Free resources
Free German resources for everyday situations
Everything here is free to read on the page, with no account. If you want a file to print or import, I email you a download link.
Short stories
German stories at your level, to read and listen to.
- Herr Maiers GeburtstagskuchenHerr Maier hat eine Idee. Frau Schmidt hat bald Geburtstag. Sie ist seine Nachbarin. Er möchte einen Kuchen backen. Aber Herr Maier backt nie Kuchen. Das ist ein großes Problem. E…A1
- Alex' großer SpendenlaufAlex mag Sport nicht. Sport ist oft sehr langweilig für Alex. Aber Alex möchte etwas Gutes tun. Eines Tages sieht Alex einen Flyer in der Stadt. Der Flyer ist für einen 5-Kilomete…A2
- Das Abendessen im InnenhofLena war sehr aufgeregt. Sie hatte ihre Nachbarn, Herrn Müller und Frau Schmidt, zum Abendessen eingeladen. Es war das erste Mal, dass sie in ihrer neuen Wohnung Gäste empfing. Le…B1
Grammar cheatsheets
The grammar you keep looking up, one page each.
- German cases and article declensionNominativ, Akkusativ, Dativ and Genitiv: the article tables, three rules to learn, verbs with Dativ, and the mistakes learners make most often.A1–B1PDF
- German word orderPosition 2, Satzklammer, Konnektoren, the Nebensatz, the order in the Mittelfeld, and where nicht goes.A1–B1PDF
- haben or sein in the PerfektHow the Perfekt is built, how to form the Partizip II, and which verbs take sein, with the mistakes learners make most often.A1–B1PDF
- German adjective endingsAdjective endings after der, after ein and with no article, with the mistakes learners make most often.A2–B1PDF
- German prepositions by caseWhich case follows each preposition, prepositions for time and place, Wechselpräpositionen, and the common short forms.A1–B1PDF
- German verb conjugationPräsens, vowel changes, modal verbs, separable verbs, Imperativ, Präteritum and a list of 60 irregular verbs.A1–B1PDF
- German noun gender by endingThe endings that tell you der, das or die, the compound rule, and the nouns where the ending misleads.A1–B1PDF
- German pronouns and the n-declensionPersonal pronouns, possessive articles, reflexive pronouns and the n-Deklination, with the mistakes learners make most often.A1–B1PDF
Word lists
Between 11 and 41 words for one situation, with translations and audio.
- Small talkThe words that carry a chat at the door, in the lift, at the bakery.A1CSV · ANKI
- Grocery shoppingSupermarket, bakery and butcher: what is on the shelf and what the cashier says.A1CSV · ANKI
- Public transportTrains, trams and buses, from buying the ticket to hearing the delay announced.A1CSV · ANKI
- Eating outBooking a table, reading the menu, ordering, and paying separately.A1CSV · ANKI
- DrivingOn the road and at the petrol station, plus the words on the fine you hope never comes.A2CSV · ANKI
- At the doctorMaking the appointment, describing what hurts, and understanding the prescription.A2CSV · ANKI
- Finding an apartmentListings, viewings and the contract: cold rent, warm rent, deposit and the rest.A2CSV · ANKI
- Bank and moneyOpening an account, transfers, fees, and the reminder letter that follows an unpaid bill.A2CSV · ANKI
- Bureaucracy and paperworkThe Bürgeramt, the Ausländerbehörde and the tax office: forms, deadlines and stamps.B1CSV · ANKI
- Work and officeFrom the application to the probation period: contracts, colleagues, meetings and pay.B1CSV · ANKI
- Phone and internetSigning up, topping up, and explaining the outage to the hotline.A2CSV · ANKI
- Post and parcelsSending a parcel, missing the delivery, and picking it up at the neighbour’s.A2CSV · ANKI
- Clothes and sizesTrying things on, asking for another size, and taking it back on Monday.A1CSV · ANKI
- Travel and hotelsFrom the check-in desk to the room key, plus the words for when the flight is late.A2CSV · ANKI
- Kids, Kita and schoolThe Kita place, the parents’ evening, and the note you send when your kid is ill.B1CSV · ANKI
- Weather and seasonsWhat the forecast says, and what people say about it at the bus stop.A1CSV · ANKI
- EmergenciesCalling 112, saying what happened, and reporting it at the police station.A2CSV · ANKI
- Repairs and choresThe heating dies, the drain blocks, and the bins go out sorted by colour.B1CSV · ANKI
- Numbers and countingOne to a million, plus halves, percentages and the units on the price tag.A1CSV · ANKI
- Time and datesTelling the time, naming the day, and being punctual — which here means early.A1CSV · ANKI
- Family and peopleWho is who, from your in-laws to the neighbour you only nod at.A1CSV · ANKI
- Body and feelingsNaming the part that hurts, and the mood that comes with it.A2CSV · ANKI
Scripts
What to say at an appointment, and what they might answer.
