This word list comes from Randall Jones & Erwin Tschirner’s A Frequency Dictionary of German. Core Vocabulary for Learners, which lists the 4034 (!) most commonly used words in German.
Words 1-100 | 101-200 | 201-300 | 301-400 | 401-500
1. der / die / das (def. art.) the; (dem. pron.) that, those; (rel. pron) who, that
2. und (conj.) and
3. sein (verb) to be; (aux./perfect tense)
4. in (prep.) in [variation: im in the] 5. ein (indef. art.) a, an; (pron.) one (of)
6. zu (prep.) to, at; (adv.) too
7. haben (verb) to have; (aux./perfect tense)
8. ich (pers. pron.) I
9. werden (verb) to become; (aux./future tense); ; (aux./passive voice)
10. sie (pers. pron.) she, her (acc. form of sie [sing.]); they, them (acc. form of sie [pl.]; Sie (pers. pron.) you (formal)
11. von (prep.) from, of
12. nicht (adv.) not
13. mit (prep.) with
14. es (pers. pron.) it
15. sich (refl. pron.) -self
16. auch (adv.) also, too
17. auf (prep.) on, at, in
18. für (prep.) for
19. an (prep.) at, on [variation: am at/on the] 20. er (pers. pron.) he
21. so (adv.) so; thus, this way, such
22. dass (conj.) that
23. können (verb) can, to be able
24. dies- (det. /pron.) this, that
25. als (conj.) as, when; (adv.) than
26. ihr (pers. pron.) you (pl., familiar), her (dat. form of sie [sing.]); (poss. adj.) her, their, hers, theirs (poss. form of sie [sing.], sie [pl.]); Ihr (poss. adj.) your (formal, poss. form of Sie)
27. ja (adv.) yes; certainly, really
28. wie (adv.) how; as
29. bei (prep.) by, with, at
30. oder (conj.) or
31. wir (pers. pron.) we
32. aber (conj.) but; (adv./flavoring particle)
33. dann (adv.) then
34. man (pron.) one, you
35. da (adv.) there; (conj.) because
36. sein (poss. adj.) his, its (poss. form of er, es)
37. noch (adv.) still, yet
38. nach (prep.) after, toward
39. was (pron.) what
40. also (adv.) so, therefore
41. aus (prep.) out, out of, from
42. all (pron.) all
43. wenn (conj.) if, when
44. nur (adv.) only
45. müssen (verb) to have to, must
46. sagen (verb) to say
47. um (prep.) around, at [variation: um … zu in order to] 48. über (prep.) above, over, about
49. machen (verb) to do, make
50. kein (pron.) no, not a/an
51. Jahr das, -e (noun) year
52. du (pron.) you (familiar, sing.)
53. mein (poss. adj.) my (poss. form of ich)
54. schon (adv.) already; (adv./flavoring particle)
55. vor (prep.) in front of, before, ago
56. durch (prep.) through
57. geben (verb) to give
58. mehr (adv.) more
59. andere, anderer, anderes (adj./pron.) other
60. viel (adj./pron.) much, a lot, many
61. kommen (verb) to come
62. jetzt (adv.) now
63. sollen (verb) should, ought to
64. mir (pers. pron.) [to/for] me (dat. form of ich)
65. wollen (verb) to want
66. ganz (adj.) whole, all the; (adv.) quite
67. mich (pers. pron.) me (acc. form of ich)
68. immer (adv.) always
69. gehen (verb) to go
70. sehr (adv.) very
71. hier (adv) here
72. doch (adv.) however, still; (adv./flavoring particle)
73. bis (prep./conj.) until
74. groß (adj.) big, large, great
75. wieder (adv.) again
76. Mal das, -e (noun) time; mal (conj.) times [math]; (part.) time(s); once; just
77. zwei (num.) two
78. gut (adj.) good
79. wissen (verb) to know
80. neu (adj.) new
81. sehen (verb) to see
82. lassen (verb) to let, allow, have (something) done
83. uns (pers. pron.) us (acc., dat. form of wir)
84. weil (conj.) because
85. unter (prep.) under
86. denn (conj.) because; (part.) (used in questions to tone down bluntness)
87. stehen (verb) to stand
88. jed- (det./pron.) every, each
89. Beispiel, das, -e (noun) example
90. Zeit, die (noun) time
91. erste, erster, erstes (adj.) first
92. ihm (pers. pron.) him, it (dat. form of er, es)
93. ihn (pers. pron.) him (acc. form of er)
94. wo (adv.) where
95. lang (adj.) long; lange (adv.) for a long time
96. eigentlich (adv.) actually; (adj.) actual, real
97. damit (adv.) with it; (conj.) so that
98. selbst, selber (pron.) -self; (adv.) even
99. unser (poss. adj.) our (poss. of wir)
