Free German Lessons

Tips and tricks about how to learn German

In my free German lessons I am going to show you that it is possible to learn basic German on your own.

Even if you are determined to take your German language skills to a professional level, you can learn German online at your own pace.

There are many reasons why you should consider to learn German (Deutsch). After all, Deutsch is one of the key languages in Europe, spoken by more than 120 million people.

Whether you visit Germany for business, as an exchange student, or for a holiday, it is good to know a few German phrases and basic German sentences.

My free German lessons include words and phrases, basic grammar rules, and tips to useful online resources, like the one below.

Is it difficult to learn Deutsch? - Well, the German saying "Deutsche Sprache, schwere Sprache" (German language, difficult language) is even used by Germans when we struggle with our own grammar rules.
On the other hand, Deutsch and English are closely related, as is Dutch. So you will find many similarities between the two languages.

First lesson: Not exactly a lesson, but one of the most important differences between English and German speaking countries.
If you talk to someone in English you always say you. In Deutsch there is the Du (informal, implies intimacy and friendship) and Sie (formal, implies distance and respect).

Especially in the business world it is important to know and stick to this rule.

Guten Tag Herr/Frau Müller, ich freue mich Sie kennenzulernen - Good Day/Hello Mr. / Ms. Miller, I am pleased to meet you.
Wie geht es Ihnen? - How are you?

Fräulein (Miss) used to be the title for unmarried women, but this is not appropriate anymore. So always use Frau.

If you meet someone you know well and have already agreed with to use the informal "Du" you say:

Hallo Peter, schön dich zu sehen - Hello Peter, nice to see you.
Wie geht es Dir? / Wie geht's? - How are you?

Once you know people well, and ask "Wie geht es Dir?" you can expect a longer speech, especially if they have been ill, or faced problems recently.

In business/formal situations the answer to "Wie geht es Ihnen" is usually a short "Danke gut" (Fine, thank you), or "Danke, es geht so" (Thank you, so-so).

When and how do you change from the formal "Sie" to the informal "Du"? Well, in the business world, when you deal with authorities, at the doctor's, and in shops, the change from "Sie" to "Du" might never happen, even if you know people for some time, and get along with them very well.

As a general rule, wait until people in higher position and those who are older than you offer you "Wir können auch "Du" sagen", or "Wir können uns duzen" (We can say "Du" to each other).

On the other hand, it is quite common that colleagues at work are "per du". Younger people and students are much quicker "per du" with each other. When someone introduces themself with his/her firstname, you know you can do the same and say Du.

What's coming next in my free German lessons?

German Greetings
Basic German Words
German phrases for travellers
How to learn German?
German Grammar Tips

Please subscribe to my News and Tips from Germany newsletter to get a language tip every month.

Learn from other reader's questions

I am sorry, but new contributions are disabled right now. Feel free to subscribe to our newsletter to get German language tips and ask questions.

Click below to read frequently asked questions and answers and add a comment to any topic.

Informal German translator
I search the whole world wide web but I cannot find a translator that can translate English sentences to informal way of speaking German. It will be ...

Welcome "Very welcome to Inmar Gunter"
Translate please

Translation by Rita
Herzlich Willkommen Inmar Gunter is the literal translation. You would ...

Birthdays How do you ask when somebody's birthday is and reply?

German lifestyle acceptance. Hello, again.

About the 'night-life' etc. Are homosexual relationships accepted by most or frowned upon by most of Germany?

If I go to Germany, can ...

Please, can you translate this to German? Hi, my Aunty is coming over from Germany but she doesn't speak a lot of English. I don't know her but I've been told that she is very lazy.

Could you ...

Ich Bin Ein Berliner President J.F. Kennedy - allegedly - made this faux pas when he used it in a speech, while addressing the German public.

To avoid calling himself a ...

Gluten Free Menu How would I ask for a gluten free meal or menu?
Thanks for your help!

Photo: Wikipedia public domain

Food - keep me meat free Hi,

I'm a vegetarian who doesn't eat meat or fish.

How can I make sure I'm not eating something I don't want to?

Photos Wikipedia public ...

I need an English to Deutsch translation of the happy birthday song Hi, can you translate the happy birthday song for me?
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Allan
Happy birthday to you

...