A1 German Grammar: The Complete Beginner Guide
Complete A1 German grammar guide: articles (der/die/das), verb conjugation tables, the V2 word order rule, negation (nicht vs kein), cases, pronouns, numbers, and time. Free printable PDF included.
<div class="nav">← <a href="https://examdeutsch.com">ExamDeutsch</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog">Blog</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com">AI Mock Test</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/einbuergerungstest">Einbürgerungstest</a></div> <div class="hero"> <h1>A1 German Grammar: Complete Beginner Guide 2026 — Articles, Cases & Verbs</h1> <div class="meta">By ExamDeutsch · Updated April 2026 · 14 min read · Goethe A1 & telc A1</div> <p class="ex">German grammar makes sense once you understand the rules behind it. This complete A1 guide covers every topic — articles, verb conjugation tables, the V2 word order rule, negation, cases, pronouns, numbers, and how to tell the time — with full examples and the 8 most common mistakes to avoid.</p> <div class="hcta"> <a href="#pdf" class="bp">⬇ Free PDF Download</a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com" class="bs">🤖 AI Practice →</a> </div> </div> <div class="wrap"><div class="body">
<p>Learning German can feel overwhelming at the start — but A1 grammar actually follows very clear, learnable rules. Once you understand why German works the way it does, the patterns become predictable rather than random.</p> <p>This complete A1 grammar guide covers every topic you need for the Goethe-Zertifikat A1, telc Deutsch A1, or any beginner German exam — with clear explanations, full conjugation tables, examples in both German and English, and the most common mistakes to avoid.</p>
<div class="pbox" id="pdf"> <div class="pico">📄</div> <div> <h3>Free PDF: A1 German Grammar Cheat Sheet</h3> <p>All A1 grammar topics on one printable A4 sheet — articles, cases, verb tables, and sentence structure.</p> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch1A1GrammarCheatSheet.html" class="pbtn">⬇ Download Free PDF</a> <p class="plinks">Free · No email · Updated 2026 · Also: <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch4A1RedemittelSheet.html">A1 Redemittel PDF</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch3B1GrammarCheatSheet.html">B1 Grammar PDF</a></p> </div> </div>
<div class="toc"> <h3>📋 Complete A1 grammar topics</h3> <ol> <li><a href="#articles">Definite and indefinite articles — der, die, das, ein, eine</a></li> <li><a href="#verbs">Verb conjugation — present tense (regular & irregular)</a></li> <li><a href="#sein-haben">sein and haben — the two most important verbs</a></li> <li><a href="#word-order">The V2 rule — German sentence structure</a></li> <li><a href="#negation">Negation — nicht vs. kein</a></li> <li><a href="#questions">Questions — yes/no and W-questions</a></li> <li><a href="#cases">Cases — Nominativ and Akkusativ</a></li> <li><a href="#pronouns">Personal pronouns — all three cases</a></li> <li><a href="#numbers">Numbers, days, and telling the time</a></li> <li><a href="#prepositions">Basic prepositions</a></li> <li><a href="#tips">Study tips and common mistakes</a></li> </ol> </div>
<h2 id="articles">1. Definite Articles — der, die, das (the)</h2> <p>German nouns have one of three grammatical genders: masculine (m), feminine (f), or neuter (n). The article changes depending on gender AND case. At A1, you need Nominativ (subject) and Akkusativ (direct object).</p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Gender</th><th>Nominativ (Subject)</th><th>Akkusativ (Direct Object)</th><th>Example noun</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Masculine (m)</td><td class="de">der</td><td class="de"><strong>den</strong> ← changes!</td><td>der Mann (man)</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Feminine (f)</td><td class="de">die</td><td class="de">die</td><td>die Frau (woman)</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Neuter (n)</td><td class="de">das</td><td class="de">das</td><td>das Kind (child)</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Plural</td><td class="de">die</td><td class="de">die</td><td>die Kinder (children)</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="tip"><strong>💡 The one change that matters:</strong> Only masculine changes between Nominativ and Akkusativ: <strong>der → den</strong>. Nothing else changes. Focus your effort here.</div>
