ).

The only restriction for using Onleihe is that you need to have a permanent residence outside of Germany. If you’re currently located in Germany, you can still use the Onleihe, but will have to access its contents via the digital portal of your local library .

Talking about Goethe, the Goethe Institute Spain has used to have a nice collection of German short stories and excerpts from novels (sorted by levels from A2 to C1) by contemporary authors. Most of these come came with interactive exercises, text comprehension questions, quizzes and some even have integrated audio. Unfortunately these resources have since been removed but you can still access some of the archived versions on the WayBackMachine .

Learn German With Stories: Dino lernt Deutsch

Last but not least, I’d like to point you to my ongoing story series for German learners titled Dino lernt Deutsch, designed for language learners (from absolute beginners and upwards) who are tired of the same old practice sentences and want to build up their confidence without getting overwhelmed.

In essence, it’s a comedy/travel-series about a young man from Sicily who tries to pave his path in the German speaking world, in each episode exploring one city in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and beyond, chock-full of cultural misunderstandings and other bewildering discoveries. The first book Café in Berlin was released in 2013, and ever since I’ve been continuously working on the series which now has more than 10 volumes.

These books start out at around the A1/2* level, gently sloping up towards B1/2 over the course of the series. For more detailed information about difficulty levels see the quick start guide . Or you can just dive right in and browse through the excerpts for each book to get a feel for the difficulty level.

All the books are available on paperback ,  Kindle , Apple Books , etc., or as DRM-free MOBI/EPUB/PDF downloads directly from our site , alongside audio editions, flashcards, bonus materials and much more:

Get Dino lernt Deutsch

*If you’re interested in delving into the technicalities of CEFR and a bit of my general writing philosophy behind these books, also check out this post on my personal blog.

About the Author

André Klein has been teaching languages for more than 15 years and is the author of various short stories for German learners such as Dino lernt Deutsch and Baumgartner & Momen , grammar guides, children's books and more.

Curious about learning German with stories?

Find out why it works, where to start and how to master this time-tested method, with our free 5-day email course . You can unsubscribe anytime.

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Explore dungeons, fight monsters, and learn German one sword-fight at a time with this interactive fantasy story for intermediate German learners.

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StoryLearning

Learn A Language Through Stories

92 Basic German Phrases To Survive Your First Conversation With A Native

Have you ever wanted to learn German?

Or are you planning a trip to a German-speaking country?

To get started and have your first basic conversations in German, you're going to need to learn some words!

In this post, you'll learn 92 basic German phrases and words that will help you on your travels or just at home. 

To make it easier for you, I've divided the phrases into different categories.

German Greetings & Introductions

• “I do not understand!” – Getting Out Of Sticky Situations

Numbers In German

Visiting a german restaurant, transport – getting around in germany.

• Asking For Directions
• Shopping In German
• Dealing with Medical Emergencies
• Finding Hidden Gems

Whether you're going to Germany or Austria or Switzerland, chances are you can get by in English.  But if you learn basic German too, you'll be able to connect more with German speakers. 

Having a few common German phrases will make you experience these countries in a completely different way.

And even at home , learning German will allow you to learn more about German culture and connect with native German speakers in your local community.

You don't need to have a natural flair for language learning. Learning a few key phrases and being able to use them is a great start. And German isn't as hard as its reputation suggests, especially for native English speakers. 

You never know, maybe learning these phrases will motivate you to go on and learn to speak German fluently.

Note:  Want to go beyond basic German phrases and learn German with confidence and fluency? The best way to do so is by working through a comprehensive and well designed course.

My top recommendation is   German Uncovered , my in-depth online German course for beginners that teaches you through the power of story. If you’re ready to get started,  click here for a 7-day FREE trial.

If you want to make a good impression with German speakers, you'll need a few basic phrases to meet and greet people.

After all, you're going to use greetings every time you have a conversation in German!

These phrases are simple, easy to remember and will help you make new German friends. 