100. oben (adv.) above, up there
101. drei (num.) three
102. wenig (adj.) few; (pron.) little, few
103. Frau, die, -en (noun) woman, wife, Mrs.
104. Mensch, der, -en (noun) human being, person
105. deutsch (adj.) German; Deutsch das (noun) German (language)
106. Kind, das, -er (noun) child
107. etwas (pron.) something, some, a little
108. Tag, der, -e (noun) day
109. nun (adv.) now
110. finden (verb) to find
111. nichts (pron.) nothing
112. bleiben (verb) to stay
113. sondern (conj.) but (on the contrary)
114. klein (adj.) small, little
115. zwischen (prep.) between
116. alt (adj.) old
117. gegen (prep.) against
118. liegen (verb) to lie
119. ohne (prep.) without [variation: ohne … zu without (doing something)] 120. nein (adv.) no
121. heute (adv.) today
122. weit (adj.) wide, far
123. heißen (verb) to be called
124. denken (verb) to think
125. eben (adv.) just now; (part.) just, simply, exactly
126. erst (adv.) first, only, not until; (part.) only now, already, more so
127. natürlich (adj./adv.) natural(ly), of course
128. ob (conj.) whether
129. hoch (adj.) high
130. beide (pron.) both
131. Mann, der, -(ä)-er (noun) man
132. einfach (adj.) simple, easy; (part.) simply
133. vielleicht (adv.) maybe, perhaps; (part.) maybe, really
134. dort (adv.) there
135. dabei (adv.) with it; there, in the process
136. einmal (adv.) once
137. ihnen (pers. pron.) [to/for] them (dat. form of sie [pl.]); Ihnen (pers. pron.) [to/for] you (dat. form of Sie [pl.])
138. welch- (det./pron.) which
139. nehmen (verb) to take
140. tun (verb) to do
141. seit (prep.) since, for (a period of time)
142. dürfen (verb) to be allowed, may
143. glauben (verb) to believe
144. halten (verb) to stop, hold
145. nennen (verb) to name, call (a thing/person something)
146. Land, das, -(ä) er (noun) land, country, state
147. letzt- (adj.) last
148. gleich (adj./adv.) same; right away, just
149. solch- (det./pron.) such
150. dazu (adv.) in addition, furthermore, to that
151. mögen (verb) to like
152. Frage, die, -en (noun) question
153. gar (adv.) at all
154. zeigen (verb) to show
155. führen (verb) to lead
156. möglich (adj.) possible
157. sprechen (verb) to speak
158. während (prep.) during; (conj.) while, whereas
159. Haus, das, -(äu)-er (noun) house
160. Fall, der, -(ä)-e, fall, case
161. eigen (adj.) one’s own
162. bringen (verb) to bring, take
163. Leute, die (pl. noun) people
164. schön (adj.) beautiful, pleasant, good
165. einige (pron./adj.) a few, some
166. bereits (adv.) already
167. Arbeit, die (noun) work
168. leben (verb) to live
169. fahren (verb) to drive, ride, go (by vehicle)
170. meinen (verb) to think, have an opinion
171. spät (adj.) late
172. etwa (adv.) about, approximately; (part.) perhaps
173. wer (interrog. pron.) who, whoever
174. Prozent, das, -e (noun) percent
175. fragen (verb) to ask
176. gerade (adv.) just, just now; (adj.) straight
177. wichtig (adj.) important
178. zwar (adv.) admittedly, to be precise
179. Hand, die -(ä)-e, hand
180. wirklich (adj./adv.) real(ly), actual(ly)
181. kennen (verb) to know
182. weitere(-r/-s) (adj.) additional
183. genau (adj.) exact
184. jung (adj.) young
185. gelten (verb) to be valid
186. Stadt, die -(ä)-e (noun) city
187. Herr, der, -en (noun) gentleman, Mr.
188. Teil, der/das, -e (noun) part
189. Problem, das, -e (noun) problem
190. Welt, die, -en (noun) world
191. jedoch (adv.) however
192. stellen (verb) to place, set (in a horizontal position)
193. darauf (adv.) on it, to it
194. bisschen, bissel (pron.) little bit
195. vier (num.) four
196. nie (adv.) never
197. spielen (verb) to play
198. denen (dem. pron./rel. pron.) [to/for] whom/that (dat. pl. form of die [pl.])
