What does each entry show?

Its meanings, example sentences with translations, and native audio.

How many German function words should I know?

This list holds 303 function words graded A1 to C2. 138 of them fall in A1–A2, which is the set worth knowing cold before anything else.

German Function Words List: All 303, A1 to C2

der

/deːr/ article A1

1

the (masculine singular)
who / that / which (relative pronoun)
that (demonstrative pronoun)
he / him (informal)

Dictionary wording

nominative masculine singular definite article, the
who; that; which
that
him, he (in informal speech not necessarily emphasizing anything)
the one, him

Das ist nicht der Grund.

That's not why.

Das ist der Junge.

This is the boy.

Das ist der Saturn.

That's Saturn.

ich

/ɪç/ pron A1

2

I
ego
self / me / him (noun)

Dictionary wording

I (first person singular nominative (subject) pronoun)
ego
self, me, him, etc.

Ich kenne ihn.

I know him.

Kenne ich ihn?

Do I know him?

Ich hatte es.

I had it.

sie

/ziː/ pron A1

3

she
it (feminine)
he (when grammatical gender is feminine)
they / them

Dictionary wording

she
it (when the object/article/thing/animal etc., referred to, is feminine [die])
he (when the grammatical gender of the noun being referred to and designating a male person, is feminine [die])
they; them
you (polite, singular and plural)

Fragen Sie mich!

Ask me.

Öffnen Sie es!

Open it.

Nehmen Sie es.

Take it.

und

/ʊnt/ conj A1

4

and
so? / now? / and? (interjection)

Dictionary wording

and
links two nouns, often a person and an activity, in rhetoric questions to express an opposition between them
so?, now?, and?

Versuchen Sie es und machen Sie es!

Try and do it.

Na, und du?

How about you?

Sie ist mir lieb und teuer.

She is dear to me.

in

/ʔɪn/ prep A1

5

in
inside / within / at
into / to
in (fashion)

Dictionary wording

[with dative] in, inside, within, at (inside a building)
[with dative] in (pertaining to)
[with dative] in, at, by (at the end of or during a period of time)
[with accusative] into, to (going inside (of))
in, popular (in fashion)

Governs

in + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
in + Dativ position — wo?

Er ist in meiner Klasse.

He's in my class.

Er ist in einem Café.

He is at a coffee shop.

Es ist in der Nähe.

It's close by.

du

/duː/ pron A1

6

you (singular familiar)
the thou / the you (singular) (noun)

Dictionary wording

you (singular familiar), thou
the thou, the you (singular)

Warst du das?

Did you do it?

Verstehst du mich?

Do you get me?

Siehst du es?

Do you see it?

von

/fɔn/ prep A1

7

from
of / belonging to
by (agent in passive voice)
about / of (topic)

Dictionary wording

from
of, belonging to (often replacing genitive; see usage note below)
by; denotes the agent in passive voice
about, of (a topic)
on, with (a resource)

Governs

von + Dativ

Wir sind von hier.

We're from here.

Es ist nicht von mir.

It isn't from me.

Das ist nicht von mir.

It's not from me.

es

/ɛs/ pron A1

8

it
they
he / she (when referring to a neuter noun denoting a person)
that / there (dummy pronoun)

Dictionary wording

Refers to a neuter noun (person, animal, thing or abstract)
it, they
he (when the grammatical gender of the noun being referred to and designating a male person, is neuter [das])
she (when the grammatical gender of the noun being referred to and designating a feminine person, is neuter [das])
it, that, there (used to refer to statements, activities, the environment etc., or as a placeholder/dummy pronoun)
E-flat

Ist es das?

Is that it?

Das ist es.

This is it.

Wir sind es nicht.

It's not us.

zu

/t͡suː/ prep A1

9

to, towards
with respect to / regarding
along with / with
at, on (location)

Dictionary wording

to, towards (indicates directionality)
with respect to; regarding
along with; with (accompanying (the main thing in question))
at, on (indicates location)
at (indicates time)
by, in, on, at (indicates mode (of transportation, speech, etc.))

Governs

zu + Dativ

Sie ist zu.

It's closed.

Er ist nicht zu Hause.

He's not in.

Zu was ist es gut?

What's the use?

mit

/mɪt/ prep A1

10

with
by (using as an instrument)
including
at (age)

Dictionary wording

with (in the company of, alongside)
with, by (using as an instrument, by means of)
with (having a property, accessory or possession)
including, with ... included
at (with the age of)
with, at (coinciding with a specific condition or event)

Governs

mit + Dativ

≠ ohne

Was ist mit mir?

What about me?

Was ist mit Ihnen?

How about you?

Was ist mit uns?

