Learn German A1 from zero, in English
You don't need to know a single word. From the alphabet and greetings to introducing yourself, shopping, and asking for directions — explained in a language you actually understand.
Try the first unit freeHow long does this level take? 6-8 weeks
What does A1 mean in German?
A1 is the first of the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. It is the very beginning of the “basic user” range. In German, an A1 speaker understands and uses familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences aimed at concrete needs: introducing themselves, asking and answering simple questions about where they live, who they know and what they have, as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is ready to help.
In practice, A1 is where German stops being a wall of unknown sounds. You can say hello and introduce yourself, count and tell the time, order a coffee, ask where the pharmacy is, understand simple signs and fill in a short form. You do not need to know a single word to start: a good A1 course begins with the alphabet and greetings and builds up from there.
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A1 vs A2: what actually changes
| Skill | A1 | A2 |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | You introduce yourself and ask and answer very simple questions, slowly and with help. | You handle short, routine conversations — shopping, appointments, small talk — and talk about your family, work and free time. |
| Listening | You understand very slow, clear speech, numbers, prices and simple instructions. | You understand the main point of short, clear messages and announcements on familiar topics. |
| Reading | You read names, signs, menus and very short, simple sentences. | You read short, simple texts such as messages, notices, a bill or a short letter, and find specific information. |
| Writing | You fill in a form and write a few simple sentences about yourself, such as a postcard. | You write short, simple notes, emails and a short letter, linking sentences with “und”, “aber” and “weil”. |
| Grammar | The present tense, “sein” and “haben”, articles, negation, questions and a first look at the accusative. | The past tense (Perfekt), the dative, more modal verbs, separable verbs and simple clauses with “weil”, “dass” and “wenn”. |
Who needs German A1?
A1 is the entry point for anyone starting German from nothing. It matters most in these situations.
Complete beginners
If you have never studied German, or you only know a few words, A1 is where you start. You do not need any previous knowledge.
A first step towards a German plan
Moving to Germany, an Ausbildung, university or a job in German all start with A1. It is the first checkpoint, not the goal.
Visas and family reunification
Some residence and family-reunification rules ask for proof of A1. The requirement depends on the permit, the country and the date, and it can change, so check with the embassy or the immigration office.
Travel and everyday curiosity
A1 is also enough to get around as a visitor: greeting people, ordering food, asking for directions and understanding prices.
A1 exams: Goethe, telc and ÖSD
Several recognized institutes offer an A1 certificate. They are accepted by many institutions, but the law or rule usually names the CEFR level (A1), not one particular provider. Check which certificate your embassy, employer or authority accepts before you register, and check the format and fees on the official website.
Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1
From the Goethe-Institut. It tests reading, listening, writing and speaking at A1 level. Details such as duration and fees depend on the exam center and can change.
telc Deutsch A1
A certificate from telc with a written and an oral part. Check the current format and the nearest exam center.
ÖSD Zertifikat A1
From the Austrian ÖSD system, also with the four skills. Check whether your authority accepts it before you register.
Lerniyo's exam is built in the style of internationally recognized exams (Goethe, telc, ÖSD) — it is not an official registration with any of those institutes. The Lerniyo certificate is a completion certificate for our own curriculum.
What you study in German A1: grammar
A1 grammar is small but important. These are the building blocks you meet again at every higher level.
- “sein” and “haben”
- “Ich bin Karim.” “Du bist Sara.” “Er ist Lehrer.” “Ich habe einen Bruder.” “Wir haben ein Auto.” These two verbs are irregular, so learn them first.
- Articles: der, die, das and ein, eine
- Every noun has a gender: “der Tisch”, “die Lampe”, “das Buch”. With “ein” it is “ein Mann”, “eine Frau”, “ein Kind”. Always learn the article together with the noun.
- The present tense
- “Ich wohne in Casablanca.” “Du lernst Deutsch.” “Sie arbeitet in Berlin.” A few verbs change their vowel: “ich spreche”, “du sprichst”, “er spricht”.
- Verb in second place
- In a normal sentence the conjugated verb comes second: “Ich lerne heute Deutsch.” “Heute lerne ich Deutsch.” The verb stays second even when another word starts the sentence.
- Questions: W-questions and yes/no questions
- “Wie heißt du?” “Woher kommst du?” “Wo wohnst du?” “Was kostet das?” For a yes/no question the verb comes first: “Kommst du aus Marokko?”
- Negation: nicht and kein
- “kein” negates a noun: “Ich habe kein Auto.” “nicht” negates a verb or an adjective: “Ich bin nicht müde.” “Ich komme nicht aus Spanien.”
- A first look at the accusative
- Only the masculine changes: “der” becomes “den” and “ein” becomes “einen”. “Ich brauche einen Stift.” “Ich kaufe eine Tasche.” Feminine, neuter and plural stay the same.
