Start learning German with pronunciation and the alphabet, then basic phrases, then the 500 most common words learned together with their articles (der, die, das). Add the present tense and simple questions in the first weeks, and speak out loud from day one. Everything else – cases, past tense, word order – builds on this foundation.
The 10-step roadmap
- Learn the sounds. Umlauts (ä, ö, ü), ß, ch, ei vs ie, and the German r. German is spelled almost as it sounds, so this pays off for years.
- Master survival phrases: Hallo, Danke, Bitte, Entschuldigung, Ich verstehe nicht, Sprechen Sie Englisch?
- Introduce yourself: name, country, job, languages – see how to introduce yourself in German.
- Learn every noun with its article and plural: der Tisch, die Tische – not just Tisch.
- Numbers, days, time and prices.
- Present tense of regular verbs plus sein, haben and werden.
- Questions: W-words (wer, was, wo, wann, warum, wie) and yes/no questions.
- Word order: the verb is always in position 2 in main clauses.
- The accusative case – your first case after the nominative.
- Daily speaking and listening with learner content.
What to skip at the start
- Genitive, Konjunktiv I and the passive – they come at B1–B2.
- Long grammar tables without examples.
- Native TV without subtitles – it is too fast for week one.
- Dialects such as Swiss German.
Best free resources to begin with
| Resource | What it is good for |
|---|---|
| DW “Nicos Weg” | Free A1–B1 video course with exercises |
| Easy German (YouTube) | Real street German with subtitles |
| Goethe-Institut practice tests | Seeing what A1 really requires |
| Grammatikly grammar guides | Short explanations of each grammar topic, e.g. definite articles and present-tense conjugation |
| Spaced-repetition flashcards | Remembering words long-term |
Your first week
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Alphabet, sounds, greetings |
| 2 | Introducing yourself, sein |
| 3 | Numbers 0–100, prices |
| 4 | Articles der/die/das, 30 nouns |
| 5 | Present tense regular verbs |
| 6 | W-questions, first mini dialogue |
| 7 | Review + speak for 5 minutes about yourself |
Practise speaking German with AI
The best place to start speaking is day one. SipLingo is an AI conversation partner for German: you speak from day one, and it corrects your grammar, word order and vocabulary instantly, with explanations in your own native language. It covers 200+ real-life topics from A1 to B2 and runs on iOS and Android. Download SipLingo and try a free conversation today.
Frequently asked questions
What should I learn first in German?
Pronunciation, basic phrases and nouns with their articles, followed by present tense and questions.
Should I learn grammar or vocabulary first?
Both together: learn a small grammar point and immediately use it with new words in sentences.
Can I start learning German for free?
Yes. DW, Easy German and free grammar guides can take you from zero to A2 without paying anything.
Practice and go deeper
- 100 basic German words for beginners
- How long does it take to learn German?
- German levels explained