What about us?

auf

/aʊ̯f/ prep A1

11

on
onto / up (moving to the top of)
on (responsibility)
in / at (with certain nouns)

Dictionary wording

[with dative] on, upon (positioned at the top of)
[with accusative] on, onto, up (moving to the top of)
[with accusative] on (indicating responsibility)
Introduces a word, usually an adjective, acting as context or a condition for the whole sentence.
[with dative] in, at; used with certain nouns instead of bei or in
[with accusative] to; used with certain nouns instead of zu or in

Governs

auf + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
auf + Dativ position — wo?

Human Sciences Linguistics Sciences

Halten Sie ihn nicht auf.

Don't stop him.

Die Tür ist auf.

The door is open.

Das geht auf mich!

It is on me.

wir

/viːɐ̯/ pron A1

12

we

Er ist nicht wie wir.

He's not like us.

Wir sind es nicht.

It's not us.

Kennen wir uns?

Have we met?

für

/fyːɐ̯/ prep A1

13

for
in favor of / in support of
because of / due to
to (indicating purpose or recipient)

Dictionary wording

describes an abstract directionality towards a person or matter
for (intended for)
for (in order to support a person or goal)
for, because of (in order to handle a case, task or problem)
in favor of, in support of
for, to; describes the subject of a qualitative judgment or experience

Governs

für + Akkusativ

Es ist für mich.

It's for me.

Es ist für uns.

It's for us.

Ist das für mich?

Is it for me?

was

/vas/ pron A1

14

what
which / that (relative pronoun)
something / anything (informal)
what kind of (determiner)

Dictionary wording

what
which; referring to the entire preceding clause
that, which; referring to das, alles, etwas, nichts, and neuter substantival adjectives
that, which; referring to neuter singular nouns, instead of standard das
something, anything; instead of standard etwas
what; what kind of

Es ist, was es ist.

It is what it is.

Das ist es, was ich will.

It's what I want.

Es ist das, was ich will.

It's what I want.

er

/eːr/ pron A1

15

he
it (masculine gender)
she (masculine noun for female person)
you (addressing a male of lower status)

Dictionary wording

he
it (when the grammatical gender of the object/article/thing/animal etc., being referred to, is masculine (der))
she (when the grammatical gender of the noun being referred to and designating a female person, is masculine (der))
Used in reference to a computer or other machine when personifying it; it
a person or animal of male gender, a male
you (form of address to a male person of lower social standing than the speaker)

Das ist er, oder nicht?

That's it, isn't it?

Er ist nicht zu Hause.

He's not in.

Ist er freundlich zu Ihnen?

Is he kind to you?

sich

/zɪç/ pron A1

16

each other

Dictionary wording

Reciprocal pronoun of the third person plural: each other (in both dative and accusative)

Prägen Sie es sich ein.

Memorize it.

Bewegen Sie sich leise.

Move quietly.

Bewegen Sie sich weiter!

Keep moving.

ein

/aɪ̯n/ num A1

17

one
a / an (indefinite article)
the same
into (motion)

Dictionary wording

one
the same
a, an
indicating (concrete or abstract/metaphorical) motion into something
on

Ein Hund ist es nicht.

It's not a dog.

Das ist ein Ende.

This is an end.

Es ist ein Junge.

It's a boy.

als

/als/ conj A2

18

when / as
than
as (comparison of equality)
as / like (in the function of)

Dictionary wording

at (approximately) the same moment, when, while, as
than
To the same degree that, as (distinguished from the aforementioned use in that comparison was between equals)
as; like; in the function of; in the form of
as if
but, other than

Er ist größer als ich.

He's taller than me.

Besser er als ich.

Better him than me.

Sie ist nichts mehr als ein Kind.

She's just a child.

dass

/das/ conj A2

19

that
so that

Ich hoffe, dass ich mich irre.

I hope I'm wrong.

Ich weiß, dass das schlecht ist.

I know it's bad.

Ich weiß, dass du das weißt.

I know you know.

aber

/ˈaːbɐ/ conj A1

20

but
however / though
again
rather / quite / unusually

Dictionary wording

but; however; though
again
rather; quite; unusually; used with adjectives to express a surprising degree, whether this surprise be real or for effect
nonetheless, nevertheless
an objection, a but

Das ist aber eine Überraschung!

This is a surprise.

Das ist aber ein Zufall!

What a coincidence!

Das ist aber nicht das, was ich bestellt habe.

This isn't what I ordered.

an

/an/ prep A1

21

on
at / in / against
by / near / close to / next to
a / per (with 'Tag')

Dictionary wording

on, upon, at, in, against
by, near, close to, next to
on; in; at
a, per, only used with the word Tag (“day”), otherwise use in
on, onto
at, against

Governs

an + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
an + Dativ position — wo?

Es ist an uns.

It's up to us.

Es ist an der Zeit.

It's about time.

Ich war an ihrer Seite.

I was at her side.

bei

/baɪ̯/ prep A1

22

by / near
at
for / at / in
with / on

Dictionary wording

by, near
at
for, at, in
with, on
upon, at the time of
in case of, in the event of

Governs

bei + Dativ

Ich bin bei ihm.

