Learning Deutsch by learning Phrases and Sentences

1 minute read

Published: September 28, 2025

When it comes to language learning, focusing on phrases and sentences rather than isolated words can make a significant difference. While memorizing vocabulary lists might seem like a straightforward approach, it often leaves learners struggling to use those words in real-life situations. Words alone rarely convey complete meaning; context is crucial. By learning phrases and sentences, you naturally absorb grammar, word order, and common expressions, making your speech sound more natural and fluent.

For example, knowing the word “book” is helpful, but learning the phrase “I’d like to book a table” is far more practical. Phrases provide ready-made building blocks for conversation, reducing the mental effort needed to construct sentences from scratch. This approach also helps with pronunciation and intonation, as you practice speaking in chunks rather than isolated syllables.

Moreover, sentences and phrases expose you to cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions that single words cannot convey. This leads to better comprehension when listening or reading, and more confidence when speaking. In summary, prioritizing phrases and sentences accelerates your ability to communicate effectively, making language learning more enjoyable and efficient.

Below are some of the anki decks that can be used:

Deutsch:

• German Sentences
  • Part 1 - A1 and A2: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/785874566
  • Part 2 - B1 : https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/17323417
  • Part 3 - B2-C1 : https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/944971572
• German 7000 Intermediate/Advanced Sentences w/ Audio
  • Part 1 : https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1125602705

Japanese:

• LTL Japanese Deck
  • Level 1 - Short: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/1184395484
  • Level 2 - Short Medium: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/187819699
  • Level 3 - Medium: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/266834099
  • Level 4 - Medium Long: https://ankiweb.net/shared/info/660574631
  • Level 5 - Long: TBD

Deutsch Day 16: Compound Nouns

12 minute read

Published: August 06, 2025

📘 MASTER PLAN: German Compound Noun Vocabulary Expansion

🔶 PHASE 1: Master the Most Useful Base Nouns (Top 50)

These are the “root” or “core” nouns you will see in countless combinations.

Noun Meaning Article Example Compound

| # | Noun | Meaning | Article | Example Compound | | – | ——– | ———– | ——– | —————– | | 1 | Haus | house | das | Krankenhaus | | 2 | Kind | child | das | Kindergarten | | 3 | Arbeit | work | die | Hausarbeit | | 4 | Schule | school | die | Sprachschule | | 5 | Auto | car | das | Autounfall | | 6 | Zeit | time | die | Freizeit | | 7 | Tag | day | der | Feiertag | | 8 | Bahn | rail/train | die | U-Bahn | | 9 | Buch | book | das | Wörterbuch | | 10 | Zimmer | room | das | Schlafzimmer | | 11 | Stadt | city | die | Hauptstadt | | 12 | Name | name | der | Nachname | | 13 | Licht | light | das | Taschenlicht | | 14 | Wasser | water | das | Trinkwasser | | 15 | Luft | air | die | Luftqualität | | 16 | Weg | path/way | der | Heimweg | | 17 | Spiel | game/play | das | Kinderspiel | | 18 | Reise | travel/trip | die | Dienstreise | | 19 | Zeitung | newspaper | die | Bildzeitung | | 20 | Gerät | device | das | Küchengerät | | 21 | Mann | man | der | Geschäftsmann | | 22 | Frau | woman | die | Hausfrau | | 23 | Essen | food/eating | das | Essenszeit | | 24 | Lehrer | teacher | der | Lehrerzimmer | | 25 | Student | student | der | Studentenstadt | | 26 | Bahn | train/rail | die | Eisenbahn | | 27 | Eltern | parents | die (pl) | Elternabend | | 28 | Körper | body | der | Körperpflege | | 29 | Kopf | head | der | Kopfschmerzen | | 30 | Zahn | tooth | der | Zahnarzt | | 31 | Auge | eye | das | Augenarzt | | 32 | Herz | heart | das | Herzenswunsch | | 33 | Beruf | profession | der | Berufsleben | | 34 | Unfall | accident | der | Autounfall | | 35 | Polizei | police | die | Polizeiauto | | 36 | Freund | friend | der | Freundschaft | | 37 | Uhr | clock | die | Wanduhr | | 38 | Sprache | language | die | Fremdsprache | | 39 | Tier | animal | das | Haustier | | 40 | Leben | life | das | Lebensstil | | 41 | Welt | world | die | Weltkarte | | 42 | Feuer | fire | das | Feuerzeug | | 43 | Glas | glass | das | Weinglas | | 44 | Straße | street | die | Hauptstraße | | 45 | Fenster | window | das | Fensterrahmen | | 46 | Schuh | shoe | der | Turnschuh | | 47 | Tasche | bag | die | Handtasche | | 48 | Lampe | lamp | die | Schreibtischlampe | | 49 | Computer | computer | der | Computerprogramm | | 50 | Tisch | table/desk | der | Esstisch |