<h3>Indefinite articles — ein, eine (a/an) + negation kein</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Gender</th><th>Nominativ</th><th>Akkusativ</th><th>Negation (Nom.)</th><th>Negation (Akk.)</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Masculine (m)</td><td class="de">ein</td><td class="de"><strong>einen</strong></td><td class="de">kein</td><td class="de"><strong>keinen</strong></td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Feminine (f)</td><td class="de">eine</td><td class="de">eine</td><td class="de">keine</td><td class="de">keine</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Neuter (n)</td><td class="de">ein</td><td class="de">ein</td><td class="de">kein</td><td class="de">kein</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Plural</td><td colspan="2" class="de">— (no article in positive)</td><td class="de">keine</td><td class="de">keine</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="tip"><strong>💡 Useful trick for gender:</strong> There are some patterns — words ending in <em>-ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -tion</em> are always feminine (die). Words ending in <em>-chen, -lein</em> are always neuter (das). But there are exceptions — when learning vocabulary, always learn the article with the noun: not just "Tisch" but "der Tisch".</div>
<p>Once the grammar is in place, the next step is the vocabulary to use it with — see <a href="/blog/essential-a1-german-vocabulary-1000-words">the first 1,000 A1 words</a> — and then a timed <a href="/a1">A1 mock exam</a>.</p> <h2 id="verbs">2. Verb Conjugation — Present Tense (Präsens)</h2> <p><strong>Rule:</strong> Remove <em>-en</em> from the infinitive to get the stem. Add the ending for each person.</p> <p><strong>Exception:</strong> When the stem ends in <em>-t, -d,</em> or certain consonant clusters, add <em>-e-</em> before <em>-st</em> and <em>-t</em> endings (e.g. arbeiten → arbeitest not arbeitst).</p>
<div class="cj-wrap"> <div class="cj"><table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">machen (to make/do)</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>ich</td><td class="de">mache</td></tr> <tr><td>du</td><td class="de">machst</td></tr> <tr><td>er/sie/es</td><td class="de">macht</td></tr> <tr><td>wir</td><td class="de">machen</td></tr> <tr><td>ihr</td><td class="de">macht</td></tr> <tr><td>sie/Sie</td><td class="de">machen</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <div class="cj"><table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">arbeiten (to work)</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>ich</td><td class="de">arbeite</td></tr> <tr><td>du</td><td class="de">arbeitest</td></tr> <tr><td>er/sie/es</td><td class="de">arbeitet</td></tr> <tr><td>wir</td><td class="de">arbeiten</td></tr> <tr><td>ihr</td><td class="de">arbeitet</td></tr> <tr><td>sie/Sie</td><td class="de">arbeiten</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <div class="cj"><table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">heißen (to be called)</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>ich</td><td class="de">heiße</td></tr> <tr><td>du</td><td class="de">heißt</td></tr> <tr><td>er/sie/es</td><td class="de">heißt</td></tr> <tr><td>wir</td><td class="de">heißen</td></tr> <tr><td>ihr</td><td class="de">heißt</td></tr> <tr><td>sie/Sie</td><td class="de">heißen</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> </div>
<h3>Common stem-vowel changing verbs (strong verbs) — memorise these</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Verb</th><th>ich</th><th>du ⚠️</th><th>er/sie/es ⚠️</th><th>wir/sie/Sie</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">fahren (drive)</td><td class="de">fahre</td><td class="de">fährst</td><td class="de">fährt</td><td class="de">fahren</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">lesen (read)</td><td class="de">lese</td><td class="de">liest</td><td class="de">liest</td><td class="de">lesen</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sprechen (speak)</td><td class="de">spreche</td><td class="de">sprichst</td><td class="de">spricht</td><td class="de">sprechen</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">nehmen (take)</td><td class="de">nehme</td><td class="de">nimmst</td><td class="de">nimmt</td><td class="de">nehmen</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">essen (eat)</td><td class="de">esse</td><td class="de">isst</td><td class="de">isst</td><td class="de">essen</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">schlafen (sleep)</td><td class="de">schlafe</td><td class="de">schläfst</td><td class="de">schläft</td><td class="de">schlafen</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sehen (see)</td><td class="de">sehe</td><td class="de">siehst</td><td class="de">sieht</td><td class="de">sehen</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">laufen (run)</td><td class="de">laufe</td><td class="de">läufst</td><td class="de">läuft</td><td class="de">laufen</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="a1-deep-dives">Each A1 topic in depth</h2> <p>Four of the topics above have guides of their own: <a href="/blog/german-present-tense-complete-a1-guide-to-prsens-in-2025">the present tense</a>, <a href="/blog/a1-german-verb-conjugation-complete-guide">verb conjugation</a>, <a href="/blog/german-numbers-dates-and-time-complete-a1-guide-for-2025">numbers, dates and time</a>, and the <a href="/blog/complete-a1-german-grammar-guide">full A1 grammar reference</a>. When you are ready for the exam itself, the formats differ slightly: <a href="/blog/goethe-a1-exam-complete-preparation">Goethe A1</a> and <a href="/blog/telc-a1-exam-format-and-success-tips-complete-preparation-guide-2025">telc A1</a>.