I'm with him.

Bist du bei mir?

Are you with me?

Sie sind bei mir.

They're with me.

nach

prep A1

23

after
to / towards (direction)
according to
behind (in sequence)

Dictionary wording

after, past (later in time)
after, behind (in sequence)
to, towards (with geographical names, directions etc.; see usage notes below)
according to, in accordance with (following the lead of a preference, order, etc.) (also as a postposition, see below)
according to (quoting claims made by another)
by the authority of; following (a school of thought)

Governs

nach + Dativ

Ich kann nicht nach Hause.

I can't go home.

Er ist nach mir gegangen.

He left after me.

Suchen Sie nicht nach uns!

Don't look for us.

um

/ʊm/ prep A1

24

around
about
at / by (time)
by (percentage difference)

Dictionary wording

about
around
at, by (when relating to time)
by (percentage difference)
for (amount of money)
in order to, so as to

Governs

um + Akkusativ

Bringen Sie sie um!

Kill them.

Die Zeit ist um.

Time is up.

Geht es um mich?

Is this about me?

wenn

/vɛn/ conj A2

25

if
when / whenever
if (on the condition that)
if (noun)

Was ist, wenn du nicht recht hast?

What if you're wrong?

Was ist, wenn ihr nicht recht habt?

What if you're wrong?

Was ist, wenn Sie nicht recht haben?

What if you're wrong?

Ihr

/ʔiːɐ̯/ pron A1

26

you (formal)
your (formal)
you (plural, familiar)
her / its / their

Dictionary wording

you (polite/formal; both singular and plural)
your (that belongs to you (when formally or politely addressing one or more people))
you, ye (plural, familiar)
her (possessive)
its (when the owning object/article/thing/animal etc., referred to, is feminine)
their

Ich habe mit ihr geredet.

I talked to her.

Ihr habt es mir versprochen.

You promised me.

Habt ihr es gesehen?

Did you see it?

nein

/naɪ̯n/ intj A1

27

no
a no

Ist das ein nein?

Is that a no?

Nein, nein! Das ist nicht richtig.

No, no! That's not right.

Was ist, wenn ich nein sage?

What happens if I say no?

vor

/foːr/ prep A1

28

in front of
before / prior to
ago
from / against (threat)

Dictionary wording

in front of, ahead of (relative location in space)
before, prior to, ahead of (relative location in time)
ago (location in the past relative to the present)
from, against (a threat or negative outcome)
with, (out) of (stating cause)

Governs

vor + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
vor + Dativ position — wo?

Was hat er vor?

What is he up to?

Ich habe vor zu gehen.

I intend to go.

Lesen Sie es mir vor!

Read it to me.

über

/ˈyːbɐ/ prep A1

29

above, over
about, concerning
via, through
across

Dictionary wording

[with accusative or dative] above, over (spatially)
[with accusative] about, concerning, over, at (in reference to)
[with accusative] via, through, by way of
[with accusative] across
[with accusative] during, for, over (a time period)
[with accusative] about, on the topic of

Governs

über + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
über + Dativ position — wo?

Ich bin über 18.

I'm over eighteen.

Er muss über 60 sein.

He must be over sixty.

Sie muss über 80 sein.

She must be over eighty.

mehr

/meːɐ̯/ pron A1

30

more
something more
no longer / never again / not anymore
increase / excess

Dictionary wording

something more
more
no longer, never again, nothing more, not anymore
increase, excess
majority, more than half (50%) of some group

Ich habe mehr.

I have more.

Ich will mehr.

I need more.

Er will mehr.

He wants more.

oder

/ˈoːdər/ conj A1

31

or
right? / is it? / is it not? (tag question)
Oder (river)

Dictionary wording

or
right?; is it?; is it not?
Oder (a major river in the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany)

Ich bin hier, oder?

I'm here, aren't I?

Es ist gut, oder?

It's good, isn't it?

Das ist es, oder?

That's it, isn't it?

man

/man/ pron A1

32

one / you / they
just / only (adverb)

Dictionary wording

one, you, they (indefinite pronoun, referring to people at large; construed as a third-person singular)
just; only

Das weiß man.

That's common knowledge.

Er ist einer, auf den man zählen kann.

He's a stand-up guy.

Ich weiß nicht, wie man das macht.

I don't know how to do it.

gegen

/ˈɡe.ɡən/ prep A1

33

against
toward (direction)
approximately / around
in exchange for

Dictionary wording

against
toward (i.e. directed to someone/something)
toward (i.e. in the direction of)
approximately, around
in exchange for
facing

Governs

gegen + Akkusativ

Medicine Sciences

Das ist gegen das Gesetz.

That's against the law.

Ich bin gegen den Gesetzesentwurf.

I'm against the bill.

Ich bin gegen den Krieg.

I am against war.

bis

/bɪs/ conj A1

34

until
to / up to
by
B-sharp (music)

Dictionary wording

until
to
until, to, (US) through
by
to; all the way to
B-sharp

Wir machen heute bis hier.