199. Recht, das, -e (noun) right, law; recht (adj.) all right; (part.) rather
200. arbeiten (verb) to work
201. brauchen (verb) to need
202. folgen (verb) to follow
203. lernen (verb) to learn
204. Ende, das, -n (noun) end
205. kurz (adj.) short
206. Million, die, -en (noun) million
207. stark (adj.) strong
208. Schule, die, -n (noun) school
209. Woche, die, -n (noun) week
210. bestehen (verb) to exist, insist, pass (an exam)
211. richtig (adj.) right, correct
212. dich (pers. pron.) you [acc. form of du] 213. dafür (adv.) for it
214. sowie (conj.) as well as
215. oft (adv.) often
216. Vater, der, -(ä) father
217. Seite, die, -n side, page
218. verschieden (adj.) different
219. halt (part.) just, simply
220. Leben, das (noun) life
221. allerdings (adv.) though, indeed, certainly
222. verstehen (verb) to understand
223. fast (adv.) almost
224. wohl (adv.) well; (part.) probably
225. dein (poss. adj./poss. pron.) your [poss. form of du] 226. bestimmt (adj.) special, certain
227. Mutter, die, -(ü) mother
228. setzen (verb) to set, place, put
229. überhaupt (adv.) at all, generally
230. Grund, der, -(ü)-e (noun) reason, basis
231. besser (adj.) better
232. dir (pers. pron.) [to/for] you (dat. form of du)
233. schnell (adj.) fast
234. bekommen (verb) to get, receive
235. gern(e) (adv.) gladly
236. Auge, das, -n (noun) eye
237. sicher (adj.) safe, secure, certain
238. davon (adv.) from it, about it, thereof
239. beginnen (verb) to begin
240. erzählen (verb) to narrate, tell
241. versuchen (verb) to try, attempt
242. besonders (adv.) especially
243. Wort, das, -e/-(ö)-er word
244. neben (prep.) beside, next to
245. schreiben (verb) to write
246. warum (adv.) why
247. nächst- (adj.) next
248. laufen (verb) to run
249. Geld, das (noun) money
250. erklären (verb) to explain
251. Sache, die, -n (noun) thing
252. Art, die, -en (noun) kind, type
253. politisch (adj.) political
254. entsprechen (verb) to correspond to (+ dat. obj.)
255. klar (adj.) clear
256. schwer (adj.) difficult, heavy
257. Bereich, der, -e (noun) area, region
258. allein(e) (adv.) alone
259. kaum (adv.) hardly
260. Weg, der, -e (noun) way
261. sitzen (verb) to sit, to be sitting
262. Stunde, die, -n (noun) hour
263. einzeln (adj.) individual
264. deshalb (adv.) for that reason
265. deren (dem. pron./rel. pron.) whose (gen. form of die [pl.])
266. ziehen (verb) to pull, move
267. na (part.) well
268. beziehungsweise (bzw.) (conj.) and/or
269. sogar (adv.) even, in fact
270. Name, der, -n (noun) name
271. damals (adv.) back then
272. fünf (num.) five
273. Geschichte, die, -n (noun) history, story
274. wegen (prep.) because of
275. Gesellschaft, die, -en (noun) society, company
276. scheinen (verb) to shine, seem, appear
277. darüber (adv.) above it, about it
278. fallen (verb) to fall
279. Kopf, der, -(ö)-e (noun) head
280. gehören (verb) to belong to
281. entstehen (verb) to originate
282. bekannt (adj.) well-known
283. erhalten (verb) to receive
284. Paar, das, -e (noun) pair, couple; paar (pron.) few, couple
285. leicht (adj.) light, easy
286. Möglichkeit, die, -en (noun) possibility
287. treffen (verb) to meet
288. hinter (prep.) behind
289. sonst (adv.) otherwise
290. daran (adv.) on it
291. Unternehmen, das, – (noun) enterprise, company
292. weiter (adv.) further
293. suchen (verb) to search, look for
294. Bild, das, -er (noun) picture
295. Buch, das, -er (n0un) book
296. legen (verb) to put, lay (in a horizontal position)
297. Wasser, das (noun) water
298. Stelle, die, -n (noun) place
299. vor•stellen (verb) to introduce, imagine
300. Form, die, -en (noun) form, shape
301. handeln (verb) to deal, trade
302. Mark, die, – (noun) mark (former unit of German currency)
