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.
to live
“Ich lebe in Berlin.”
I live in Berlin.
to come
“Ich komme aus Deutschland.”
I come from Germany.
to exist, to pass an exam, to consist
“Ich bestehe die Prüfung.”
I pass the exam.
to say
“Ich sage die Wahrheit.”
I say the truth.
to stand
“Ich stehe jeden Morgen um sieben Uhr auf.”
I get up every morning at seven o’clock.
to believe
“Ich glaube dir.”
I believe you.
may, to be allowed to
“Ich darf heute länger schlafen.”
I may sleep longer today.
to make, to do
“Er macht keinen Fehler.”
He makes no mistake.
to bring
“Ich bringe das Buch zur Schule.”
I bring the book to school.
to know a person, to know a place
“Ich kenne ihn.”
I know him.
to ask
“Ich frage den Lehrer.”
I ask the teacher.
to think
“Ich denke jeden Morgen an meine Familie.”
I think of my family every morning.
to work
“Ich arbeite heute im Büro.”
I am working in the office today.
to go
“Ich gehe jeden Morgen zur Schule.”
I go to school every morning.
to get, to receive
“Bekommt ihr auch das Geschenk?”
Are you also getting the gift?
to need
“Ich brauche Wasser.”
I need water.
to give
“Ich gebe dir das Buch.”
I give you the book.
to speak
“Ich spreche Deutsch.”
I speak German.
to do
“Ich tue heute nichts.”
I do nothing today.
to be called
“Er heißt Tom.”
His name is Tom.
to see
“Ich sehe den Hund im Garten.”
I see the dog in the garden.
to name, to call
“Ich nenne meinen Hund Max.”
I call my dog Max.
to understand
“Ich verstehe dich gut.”
I understand you well.
to mean
“Ich meine das ernst.”
I mean that seriously.
to know, to know a fact
“Ich weiß die Antwort.”
I know the answer.
to write
“Ich schreibe einen kurzen Text.”
I write a short text.
to begin
“Ich beginne jetzt die Arbeit.”
I begin the work now.
must, to have to
“Ich muss heute früh aufstehen.”
I have to get up early today.
to learn
“Ich lerne Deutsch jeden Tag.”
I learn German every day.
to place, to put
“Ich stelle den Stuhl an die Wand.”
I put the chair against the wall.
to let, to allow
“Ich lasse das Fenster offen.”
I leave the window open.
to lead
“Ich führe meinen Hund jeden Morgen im Park.”
I walk my dog in the park every morning.
to sit down
“Ich setze den Stuhl an den Tisch.”
I place the chair at the table.
to stay
“Ich bleibe heute zu Hause.”
I am staying at home today.
to be valid, to apply
“Die Karte gilt heute.”
The ticket is valid today.
to become
“Ich werde müde.”
I am getting tired.
to drive, to go
“Ich fahre jeden Tag zur Arbeit.”
I drive to work every day.
to hold, to stop
“Ich halte das kleine Buch in der Hand.”
I hold the small book in my hand.
to follow
“Ich folge dir.”
I follow you.
to play
“Ich spiele jeden Abend Fußball.”
I play soccer every evening.
to lie, to be located
“Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch.”
The book is lying on the table.
to try
“Ich versuche das Rezept.”
I try the recipe.
to have
“Ich habe einen Hund.”
I have a dog.
to show
“Ich zeige dir das Bild.”
I show you the picture.
to tell, to narrate
“Ich erzähle eine kurze Geschichte.”
I tell a short story.
to find
“Ich finde meinen Schlüssel nicht.”
I cannot find my key.
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?