We'll stop here for today.

Alle gingen, bis auf uns.

Everyone left, except for us.

Lesen Sie vor, was Sie bis jetzt haben.

Read me what you have so far.

mein

/maɪ̯n/ det A1

35

my

Du bist mein.

You're mine.

Das ist nicht mein Auto.

It's not my car.

Ich bin nicht mein Vater.

I'm not my father.

doch

/dɔx/ particle A1

36

yes (contradicting)
though / yet / but / however / nevertheless
after all / yet / however / nevertheless
really / just (emphasis)

Dictionary wording

yes; surely; really; on the contrary
though; yet; but; however; nevertheless
after all; yet; however; nevertheless
used for emphasis; really; just
indicates proposal; why don't you/we

Was für ein Narr ich doch gewesen bin!

What a fool I've been!

Was für ein Dummkopf ich doch gewesen bin!

What a fool I've been!

Was bist du doch für ein Dummkopf!

What a dummy you are!

kein

/kaɪ̯n/ pron A1

37

no
not a(n) / not one
not any

Dictionary wording

no; not a(n); not one; not any

Es gibt keine.

"Nothing at all.

Noch bin ich kein Pfarrer und ich werde auch nie einer.

I am not a priest yet and probably shall never be one.

Ich habe keine Ahnung, was das ist.

It's a soup.

durch

/dʊʁç/ prep A1

38

through
by means of / by
via
owing to / because of

Dictionary wording

by means of; by; through
through; entering, then exiting
through (a period of time)
via
owing to; because of
divided by

Governs

durch + Akkusativ

Mathematics Sciences

Sind wir dann durch?

Are we done?

Das Huhn ist nicht durch.

The chicken is undercooked.

Haben Sie das Buch durch?

Have you finished the book?

nichts

[nɪçt͡s] pron A1

39

nothing
nothingness / void (noun)

Dictionary wording

nothing
nothingness, void

Ich habe nichts.

I have nothing.

Das ist nichts.

This is nothing.

Wir haben nichts.

We have nothing.

unter

/ˈʊntɐ/ prep A1

40

under
below
among / between
with / along with (accompanying action)

Dictionary wording

under
below
among, between
with; along with; accompanied by an action (often concessive)
during
jack, knave (playing card)

Governs

unter + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
unter + Dativ position — wo?

≠ über

Sind wir unter uns?

Are we alone?

Wir sind unter Freunden.

We're among friends.

Du bist unter Freunden.

You're with friends.

etwas

/ˈɛtvas/ pron A1

41

something
somewhat / slightly
a little / a bit
some / a bit of

Dictionary wording

something
somewhat, slightly
a little, a bit
some, a bit of
thing, being
a quality or talent that is hard to pin down

Ich habe etwas.

I have something.

Er ist mir noch etwas schuldig.

He owes me one.

Ich habe so etwas nicht gemacht.

I did no such thing.

oh

/oː/ intj A1

42

oh

also

/ˈʔalzoː/ conj A1

43

so, therefore
then / thus / hence (connecting)
also / moreover (adding information)
alright / so (interjection)

Dictionary wording

so, therefore
then, thus, so, hence (Used to connect a sentence or clause with previous information.)
Used to introduce additional information about something previously mentioned.
thus, in this way
alright (Indicates agreement with something.)
so (Used as a lead-in or to start a new topic.)

Wo wart ihr also?

So where were you?

Jetzt sind wir also alle hier, was?

So, we are all here, huh?

So, du glaubst also nicht, dass ich gut genug für dich bin.

So, you don't think I'm good enough for you.

zwei

/t͡svaɪ̯/ num A1

44

two
two (digit or figure)
grade of 'good' (academic)

Dictionary wording

two (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 2; or describing a set with two components)
two (digit or figure)
an academic grade indicating "good", corresponding roughly to a B in English-speaking countries

Danke, ihr zwei!

Thanks to both of you.

Ihr zwei könnt gehen.

You two can go.

Was macht ihr zwei da?

What're you two doing?

dieser

/ˈdiːzər/ pron A1

45

this one
that one / that

Dictionary wording

this one, this
that one, that

= das= der= die

Dieser ist deines.

This one's yours.

Wer ist diese Frau?

Who is this woman?

Wer ist dieser Mann?

Who's that man?

denn

/dɛn/ conj A2

46

because
than
so / then / ever (emphasis, surprise, doubt)
thus / so (consequence)

Dictionary wording

for; because; since
than
so, then, ever, but, now; used for emphasis or to express interest, surprise or doubt, or in rhetorical questions
thus, so; expresses a consequence; see usage notes
then, after that, in that case
unless (marks a negatively exceptive clause, with subjunctive)

Was ist denn?

What's wrong, Gaby?

Wie ist mir denn?

What happens to me?

Was hast du denn?

