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Learn German: where to start with vocabulary, articles and compound words
A starting guide to German vocabulary: learn nouns with der/die/das, break compound words apart, use audio and follow a small daily plan.
By Adlans · Published: · Last updated: · 5 min read
German has a reputation for being difficult, mostly because of its articles and long words. For vocabulary specifically, though, there is a clear system, and a few habits from day one make a large difference.
Nouns come with a gender
Every German noun has an article: der (masculine), die (feminine) or das (neuter). The gender is frequently not predictable from the word’s meaning or form. The safest habit is simple: learn each noun together with its article, as one unit: der Tisch, die Lampe, das Buch.
Nouns are capitalised
German nouns are always written with a capital letter. It looks like a small detail, but it helps you spot nouns quickly when reading.
Compound words: break them apart
German builds long words by joining smaller ones. A word like Handschuh is Hand (hand) + Schuh (shoe), a glove. When you meet a long word:
- Split it into parts you know.
- Guess the meaning from the parts.
- Check it, and note the new combination.
This turns long words from a wall into a puzzle, and each part you learn unlocks many compounds.
Start with themes and core verbs
A sensible beginner set:
- greetings and politeness, numbers, days and time,
- family, food and drink, home,
- places and transport,
- core verbs: sein (to be), haben (to have), gehen (to go), kommen (to come), machen (to do/make), wollen (to want).
A tiny sample list (our own)
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Hallo | hello |
| danke | thank you |
| bitte | please / you’re welcome |
| das Wasser | water |
| das Brot | bread |
| das Haus | house |
| der Freund | friend |
| haben | to have |
| gehen | to go |
| groß | big |
This is only an example of the kind of start we mean, not an official list.
Use sound
Listening matters: German has sounds that do not exist in some other languages, and written forms do not always show how a word is stressed. Listen to each word and say it once aloud.
A simple plan
- 5-10 words a day at the start; see how many words a day.
- Review the same words soon after, spaced out; see what is spaced repetition.
- Weekly: pick five compound words and split them into parts.
Which level?
If you are new to German, start at A1. See what is CEFR. A similar vocabulary-first start for another language: learn Spanish: where to start.
German in Frigya
German is one of Frigya’s target languages. You set a separate level (A1-C2) and daily goal for it, discover new words, review them with spaced repetition and can listen to words and example sentences. See the German guide and the languages page. General techniques are in how to memorize vocabulary.
Learning articles: strategies that help
Because gender is hard to predict, the best strategy is not to memorise rules but to build a habit:
- Colour or tag by gender if you use cards: for instance blue for der, red for die, green for das.
- Say the phrase aloud: der Tisch, die Lampe, das Buch. Rhythm helps.
- Notice patterns without relying on them. Some endings tend toward a gender (many words ending in -ung are feminine), but there are exceptions, so confirm each word.
- Learn plurals too. Plural forms are not always predictable, so note them with the noun.
A closer look at compound words
Compounds follow a pattern: the last part decides the gender and the core meaning, and the earlier parts modify it. For example:
| Compound | Parts | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| der Apfelbaum | Apfel + Baum | apple tree |
| die Haustür | Haus + Tür | front door |
| das Wohnzimmer | wohnen + Zimmer | living room |
Because the last part sets the gender, a long word is less intimidating than it looks: you only need to know the last noun’s article.
Cases: just enough for vocabulary study
German has cases that change articles and endings. For a vocabulary-first approach you do not need to master them on day one. In the beginning:
- Learn nouns with their nominative article (der/die/das).
- Notice that articles change in sentences, and treat this as something to learn gradually.
- Return to cases once you have a stock of words to practise them with.
This keeps the first weeks light and builds a base you can later organise with grammar.
A first-month plan
Only a suggestion:
- Weeks 1-2: greetings, numbers, family, food. Each noun with its article, 5 words a day.
- Week 3: core verbs (sein, haben, gehen, kommen, machen, wollen) in simple sentences.
- Week 4: places and transport; split five compound words into parts.
Add a short daily review and try to recall earlier words before looking. The aim is not speed but a rhythm you can sustain.
Common beginner questions about German vocabulary
Should I learn the plural with every noun? Ideally yes, as a third item: der Tisch, die Tische. German plurals vary, and learning them early avoids guesswork later.
How do I cope with separable verbs? Some verbs split in a sentence (aufstehen: Ich stehe um sieben auf). Learn them as a whole verb and see them in a sentence from the start.
Are there many words shared with English? Yes, both are Germanic languages, so many everyday words look related (Wasser / water, Haus / house). Always confirm the meaning, because some look-alikes differ.
What about formal and informal “you”? German has du and Sie. In vocabulary study, just note which one a sentence uses; you can focus on usage rules later.
German word lists
Themed lists to go with the plan: everyday life, food and drink and travel.
Summary
- Learn each noun with der/die/das as one unit.
- Split compound words into their parts.
- Use audio, themes, core verbs and a small daily goal.
- Review at spaced intervals.
