German isn’t a word-by-word language-conversations run on ready-to-grab phrases that native speakers toss around without a second thought. This list hands you around 1,100 of those everyday phrases, so you can stop translating in your head and start reacting naturally.
Each entry gives you a straightforward meaning and a real example sentence that shows the phrase in its natural habitat. No fluff, no obscure expressions you’ll never use-just practical German you can steal for your next chat.
Ready to give your German a friendly little boost? Scroll to the bottom of the article to grab the free printable 1000 German phrases vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable 1000 German phrases flashcards—perfect for quick study, review, and a few “aha!” moments along the way.
Use this list as a starting point, then keep going in the Yak Yacker German section for more words, phrases, and study-friendly reference pages.
Quick Quiz
Think you know a few of these already? The quick quiz below will help you spot the phrases you’ve got down and the ones that need a second look-just a low‑key warm‑up before you dive into the full list.
Keep building your German
Choose a practical next step when you are ready.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| revolutionär | Adjective | revolutionary |
| richten | Verb | fix, adjust, arrange |
| Richtlinie | Other | guideline, directive |
| riesen | Verb | float, slide down |
| Ritter | Other | knight |
| Roboter | Other | robot, automaton |
| roger | Other | roger! |
| rollen | Verb | roll |
| Rom | Other | Rome |
| Rote | Other | carrot-top, ginger nut |
| Rückspiegel | Other | rearview mirror |
| ruiniert | Adjective | ruined |
| Rumänien | Other | Romania |
| Rüssel | Other | trunk, snout, rostrum, proboscis, proboscis |
| Russin | Other | Russian |
| rutschig | Adjective | slippery, slippy |
| säen | Verb | sow |
| saftig | Adjective | juicy, succulent |
| Salon | Other | drawing room, parlor, parlour, salon |
| samstags | Verb | Saturdays, on Saturdays, every Saturday |
| Samurai | Other | samurai |
| saß | Other | vavasour, rear vassal, valvasor |
| Saying goodbye | Auf Wiedersehen | |
| Schaff | Other | tub |
| Schaffner | Other | conductor, carman |
Free 1,000 German Phrases PDF and Flashcards to Download
Use the purple vocab-list button to download the 1000 German phrases vocabulary list, 100% free and with no signup required. Then tap the teal flashcards button for the 1000 German phrases flashcards, also completely free and ready to print.