You're awfully quiet.

seit

/zaɪ̯t/ conj A1

47

since
for (some past period of time)
since (preposition)
for (preposition, some past period of time)

Ich bin seit 2013 hier.

I've been here since 2013.

Ich bin hier seit 2013.

I've been here since 2013.

Ich mache das seit 2013.

I've been doing that since 2013.

wer

/veːr/ pron A1

48

who
what / which (one)
whoever / he who / someone who / the person who / anyone who
somebody / someone / anybody / anyone

Dictionary wording

who (what person or people)
what, which (one) (see usage notes)
whoever, he who, someone who, the person who, anyone who (whatever person or persons)
somebody, someone; anybody, anyone (an unspecified person)

Wer ist das?

Who is it?

Wer ist sie?

Who is she?

Wer bin ich?

Who am I?

okay

/oˈkeː/ intj A1

49

OK
OK (adjective)

Das ist nicht okay.

That's not OK.

Das wird okay sein.

It's going to be OK.

Ich bin nicht okay.

I'm not OK.

dein

/daɪ̯n/ det A1

50

your
thy (archaic)

Dictionary wording

thy, your (esp. to friends, relatives, children, etc.).

Was mein, ist dein.

What's mine's yours.

Das ist dein Tun.

This is your doing.

Dein Französisch ist schon viel besser geworden.

Your French has improved a lot.

drei

/dʁaɪ̯/ num A1

51

three
three (digit/figure 3)

Dictionary wording

three (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 3; or describing a set with three elements)
three (digit/figure 3)

Eins, zwei, drei!

One, two, three, hoorah!

Wir sahen drei Männer.

We saw three men.

Wir haben drei Männer gesehen.

We saw three men.

viel

/fiːl/ pron A1

52

much, a lot
many
much (adverb)

Dictionary wording

much, a lot
much, many

Das ist viel!

That's a lot!

Ist das viel?

Is that a lot?

Das ist viel.

This is a lot.

weil

/vaɪ̯l/ conj A2

53

because
given that
while / during

Dictionary wording

because, given that
while, during

Ich gehe, weil ich gehen will.

I'm going because I want to.

Ich bin hier, weil ich es will.

I'm here because I want to be.

Das ist, weil er es nicht weiß.

That's because he doesn't know.

zwischen

/ˈtsvɪʃən/ prep A1

54

between
among / amongst

Governs

zwischen + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
zwischen + Dativ position — wo?

Es ist aus zwischen uns.

It's all over between us.

Es gibt zwischen ihr und mir keine Gemeinsamkeiten.

I have nothing in common with her.

Und bitte auch zwischen den Zähnen!

Don't forget to floss.

ohne

/ˈoːnə/ conj A1

55

without

Geht ohne mich!

Go without me.

Ich komme ohne aus.

I can do without it.

Sie sind ohne mich gegangen.

They left without me.

ab

/ap/ prep A1

56

from
off / detached

Dictionary wording

beginning at that time or location; from
off, detached (not attached to anything anymore, having come off)

Governs

ab + Dativ

Ich kann ihn nicht ab.

I can't stand him.

Bitte schreiben Sie das ab.

Copy this, please.

Das hängt von dir ab.

It is up to you.

allem

/ˈaləm/ pron A1

57

all (dative)

Dictionary wording

Dative singular masculine and neutral gender forms of alles ("all").

Ich bin jetzt zu allem zu müde.

I'm too tired to do anything now.

Das ist das Beste von allem.

This is the best of all.

Das ist das Schlimmste von allem.

This is the worst of all.

selbst

/zɛlpst/ particle A2

58

by oneself
even
the self

Dictionary wording

personally, by oneself
even
the self

Er selbst hat es gesagt.

He said it himself.

Ich kann das selbst machen.

I can do that myself.

Ich kann es selbst machen.

I can do it alone.

hallo

/ˈhalo/ intj A1

59

hello
hi / hey (informal greeting)
hello (phone greeting)
hey (to attract attention)

Dictionary wording

hello
a general greeting used when meeting someone
an initial response when picking up a phone call
a call for response to try and catch someone's attention
used to express bewilderment
hullabaloo, cheering (often welcoming or celebratory)

Er sagte der Frau hallo.

He said hello to the woman.

Ich wollte nur mal hallo sagen.

I just wanted to say hello.

Willst du nicht hallo sagen?

Aren't you going to say hello?

sondern

[ˈzɔndɐn] conj B1

60

but (instead)
so? / then what? / so you tell me! (interjection)
to separate / to sunder (verb)

Dictionary wording

rather, but (instead).
so?, then what?, so you tell me!
to separate, to sunder

Er hat sie nicht genommen, sondern ich.

Well, he didn't take it.

Das ist nicht seine Idee, sondern meine.

It's not his idea, it's mine.

Das ist nicht meine Schwester, sondern meine Mutter.

