Learn German

“I want to quickly master essential German expressions”

Imagine this: in just a few minutes, you’ll be able to pronounce and understand your first German expressions.

The result is INSTANT.

Here’s how it works:

1. You select the first topic from the library below.
2. Once on the player, you click on all the expressions to listen to them and discover their meaning.
   Try to memorize them at this stage, for example, by closing your eyes to visualize them better.
   Don’t hesitate to check the "Information" sheets (the "i" button). These details will help you retain the expressions.
3. You repeat the expressions out loud, using speech recognition (available only on Chrome).
4. You take the level tests (button with a "Diamond" icon):
   1. If you answer correctly, the expression will reappear after an increasing delay (based on the spaced repetition method).
   2. If you answer incorrectly, the expression will reappear a few hours later.
5. You track your progress by clicking on the "Statistics" icon. Your progress will be complete after approximately 8 weeks, with at least 20 spaced-out sessions.
6. Icons will notify you when a level test is available. You can always practice between these tests, but those sessions won’t count toward your progress.
   
   

This course is FREE.

However, we offer a LIFETIME access option that gives you several key benefits across ALL current and future languages in the "First Contact" training. Here’s what you get:

1. Unlimited downloads of audio files and printable word lists.
2. Access to "Immersion Mode," allowing you to listen to expressions on loop in both languages without looking at the screen.
3. Downloadable training certificates.
4. Ad-free browsing throughout the site. 
   
   

 
Here are 7 practical tips:

1. Establish a daily learning routine

   Commit to practicing German every day. Set regular time slots for specific activities such as reading, listening, and speaking. This point is crucial. Be strict and make this routine a priority, or you’ll always find an excuse to postpone your learning.

2. Use Loecsen extensively

   Practice daily with our site, do exercises, and train your pronunciation by speaking out loud.

3. Watch German series and movies

   Watch popular TV shows with German subtitles to improve your listening skills and learn common expressions.

4. Read in German

   Read articles, books, and blogs in German. Start with simple texts and gradually progress to more complex content as your skills improve.

5. Listen to Podcasts and Audiobooks

   Listen to German podcasts on topics that interest you. This helps improve your listening skills and familiarize yourself with different intonations and accents. You can find plenty of options by searching on YouTube.
   
   Even better: download subtitles and use them on our "Read Aloud" page (it's completely free). There’s no better way to work on pronunciation and overcome your fear of speaking a new language.

6. Learn through music

   Once again, our "Read Aloud" tool can help you incredibly. You can even do fill-in-the-blank exercises with voice recognition using lyrics from your favorite songs!

7. Set specific and measurable goals

   Define clear, achievable objectives, such as being able to hold a simple conversation in three months or read a German book in six months. Track your progress regularly.
   Each of our courses provides specific goals along with the recommended number of days, hours, or sessions to follow.

These tips combine immersion methods, technology, and structured learning to help you learn German effectively and independently.

If you follow them and use Loecsen regularly, there’s no reason why your German skills won’t improve rapidly! 

How to learn German on your own? Start with an easy and free online course!

Learning German doesn’t have to be difficult! With Loecsen, you get access to an intuitive and effective method to quickly master the basics. Our course focuses on essential words and expressions that you’ll actually use in everyday life and when traveling.

We’ve adopted a practical and efficient approach to learning to speak a language quickly and easily: we suggest starting by memorizing useful words, phrases, and expressions that you can use daily and that will be helpful while traveling.

Getting used to pronouncing words out loud, such as numbers, is an easy exercise you can practice frequently at any time of the day.

This will help you become familiar with the sounds of the chosen language and make it feel more natural.

And once your vacation begins, whether in Berlin, Hamburg, or another German-speaking city, you’ll be surprised by how familiar and easy it feels to understand the language.

Additionally, carrying a pocket dictionary is always helpful, especially while traveling. It allows you to look up translations of new words and expand your vocabulary.

Is German a difficult language to learn?

The answer is no—if you use the right method! The German language follows logical rules, and most words are pronounced exactly as they are written. With practical exercises, interactive lessons, and speech recognition, learning German becomes much easier and more enjoyable.

How long does it take to learn the basics?