</p> <h2 id="sein-haben">3. sein and haben — The Two Most Important Verbs</h2> <div class="cj-wrap"> <div class="cj"><table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">sein (to be) ⭐</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>ich</td><td class="de">bin</td></tr> <tr><td>du</td><td class="de">bist</td></tr> <tr><td>er/sie/es</td><td class="de">ist</td></tr> <tr><td>wir</td><td class="de">sind</td></tr> <tr><td>ihr</td><td class="de">seid</td></tr> <tr><td>sie/Sie</td><td class="de">sind</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <div class="cj"><table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">haben (to have) ⭐</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>ich</td><td class="de">habe</td></tr> <tr><td>du</td><td class="de">hast</td></tr> <tr><td>er/sie/es</td><td class="de">hat</td></tr> <tr><td>wir</td><td class="de">haben</td></tr> <tr><td>ihr</td><td class="de">habt</td></tr> <tr><td>sie/Sie</td><td class="de">haben</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> <div class="cj"><table><thead><tr><th colspan="2">werden (to become)</th></tr></thead><tbody> <tr><td>ich</td><td class="de">werde</td></tr> <tr><td>du</td><td class="de">wirst</td></tr> <tr><td>er/sie/es</td><td class="de">wird</td></tr> <tr><td>wir</td><td class="de">werden</td></tr> <tr><td>ihr</td><td class="de">werdet</td></tr> <tr><td>sie/Sie</td><td class="de">werden</td></tr> </tbody></table></div> </div>
<h2 id="word-order">4. The V2 Rule — German Sentence Structure</h2> <p>The most fundamental rule in German: <strong>the conjugated verb is always in second position</strong> in a main clause, regardless of what comes first.</p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Position 1</th><th>Position 2 (VERB)</th><th>Rest</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Normal statement</td><td>Ich</td><td class="de">lerne</td><td>jeden Tag Deutsch.</td><td>I learn German every day.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Time first (inversion!)</td><td>Heute</td><td class="de">lerne</td><td>ich Deutsch.</td><td>Today I learn German.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Place first</td><td>In Berlin</td><td class="de">wohne</td><td>ich seit 2020.</td><td>In Berlin I've lived since 2020.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Yes/No question</td><td class="de">Lernst</td><td>du</td><td>Deutsch?</td><td>Are you learning German?</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">W-question</td><td>Was</td><td class="de">lernst</td><td>du?</td><td>What are you learning?</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="imp"><strong>❗ The inversion rule:</strong> When anything other than the subject starts the sentence, subject and verb swap positions — but the verb always stays second. <em>Heute <strong>lerne ich</strong></em> ✓ — NOT: <del>Heute ich lerne</del></div>
<h2 id="negation">5. Negation — nicht vs. kein</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>What to negate</th><th>Use</th><th>Positive example</th><th>Negative example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td>Noun with ein/eine (or no article)</td><td class="de"><strong>kein / keine / kein</strong></td><td class="de">Ich habe <strong>ein</strong> Auto.</td><td class="de">Ich habe <strong>kein</strong> Auto.</td></tr> <tr><td>Noun with definite article</td><td class="de"><strong>nicht</strong> (after noun)</td><td class="de">Ich mag <strong>den</strong> Film.</td><td class="de">Ich mag den Film <strong>nicht</strong>.</td></tr> <tr><td>Verb (action)</td><td class="de"><strong>nicht</strong> (often at end)</td><td class="de">Ich <strong>komme</strong>.</td><td class="de">Ich komme <strong>nicht</strong>.</td></tr> <tr><td>Adjective</td><td class="de"><strong>nicht</strong> (before adj.)</td><td class="de">Das ist <strong>gut</strong>.</td><td class="de">Das ist <strong>nicht</strong> gut.</td></tr> <tr><td>Adverb of place</td><td class="de"><strong>nicht</strong> (before adv.)</td><td class="de">Er arbeitet <strong>hier</strong>.