She is not my sister but my mother.

sowie

[zoˈviː] conj A1 mostly written

61

as well as
as soon as

Er gab mir etwas Brot sowie etwas Milch.

He gave me some bread, also some milk.

Diese Schere kann von Links- sowie Rechtshändern gut angewandt werden.

These scissors are suitable for left and right-handed people.

Hörnchen ernähren sich von Samen und Nüssen sowie von Insekten und Pilzen.

Squirrels eat seeds and nuts, as well as insects and mushrooms.

wegen

/ˈveːɡən/ prep A2

62

because of
concerning / regarding

Dictionary wording

for, because of
concerning, regarding

Governs

wegen + Dativ in speech
wegen + Genitiv in writing

Ich bin nicht wegen dem hier.

I'm not here because of that.

Ich bin wegen dir hier.

I'm here because of you.

Wir sind wegen dir hier.

We're here because of you.

unser

/ˈʔʊnzɐ/ det A1

63

our

Das ist unser Haus.

That's our house.

Geben wir unser Bestes.

Let's do our best.

Da ist unser Haus.

There's our house.

jemand

/ˈjeːmant/ pron A2

64

someone
somebody

Dictionary wording

someone, somebody

Es kommt jemand!

Somebody's coming.

Ist da jemand?

Anybody over there?

Gibt es jemanden?

Is there?

ob

/ɔp/ conj B1

65

whether / if
if / in case
on account of (preposition)
over / above / on (preposition)

Dictionary wording

Introduces an indirect question, a doubt. if, whether.
if, in case
on account of
over, above, on

Er tut so als ob.

He's faking.

Wir tun einfach so, als ob.

We're just pretending.

Ich weiß nicht, ob das gut ist.

I don't know if it's good.

beide

/ˈbaɪ̯də/ det A1

66

both
two
(pronoun) both / two

Kommt ihr beide?

Will you both come?

Kommen Sie beide?

Will you both come?

Ich möchte beide.

I'd like to have both.

vier

/fiːr/ num A1

67

four
four (digit or figure 4)

Dictionary wording

four (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 4; or describing a set with four elements)
four (digit or figure 4)

In vier Tagen.

Four days from now.

Er spricht vier Sprachen.

He speaks four languages.

Eins, zwei, drei, vier, fünf.

Well, one, two, three, four, five.

fünf

/fʏnf/ num A1

68

five
five (as a noun)

Dictionary wording

five (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 5; or describing a set with five elements)
five

Noch fünf Mann.

Five more men.

Er nimmt fünf.

He's been taking five.

Gebt mir fünf Tage.

Give me five days.

genug

/ɡəˈnuːk/ det A1

69

enough
sufficient / adequate
sufficiently / adequately
enough! (exclamation)

Dictionary wording

enough, sufficient, an adequate number or amount of
enough, an adequate number or amount
enough, sufficiently, in an adequate way
enough, sufficient, in an adequate way
enough!

Das ist genug.

That's enough.

Genug ist genug.

Enough is enough!

Ich habe genug.

I have enough.

dies

[diːs] pron A1

70

this

Hier, nimm dieses!

Here, take this.

zehn

/t͡seːn/ num A1

71

ten
ten (number)
ten (playing card)

Dictionary wording

ten (numerical value represented in Arabic numerals as 10)
ten (number)
ten (playing card)

Fünf, zehn, 15 und 22.

Five, ten, fifteen and twenty-two.

Es ist zehn Uhr.

It's ten o'clock.

Er kennt zehn Sprachen.

He knows ten languages.

niemand

/ˈniːmant/ pron A1

72

nobody
no one
nobody (unimportant person)

Dictionary wording

nobody, no one
nobody (unimportant person)

Es kam niemand.

Nobody came.

Das weiß niemand.

No one knows.

Ist dort niemand?

Is no one there?

während

/ˈvɛːʁənt/ conj B1

73

while
whereas / while (in contrast)
during / at the time of (preposition)

Dictionary wording

while (at the same time as)
whereas, while (in contrast to)
during, at the time of

Sei ruhig während der Stunde.

Be quiet during the lesson.

Halte ihn, während ich ihn hole!

Hold him while I get it.

Sprich nicht mit ihm, während er fährt.

Don't talk to him while he's driving.

bevor

/bəˈfoːr/ conj B1

74

before
before (adverb)

Ich will Sie sehen, bevor Sie gehen.

I want to see you before you go.

Essen wir noch etwas, bevor wir gehen!

Let's eat something before we leave.

Du solltest etwas essen, bevor du gehst.

You should eat something before you go.

einig

/ˈaɪ̯nɪç/ pron A1

75

some
a few / plenty
united
agreed / in agreement

Dictionary wording

some, a few, plenty
united
agreed, in agreement
single, only

Wir sind uns alle drei einig.

All three of us agree.

Wir sind uns nie einig.

We never agree.

Wir werden uns nie einig.