- Numbers and time
- “Ich bin zweiundzwanzig Jahre alt.” “Das kostet drei Euro fünfzig.” “Der Zug fährt um neun Uhr.” “Es ist halb drei.” (2:30)
Mistakes to avoid at A1
- Learning nouns without the article: always learn “der Tisch”, “die Lampe”, “das Buch”.
- Putting the verb in the wrong place: “Heute lerne ich”, not “Heute ich lerne”.
- Mixing up “nicht” and “kein”: “Ich habe kein Auto”, not “Ich habe nicht Auto”.
- Saying your age with “haben”: in German you use “sein”, “Ich bin zwanzig Jahre alt”.
- Forgetting that nouns start with a capital letter: “der Tisch”, not “der tisch”.
- Using “du” with strangers or in formal situations: use “Sie” with adults you do not know, at the office and at the doctor.
A realistic study plan for A1
Lerniyo’s A1 track is planned as about 6 to 8 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. That is only an estimate, because it depends on how consistent you are. A simple weekly rhythm:
- 1
Start with the sounds and greetings
Learn the alphabet, the special letters (ä, ö, ü, ß) and the first greetings. Say everything aloud from day one.
- 2
Learn words with the article
A few new words a day with the article and an example sentence, reviewed with spaced repetition.
- 3
Practise one grammar point at a time
One topic a week — for example “sein” and “haben”, then articles — with short exercises until it feels automatic.
- 4
Listen to slow, clear German
Short dialogues and the audio from your lessons. Repeat aloud after the speaker.
- 5
Speak with Nour
Practise introducing yourself, ordering and asking for directions out loud. Making mistakes while speaking is how A1 becomes automatic.
What you'll be able to do after A1
- Introduce yourself: your name, where you're from, your age
- Handle the airport and the train station
- Shop at the market or a store without trouble
- Ask for directions and understand the answer
- Book an appointment at a doctor's or pharmacy
- Understand simple signs and announcements
What you'll do every day
Vocabulary
Everyday-situation words: the airport, the supermarket, the apartment, the doctor
Grammar
Basic verbs, noun gender (der/die/das), and simple sentence order
Listening
Short dialogues at a beginner-friendly pace
Speaking
Record your voice from lesson one and get instant feedback
Sample sentences you'll learn in A1
Ich heiße Amina und ich komme aus Marokko.
How you introduce yourself: your name + your country.
Wo ist die Apotheke, bitte?
Wo = where — used to ask for a place.
Ich möchte einen Kaffee, bitte.
möchte = I'd like, a polite way to ask.
Der Zug fährt um neun Uhr.
der (masculine) + time — Uhr means o'clock.
A first introduction
Hallo! Wie heißt du?
Hi! What's your name?
Ich heiße Youssef. Und du?
My name is Youssef. And you?
Ich heiße Fatima. Woher kommst du?
My name is Fatima. Where are you from?
Ich komme aus Casablanca.
I'm from Casablanca.
What will you learn in German A1?
- Greetings and introductions
- Introducing yourself: name, country, age
- Numbers, time, and dates
- Family
- Food and shopping
- Housing and the apartment
- Transport, the airport, the train station
- The doctor and the pharmacy
- Basic verbs in the present tense
- Articles: der/die/das
- Simple sentence order
- The accusative case, the basics
- Everyday questions: what, where, how much, why
Learn German A1 in English with Lerniyo
Most apps explain grammar using confusing jargon or a third language, adding difficulty on top of difficulty. Lerniyo explains everything in plain English, so you focus on German, not on decoding the explanation.
German A1: frequently asked questions
What does A1 mean in German?
A1 is the first CEFR level. You understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very simple sentences, introduce yourself and ask and answer simple questions.
Can I start German A1 with zero knowledge?
Yes. A1 is designed for complete beginners. A good course starts with the alphabet and greetings, so you do not need any previous German.
How long does it take to reach A1?
It depends on how much you study. Lerniyo’s A1 track is planned as about 6 to 8 weeks at 15 to 20 minutes a day. Treat it as a guide, not a promise.
What is the difference between A1 and A2?
At A1 you manage introductions and very simple questions in the present tense. At A2 you talk about the past, give reasons, handle appointments and errands and write short texts.
Which A1 exam should I take?
Take the one your embassy, employer or authority accepts. Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1, telc Deutsch A1 and ÖSD Zertifikat A1 are the common ones. Ask before you register.
Is A1 enough to work or study in Germany?
A1 is enough for first contacts and daily basics, but most Ausbildung programs ask for about B1 and universities usually ask for B2 or C1. Check the requirement of your employer, school or university.
Can I learn German A1 in Arabic or Darija?
Yes. Lerniyo explains grammar and vocabulary in your own language, which makes A1 much easier to follow, and Nour gives you speaking practice with feedback.
Does Lerniyo replace the official exam?
No. Lerniyo prepares you with A1-style lessons and mock exams, but it is not an exam center. To get a certificate you must register for an official exam such as Goethe, telc or ÖSD.
Keep going
After A1 comes A2
See A2