#1 Hallo – Hello [any time of day]

#2 Hallo, wie geht’s? – Hello, how are you?

#3 Guten Morgen  – Good morning

#4 Guten Tag [lit. good day] – Good afternoon

#5 Guten Abend  – Good evening

#6 Gute Nacht  – Good night

#7 Vielen Dank  – Thank you very much

#8 Ich danke Ihnen auch –  Thank you, too [in reply to “thank you” from someone else else]

#9 Tschüss, bis zum nächsten Mal  – Goodbye, see you next time

#10 Schönes Wetter heute, nicht wahr? – It's lovely weather today, is not it?

#11 Mein Name ist _  – My name is _____

#12 Ich bin Amerikaner, Kanadier, Engländer (male)  – I'm American / Canadian / English

#13 Ich bin Amerikanerin, Kanadierin, Engländerin (female)  – I'm American / Canadian / English

#14 Woher kommen Sie? – Where are you from?

#15 Freut mich  – Nice to meet you!

⬑ Jump back to the contents

“I Do Not Understand!” – Getting Out Of Sticky Situations

It might seem a little intimidating to speak German, especially if you're new to the language. German people will be understanding if you're struggling to get your message across or catch what they say .

At the same time, don't hesitate to use these expressions to help the conversation run smoothly if you don't understand something or need a little help.

#16 Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe nicht  – I'm sorry, but I do not understand

#17  Ich spreche nicht gut Deutsch  – I do not speak German very well

#18 Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? – Could you say that again please?

#19 Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? – Could you say that more slowly please?

#20  Schreiben Sie das bitte für mich auf – Please write that down for me

#21 Was bedeutet das? – What does that mean?

#22 Sprechen Sie Englisch? – Do you speak English?

#23  Es tut mir leid – I'm sorry

#24  Ich weiß nicht – I do not know

#25 In Ordnung  – All right

#26  Macht nichts – never mind

Whether you're at the supermarket, ordering in a restaurant, or just having a normal conversation, it's essential to know how to use numbers in German. Eins, zwei, drei….l et's get to it!

• null – zero
• eins – one
• zwei – two
• drei – three
• vier – four
• fünf  – five
• sechs  – six
• sieben – seven
• acht – eight
• neun – nine
• zehn – ten
• elf – eleven
• zwölf – twelve
• dreizehn – thirteen
• vierzehn – fourteen
• fünfzehn – fifteen
• sechzehn – sixteen
• siebzehn – seventeen
• achtzehn – eighteen
• neunzehn – nineteen
• zwanzig  – twenty
• einundzwanzig – twenty-one
• zweiundzwanzig – twenty-two
• dreiundzwanzig   – twenty-three
• vierundzwanzig – twenty-four
• fünfundzwanzig – twenty-five
• sechsundzwanzig – twenty-six
• siebenundzwanzig   – twenty-seven
• achtundzwanzig – twenty-eight
• neunundzwanzig – twenty-nine
• dreißig – thirty
• einunddreißig – thirty-one
• zweiunddreißig – thirty-two
• vierzig – forty
• fünfzig – fifty
• sechzig – sixty
• siebzig – seventy
• achtzig – eighty
• neunzig – ninety
• hundert  – one hundred
• zweihundertfünfzig – two hundred and fifty
• fünfhundert – five hundred
• siebenhundertdreiundachtzig – seven hundred and eighty three
• tausend – one thousand

One of the most enjoyable cultural experiences you can have in a German-speaking country is visiting a restaurant and trying out some of the delicious local dishes.

The following phrases cover all the questions and statements you need to make when eating out, from asking for a table to paying the bill!

#27 Ein Tisch für eine Person bitte  – A table for one, please

#28 Ein Tisch für zwei Personen, bitte  – A table for two, please

#29 Haben Sie schon auf? – Are you open yet?

#30 Können wir (auf einen Tisch) warten? – Can we wait (for a table)?