We will never agree.

halt

/halt/ intj B1

76

stop!
wait!
just / simply / indeed (modal particle)
hold / adhesion

Dictionary wording

stop!, wait!
Indicating that something is generally known, or cannot be changed, or the like; often untranslatable; so, just, simply, indeed, well
hold; adhesion
foothold; grip
support
stop (e.g. of a train)

So ist halt das Leben.

That's just how life is.

So ist das Leben halt.

That's just how life goes.

So ist er halt.

That's the way he is.

allen

/ˈalən/ pron A1

77

all

Dictionary wording

Genitive singular masculine and neutral gender forms of alles ("all") for strong Substantives.

Was ist denn mit allen los?

What's up with everyone?

Es tut uns allen leid.

We're all sorry.

Geht es euch allen gut?

Is everybody all right?

ne

/nə/ particle A1

78

right? / isn't it?
(canton code) NE

Dictionary wording

right?; is it?; is it not?; tag question
ISO 3166-2:CH code of Neuenburg (canton)

Wir haben heute nicht viel gemacht, ne?

We didn't do much today, did we?

Es ist 'ne arge Zeit.

It's a bad time.

Sieht nach Schnee aus, ne?

It looks like snow, doesn't it?

jeder

/ˈjeːdɐ/ pron A1

79

each
every
each (determiner)

Dictionary wording

each
each, every

Das kann jeder.

Anyone can do it.

Das könnte jeder.

Anyone could do it.

Das weiß jeder.

Everyone knows that.

gegenüber

[ɡeːɡŋ̍ˈʔyːbɐ] prep A2

80

opposite
to / toward / towards
compared to
vis-à-vis / in dealings with

Dictionary wording

opposite
to, toward, towards
compared to
vis-à-vis, in dealings with, in dealing with, towards
on the opposite side
counterpart

Governs

gegenüber + Dativ

Dem stehst du gegenüber.

He stands before you.

Das Zimmer ist gegenüber.

Her room is across from ours.

Natürlich nicht Ihnen gegenüber.

Not with you, of course, Mr Blin.

per

/pɛr/ prep A1 mostly written

81

by / through
by (a date)
per / for (each)
a male given name

Dictionary wording

by, by means of, through, via
by (a date)
per, for (each)
a male given name

Governs

per + Akkusativ

Wir sind per du.

I know him by his first name.

Ich dachte, ich könnte es per Telefon erledigen.

I thought I could settle it by phone.

Was sind die Vor- und Nachteile des Fahrens per Anhalter?

What are the pros and cons of hitchhiking?

sechs

/zɛks/ num A1

82

six
six (as a noun)
a failing grade (school, 1=best to 6=worst)

Dictionary wording

six (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 6; or describing a set with six elements)
six
A failing grade in a class or course at school. The grades range from 1 (best) to 6 (worst).

Zimmer Nummer sechs.

Cottage no. 6.

Es sind sechs.

Six of us.

Ja, sechs Frauen.

That's right. Six women.

pro

prep A2

83

per
each

Dictionary wording

per, each

Governs

pro + Akkusativ

Er kommt einmal pro Monat her.

He comes here once a month.

Wie viel kostet das pro Tag?

How much does it cost a day?

Diese Uhr bleibt drei Minuten pro Tag hinter der Zeit zurück.

This clock loses three minutes a day.

hi

/ˈhaɪ̯/ intj A1

84

hi

all

/al/ det A1

85

all
every (in time intervals, with plural noun)
cosmos (noun)

Dictionary wording

all
every (in time intervals, with plural noun)
cosmos

Danke für all deine Hilfe!

Thanks for all your help.

Danke für all die Hilfe!

Thank you for all the help.

Gib mir all dein Geld!

Give me all your money.

statt

/ʃtat/ conj B1

86

instead of
in one's stead
abode / stead / place

Dictionary wording

instead of
instead of, in one's stead
abode, stead, place

Lass uns nach Hause gehen, statt hier zu essen!

Instead of eating here, let's go home.

Könnten Sie das an meiner statt tun?

Could you do this instead of me?

Er geht an deiner statt.

He will go in your place.

euer

/ˈɔʏ̯ɐ/ det A1

87

your (plural informal)
yours (possessive pronoun)

Dictionary wording

your (addressing two or more people informally)
genitive/possessive of Ihr

Ich bin nicht euer Freund.

I'm not your friend.

Wir werden euer Auto finden.

We'll find your car.

Er ist euer Vater.

He's your father.

hinter

/ˈhɪntər/ prep A2

88

behind
after
beyond
over (to some place fairly nearby)

Dictionary wording

behind, after
after (in pursuit of)
beyond (further away than)
over; to some place fairly nearby

Governs

hinter + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
hinter + Dativ position — wo?

Er hat es bald hinter sich.

He's on his last legs.

Bringen wir es hinter uns.

Let's get it done.

Die sind hinter dir her.