With regular practice, you can learn basic expressions in just a few weeks. If you dedicate 20 to 30 minutes a day to listening, speaking, and repeating, you should be able to hold simple conversations in about a month.

How to pronounce German words correctly?

Pronunciation is crucial when learning a new language! German pronunciation is quite logical, but some sounds may be unusual at first. With our "Read Aloud" tool and integrated speech recognition, you can practice your pronunciation and receive instant feedback. Start by mastering common sounds like:

• "ch" in ich (soft sound) and ach (stronger sound).
• "sch" pronounced like "sh" in English (for example, Schule = "shoo-leh").
• The "ß" (sharp S), pronounced like "ss" (for example, groß = "gross").

What’s the best way to learn German quickly?

The fastest way to learn German is to follow a structured approach combining listening, speaking, and reading. At Loecsen.com, we offer:

• Practical vocabulary focused on real-life situations.
• Audio exercises to enhance listening skills.
• Interactive pronunciation tools to refine your accent.
• Grammar and cultural guides to help you understand the language in context.

Which basic words and expressions should you learn first?

Beginners should start with essential phrases like:

• Hallo! (Hello!)
• Wie geht’s? (How are you?)
• Ich spreche nur ein wenig Deutsch. (I only speak a little German.)
• Wie viel kostet das? (How much does this cost?)
• Wo ist die Toilette? (Where is the restroom?)

In our course, you’ll learn the vocabulary you need to get by on your next trip.

How to learn German grammar easily?

German grammar may seem complex, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable. Our grammar sheets explain key rules in a simple and practical way. Focus on:

• Basic sentence structure (subject-verb-object).
• Verb conjugations for common tenses.
• Definite and indefinite articles (der, die, das, ein, eine).

Why does German have three grammatical genders, and how can you learn them?

One of the first challenges for German learners is understanding why nouns have three different genders: masculine (der), feminine (die), and neuter (das). Unlike English, where nouns have no gender, German assigns one to each noun, which can be confusing at first.

Why three genders?

The existence of three genders in German is rooted in the historical evolution of the language. German is part of the Indo-European language family, and in ancient times, many languages had complex grammatical gender systems. Over time, some languages (like English) lost grammatical gender, while others (like German) retained or adapted it.

In German, gender is primarily grammatical rather than based on natural characteristics. For example, the sun (die Sonne) is feminine, but the moon (der Mond) is masculine—the opposite of many other languages like French or Spanish.

How to learn genders more easily?

Since there are no strict rules determining the gender of each noun, the best way to learn them is through association and practice. Here are some strategies:

• Always learn nouns with their articles: Instead of memorizing "Haus" (house), memorize "das Haus" to remember that it's neuter.
• Group nouns by categories: Some word endings typically belong to a specific gender. For example:
  • -ung, -heit, -keit → usually feminine (die Zeitung, die Freiheit, die Möglichkeit).
  • -chen, -lein → usually neuter (das Mädchen, das Fräulein).
  • -er, -en, -el → usually masculine (der Lehrer, der Apfel, der Wagen).
• Use mnemonic devices: Create mental associations. For example, imagine all masculine words in blue, feminine words in red, and neuter words in green.
• Practice with interactive exercises: Our Loecsen vocabulary lessons help you associate nouns with their correct gender through engaging and repetitive learning techniques.
• Pay attention to compound words: In German, the last part of a compound word determines its gender. For example:
  • das Schlafzimmer (bedroom) → "Zimmer" (room) is neuter, so the entire word is neuter.
  • die Sonnenbrille (sunglasses) → "Brille" (glasses) is feminine, so the compound word is also feminine.

What if you make mistakes?

Don’t worry! Even advanced learners sometimes make mistakes with gender. The key is to keep practicing and using the language. Germans will still understand you even if you use the wrong article, and over time, you’ll start recognizing patterns naturally.

What are the most common mistakes beginners make?

Learning German is an exciting journey, but like any language, it comes with challenges. Many beginners make similar mistakes, which is completely normal. The good news? Once you’re aware of them, they’re easy to fix! Here are some of the most common mistakes learners make, along with tips on how to avoid them.