Offices and paperwork
- Registering your address (Anmeldung)I just moved to Germany and have an appointment at the Bürgeramt to register my address (Anmeldung). I do not know what they will ask me, or whether I have every document they need, like the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).A2
- Renewing your residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis)I have an appointment at the immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) to extend my residence permit. I brought my passport, my work contract, proof of health insurance and my registration certificate.B1
- Exchanging your driving licence (Führerschein umschreiben)I am at the driving licence office (Führerscheinstelle) to exchange my foreign licence for a German one. I do not know whether I have to take a test.B1
- First meeting at the KitaI am visiting a daycare (Kita) with a place for my two-year-old. I want to ask about the hours, the settling-in period (Eingewöhnung), the cost and what she needs to bring.A2
- First appointment at the JobcenterI have my first appointment at the Jobcenter after losing my job. I want to understand what I am entitled to and which documents they still need from me.B1
Doctors and health
- Calling your health insurance (Krankenkasse)I am calling my health insurance (Krankenkasse) about a bill I do not understand and about adding my partner to my insurance.B1
- At the pharmacy (Apotheke)I am at the pharmacy with a prescription, and I also want something for a cough. I want to know how to take it and whether I pay anything on top.A2
- First visit to a GP (Hausarzt)It is my first visit to a family doctor (Hausarzt) in Germany. I have had a sore throat and a fever for three days and I need a sick note for my employer.A2
- At the emergency room (Notaufnahme)I am at the emergency room (Notaufnahme) with bad stomach pain that started this afternoon. They will ask about allergies, medication and my insurance.B1
- At the dentist (Zahnarzt)One of my back teeth has hurt for a week, especially with cold drinks. I am at the dentist and I want to know what the treatment costs before it starts.A2
Housing
- Reporting a problem to your landlord (Vermieter)The heating in my flat has not worked properly for two weeks and there is damp in the bathroom. I am calling my landlord to have it repaired.B1
- Questions before signing the lease (Mietvertrag)I have been offered the flat and the lease (Mietvertrag) is in front of me. Before I sign I want to check the notice period, the deposit and the clause about renovation.B1
- Questioning your utility bill (Nebenkostenabrechnung)My annual utility statement (Nebenkostenabrechnung) asks for 800 euros more than I expected. I am calling the property manager to have the figures explained.B1
- Apartment viewing (Wohnungsbesichtigung)I am viewing an apartment (Wohnungsbesichtigung) with the landlord. I want to ask about the rent, extra costs (Nebenkosten), the deposit and when I could move in.A2
Money and contracts
- First meeting with a tax advisor (Steuerberater)I have my first appointment with a tax advisor (Steuerberater) about my freelance income. I have been self-employed since last year and I have never filed here.A2
- Opening a bank account (Girokonto)I am at a bank branch to open a current account (Girokonto). I have my passport with me, and I need the account for my salary.A2
- Cancelling a phone contract (Handyvertrag kündigen)I am calling my mobile provider to cancel my contract (Handyvertrag kündigen). They will try to keep me with a better offer, and I want written confirmation either way.B1
Work
- Calling in sick at work (Krankmeldung)I woke up ill and I am calling my manager before the working day starts. I will see a doctor today and I do not know yet how long I will be out.A2
- Job interview (Vorstellungsgespräch)I have a job interview (Vorstellungsgespräch) in German. They will ask me to introduce myself, why I applied, and what I did in my last job.B1
Everyday
- At the supermarket checkoutI am at the supermarket checkout. They will ask about a loyalty card, bags and how I am paying, and I am also returning bottles (Pfand).A1
- Ordering food and paying at a restaurantI am eating out with a friend. I want to order food and a drink, ask whether a dish has meat in it, and then pay.A1
- At the hairdresser (Friseur)I am at the hairdresser and I want a trim, not a big change: shorter at the sides, the length on top. Last time I said yes to everything and left unhappy.A2
- Returning a faulty item (Reklamation)The headphones I bought three weeks ago stopped working on one side. I am back in the shop and I want my money back, not a replacement.A2
- Booking a doctor's appointment by phoneI am calling a doctor's practice to book an appointment. I am a new patient, and mornings suit me better than afternoons.A1
- Cancelling or moving an appointmentI cannot make my appointment tomorrow morning. I am calling to move it, and I want to avoid the cancellation fee.A2