#31 Können wir dort sitzen? – Can we sit over there?

#32 Entschuldigung! – Excuse me! [Calling a waiter]

#33 Was empfehlen Sie? – What do you recommend?

#34 Was ist das beliebteste Gericht? – What's your most popular dish?

#35 Was ist das? – What is this?

#36 Was für Bier haben Sie?  – What type of beer do you have?

#37 Ein kleines Bier bitte  – A small beer, please

#38 Ein großes Bier bitte  – A large beer, please

#39 Bringen Sie mir bitte eine Auswahl von leckeren Sachen  – Please bring me a selection of nice things

#40 Bitte wählen Sie etwas  – It's up to you / You can decide

#41 Die Rechnung, bitte  – The bill, please

#42 Kann ich bitte die Speisekarte haben? – Can I have the menu, please?

By the way, if you're interested in food and drink as it relates to German culture, take a look at this post about Oktoberfest, the world-famous Bavarian beer festival. 

There are lots of practicalities to consider when taking a trip to Germany, including finding your way around. Finding the right train or bus on time isn’t always easy and you don’t want to end up being the ‘foreigner’ who is holding up the ticket queue!

In this section, you’ll learn some key transport phrases that will help you quickly and easily navigate your way around any German-speaking city or country.

#43 Ich möchte nach _____  – I want to go to

#44 Wann fährt der nächste Zug / Bus nach _____? – What time is the next train/bus to __ ?

#45 Was kostet das? – How much is it?

#46 Einmal/ zweimal (nach _____), bitte – 1 ticket / 2 tickets (to _____), please

#47 Wie lange dauert das? – How long does it take?

#48 Wohin muss ich jetzt gehen? – Where should I go now?

#49 Wann fährt er ab? – When does it leave?

#50 Wie spät ist es (jetzt)? – What time is it (now)?

#51 Hält der Zug/ Bus in _ ? – Does this train/bus stop in _____?

#52 Entschuldigen Sie, ist dies _____? – Excuse me, is this _____ ? [Useful when you're on the bus / train and are not sure when to get off]

#53 Können Sie das bitte für mich aufschreiben? – Can you write that down for me?

#54 Zeigen Sie mir das bitte auf der Karte? – Can you show me on the map?

#55 Wo ist _____ auf der Karte? – Where is _____  on the map?

Asking For Directions In German 

Public transport in Germany is notoriously excellent, but there are some places you'll need to walk or drive to yourself. And for most of us, that means occasionally getting lost and asking for directions!

Here are the phrases you need to ask and receive directions in German:

#56 Entschuldigung, darf ich Sie etwas fragen? –  Excuse me, could I ask you something?

#57  Ich möchte nach _____  – I want to go to _ [If you know the name of your destination]

#58  Ich möchte dahin  – I want to go here [Pointing to your destination on the map]

#59 Ich habe mich verlaufen  – I'm lost (on foot)

#60 Ich habe mich verfahren  – I'm lost (by car)

#61 Wie komme ich dahin? – How can I get there?

#62 Geht es hier lang? – Is it this way? [Useful for checking if you're walking in the right direction]

#63 Zeigen Sie mir das bitte auf der Karte? – Can you show me on the map?

#64 Wo ist __? – Where is _ ?

Shopping And Grabbing A Bargain In German

Whether you're at the supermarket, the shopping centre or the local farmer's market you're going to buy things at some point or another!

And even haggle a bit –  just like you would in English. Grab a bargain in German with these sentences. 

#65  Das gefällt mir  – I like this

#66 Was kostet das? – How much is this?

#67 Bitte wiederholen Sie das  – Can you say that again please?

#68 Schreiben Sie das bitte für mich auf? – Can you write that down for me?

#69 Und wenn ich das alles kaufe? – If I buy these together? [A useful way to knock the price down]

#70 Das ist mir zu teuer  – it's too expensive for me

#71 Geben Sie mir einen Rabatt? – Can you give me a discount?