They're after you.

zufolge

/tsuˈfɔlɡə/ prep A1 mostly written

89

according to

Governs

zufolge + Dativ

Ihr zufolge kommt er nicht.

According to her, he isn't coming.

Dem Bericht zufolge lebt er.

According to the report, he is alive.

Ihr zufolge wird er nicht gehen.

According to her, he will not go.

mehrere

/meːrərə/ pron A1

90

several
multiple / more than one / a number of

Dictionary wording

multiple, several; more than one; a number of

Für mehrere Wochen.

I may be gone several weeks.

Da waren mehrere.

There have been several other lapses.

Ein Jahr, mehrere Jahre.

A year, a couple of years.

he

/he/ intj A1

91

hey
hey (protest/reprimand)
huh (reinforcing question)

Dictionary wording

An exclamation to get attention; hey
Expresses protest or reprimand; hey
Reinforces a question; huh

ah

/ʔaː/ intj A2

92

ah
expressing understanding
expressing contentment

neben

/ˈneːbən/ prep A2

93

next to
beside / alongside / adjacent to / near
in addition to / besides / apart from
compared with

Dictionary wording

next to, beside, alongside, adjacent to, near, near to
in addition to, besides, alongside, apart from, aside from, among, amongst, on top of
compared with

Governs

neben + Akkusativ movement towards — wohin?
neben + Dativ position — wo?

Mein Platz ist neben deinem.

My seat is next to yours.

Der Mann, der neben mir saß, hat mit mir gesprochen.

The man sitting next to me spoke to me.

Mein Hund schläft auf dem Boden neben meinem Bett.

My dog sleeps on the floor next to my bed.

solch

/zɔlç/ pron A2

94

such

Wie bist du auf solch eine Idee gekommen?

How did you hit upon such an idea?

Zum Glück hast du solch gute Freunde.

You are fortunate for having such good friends.

Wie sind Sie auf solch einen Einfall gekommen?

How did you hit upon such an idea?

dessen

/ˈdɛsən/ pron A2

95

whose
of which
his / its / the latter's

Dictionary wording

genitive masculine/neuter singular of der
whose, of which
his, its, the latter's

Ich war mir dessen nicht ganz sicher.

I wasn't too sure about it.

Bist du dir all dessen sicher?

Are you sure about all this?

Bist du dir dessen ganz sicher?

Are you absolutely certain about this?

sieben

/ˈziːbən/ num A1

96

seven
to sift / to sieve
seven (as a noun)

Dictionary wording

seven (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 7; or describing a set with seven elements)
to sift; to sieve
seven

Es ist jetzt sieben.

It is seven now.

Es ist sieben Uhr.

It's seven o'clock.

Eine Woche hat sieben Tage.

A week has seven days.

äh

/ɛː/ intj A2

97

uh / er
yuck / ew / ugh

Dictionary wording

an exclamation of disgust; yuck, ew, ugh
uh, er (expression of confusion or uncertainty)

falls

/fals/ conj B1

98

if
in case

Dictionary wording

if, in the event that
in case, in order to be prepared if

= für den Fall, dass= wenn

Ich komme, falls ich Zeit habe.

I'll come if I have time.

Ich liebe sie, falls du das meinst.

I'm in love with her, if that's what you mean.

Und falls nicht, wissen Sie vielleicht, was man ihm sagen könnte.

And if I haven't, perhaps you will know what to say.

acht

[ʔaxt] num A1

99

eight
the number eight / numeral 8
eight (playing card)
figure eight (shape)

Dictionary wording

eight (numerical value represented by the Arabic numeral 8; or describing a set with eight elements)
the natural number eight
the numeral sign 8
a playing card with the value eight
a figure eight shape; a bicycle wheel bent out of shape
attention; regard; heed

Es sind acht!

"There's eight of them!

Er ist acht.

He is eight.

Sie ist acht.

She is eight.

trotz

/trɔts/ prep B1

100

despite
in spite of
defiance (noun)

Dictionary wording

in spite of, despite
defiance

Governs

trotz + Dativ in speech
trotz + Genitiv in writing

Er ging trotz des Sturmes nach draußen.

He went out in spite of the storm.

Ich habe das trotz des Regens gemacht.

I did that in spite of the rain.

Ich habe das trotz des Regens getan.

I did that in spite of the rain.

German Function Words List, A1 to C2

der

ich

sie

und

in

du

von

es

zu

mit

auf

wir

für

was

er

sich

ein

als

dass

aber

an

bei

nach

um

wenn

Ihr

nein

vor

über

mehr

oder

man

gegen

bis

mein

doch

kein

durch

nichts

unter

etwas

oh

also

zwei

dieser

denn

seit

wer

okay

dein

drei

viel

weil

zwischen

ohne

ab

allem

selbst

hallo

sondern

sowie

wegen

unser

jemand

ob

beide

vier

fünf

genug

dies

zehn

niemand

während

bevor

einig

halt

allen

ne

jeder