German language A1: what you need to know, topics and timeline

German A1 is the first threshold on the CEFR scale and the point reached by everyone starting from scratch. At this stage, you no longer «know nothing»: you can introduce yourself, ask for prices, order food and get by at the station. Below is a concrete checklist: which grammar topics are included in A1, which vocabulary, how many words you actually need, how long it takes to reach the level and which exam confirms it.

What level A1 means

A1 describes basic survival in the language: short sentences, predictable situations, slow and clear speech from the interlocutor. This is not yet fluent communication, but it is real communication nonetheless — you stop being helpless in the country of the language.

Check against the list. You are at A1 if you can:

• greet, say goodbye and politely address a stranger;
• introduce yourself and talk about yourself in simple phrases: name, where you are from, where you live, what you do;
• fill out a simple form — name, address, date of birth, citizenship;
• ask for and state prices, buy groceries, order at a cafe;
• ask for directions and understand a simple answer; buy a ticket;
• tell the time, days of the week and dates, arrange a meeting;
• understand a short, slow message on a familiar topic and write a simple note.

This exact set is most often required for a family reunification visa — details in the German for immigration guide. And if you haven't started yet, the sequence of first steps is covered in the German from scratch guide: first the alphabet and reading, then words, and only then grammar.

A1 Grammar: Checklist

The main mistake at the start is overestimating the volume of grammar. A1 does not require all cases, subordinate clauses, or tenses other than the present (and the very basics of the past at the very end of the level). Below is what is actually included in the A1 syllabus for most courses and exams.

Twelve topics look impressive in a list, but each one is just one or two pages of rules and a couple dozen examples. It is far more important to run through them using live phrases rather than memorizing tables: A1 grammar is reinforced by speaking, not by reading. An analysis with exercises can be found in the German grammar guide.

Vocabulary: Topics and How Many Words

The Goethe-Institut provides a concrete benchmark for volume: the official vocabulary list for the Start Deutsch 1 exam contains around 650 words, and about half of them need to be known actively — meaning you can use them yourself, not just recognize them in text. The rest are enough to understand when reading and listening.

A1 vocabulary is broken down by everyday topics — a convenient way to build your vocabulary in portions:

• People and introductions: greetings, name, country, language, age, profession, family;
• Numbers and time: digits, prices, hours, days of the week, months, dates, daily routine;
• Food: groceries, drinks, cafe and restaurant, ordering and the bill;
• Shopping: store, clothing, sizes, colors, money;
• Housing: apartment, rooms, furniture, renting;
• City and travel: transport, tickets, directions, station, airport;
• Health: body parts, well-being, doctor's appointment, pharmacy;
• Free time: hobbies, weather, weekends, invitations and arrangements.

It is more convenient to acquire them in thematic sets and immediately in context — as discussed in the words and grammar guide — and reinforce them with spaced repetition so that what you learned in the first month doesn't fade by the third. At Memofluent, these topics are already gathered into a ready-made A1 course: 14 sets, 802 words — from introductions and housing to official offices and shopping. Flip through the flashcards right here:

Separately, it is worth learning two or three dozen "survival" phrases that work from day one: «Hallo», «Guten Tag», «Tschüss», «Danke», «Bitte»; «Ich heiße …» (my name is), «Ich komme aus …» (I am from), «Ich wohne in …» (I live in); and indispensable in any situation «Entschuldigung» (excuse me), «Wie viel kostet das?» (how much does this cost?), «Ich verstehe nicht» (I don't understand), «Sprechen Sie langsamer, bitte» (speak slower, please). This is already enough not to stay silent in a shop, cafe, and station — and grammar will build up around them.

How much time it will take

Official Goethe-Institut guideline: level A1 takes 80–200 instructional units of 45 minutes each, which is roughly 60–150 astronomical hours. The spread is large, and honestly so: the speed depends on whether you have learned other languages before, whether you are studying in the country of the language, and how much time you give to practice outside of classes.

It is useful to keep intermediate milestones in mind, otherwise the goal of "learning a language" is too abstract to hold onto. By the end of the first or second week, you confidently read and pronounce words. By the end of the first month, you know your first hundred words and build short phrases about yourself. By the end of the second or third month, you calmly navigate standard A1 situations: meeting people, shopping, cafes, directions. A detailed calculation across all levels is in the how long to learn German guide.

Exams for level A1

The level is confirmed by a certificate. For adults, this is Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1, for teenagers aged 10–16 — Fit in Deutsch 1; a similar exam is also offered by telc. The A1 certificate is most often required for a family reunification visa.

The exam is considered passed with 60 points out of 100. There is no minimum threshold for individual parts: a weak spot can be compensated by a strong one, so a lagging part shouldn't be seen as a sentence — but relying solely on speaking won't work either. How to prepare specifically for the format is covered in the Goethe exams guide.

What's next after A1

Having mastered A1, it's logical to move on to level A2: past tense, dative case, and broader topics like work, health, and plans appear there. The transition is easier than starting from scratch: phonetics are already familiar, the study habit is formed, and all that remains is to build up vocabulary on a ready foundation.

Sober assessment: for life in Germany, A1 is not enough. It is enough for a shop and a station, but not for a conversation with a doctor, an authority, or an employer — for that, you need at least B1, which is also required for citizenship along with the Leben in Deutschland test. Therefore, A1 should be seen not as the finish line, but as the first confident step after which the road becomes clear.

FAQ

How many words are needed for A1?

The official vocabulary list for the Start Deutsch 1 exam contains about 650 words, and about half of them need to be known actively — being able to use them yourself, not just recognize them in text. This is enough for simple everyday situations and short phrases about yourself.

What grammar is included in level A1?

Present tense Präsens, verbs sein and haben, strong verbs with stem vowel changes, separable prefixes, modal verbs können/müssen/möchten, articles and negation kein, cases Nominativ and Akkusativ, personal and possessive pronouns, word order in statements and questions, imperative, and basic Perfekt at the end of the level.

What can a person do at level A1?

Introduce themselves, talk about themselves in simple phrases, fill out a form, ask for and state prices, order food, ask for directions, arrange a meeting, and understand slow, clear speech on familiar topics.

How long does it take to learn German up to A1?

The Goethe-Institut guideline is 80–200 instructional units of 45 minutes each, which is roughly 60–150 hours. With independent study of 15 minutes a day, this is usually two to three months; with an intensive course at a language school, four to eight weeks.

Which exam confirms level A1?

For adults — Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1, for teenagers aged 10–16 — Fit in Deutsch 1; a similar exam is available at telc. The exam consists of four parts (Hören, Lesen, Schreiben, Sprechen) and is considered passed with 60 points out of 100, with no minimum threshold for individual parts.

Is A1 required for a visa to Germany?

An A1 certificate is most often required for a family reunification visa. For work visas and studies, requirements are higher and depend on the specific case — check with the receiving party and the consulate.

Is A1 enough to communicate in Germany?

For the simplest situations — yes: shop, cafe, station. But for a conversation with a doctor, government office, or employer, you need at least B1, which is also required for citizenship along with the Leben in Deutschland test.

Can you learn A1 on your own?

Yes, this is the most realistic level for independent study: there is not much material, the topics are everyday ones, and the entire vocabulary fits into a few thematic sets. It gets harder with A2–B1, where grammar increases and regular speaking practice is required.