#72  Ich suche nach _____  – I'm looking for a _____

#73  Ich schaue mich nur um – I'm just looking around

#74 Danke, ich suche noch weiter  – Thank you, I'll keep looking [if you're getting hassled to buy something]

#75 Moment, bitte  – Just a moment

#76 Ja, bitte  – Yes, please

#77 Nein, danke  – No, thanks

Dealing With Medical Emergencies In German 

Hopefully, you'll never need the phrases in this section! Nonetheless, it's always good to know some basic medical vocabulary so that you can handle an emergency if you're unwell or have an accident.

#78 Können Sie mir bitte helfen? – Can you help me, please?

#79 Ich brauche einen Arzt  – I need to see a doctor

#80  Es geht mir nicht gut – I do not feel well

#81  Es geht ihm/ihr nicht gut – he / she does not feel well

#82 Gibt es ein Krankenhaus in der Nähe? – Is there a hospital near here?

#83 Fahren Sie mich bitte zum Krankenhaus  – Take me to the hospital [To a taxi driver]

#84 Es tut hier weh  – It hurts here [pointing to body part]

#85 Ich brauche Medizin  – I need some medicine

Finding Hidden Gems In German-Speaking Countries 

I've included a couple of questions you can ask the locals, so you can find the hidden gems in their cities and have a more authentic German experience!

#86 Es tut mir leid, Sie zu stören, aber…  – I'm sorry to bother you, but …

#87 Kann ich Sie schnell etwas fragen? – Could I ask you something quickly?

#88 Ich suche ein Restaurant mit gutem Essen hier in der Nähe  – I'm looking for a place with good food around here

#89  Ich suche ein nettes Café in der Nähe  – I'm looking for a nice cafe in the area

#90 Wissen Sie etwas über _____?  – Do you know anything about _____ ?

#91 Gibt es hier in der Nähe etwas Interessantes zu sehen? – Is there anything interesting to see in this area?

#92 Trotzdem danke  – Thank you anyway [if the person can not help you]

Your Next Steps In German

So there you have it: a collection of German expressions to help you get started on your new adventure!

With these phrases in your back pocket, you'll soon find yourself having your first basic conversations and getting excited about continuing to improve your German .

So now that you've learned the basics, are you ready to take the next step in your German adventure?

I'm a big believer in the power of story to enable you to learn a language . That's why I've created an entire beginner course to help you learn German online by immersing yourself in a compelling story.

It's my German Uncovered course, and it's designed to take you from beginner to B1 Intermediate level.

Click here for more information on the course and how it'll help you.

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24 German Books for Beginners: Easy Reads from a Range of Genres

Literature is a great way to instantly immerse yourself in German culture and keep building up your grammar and vocabulary.

However, it can sometimes be challenging to find books that are just right for your level.

German Books for Beginners

• 1. “Emil und die Detektive” 
• 2. “Tintenherz”
• 3. “Die unendliche Geschichte” 
• 4. “Schachnovelle” 
• 5. “Der Schwarm” 
• 6. “Mario und der Zauberer” 
• 7. “Krücke” 

8. “Bergkristall”

9. “münchhausens abenteuer”.

• 10. “Das doppelte Lottchen” 

11. “Heidi”

12. “bestattung eines hundes”, 13. “dorfpunks”, 14. “tommy jaud”, 15. “lesen leicht gemacht – fabelhafte fabeln”, 16. “deutsche märchen und sagen”, 17. “café in berlin”, 18. “first german reader: a beginner’s dual-language book”, german books for lower intermediate learners, 19. “learning german through storytelling”, 20. “momo” by michael ende, 21. “homo faber” by max frisch, 22. “der kontrabass” by patrick süskind, 23. “der vorleser” by bernard schlink, 24. “der besuch der alten dame” by friedrich dürrenmatt, how to make the most of reading an easy german book, where can you find an easy german book, and one more thing....

