How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 German words on “Repairs and upkeep”. The full topic holds 145 in the KoKo app: 58 at the easy level, 50 at the medium level and 37 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: DIY and housework

Cleaning, repairing, painting, screwing: the German words for housework, tools and DIY.

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

Level 1: easy 40 words

German	English
Mülleimer	bin
Müllbeutel	bin bag
Zement	cement
Handwerker	craftsman
Staub	dust
Hammer	hammer
Hausarbeit	housework
Bügeleisen	iron
Leck	leak
Wasserwaage	level
Nagel	nail
Farbe	paint
Rohr	pipe
Zange	pliers
Senklot	plumb line
Farbrolle	roller
Schleifpapier	sandpaper
Schraube	screw
Dichtung	seal
Samen	seed
Kurzschluss	short circuit
Seife	soap
Schwamm	sponge
Fleck	stain
bohren	to drill
leeren	to empty
befestigen	to fasten
falten	to fold
kleben	to glue
bügeln	to iron
streichen	to paint
pflanzen	to plant
wieder zusammenbauen	to reassemble
wegwerfen	to throw away
Werkzeug	tool
Werkzeugkasten	tool box
Wäsche	washing
Spülmittel	washing up liquid
Holz	wood
Werkbank	workbench

Level 2: medium 34 words

German	English
Schürze	apron
Chlorbleiche	bleach
Besen	broom
Eimer	bucket
Lappen	cloth
Wäscheklammer	clothes peg
Blumenerde	compost
Bohrmaschine	drill
Bohrer	drill bit
Feile	file
Spachtelmasse	filler
Gartenarbeit	gardening
Haushaltsreiniger	household cleanerGeneral term for household cleaning
Dämmstoff	insulating material
Rasenmäher	lawn mower
Klempnerarbeit	plumbing
Kostenvoranschlag	quote
Müll	rubbish
Säge	saw
Schraubenzieher	screwdriver
Silikon	silicone
Maßband	tape measure
anpassen	to adjust
auseinanderbauen	to dismantle
spülen	to rinse
schrubben	to scrub
sortieren	to sort
fegen	to sweep
basteln	to tinker
staubsaugen	to vacuum
gießen	to water
Cuttermesser	utility knife
Unterlegscheibe	washer
Abfall	waste

Level 3: hard 26 words

German	English
Bolzen	bolt
Reinigungsmittel	cleaning productProduct used to clean a surface
Weichspüler	fabric softener
Handfeger	hand brush
Bügeln	ironing
Wischmopp	mop
Kneifzange	pincers
Winkel	set square
Fleckenentferner	stain remover
Tacker	stapler
Klebeband	tape
vollstellen	to clutter
verputzen	to coat
entrümpeln	to declutter
desinfizieren	to disinfect
abstauben	to dust
nageln	to nail
schleifen	to sand
sägen	to saw
schrauben	to screw
abbeizen	to strip
abschrauben	to unscrew
jäten	to weed
Geruchsverschluss	waste trap
Gießkanne	watering can
Rollgabelschlüssel	wrench

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 “Repairs and upkeep”. The full topic holds 145 in the KoKo app: 58 at the easy level, 50 at the medium level and 37 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.