</td><td class="de">Er arbeitet <strong>nicht</strong> hier.</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="questions">6. Questions — Yes/No and W-Questions</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Type</th><th>Structure</th><th>Example</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Yes/No question</td><td>Verb first, then subject</td><td class="de">Sprichst du Deutsch?</td><td>Do you speak German?</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">W-question</td><td>W-word → verb → subject</td><td class="de">Was lernst du?</td><td>What are you learning?</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h3>Essential W-words (question words)</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>German</th><th>English</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">Wer?</td><td>Who?</td><td class="de">Wer ist das?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Was?</td><td>What?</td><td class="de">Was machst du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Wo?</td><td>Where?</td><td class="de">Wo wohnst du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Woher?</td><td>Where from?</td><td class="de">Woher kommst du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Wohin?</td><td>Where to?</td><td class="de">Wohin gehst du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Wie?</td><td>How? / What … like?</td><td class="de">Wie heißt du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Wie viel?</td><td>How much?</td><td class="de">Wie viel kostet das?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Wie viele?</td><td>How many?</td><td class="de">Wie viele Kinder hast du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Wann?</td><td>When?</td><td class="de">Wann kommst du?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Warum?</td><td>Why?</td><td class="de">Warum lernst du Deutsch?</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">Welche/r/s?</td><td>Which?</td><td class="de">Welcher Bus fährt zum Bahnhof?</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="cases">7. Cases — Nominativ and Akkusativ</h2> <p>German has 4 cases (Nominativ, Akkusativ, Dativ, Genitiv). At A1, focus on the first two.</p>
<div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Case</th><th>Function</th><th>Key question</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">Nominativ</td><td>Subject — who/what performs the action</td><td>Wer? Was?</td><td class="de"><strong>Der Mann</strong> kauft Brot.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Akkusativ</td><td>Direct object — who/what receives the action</td><td>Wen? Was?</td><td class="de">Der Mann kauft <strong>das Brot</strong>.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">Dativ (A2+)</td><td>Indirect object — to/for whom</td><td>Wem?</td><td class="de">Ich gebe <strong>dem Mann</strong> das Buch.</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="pronouns">8. Personal Pronouns — All Three Cases</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Nominativ</th><th>Akkusativ</th><th>Dativ</th><th>English</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">ich</td><td class="de">mich</td><td class="de">mir</td><td>I / me</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">du</td><td class="de">dich</td><td class="de">dir</td><td>you (informal sg.)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">er</td><td class="de">ihn</td><td class="de">ihm</td><td>he / him</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sie</td><td class="de">sie</td><td class="de">ihr</td><td>she / her</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">es</td><td class="de">es</td><td class="de">ihm</td><td>it</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">wir</td><td class="de">uns</td><td class="de">uns</td><td>we / us</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">ihr</td><td class="de">euch</td><td class="de">euch</td><td>you (informal pl.)</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">sie / Sie</td><td class="de">sie / Sie</td><td class="de">ihnen / Ihnen</td><td>they / you (formal)</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="numbers">9. Numbers, Days, and Telling the Time</h2> <div class="tc2"> <div> <h3>Numbers (Zahlen)</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Number</th><th>German</th><th>Number</th><th>German</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td>1</td><td class="de">eins</td><td>11</td><td class="de">elf</td></tr> <tr><td>2</td><td class="de">zwei</td><td>12</td><td class="de">zwölf</td></tr> <tr><td>3</td><td class="de">drei</td><td>13</td><td class="de">dreizehn</td></tr> <tr><td>4</td><td class="de">vier</td><td>20</td><td class="de">zwanzig</td></tr> <tr><td>5</td><td class="de">fünf</td><td>21</td><td