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1.   “Emil und die Detektive”  

“Emil und die Detektive” is a book from 1929 that follows the story of Emil, a boy who leaves a provincial German town and travels to Berlin with a small amount of money in his pocket. He is robbed on the train, and once he arrives in Berlin he must track down his stolen money with the help of a group of private eyes that call themselves The Detectives.

Besides being a classic German children’s story , this tale will provide you with a glimpse of Berlin at the time of the Weimar Republic, when the city was a capital of art, crime and cabaret. “Emil und die Detektive” is known for its realistic characters and unflinching descriptions of an often cruel and gritty world.

2. “ Tintenherz”

Originally from North Rhine-Westphalia, Funke now lives and writes in Beverly Hills. She’s known for her adventure and fantasy YA books.

As her stories are aimed at young adults, the language is easy to master. Plus, all of her books have been translated into English, so you could always grab an English copy as well, just in case you get bogged down in all the German.

Not sure which of Funke’s works to start with? Go for any of the books in Funke’s “ Tintenherz ” trilogy (the first book in this series was turned into a movie ). They’ve all received glowing reviews from The New York Times Book Review.

3.   “Die unendliche Geschichte”  

“Die unendliche Geschichte tells the tale of a young boy named Bastian who discovers a book in an antique store and becomes sucked into a fantastical tale that repeats itself over and over again.

The book was adapted into a famous American film in the 1980s. Although the film differs greatly from the book, if you’ve already seen it and are somewhat familiar with the story, this book could be a great choice for you to hone your German skills. It’s also ideal for anyone who likes fantastical literature and themes and would like to learn German vocabulary for words that often appear in Tolkien-esque realms.

4.   “Schachnovelle”  

“Schachnovelle” is no children’s book; this novella delves into dark psychological and historical themes and was completed shortly before the author’s suicide in the 1940s. But Stefen Zweig is a famous writer, having published dozens of fiction and non-fiction works before his death, and this is still a classic of German literature.

As a novella, it’s manageable for language learners. The book follows the tale of a monarchist living in Austria shortly after the Nazi occupation; under the Nazis, supporters of the Habsburgs in Austria were persecuted and sentenced to death. The monarchist maintains his sanity only through losing himself in the world of chess.

This book is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to cross Zweig off their list of authors to read, or anyone who wants to learn about this dark period of German and Austrian history. It contains lots of vocabulary that involves psychology and psychiatry.

5.   “Der Schwarm”  

“Der Schwarm”  is a modern book, published in 2004 and staying on the #1 bestseller list in Germany for eight months.

It’s an apocalyptic science fiction tale in which the earth’s marine creatures rise up against humans: Whales, undersea worms, jellyfish and sharks wreak havoc on humankind, until scientists discover that these creatures are being controlled by an unknown sentient entity called the “yrr.” A good choice for science fiction fans, fans of more modern literature or learners who want to study modern German dialogue and interactions.

6.   “Mario und der Zauberer”  

Thomas Mann is one of the most famous and most prolific German authors. But “Mario und der Zauberer”  is a novella, so if you want to take on something lighter but still say you’ve read Thomas Mann, this is the way to go. Besides, it’s a political allegory about the rise of fascism in the 1920s, so for the history buffs among you, this is an ideal read.

In the book, Mario, the narrator, describes a trip to Italy, where he meets a hypnotist named Cipolla, who uses his powers to control the people in a very fascist manner. This book is ideal for anyone interested in the politics or history of 1920s Europe, and will teach you plenty of historical and political vocabulary.

7.   “Krücke”  

Peter Härtling is a renowned German children’s book author, but “Krücke”  deals with anything but childish themes. This is a book about a nine-year-old named Thomas who loses his mother in the chaos of refugee life following the Second World War and must journey to his aunt’s house in Vienna.

