In focus:

Learning German

Deutsch lernen — © Maksim Kamyshanskii/istock/Getty Images

German Language Basics

Facts on the German language

German grammar, the German alphabet, German words, German pronunciation– learning German is not as difficult as many people think. And you are not alone: 15.4 million people around the world are learning German as a foreign language while for 100 million people German is their mother tongue. That makes German the most spoken native language in Europe. The German language can describe things for which no words exist in other languages, it has a unique letter, reliable rules and three genders. Check these links for many other interesting and amusing facts about the German language

Was sie schon immer über die deutsche Sprache wissen wollten.

Is the German language…?

Is German difficult to learn? Is it related to Latin? Here are our answers to the most frequently googled questions about German.

Wörter wandern in Länder und andere Sprachen.

When words wander

Are there any German words in your language? It’s no coincidence. Here we explain the reasons and reveal a few fun facts.

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Quick facts

100 million people

Speak German as their mother tongue. It is the mother tongue most spoken in Europe.

15.4 million people

are learning German as a foreign language world-wide.

2,000 schools

the world over are members of the PASCH school network, which is familiarizing students with the German language and culture.

600,000 school students

around the world are learning German at a PASCH school.

120 countries

are represented in the PASCH network.

In Namibia finden sich vereinzelt noch Straßenschilder mit deutschen Bezeichnungen.

German roots abroad

Language

How diverse German can sound

German is spoken only in Germany? You couldn’t be more wrong. German is still alive and well in Brazil, Papua New Guinea and Namibia.

"Sprach-Checker" Imran in einem Vorbereitungsprojekt für das "Forum Deutsche Sprache". Das Thema: Mehrsprachigkeit bei Kindern.

German language Language as a cultural asset Museum and laboratory: The Forum Deutsche Sprache

A living source of the German language: That’s the vision for a museum planned in Mannheim.

Deutsch unterliegt einem ständigen Wandel.

German language German Language Day Language connects people and opens doors

German Language Day on 9 September 2023 raises awareness about the important social role played by language.

Quickfacts about the German Language

Learning the German language can sometimes be a challenge! To make it more fun, we have gathered 7 funfacts about the German language.

The curious German language

Learn German through fun facts: once you know these quirks, you're sure to find the language easier right away.

Alles, was Ihr über die deutsche Sprache wissen müsst.

German language

Facts and Figures

How German works

Are you interested in language? Here you can find interesting answers to your questions about the German language.

Quiz

What do you know about the German language?

How many people in the world speak German as their mother tongue or second language?

In which country is German not one of the official languages?

Which letters occur most frequently in German?

Which of the following languages is not a Germanic language, like German itself?

In which country is a Creole language spoken that is based on German?

Everything you need to know about the German language. — © dpa

Fun facts about the German language

Find out more

Ein Gebäck mit vielen Namen: Kreppl, Berliner, Krapfen.

“Say it regionally!”

German is diverse - more than 16 regional dialect groups show this. Surprising facts for Mother Language Day.

German around the world

People speak German as their mother tongue in 42 countries around the world. Why is that? We trace the reasons for you.

What do you want to learn more about?

Courses

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut lists reasons for learning German.

More info

We have found a useful link for you.

The Goethe-Institut offers numerous German courses.

More info

We have found a useful link for you.

A Goethe-Institut test will help you determine your proficiency level.

More info

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut also offers online courses.

More info

We have found a useful link for you.

We have put together information about other learning opportunities here.

More info

Exams

We have found a useful link for you.

The Goethe-Institut can tell you about the exams.

More info

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut explains how to prepare for an exam.

More info

We recommend this link.

A Goethe-Institut test will help you determine your proficiency level.

More info

Teaching German

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut lists ten good reasons to teach German.

More info

We have found a useful link for you.

The Goethe-Institut can provide you with information about teacher training programmes.

More info

We recommend this link.

The Goethe-Institut has information about teaching concepts and material.

More info

German schools

We recommend this link.

The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) offers an overview.

More info

We have found a useful link for you.

The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) has information about school qualifications.

More info

We recommend this link.

The Central Agency for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) provides information about applications.

More info

We recommend this link.

The PASCH initiative has information about the schools and what they offer.

More info

Learning tips

How to learn German?

Learning German can be fun and varied. You can make progress while listening to music, watching TV series or chatting to people on the underground. We present method you can use to learn German vocabulary really easily and memorise German grammar.

German language

Learning German

How to learn German at home

Five tips on how to learn German effectively and free of charge – anywhere in the world, without attending a course.

Das Mitsingen von Songs erleichtert das Erlernen einer Sprache.

