Vocab list 1 (Edexcel GCSE German): Revision Notes
Basic vocabulary - Vocab list 1
This revision note covers fundamental German vocabulary that forms the foundation of your GCSE German studies. These words are essential building blocks that you'll use across all topics and contexts in your exam.
Understanding and memorising this vocabulary list is crucial for success in all areas of your GCSE German exam - reading, listening, speaking, and writing. These words appear frequently across different thematic contexts.
Understanding the vocabulary system
When learning German vocabulary, you'll notice several important markers that help you use words correctly:
- (m) = masculine noun (der)
- (f) = feminine noun (die)
- (nt) = neuter noun (das)
- Underlining = separable prefix (like aussehen = 'to look/appear')
Remember that any vocabulary from this list could appear in any thematic context during your exam, so thorough knowledge is essential. Always learn German nouns together with their gender markers - this is fundamental to using them correctly in sentences.
Everyday phrases and greetings
These basic expressions are crucial for conversation and roleplay scenarios in your speaking and writing assessments.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Guten Tag | hello |
| hallo | hello |
| auf Wiedersehen | goodbye |
| ja | yes |
| nein | no |
| OK, okay | OK, alright |
| bitte (schön) | please; you're welcome |
| danke (schön) | thank you (very much) |
| Entschuldigung | excuse me |
| doch | yes, it is; however; but |
Worked Examples: Using Basic Phrases
- Guten Tag! Wie geht es Ihnen? = Good day! How are you? (formal)
- Danke schön für Ihre Hilfe. = Thank you very much for your help.
- Entschuldigung, wo ist der Bahnhof? = Excuse me, where is the station?
Notice how bitte schön can mean both "please" and "you're welcome" depending on context.
Numbers and counting
Numbers are vital for prices, times, dates, and quantities. Pay attention to the patterns in German number formation.
| German | English | German | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| null | zero | elf | eleven |
| eins | one | zwölf | twelve |
| zwei | two | dreizehn | thirteen |
| drei | three | vierzehn | fourteen |
| vier | four | fünfzehn | fifteen |
| fünf | five | sechzehn | sixteen |
| sechs | six | siebzehn | seventeen |
| sieben | seven | achtzehn | eighteen |
| acht | eight | neunzehn | nineteen |
| neun | nine | zwanzig | twenty |
| zehn | ten | einundzwanzig | twenty-one |
Higher numbers:
- dreißig = thirty
- vierzig = forty
- fünfzig = fifty
- sechzig = sixty
- siebzig = seventy
- achtzig = eighty
- neunzig = ninety
- hundert = a hundred
- tausend = a thousand
- Million (f) = a million
Number Formation Patterns: German numbers 13-19 follow the pattern: basic number + zehn (e.g., vier + zehn = vierzehn). Numbers 21+ are formed as units + und + tens (e.g., einundzwanzig = one and twenty).
Worked Examples: Using Numbers
- Ich bin sechzehn Jahre alt. = I am sixteen years old.
- Das kostet zwanzig Euro. = That costs twenty euros.
- Meine Handynummer ist null-eins-sieben-vier... = My mobile number is 0174...
Notice how Jahre alt (years old) always uses the plural form Jahre, even for age 1.
Time expressions and parts of day
Time vocabulary is essential for describing daily routines and making arrangements.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Uhr (f) | o'clock, clock, watch |
| Zeit (f) | time |
| Sekunde (f) | second |
| Minute (f) | minute |
| Stunde (f) | hour, lesson, class |
Parts of the day:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Morgen (m) | morning |
| Mittag (m) | noon, midday |
| Nachmittag (m) | afternoon |
| Abend (m) | evening |
| Nacht (f) | night |
Time markers:
- Anfang (m); am Anfang = start; at the start
- Ende (nt); am Ende = end; at the end
- gestern = yesterday
- heute = today
- morgen = tomorrow
The word morgen can mean both "tomorrow" and "morning" - context will help you determine which meaning applies.
Worked Examples: Time Expressions
- Um acht Uhr gehe ich zur Schule. = At eight o'clock I go to school.
- Gestern Abend war ich zu Hause. = Yesterday evening I was at home.
- Heute Nachmittag spiele ich Fußball. = This afternoon I'm playing football.
Notice how um is used with specific times, while time periods use different prepositions.
Days, months and seasons
Calendar vocabulary helps you discuss plans, schedules, and past events.
Days of the week:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Montag (m) | Monday |
| Dienstag (m) | Tuesday |
| Mittwoch (m) | Wednesday |
| Donnerstag (m) | Thursday |
| Freitag (m) | Friday |
| Samstag (m) | Saturday |
| Sonntag (m) | Sunday |
Months of the year:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Januar (m) | January |
| Februar (m) | February |
| März (m) | March |
| April (m) | April |
| Mai (m) | May |
| Juni (m) | June |
| Juli (m) | July |
| August (m) | August |
| September (m) | September |
| Oktober (m) | October |
| November (m) | November |
| Dezember (m) | December |
Seasons:
- Frühling (m) = spring
- Sommer (m) = summer
- Herbst (m) = autumn
- Winter (m) = winter
Time periods:
- Tag (m) = day
- Wochenende (nt) = weekend
- Woche (f) = week
- Monat (m) = month
- Jahr (nt) = year
- Jahrhundert (nt) = century
Preposition Rules: Use am with days (am Montag) and im with months and seasons (im Juli, im Winter).
Worked Examples: Calendar Expressions
- Am Montag haben wir Deutsch. = On Monday we have German.
- Im Juli fahren wir nach Spanien. = In July we're going to Spain.
- Das Wochenende war fantastisch. = The weekend was fantastic.
Notice the correct preposition usage in each sentence.
Colours
Colour vocabulary is useful for descriptions in all contexts and topics.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Farbe (f) | colour, paint |
| blau | blue |
| braun | brown |
| gelb | yellow |
| grau | grey |
| grün | green |
| orange | orange |
| rosarot | pink |
| rot | red |
| schwarz | black |
| weiß | white |
Worked Examples: Using Colours
- Mein Auto ist rot und schwarz. = My car is red and black.
- Die blauen Schuhe gefallen mir. = I like the blue shoes.
- Ihre grünen Augen sind wunderschön. = Her green eyes are beautiful.
Notice how colours change their endings when used as adjectives before nouns (blauen Schuhe, grünen Augen).
Pronunciation Tip: The German 'ü' in grün sounds like the 'u' in the French word 'tu' - purse your lips and try to say 'ee'.
Translation practice
Translation Exercise
Translate into English:
- Guten Tag! Wie geht es Ihnen heute?
- Das rote Auto kostet fünfzehn tausend Euro.
Translate into German:
- Yesterday evening I was at home.
- On Friday we have German at ten o'clock.
Answers:
- Good day! How are you today?
- The red car costs fifteen thousand euros.
- Gestern Abend war ich zu Hause.
- Am Freitag haben wir um zehn Uhr Deutsch.
Key Points to Remember:
- Gender matters - always learn nouns with their gender markers (der/die/das)
- Numbers follow patterns - notice how teens are formed (vier + zehn = vierzehn)
- Time expressions use specific prepositions - am Montag (on Monday), im Juli (in July)
- Separable prefixes change meaning - look for underlined prefixes in your vocabulary lists
- Practice daily - use these basic words in short sentences to build confidence and fluency