Krücke paints a picture of life in this chaotic time, dealing with issues such as cities reduced to rubble by bomb attacks and the black market that sprang up in Europe in the wake of the war. Ideal for anyone interested in a portrayal of life at this crucial point in history, and like “Mario,” it teaches plenty of political and historical vocabulary.

This is a classic Austrian novella about two village children lost on a glacier on Christmas Eve. It’s available simplified to an A2 level.

The book recounts a suspenseful story in which two children, Sanna and Konrad, attempt to travel home from their grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve, become lost in a snowstorm and spend the night in the wilderness wondering if they’ll ever see their family again.

This book will give you a taste of what life was like in the Austrian Alps in the 19 th century—plus, it’ll teach you all the vocabulary you’ll need for traveling in Germany’s beautiful mountain regions.

Ever heard of Münchhausen syndrome, the disorder where a person makes up fabulous lies about themselves for attention?

That syndrome was named after Baron Münchhausen, a fictional character based on a real baron and his exploits in the 17 th century. In “Münchhausens Abenteuer,” which is available in level A1/A2, Münchhausen kills a lion by forcing a crocodile to eat it, hires a man who pulls down an entire forest with a rope and then travels the whole world. There’s never a dull moment in his tall tale style adventures.

10. “Das doppelte Lottchen”  

This book, about twins who are separated at birth, meet as young adults at summer camp, and scheme to get their parents back together, has inspired dozens of movie adaptations. In the original story, the twin girls, named Lottie and Lisa, come from Munich and Vienna, and switch places at the end of the summer so they can experience each others’ lives. Hijinks ensue. 

Even if you never saw the 1998 movie “Parent Trap,” this story is sure to captivate your attention and your heart.

Remember the Shirley Temple film version of “Heidi”?

Whether you do or don’t, this classic story of a young girl named Heidi growing up in the Swiss mountains will certainly either remind you of childhood memories or introduce you to an integral classic German tale.

Like “Bergkristall,” this story introduces plenty of vocabulary that’s sure to be helpful if you travel in one of the mountainous Germanic regions.

If you’re slightly apprehensive about the language gap between YA and adult fiction, Pletzinger is the author for you.

His innovative and prize-winning novel, “Bestattung eines Hundes”  tells the story of a reclusive children’s author Dirk Svensson through a collection of easy-to-read postcards, letters and notes.

An excellent book for those who love to travel. The intriguing plot changes setting often as the story travels across continents.

Tobias Albrecht acts, makes music and writes under his pseudonym Rocko Schamoni. His books are often a tongue-in-cheek critique of modern society.

Schamoni’s writing is fast-paced yet uses straightforward language. He’s a great author for any level of German. His second novel, “Dorfpunks,”  is an autobiographical tale about growing up in a small village and was a hit across Germany, so much so that it even got  turned into a movie .

Once you’re done with the book, you can watch it on the big screen and try out your German listening skills. Another great thing about “Dorfpunks”  is the fact that chapters are no longer than 4 pages. These bite-sized chunks are great when you need a quick burst of German reading practice.

Der Spiegel has celebrated Jaud for bringing back German men’s novels.

What’s great about Jaud’s novels is that they’ve all been recorded as German audiobooks. If you’re not all that into picking up a book, you can always grab a copy of the audio version!

His critically acclaimed novel “Vollidiot” tells the story of unlucky-in-love Simon Peters as he tries to woo the girl of his dreams, often resulting in hilarious consequences.

This comical story   has also been made into a movie  with German comedian Oliver Pocher taking the lead role.

This is actually a series of simplified fables, adapted from Phaedrus, Aesop and La Fontaine, and is ideal for beginners who have never read a German book.

Fables include classics like “Der Hund und sein Schatten” (“The Dog and His Shadow”) , “Die Ameise und die Grille” (“The Ant and the Cricket”) and “Knaben und Frosche” (“The Boys and the Frogs”). Whether they talk about ants, frogs or crickets, these profound yet minimal tales are sure to leave you thinking about some of the most common human follies.

