Most Common German Verbs: 50 Essential Verbs Every Beginner Needs
The 50 most frequently used German verbs, with English meanings and example sentences. These common German verbs appear in everyday speech and writing so often that learning them first gives you the most practical return on your study time. If you are a complete beginner or brushing up on basic German verbs, this is a good place to start.
50 verbs
to show
“Ich zeige dir das Bild.”
I show you the picture.
to work
“Ich arbeite heute im Büro.”
I am working in the office today.
to drive, to go
“Ich fahre jeden Tag zur Arbeit.”
I drive to work every day.
to tell, to narrate
“Ich erzähle eine kurze Geschichte.”
I tell a short story.
to sit down
“Ich setze den Stuhl an den Tisch.”
I place the chair at the table.
to think
“Ich denke jeden Morgen an meine Familie.”
I think of my family every morning.
to lead
“Ich führe meinen Hund jeden Morgen im Park.”
I walk my dog in the park every morning.
to mean, to think
“Ich meine das ernst.”
I mean that seriously.
to name, to call
“Ich nenne meinen Hund Max.”
I call my dog Max.
to place, to put
“Ich stelle den Stuhl an die Wand.”
I put the chair against the wall.
to stand
“Ich stehe jeden Morgen um sieben Uhr auf.”
I get up every morning at seven o’clock.
to speak
“Ich spreche Deutsch.”
I speak German.
to play
“Ich spiele jeden Abend Fußball.”
I play soccer every evening.
to let, to allow
“Ich lasse das Fenster offen.”
I leave the window open.
to go
“Ich gehe jeden Morgen zur Schule.”
I go to school every morning.
to begin
“Ich beginne jetzt die Arbeit.”
I begin the work now.
to get, to receive
“Bekommt ihr auch das Geschenk?”
Are you also getting the gift?
to stay
“Ich bleibe heute zu Hause.”
I am staying at home today.
to need
“Ich brauche Wasser.”
I need water.
to bring
“Ich bringe das Buch zur Schule.”
I bring the book to school.
to give
“Ich gebe dir das Buch.”
I give you the book.
to see
“Ich sehe den Hund im Garten.”
I see the dog in the garden.
to know, to know a fact
“Ich weiß die Antwort.”
I know the answer.
may, to be allowed to
“Ich darf heute länger schlafen.”
I may sleep longer today.
to believe
“Ich glaube dir.”
I believe you.
to say
“Ich sage die Wahrheit.”
I say the truth.
to find
“Ich finde meinen Schlüssel nicht.”
I cannot find my key.
to become
“Ich werde müde.”
I am getting tired.
to have
“Ich habe einen Hund.”
I have a dog.
to take
“Ich nehme einen Apfel.”
I take an apple.
must, to have to
“Ich muss heute früh aufstehen.”
I have to get up early today.
to live
“Ich lebe in Berlin.”
I live in Berlin.
to be valid, to apply
“Die Karte gilt heute.”
The ticket is valid today.
to make, to do
“Er macht keinen Fehler.”
He makes no mistake.
to lie, to be located
“Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.”
The book is lying on the table.
to learn
“Ich lerne Deutsch jeden Tag.”
I learn German every day.
to follow
“Ich folge dir.”
I follow you.
to hold, to stop
“Ich halte das kleine Buch in der Hand.”
I hold the small book in my hand.
to be called
“Er heißt Tom.”
His name is Tom.
to exist, to pass an exam, to consist
“Ich bestehe die Prüfung.”
I pass the exam.
to understand
“Ich verstehe dich gut.”
I understand you well.
can, to be able to
“Ich kann heute Deutsch lernen.”
I can study German today.
to ask
“Ich frage den Lehrer.”
I ask the teacher.
to know a person, to know a place
“Ich kenne ihn.”
I know him.
to come
“Ich komme aus Deutschland.”
I come from Germany.
to try
“Ich versuche das Rezept.”
I try the recipe.
Practice with Games
Example Sentences
Ich bin Student.
I am a student.
Sie hat zwei Kinder.
She has two children.
Wir gehen ins Kino.
We are going to the cinema.
Er kann gut kochen.
He can cook well.
Was machst du heute?
What are you doing today?