How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 German words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this German vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

German vocabulary: basic verbs

To be, to have, to go, to do, to want: the basic German verbs, the ones found in almost every sentence.

Here are 100 German words on “Core verbs”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 40 words

German	English
hinzufügen	to add
antworten	to answer
kennen	to be familiar withBe familiar with someone or something
werden	to becomeChange from one state to another
bauen	to build
kaufen	to buy
rufen	to call
tragen	to carryHave on you, carry around
kommen	to come
zurückkommen	to come back
erschaffen	to create
sterben	to die
eintreten	to enter
erklären	to explain
beenden	to finish
nach Hause gehen	to go home
hinaufgehen	to go up
suchen	to look for
verlieren	to lose
treffen	to meet
öffnen	to open
vorbeigehen	to pass
spielen	to play
verhindern	to prevent
schützen	to protect
ziehen	to pull
lesen	to read
bekommen	to receive
sagen	to say
dienen	to serve
teilen	to share
lächeln	to smile
anfangen	to start
anhalten	to stop
benutzen	to use
warten	to waitBe patient, let time pass
wollen	to want
sich fragen	to wonder
arbeiten	to work
schreiben	to write

Level 2: medium 35 words

German	English
annehmen	to accept
angreifen	to attack
nötig sein	to be necessary
zerbrechen	to break
bringen	to bringBring something towards the speaker
gestehen	to confess
überqueren	to cross
weinen	to cry
entscheiden	to decide
zerstören	to destroy
verschwinden	to disappear
fühlen	to feelPerceive a physical sensation or an emotion
kämpfen	to fight
aufstehen	to get up
hinuntergehen	to go down
sich vorstellen	to imagine
springen	to jump
lieben	to love
bewegen	to move
bemerken	to notice
vorschlagen	to offer
organisieren	to organise
entfernen	to remove
reparieren	to repair
ersetzen	to replace
sich ausruhen	to rest
rennen	to run
schaffen	to succeed
unterstützen	to support
erzählen	to tellNarrate, tell a story
wegwerfen	to throw away
berühren	to touch
laufen	to walk
zurückziehen	to withdraw
notieren	to write down

Level 3: hard 25 words

German	English
flehen	to beg
gehören	to belong
fangen	to catch
plaudern	to chat
putzen	to clean
kritisieren	to criticise
verlangen	to demand
abhängen	to depend
aufteilen	to divide
leeren	to empty
schätzen	to estimate
scheitern	to fail
zwingen	to force
versammeln	to gather
sich anziehen	to get dressed
wohnen	to live in
aufheben	to pick up
planen	to plan
bevorzugen	to prefer
sich hinsetzen	to sit down
pressen	to squeeze
einschalten	to switch on
mitnehmen	to take alongTake someone along with you
drohen	to threaten
flüstern	to whisper

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 German words on “Core verbs”. The full topic holds 246 in the KoKo app: 98 at the easy level, 86 at the medium level and 62 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this German vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.