Each title in this series comes complete with an audio CD, vocabulary, illustrations and exercises.

This short book of children’s stories, legends and sayings is simple enough that beginners can approach it without fear. Vocabulary is included in the back of the book, rather than as footnotes, a format you may find less intrusive.

“Deutsche Märchen und Sagen ” (“German Fairytales and Stories”)   allows readers to learn and practice basic German as they follow the familiar plotlines of stories like “Hänsel und Gretel,” “Aschenputtel” (“Cinderella”) and “Schneewittchen” (“Snow White”), ponder over the fate of Doctor Faust or experience the mysterious tale of Barbarossa’s ghost.

The idea is to present the common struggles of the language learner through a simple and realistic plotline. The result is both entertaining and educational.

This book is ideal for those looking for a more learning-oriented experience.

The “First German Reader” is the type of book you may enjoy if you rank among the more adventurous of beginners.

Have you ever wondered what Hamlet might sound like in German? Aside from German classics, this book also includes Shakespeare’s most famous monologue. In addition, you get a beautiful poem by Goethe, a lovely little slice of spirituality by the popular Herman Hesse and many other exciting works.

The most popular book in the series is “Mord am Morgen” (“Murder in the Morning”) ,  a detective novel (what Germans call a Krimi) . It has a simple, yet attractive storyline involving a mysterious dead body and two sly detectives trying to find a killer (Kommissar Harald Baumgartner and his colleague Katharina Momsen).

If you are a fan of the genre, you may be thrilled to meet Kommissar Baumgarten and Frau Momsen once more in the popular “Die Dritte Hand” (“The Third Hand”), in which the pair are faced with body parts turning up in different locations and must put the pieces of the puzzle together, though not literally speaking, of course.

Other detective stories in the collection featuring the same characters include “Zum Bärenhaus,” a murder mystery involving a panda bear, and “Heidis Frühstuck” (“Heidi’s Breakfast”), which starts with a loyal dog entering his home with a human ear between his teeth!

This series promises a combination of learning and entertainment that the included titles generously provide. If mystery and crime aren’t your thing, try one of the series’ interactive adventure stories:  “Shanima”   or “Genowrin.”

This book, by the author of “The Neverending Story,” was originally written for children and young adults. Thus, the language is simple enough for intermediate and lower intermediate learners.

Momo, the protagonist, is a homeless princess who has a magical power to listen to others, in spite of her many misfortunes. The book is ultimately an exploration of what makes life worth living.

In spite of its linguistic simplicity, Momo has a profound spiritual message that adults can truly appreciate.

A re-interpretation of the myth of Oedipus (though substituting daughter-father for son-mother), the story is narrated in the first person by a very rational character with a scientific mind, who sees his beliefs challenged by a series of unlikely coincidences.

There is an excellent movie based on this book, starring Sam Shepard. Whether you watch the movie first to simplify the reading or read the book first because you enjoy the challenge, the works can certainly complement each other.

Patrick Süskind has become world famous thanks to his novel “Das Parfüm.” Very few people who read that bestseller and watched the movie based on it have ever heard of “Der Kontrabass,” and that is a shame.

Personally, I came in contact with this little monologue (in which the central character is, you guessed it, a musical instrument), long before reading “Perfume.” My German level was lower-intermediate at the time, and I stumbled upon an audiobook tape at the Goethe Institut library. With my limited knowledge of German, I was able to understand and enjoy the audiobook; it is extremely accessible for intermediate learners.

“Der Kontrabass” is a fabulous book. The double bass—which nobody ever notices in the orchestra, because its sound is usually buried under layers and layers of higher-pitch instruments—complains about its miserable life in a monologue that covers much more than the hierarchy of musical instruments.

Few authors have mastered the art of the one-act play like Süskind does in this marvelous work.

Who hasn’t seen the Hollywood film “The Reader”? Fortunately for you, the film shall in no way ruin your experience of the evocative narrative it was based on by Bernard Schlink.