303. Entwicklung, die, -en (noun) development
304. Monat, der, -e (noun) month
305. erreichen (verb) to reach, achieve
306. anders (pred. adj./adv.) different(ly)
307. schließlich (adv.) in the end, finally
308. tragen (verb) to carry, wear
309. eher (adv.) earlier, more likely, rather
310. Familie, die, -n (noun) family
311. Morgen, der, – (noun) morning; morgen (adv.) tomorrow
312. je (adv.) ever, each
313. Abend, der, -e (noun) evening
314. zehn (num.) ten
315. darin (adv.) in it, inside
316. rund (adj.) round; (adv.) approximately
317. Aufgabe, die, -n (noun) assignment, task, job
318. frei (adj.) free
319. Universität, die, -en / Uni, die, -s (noun) university
320. schaffen (verb) to manage; to create
321. Sinn, der, -e (noun) sense, meaning
322. früh (adj.) early
323. lesen (verb) to read
324. Staat, der, -en (noun) state
325. Ziel, das, -e (noun) goal, destination
326. gegenüber (prep.) opposite
327. Freund, der, -e (noun) friend
328. Thema, das, Themen (noun) theme, topic, subject
329. unterschiedlich (adj.) different
330. daher (adv.) from there, therefore
331. Person, die, -en (noun) person
332. schlecht (adj.) bad
333. Euro, der, -s (noun) euro (unit of currency of the EU)
334. obwohl (conj.) although
335. Nacht, die, -(ä)-e (noun) night
336. verlieren (verb) to lose
337. Ding, das, -e (noun) thing
338. deutlich (adj.) clear
339. allgemein (adj.) general
340. Raum, der, -(äu)-e (adj.) room, space
341. Blick, der, -e (noun) look, view, glance
342. einzig (adj.) only, single
343. dar•stellen (verb) to depict, portray
344. Platz, der, -(ä)-e (noun) place, room, square
345. Zahl, die, -en (noun) number
346. gemeinsam (adj.) common, mutual
347. nah(e) (adj.) near, close; (prep.) near, close to
348. System, das, -e (noun) system
349. Uhr, die, -en (noun) clock
350. dessen (dem. pron. / rel. pron.) whose (gen. form of der, das)
351. Eltern, die (pl. noun) parents
352. erkennen (verb) to recognize
353. entwickeln (verb) to develop
354. früher (adv.) earlier, in former times
355. Straße, die, -n (noun) street
356. reden (verb) to talk
357. voll (adj.) full
358. aus•sehen (verb) to appear, look (a certain way)
359. erscheinen (verb) to appear
360. mehrere (adj./pron.) several
361. Minute, die, -n (noun) minute
362. zunächst (adv.) first, at first, for now
363. Gruppe, die, -n (noun) group
364. Wert, der, -e (noun) value; wert (adj.) worth
365. Gesicht, das, -er (noun) face
366. irgendwie (adv.) somehow
367. Sprache, die, -n (noun) language
368. bilden (verb) to form, educate
369. dadurch (adv.) through it, as a result
370. direkt (adj.) direct, straight
371. international (adj.) international
372. sozial (adj.) social
373. an•fangen (verb) to begin
374. best- (adj.) best
375. bisher (adv.) until now
376. erwarten (verb) to expect
377. Anfang, der, -e (noun) beginning
378. nämlich (adv.) namely
379. jen- (det./pron.) that, those
380. wohnen (verb) to live
381. rot (adj.) red
382. offen (adj.) open
383. Ort, der, -e (noun) place, town, location
384. naja (part.) well …
385. Moment, der (noun) moment
386. betreffen (verb) to affect, concern
387. meist- (adj.) most
388. warten (verb) to wait
389. Folge, die, -n (noun) result, consequence, series
390. ab (prep.) from
391. besonder- (adj.) special
392. gewiss (adj.) certain
393. Interesse, das, -n (noun) interest
394. manchmal (adv.) sometimes
395. Milliarde, die, -n (noun) billion
396. Rolle, die, -n (noun) role
397. jemand (pron.) someone
398. vergehen (verb) to elapse (time); to decay
399. öffentlich (adj.) public
400. Tür, die, -en (noun) door
401. Schüler, der, – (noun) pupil, student (primary and secondary level)
402. Bedeutung, die, -en (noun) meaning