Singing

German language

Learning German through music

How German pop songs can help you practise your pronunciation, expand your vocabulary and develop a feel for the language – in a playful way.

Andy Giménez hat mit Sprachtandems ihr Deutsch verbessert.

German language

Speaking fluent German

Learning German in conversation with native speakers: YouTuber AndyGM has told us about her language tandems.

Katja von „Deutsch für Euch“ gibt Tipps zum Deutschlernen.

Tips and tricks for learning German

There are tips and tricks for learning German. We asked Katja from “Deutsch für Euch” to tell us a few of them.

Ida Kahlo unterrichtet Deutsch als Fremdsprache

Tips about German, especially for you

In these videos German teacher Ida Kahlo answers your questions about learning German and has a lot of tips for you.

Facts about Germany

In an up-to-date, trustworthy and concise format, this handbook includes facts, figures and illustrations, to give readers a detailed introduction and insights into all aspects of life in modern Germany.

Facts about Germany

Unterwegs Deutsch lernen: „Die Straßenbahn ist gelb.“

Learning German with all your senses

Let’s get out of the classroom! This method will help you remember German vocabulary and the articles better.

In German, a young lady has no sex, while a turnip has.

Mark Twain

Learn German online

Apps, videos, learning games

Monotonously learning vocabulary by heart is a thing of the past. We show you how you can learn German online – with the help of apps, learning games, YouTube videos and online seminars. Carry your classroom in your pocket or handbag.

In Darmstadt: Deutschlehrer Maximilian Liesegang

Learning German? Have fun!

Maximilian Liesegang runs the web channel “Learn German with Max”. His aim: Having fun learning the new language.

Auch aus der Ferne lässt sich gut Deutsch lernen.

In the classroom or online

If you want to learn German, you also have many options during the coronavirus pandemic. Here we introduce you to different offers.

Arbeiten, studieren - kennenlernen: Die wichtigsten Vokabeln.

Learn German with us

These German language tips will boost your German skills during the coronavirus outbreak. Here you can discover words and expressions surrounding study, work and technology.

Eight Free Apps to Teach You German

With these eight apps you can take the language classroom with you and practice anywhere. And every single one is free.

Learning German with YouTube

Are you finding German difficult to learn? These five YouTube channels can help you.

Lernabenteuer Deutsch – ein Rätselhafter Auftrag

Learn German by game

Learning vocabulary off by heart is so yesterday. Why language learning games are the best way to learn German and which apps we really recommend.

Learning German free of charge

Here you can find online courses, videos, apps and tandem partners for the German language.

Reports on personal experiences

Learning German can change your life

Learning German unites people and can even change your life. Having a good knowledge of German opens up great opportunities for young people worldwide both for studies and jobs. Click here to read some fascinating success stories.

Explained: German Sign Language

It has little to do with German, but it’s faster - and has its own terms: an overview of German Sign Language.

The art of conference interpreting

Jaqueline Klemke has been translating simultaneously for 20 years. Find out here what else she must be able to do besides multitasking.

Expertin für Mehrsprachigkeit: Sprachwissenschaftlerin Rinker

"A multilingual society"

In Germany, many children grow up multilingual. The linguist Tanja Rinker explains what parents should pay attention to.

Jan Keck ist Deutscher und lebt in Kanada.

“I’m funnier in English”

Dreaming in German, joking in English? We spoke to people about how the relation to their mother tongues changes abroad.

Schriftsteller Wladimir Kaminer lebt in Berlin.

“My special mother tongue”

The “speech of the natives” or a very special language? The bestselling author Wladimir Kaminer reflects on Mother Language Day.

Learning German and building a successful career

Good knowledge of German offers young people around the world the best opportunities to study and work. Two success stories.

The Eight Stages of Learning German

When trying to learn German, many foreigners will follow a distinct pattern of eight language learning steps. Only once we've completed all eight, can we really call ourselves integrated.

For German teachers

Tips and inspiration for teaching material

You teach German as a foreign language? Up-to-date and varied teaching material is re important to ensure your lessons are exciting and your students enjoy learning. You will find some inspiration and material for your lessons here.

Weltweit lernen 15,4 Millionen Menschen Deutsch.

Livening up your German teaching

Do you teach German as a foreign language? Here you will find some materials and inspiration for your lessons.

Maps of Germany

Facts, funny things, interesting information about Germany and from Germany.

More help with German

Contacts

Help with learning German

Learning German is always an advantage if you want to live and/or work in Germany. That way you get to know people more quickly, cope better in everyday life and have excellent career opportunities. But perhaps you just enjoy learning foreign languages and are looking for a new challenge. Whatever your reasons for learning we provide you with information on people and places who can help you learn German.