“Der Vorleser” is a masterpiece, but its value owes very little to linguistic innovation, and a lot to the power of a simple yet unique story.

In the book, a teenager has an affair with an older woman. Years later, while studying law, he comes across the same woman as she is being accused of a terrible crime committed during the Nazi regime. A secret the man learns can prove the woman’s innocence and save her from prison, but revealing the secret turns out to be more complicated than he had anticipated.

Prose like Schlink’s is always a pleasure. For language learners, it has the added pleasure of accessibility.

This book, by one of Germany’s classic authors, tells a simple story in simple language. When a billionaire returns to her hometown, the whole town—which has fallen into deep economic troubles—believes the woman’s arrival may solve all their problems. The plot gets complicated when the rich woman asks for someone’s life in exchange for her generosity.

Exploring concepts like justice, the value of wealth and many complex moral questions, “Der Besuch der alten Dame” (“The Old Lady’s Visit”) is ideal German reading material for intermediate learners.

Not all reading methods are created equal. Follow these tips to make sure you get the most out of your reading.

Use a German-to-German dictionary

It’s tempting to look up each and every word you don’t know using Google Translate, isn’t it? But by learning new words by translating them into English, you’re simply perpetuating your status as a beginning language learner. Using a German-to-German dictionary will help you learn the words within the context of the language, which will only improve your knowledge of Deutsch .

Make flashcards

Learning a word in context can do wonders to help you remember it—but it’s even better if you hammer the word home by writing it down on a flashcard. If you make a vocabulary set from every book that you read, soon you’ll have a big stack (or a large file, if you’re using an app) of words to memorize and integrate into your vocabulary .

Listen along

Learning how to read in German is essential, but so is learning how to comprehend. Find your book as an audiobook as well, and you’ll be able to listen to each chapter as you read it. If you listen after reading, you’ll already know the story, and it will be easier to understand what the narrator is saying in the audio version. This is a great way to hone your comprehension skills.

Many of the books introduced in the list below are available as audiobooks online (including “Mario und der Zauberer” and “Krücke.”

Practice with other resources

You don’t have to start with books when you’re first learning to read in German. In fact, you don’t even need to start with short stories. You can start with a three-minute clip of authentic, subtitled German.

Watching videos and following along with the captions trains your reading skills. This way, every video you watch helps you to practice. (And this improves your listening comprehension, too).

For short video clips from authentic German media—movie trailers, news segments, music videos, etc.—complete with interactive subtitles and other learning tools, check out the immersive language learning program FluentU . 

Don’t live near a German-language bookstore? Never fear. You can easily order books online.

Amazon.com and Amazon.de can deliver easy German books right to your doorstep.

If you’re keen on finding books digitally, or you’re trying to save money, read up on how to find free German e-books on Amazon and stock up your e-reader with Deutsch .

2. Galda + Leuchter

Galda + Leuchter is a Berlin, Germany and Madison, Wisconsin-based German books supplier. You can search their database and request that they deliver books to you.

3. Dussmann, das KulturKaufhaus

Bookstores are still a large part of the culture and everyday life in Germany, so if you want to support one of these institutions by shopping there, you can order e-books from Dussmann , a giant bookstore on Friedrichstrasse in the heart of Berlin. The store stocks a wide variety of German and English tomes (along with stationery and office supplies).

And for more enjoyable reading material, check out these German graphic novels ! 

Whether you decide to pick up one of these 24 books or to find your own book to learn German , you should get started on German reading as soon as possible, following the tips above to facilitate your learning process.

There’s nothing like reading fiction to jumpstart learning another language!

Want to know the key to learning German effectively?

It's using the right content and tools, like FluentU has to offer ! Browse hundreds of videos, take endless quizzes and master the German language faster than you've ever imagine!

Watching a fun video, but having trouble understanding it? FluentU brings native videos within reach with interactive subtitles.

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The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you're learning, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned.

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