403. Text, der, -e (noun) text
404. ach (part.) oh
405. Ergebnis, das, -se (noun) result
406. helfen (verb) to help
407. Krieg, der, -e (noun) war
408. sechs (num.) six
409. niemand (pron.) nobody
410. gewinnen (verb) to win
411. halb (adj.) half
412. schließen (verb) to close
413. Weise, die, -n (noun) way, manner
414. Regierung, die, -en (noun) government
415. wahrscheinlich (adj./adv.) probable; probably
416. europäisch (adj.) European
417. Stück, das, -e (noun) piece
418. Wohnung, die, -en (noun) apartment
419. fühlen (verb) to feel
420. Gespräch, das, -e (noun) conversation
421. bieten (verb) to offer
422. interessieren (verb) to interest; sich interessieren to be interested
423. wesentlich (adj.) essential, fundamental
424. erinnern (verb) to remind; sich erinnern to remember
425. Meter, der, – (noun) meter
426. her (adv.) (in a direction) away from
427. Punkt, der, -e (noun) dot, point, period
428. Situation, die, -en (noun) situation
429. ähnlich (adj.) similar
430. ergeben (verb) to result in, yield
431. dagegen (adv.) against it, on the other hand
432. häufig (adj.) frequent
433. Lehrer, der, – (noun) teacher
434. an•bieten (verb) to offer
435. ebenso (adv.) just as, as much as, as well
436. studieren (verb) to study
437. danach (adv.) after it, afterwards
438. Preis, der, -e (noun) price, prize
439. Abbildung, die, -en (noun) illustration
440. Begriff, der, -e (noun) concept, idea, term
441. Funktion, die, -en (noun) function
442. verbinden (verb) to connect, link
443. ziemlich (adv.) quite, fairly
444. an•sehen (verb) to look at, watch
445. Boden, der, -(ö) (noun) ground, floor, bottom
446. fehlen (verb) to lack, to be missing, be absent (+ dat. obj.)
447. Jahrhundert, das, -e (noun) century
448. Sohn, der, -(ö)-e (noun) son
449. Werk, das, -e (noun) work; factory
450. bedeuten (verb) to mean
451. schwarz (adj.) black
452. vergleichen (verb) to compare
453. außerdem (adv.) besides, in addition
454. inzwischen (adv.) in the meantime
455. sofort (adv.) immediately
456. steigen (verb) to climb, increase
457. Stimme, die, -n (noun) voice
458. acht (num.) eight
459. plötzlich (adj./adv.) sudden(ly)
460. Rahmen, der, – (noun) frame, framework
461. Richtung, die, -en (noun) direction
462. völlig (adj.) complete
463. nutzen (verb) to use
464. Programm, das, -e (noun) program, schedule
465. Angst, die, -(Ä)-e (noun) fear, anxiety
466. gering (adj.) low (amount/level), small
467. Information, die, -en (noun) information
468. Kunst, die -(ü)-e (noun) art
469. Musik, die (noun) music
470. schauen (verb) to look
471. schwierig (adj.) difficult
472. Politik, die (noun) politics
473. verlassen (verb) to leave
474. manch- (det./pron.) some, many a
475. bald (adv.) soon
476. ein•setzen (verb) to put in, insert
477. Beruf, der, -e (noun) occupation, job, profession
478. praktisch (adj.) practical
479. ändern (verb) to change
480. genug (adv.) enough
481. persönlich (adj./adv.) personal(ly)
482. wachsen (verb) to grow
483. aus•gehen (verb) to go out; assume
484. Regel, die , -n (noun) rule
485. Schritt, der, -e (noun) step
486. -jährig (adj.) -year-old
487. Absatz, der -(ä)-e (noun) sales; paragraph; heel
488. geschehen (verb) to happen, occur (+ dat. obj.)
489. Gott, der, -(ö)-er (noun) god; God
490. Auto, das, -s (noun) car
491. beschreiben (verb) to describe
492. Beziehung, die, -en (noun) relation, relationship
493. Erfahrung, die, -en (noun) experience
494. Tisch, der, -e (noun) table
495. an•nehmen (verb) to accept, assume
496. endlich (adv.) finally, at last
497. kriegen (verb) to get, receive
498. Zukunft, die, -(ü)-e (noun) future
499. planen (verb) to plan
500. Spiel, das, -e (noun) game