1. Using the wrong gender for nouns

Every noun has a gender: masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das). Since there are no strict rules to determine a noun’s gender, mistakes are common.

Common mistake:

❌ Der Tischlampe ist schön. (The table lamp is beautiful.) ✅ Die Tischlampe ist schön. (The table lamp is beautiful.)

How to avoid this mistake:

• Always learn nouns with their articles. Instead of just memorizing Tisch (table), memorize der Tisch.
• Look for gender patterns. Some word endings give clues:
  • -ung, -heit, -keit → usually feminine (e.g., die Zeitung = newspaper).
  • -chen, -lein → usually neuter (e.g., das Mädchen = girl).
  • -er, -en, -el → usually masculine (e.g., der Apfel = apple).
• Use flashcards and memorization techniques. Group words by gender and color-code them while studying.

2. Forgetting to capitalize nouns

All nouns must start with a capital letter. This is one of the easiest rules to remember but also one of the most frequently forgotten.

Common mistake:

❌ Ich habe eine schöne stadt besucht. (I visited a beautiful city.) ✅ Ich habe eine schöne Stadt besucht. (I visited a beautiful city.)

How to avoid this mistake:

• Make it a habit to capitalize nouns whenever you write in German.
• Read German texts regularly to reinforce this rule.
• Use spell-check tools to catch capitalization errors.

3. Using incorrect word order

Word order follows specific rules, especially in subordinate clauses. Beginners often place verbs incorrectly.

Common mistake:

❌ Ich denke, ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen. (I think I will go to the cinema tomorrow.) ✅ Ich denke, dass ich morgen ins Kino gehen werde. (I think that I will go to the cinema tomorrow.)

In subordinate clauses, the verb moves to the end of the sentence.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Practice forming sentences with subordinating conjunctions like dass (that), weil (because), and wenn (if).
• Read German sentences out loud to internalize verb placement.

4. Using the wrong case (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive)

There are four grammatical cases in German that change the form of articles, pronouns, and adjectives. Beginners often confuse accusative and dative cases.

Common mistake:

❌ Ich gebe der Hund ein Knochen. (I give the dog a bone.) ✅ Ich gebe dem Hund einen Knochen. (I give the dog a bone.)

Here, "der Hund" (the dog) becomes "dem Hund" because it is in the dative case (indirect object).

How to avoid this mistake:

• Learn common verbs that require the accusative (e.g., sehen, haben) and those that require the dative (e.g., geben, helfen).
• Use tables or charts to visualize case changes.
• Practice by filling in blanks with the correct article and case.

5. Using incorrect prepositions

Prepositions often don’t translate directly and require either the accusative or dative case.

Common mistake:

❌ Ich war in München für drei Tage. (I was in Munich for three days.) ✅ Ich war in München seit drei Tagen. (I have been in Munich for three days.)

How to avoid this mistake:

• Learn prepositions in context rather than as direct translations.
• Use memory aids to remember which case each preposition takes (e.g., "aus, bei, mit, nach, seit, von, zu" always take the dative case).
• Practice writing and speaking with different prepositions.

Final tip: Learn from your mistakes!

Mistakes are a natural part of learning any language. The key is to recognize them and practice regularly. With Loecsen’s interactive lessons and pronunciation tools, you can improve your German and avoid these common pitfalls. Start practicing today and gain confidence in your language skills!

What are the 5 best websites and apps for learning German?

In addition to Loecsen, here are some great resources:

• Deutsche Welle (DW) German Course – Free lessons with audio, videos, and exercises.
• Deutsch lernen – Grammar and conjugation exercises.
• Goethe-Institut – Online courses and cultural insights.
• Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung – Advanced reading materials for language learners.

How can you practice German from home?

You don’t need to be in a German-speaking country to improve your skills! Try these methods:

• Watch German movies and series with subtitles.
• Listen to German podcasts and music.
• Join language exchange platforms online.
• Use Loecsen’s interactive pronunciation tools to practice speaking.

Start learning today!

With Loecsen, learning German is fun, interactive, and accessible to everyone.

Whether you want to learn basic phrases for travel or aim to become fluent, our method helps you progress step by step. Try it now and start speaking German with confidence!

Are you ready to start speaking German?

Just click on the first topic below!