Before you start
Would you like to start learning German? This workbook helps you recognise your first words and prepare a short introduction. It starts with a simple question: how are German and English related? Then try greetings, formal and informal address, two dialogues and exercises with answers. Choose your explanation language and download the PDF to practise at your own pace. If you would like to continue with a course in Essaouira, the German programme and booking form are linked on this page.
A language family, not one language
“Germanic languages” names a language family that includes German, English, Dutch and Swedish, among others. “German” names one language. This workbook explores a few similarities between German and English, then gives you exercises for your first conversations in German.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Germanic languages | A family of related languages. |
| German / Deutsch | German: one language in this family. |
| English and German | Two Germanic languages with different grammar and pronunciation. |
| French and Spanish | Two Romance languages, rather than Germanic languages. |
Your starting point
Which languages do you already use? What would you like to say in German in a first conversation?
Six words to notice similarities
These words share a historical origin. Similar spellings can help you remember them, but they are not pronounced identically. Learn each German word in its own right instead of automatically using English pronunciation.
| Deutsch | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Haus | house | a home or building |
| Wasser | water | water |
| Hand | hand | a hand |
| Name | name | a name |
| Mutter | mother | a mother |
| Bruder | brother | a brother |
German nouns start with a capital letter. Similarity is not a translation rule: check unfamiliar words rather than guessing.
Match without looking at the table
Haus / Bruder / Wasser → water / house / brother
Check the answers
Haus = house; Bruder = brother; Wasser = water.
Say the essentials
For a first conversation, a greeting, your name and your town are enough. Choose two or three phrases and repeat them without reading. These examples practise the basics; they do not define a language level on their own.
| Deutsch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guten Tag. | Hello. / Good day. |
| Hallo. | Hi. |
| Ich heiße … | My name is… |
| Wie heißen Sie? | What is your name? (formal) |
| Wie heißt du? | What is your name? (informal) |
| Ich komme aus Marokko. | I come from Morocco. |
| Ich wohne in Essaouira. | I live in Essaouira. |
| Freut mich. | Pleased to meet you. |
Choose between “du” and “Sie”
“Sie” is the polite form and starts with a capital. “du” is informal. The question and verb change: “Wie heißen Sie?” and “Wie heißt du?”. Keep the same form unless you agree to use informal address.
| Deutsch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sprechen Sie bitte langsamer. | Please speak more slowly. |
| Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? | Could you repeat that, please? |
| Ich verstehe nicht. | I do not understand. |
| Danke. | Thank you. |
| Auf Wiedersehen. | Goodbye. (formal) |
| Tschüss. | Bye. (informal) |
Your turn
Write a formal question asking someone’s name, then its informal version.
Two dialogues to practise
| Context | Dialogue |
|---|---|
| Formal first meeting | A: Guten Tag. Ich heiße Sara. Wie heißen Sie? B: Ich heiße Adam. A: Ich wohne in Essaouira. B: Freut mich. |
| Between classmates | A: Hallo! Wie heißt du? B: Ich heiße Lina. Und du? A: Ich heiße Sami. B: Freut mich! |
Names, prices and situations are practice examples. Always check the actual information at your workplace.
Change one detail
Keep the dialogue, change the names and try again. In the second dialogue, “Und du?” means “And you?”.
Write, say and check
1. Complete
Ich ___ Lina. Ich ___ in Essaouira.
2. Ask for repetition
You did not understand the other person. Choose a polite phrase from page 4.
3. Your introduction
Write three true sentences about yourself, then say them without reading.
Check the answers
1. heiße; wohne. 2. “Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?” is one possible answer. 3. Check consistent use of “du” or “Sie” and the verb form with “ich”.
Further reading
German
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