class="de">einundzwanzig</td></tr> <tr><td>6</td><td class="de">sechs</td><td>30</td><td class="de">dreißig</td></tr> <tr><td>7</td><td class="de">sieben</td><td>40</td><td class="de">vierzig</td></tr> <tr><td>8</td><td class="de">acht</td><td>100</td><td class="de">hundert</td></tr> <tr><td>9</td><td class="de">neun</td><td>1000</td><td class="de">tausend</td></tr> <tr><td>10</td><td class="de">zehn</td><td>1000000</td><td class="de">eine Million</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> <div> <h3>Telling the time (Uhrzeit)</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Time</th><th>German (informal)</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td>3:00</td><td class="de">drei Uhr</td></tr> <tr><td>3:15</td><td class="de">Viertel nach drei</td></tr> <tr class="star-row"><td><strong>2:30</strong></td><td class="de"><strong>halb drei ⚠️</strong></td></tr> <tr><td>2:45</td><td class="de">Viertel vor drei</td></tr> <tr><td>3:10</td><td class="de">zehn nach drei</td></tr> <tr><td>2:50</td><td class="de">zehn vor drei</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> <div class="imp"><strong>❗ halb drei = 2:30</strong> (half BEFORE three — not 3:30). This is the most common clock-reading mistake for English speakers. <em>Halb</em> in German refers to the NEXT hour, not the current one.</div> </div> </div>
<h3>Days of the week (Wochentage)</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Mon</th><th>Tue</th><th>Wed</th><th>Thu</th><th>Fri</th><th>Sat</th><th>Sun</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">Montag</td><td class="de">Dienstag</td><td class="de">Mittwoch</td><td class="de">Donnerstag</td><td class="de">Freitag</td><td class="de">Samstag</td><td class="de">Sonntag</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<h2 id="prepositions">10. Basic Prepositions</h2> <div class="tc2"> <div> <h3>Always Akkusativ</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Prep.</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">durch</td><td>through</td><td class="de">durch den Park</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">für</td><td>for</td><td class="de">für dich</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">gegen</td><td>against</td><td class="de">gegen den Wind</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">ohne</td><td>without</td><td class="de">ohne Zucker</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">um</td><td>around / at (time)</td><td class="de">um 3 Uhr</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> <div> <h3>Always Dativ</h3> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>Prep.</th><th>Meaning</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="de">aus</td><td>from / out of</td><td class="de">aus der Türkei</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">bei</td><td>at / near</td><td class="de">bei mir</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">mit</td><td>with</td><td class="de">mit dem Bus</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">nach</td><td>to (city) / after</td><td class="de">nach Berlin</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">von</td><td>from / by</td><td class="de">von ihm</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">zu</td><td>to (person/place)</td><td class="de">zum Bahnhof</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">seit</td><td>since / for</td><td class="de">seit 2020</td></tr> <tr><td class="de">gegenüber</td><td>opposite</td><td class="de">dem Park gegenüber</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> </div>
<h2 id="tips">11. Top 8 A1 Grammar Mistakes — and How to Fix Them</h2> <div class="tw"><table> <thead><tr><th>#</th><th>Mistake</th><th>Incorrect</th><th>Correct</th><th>Rule</th></tr></thead> <tbody> <tr><td class="lb">1</td><td>Wrong word order after time expression</td><td class="de"><del>Heute ich lerne Deutsch.</del></td><td class="de">Heute lerne ich Deutsch.</td><td>V2 rule — verb always second</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">2</td><td>Forgetting der→den in Akkusativ</td><td class="de"><del>Ich sehe der Mann.</del></td><td class="de">Ich sehe den Mann.</td><td>Masculine changes Nom.→Akk.</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">3</td><td>Using kein instead of nicht</td><td class="de"><del>Das ist kein gut.</del></td><td class="de">Das ist nicht gut.</td><td>kein only before nouns</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">4</td><td>Wrong halb time</td><td class="de"><del>halb drei = 3:30</del></td><td class="de">halb drei = 2:30</td><td>halb = half BEFORE the next hour</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">5</td><td>Forgetting vowel change in strong verbs</td><td class="de"><del>Er spricht.