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    Learn German with Rosetta Stone

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    German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe and an official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond. It’s the language of innovators, philosophers, and world-class engineering. Learning German opens doors to travel, culture, and professional opportunities across Europe and the world.

    Whether you're planning to study abroad, work in Europe, or just want to explore the language of thinkers like Goethe and Einstein, German will challenge and reward you in equal measure.

    Why learn German?

    German might have a reputation for being complex, but it’s also incredibly logical and structured. It gives you access to a rich cultural heritage, helps you connect with millions of speakers, and is a major asset in business and science.

    Whether you want to read literature in its original form, travel confidently in German-speaking countries, or boost your career, learning German offers lasting benefits.

    Top reasons to learn German

    • Travel with confidence: Speak with locals in Berlin, Vienna, Zurich, and beyond.
    • Expand career options: German is valuable in fields like engineering, finance, and research.
    • Connect with culture: Enjoy music, films, literature, and philosophy in the original language.
    • Boost your brain: Learning German improves memory, problem-solving, and adaptability.
    • Join a global community: Over 100 million people speak German natively, and millions more learn it as a second language.

    German language basics

    Where is German spoken?

    German is the official language of Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and one of the official languages in Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium. You’ll also find German-speaking communities in Italy’s South Tyrol, parts of Eastern Europe, and even South America.

    How long does it take to learn German?

    German takes consistent practice — but with just 15 minutes a day, you can start having basic conversations in a few months. The key is building vocabulary and confidence step by step.

    A woman ordering bread at a Berlin bakery.

    German proficiency: from beginner to advanced

    Beginner

    Start with greetings and everyday conversation:

    • Learn greetings, numbers, and everyday phrases

    • Practice essential verbs like sein (to be) and haben (to have)

    • Introduce yourself and talk about family, work, and hobbies

    Intermediate

    Level up your skills:

    • Use past and future tenses

    • Handle everyday situations: shopping, transportation, dining

    • Express preferences, opinions, and plans

    Advanced

    Work toward fluency:

    • Master complex sentence structures with subordinate clauses

    • Discuss abstract topics, news, and literature

    • Build fluency for professional or academic use

    Core German skills

    Pronunciation tips

    German pronunciation is mostly consistent, but a few sounds may be new:

    • The “ch” sound:

    In words like ich (I) or Buch (book), ch can be soft [ç] or hard [x] depending on the word.

    ichBuch
    • Long vs. short vowels:

    Bieten (to offer) vs. bitten (to request) differ in vowel length, which changes meaning.

    bietenbitten
    • The “r” sound:

    German “r” is often pronounced in the back of the throat, especially in Germany, though some regions use a rolled “r.”

    • Stress patterns:

    In most German words, the stress falls on the first syllable: TAfel (table), LEhrer (teacher).

    TafelLehrer

    Listening and repeating will help you pick up natural rhythm and intonation.

    Two travelers asking for directions in German on an old Munich street.

    Vocabulary and origins

    German shares roots with English, so you’ll recognize words like Haus (house), Buch (book), and Wasser (water). Other words, like Handschuh (literally “hand shoe” for glove), showcase German’s love of compound words.

    Useful phrases

    Begin with everyday expressions like:

    • Hallo (Hello)Hallo
    • Danke (Thank you)Danke
    • Wo ist…? (Where is…?)Wo ist…?
    • Ich hätte gern… (I would like…)Ich hätte gern…

    German verbs

    German verbs change for person and tense:

    • ich gehe (I go), er geht (he goes), wir gingen (we went)

    Many verbs also split into two parts, like aufstehen (to get up):

    • Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf (I get up at 7).
    Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf

    Nouns and gender

    German has three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Articles and adjective endings must match:

    • der große Hund (the big dog — masculine)
    • die kleine Katze (the small cat — feminine)
    • das neue Auto (the new car — neuter)

    All nouns are capitalized in German, which helps them stand out in sentences.

    Regional variations

    German varies by region — accents in Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria can sound very different from standard Hochdeutsch taught in most courses. Rosetta Stone uses clear, standard German while exposing you to natural accents.

    Best ways to learn German

    • Online: Learn at your own pace, anytime, with Rosetta Stone. Use it on your computer or download the app. Sign up now!
    • Classroom learning: Build structure and accountability with teacher support.
    • Private tutoring: Get personalized feedback from a native speaker. The best source for German tutors is Wyzant.
    • Language exchange: Practice with native German speakers online or in person.
    • Immersion: Travel or study in German-speaking countries for faster progress.

    Media and tools to support learning

    • Books: Start with simple readers like Café in Berlin for beginners.
    • Music & podcasts: Listen to German music or shows like Slow German to improve comprehension.
    • TV & films: Watch with German audio and subtitles to learn in context.
    • Quick assessments: Take a short online speaking or writing assessment with Emmersion to see your current level and track your progress as you go.

    Learn German with Rosetta Stone

    Rosetta Stone's method is crafted by language experts to get you speaking from day one:

    Real-life conversation practice

    Speak naturally with speech recognition tools.

    Grammar in context

    Learn rules as you go, not in isolation.

    Spaced repetition

    Review vocabulary for long-term retention.

    Cultural insights

    Discover German traditions, holidays, and daily life as you learn.

    Four friends enjoying a traditional German beverage at an outdoor Christmas market.

    Take the first step

    Rosetta Stone offers a free first lesson to get you started. Whether for work, travel, study, or fun, learning German gives you lifelong skills — and Rosetta Stone will guide you every step of the way.

    Get started

    What’s included with your subscription

    Achieve fluency faster with Rosetta Stone’s expert-designed Dynamic Immersion courses.

    Perfect your accent with TruAccent speech recognition technology and sound like a native speaker.

    Access to Rosetta Stone on web or mobile—learn anytime, anywhere!

    What our customers are saying

    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I absolutely love the approach that Rosetta Stone utilizes. It feels like a natural and fun way to learn a new language. I also appreciate that I’m able to squeeze lessons in when I only have 10 minutes… and it’s a more productive and enjoyable activity than getting sucked into online scrolling just to distract myself. Why not learn a new language instead?

    - Turner
    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I have been using Rosetta Stone for over 30 years. By far, this is the best application for language learning. There are no language crutches, only immersion. You learn in a natural way and move forward quickly. Apps with games are fun, but you learn more slowly, and you are always “translating,” not immersing. Rosetta Stone makes language learning interesting and efficient.

    - Graham