</del> → wait, this is actually correct!</td><td class="de">er spricht ✓ (not: <del>er sprechen</del>)</td><td>du/er/sie/es forms change in strong verbs</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">6</td><td>Using du instead of Sie with strangers</td><td><em>Addressing a shop assistant as "du"</em></td><td>Use <strong>Sie</strong> (formal) with adults you don't know</td><td>Formal/informal register distinction</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">7</td><td>Wrong possessive ending</td><td class="de"><del>mein Mutter</del></td><td class="de">meine Mutter</td><td>Feminine possessives add -e in Nominativ</td></tr> <tr><td class="lb">8</td><td>Forgetting extra -e- in arbeiten-type verbs</td><td class="de"><del>du arbeitst</del></td><td class="de">du arbeitest</td><td>Stem ending in -t/-d needs extra -e-</td></tr> </tbody> </table></div>
<div class="pbox"> <div class="pico">📄</div> <div> <h3>Download the A1 Grammar Cheat Sheet PDF</h3> <p>All A1 grammar topics, all tables, top mistakes — one printable A4 sheet.</p> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch1A1GrammarCheatSheet.html" class="pbtn">⬇ Download Free PDF</a> <p class="plinks">Also: <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch4A1RedemittelSheet.html">A1 Redemittel PDF</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/downloads/grammar-sheets/ExamDeutsch3B1GrammarCheatSheet.html">B1 Grammar PDF</a></p> </div> </div>
<div class="cta"> <h3>Practise A1 German With AI</h3> <p>ExamDeutsch AI generates A1-level exercises for every topic above — articles, verb conjugation, word order, negation — with instant explanations.</p> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com">Start A1 AI Practice →</a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/b1-german-grammar-cheat-sheet-2026-all-11-exam-critical-topics-free-pdf" class="sec">B1 Grammar Guide →</a> </div>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <details><summary>How long does it take to reach A1 German level?</summary><p>Approximately 80–120 study hours to reach A1 (CEFR standard). With daily 30-minute sessions, that's 5–8 months. With 1-hour daily sessions, 3–4 months. Consistency matters more than session length — daily practice of 20 minutes beats one 3-hour session per week.</p></details> <details><summary>Do I need to learn all 4 German cases at A1?</summary><p>At A1 level, focus on Nominativ and Akkusativ. Dativ appears in A1 vocabulary (mit dem Bus, zu Hause) but full Dativ declension is taught at A2. Genitiv is B1 level. Don't try to learn all cases at once — master Nominativ and Akkusativ first.</p></details> <details><summary>What is the hardest part of A1 German grammar for English speakers?</summary><p>Three things trip up most English speakers: (1) Grammatical gender — nouns have gender that must be memorised. (2) Verb-second (V2) word order — especially with inversions. (3) The halb time reading — "halb drei" meaning 2:30 not 3:30. Focus on these three areas first.</p></details> <details><summary>What's the difference between Präsens and the English present tense?</summary><p>German Präsens covers both English present tenses: "Ich lerne Deutsch" = both "I learn German" AND "I am learning German". There's no separate present progressive in German — context makes it clear. This makes German simpler in this respect than English.</p></details>
<h2>Related guides</h2> <div class="rg"> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/b1-german-grammar-cheat-sheet-2026-all-11-exam-critical-topics-free-pdf" class="rc"><div class="ri">📚</div><div class="rt">B1 Grammar Cheat Sheet</div><div class="rd">All 11 exam-critical B1 topics with tables and examples.</div></a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/b1-redemittel-120-phrases-for-goethe-telc-speaking-exam-2026-free-pdf" class="rc"><div class="ri">🗣️</div><div class="rt">B1 Redemittel (120 Phrases)</div><div class="rd">Speaking phrases for the B1 exam planning task.</div></a> <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog/german-citizenship-test-2026-complete-english-guide-310-questions-format-how-to-" class="rc"><div class="ri">🏛️</div><div class="rt">German Citizenship Test Guide</div><div class="rd">310 questions explained in English — complete guide.</div></a> </div>
</div></div> <div class="nav" style="border-top:1px solid #eee;margin-top:20px"><a href="https://examdeutsch.com">Home</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/blog">All Blogs</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/einbuergerungstest">Einbürgerungstest</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/goethe-b1-vorbereitung">Goethe B1</a> · <a href="https://examdeutsch.com/telc-b1-vorbereitung">telc B1</a></div>