✅ Goal: Learn gender, plural form, and 2-3 common compounds per base noun.

🔶 PHASE 2: Master Compound Prefix & Suffix Builders

These turn base nouns into real-life compound nouns.

🔹 Common PREFIX Nouns (go in front) | Prefix | Meaning | Example | | ———- | ————— | ————————- | | Kinder- | child | Kinderspiel, Kinderzimmer | | Kranken- | sick | Krankenhaus | | Haus- | house/home | Hausaufgabe | | Sprach- | language | Sprachkurs, Sprachschule | | Auto- | car | Autounfall | | Haupt- | main | Hauptstraße | | Fahr- | drive | Fahrkarte, Fahrplan | | Schul- | school | Schulbuch, Schultasche | | Arbeits- | work | Arbeitszeit, Arbeitsplatz | | Taschen- | bag/pocket | Taschenlampe | | Zug- | train | Zugfahrt | | Essens- | eating | Essenszeit | | Zeit- | time | Zeitplan, Zeitdruck | | Stadt- | city | Stadtzentrum | | Polizei- | police | Polizeiauto | | Wasser- | water | Wasserglas, Wasserdampf | | Lebens- | life | Lebensstil, Lebenszeit | | Freund- | friend | Freundschaft | | Luft- | air | Luftverschmutzung | | Körper- | body | Körperpflege | | Augen- | eye | Augenarzt | | Kopf- | head | Kopfhörer | | Familien- | family | Familienfest | | Musik- | music | Musikschule | | Internet- | internet | Internetverbindung | | Lehrer- | teacher | Lehrerzimmer | | Nach- | after/following | Nachname, Nachmittag | | Vor- | before/front | Vorname, Vormittag | | Geschäfts- | business | Geschäftsmann | | Welt- | world | Weltkarte, Weltreise |

🔸 Common SUFFIX Nouns (go at the end) Suffix Meaning Example Word | Suffix | Meaning | Example | | ————- | —————- | ———————– | | -haus | building | Krankenhaus | | -zimmer | room | Schlafzimmer | | -schule | school | Sprachschule | | -buch | book | Wörterbuch | | -zeit | time | Freizeit, Arbeitszeit | | -spiel | game/play | Fußballspiel | | -gerät | device/equipment | Küchengerät | | -fahrt | ride/trip | Zugfahrt | | -weg | way/path | Heimweg | | -karte | card/map | Fahrkarte, Weltkarte | | -straße | street | Hauptstraße | | -tag | day | Feiertag, Arbeitstag | | -arbeit | work | Hausarbeit, Teamarbeit | | -freundschaft | friendship | Freundschaft | | -leben | life | Berufsleben | | -plan | plan | Stundenplan | | -programm | program | Computerprogramm | | -aufgabe | task/assignment | Hausaufgabe | | -zeitung | newspaper | Tageszeitung | | -gerät | appliance/tool | Haushaltsgerät | | -stelle | place/post | Arbeitsstelle | | -name | name | Vorname, Nachname | | -uhr | clock | Armbanduhr | | -arzt | doctor | Zahnarzt, Augenarzt | | -stadt | city | Studentenstadt | | -lampe | lamp | Schreibtischlampe | | -schuh | shoe | Handschuh | | -tasche | bag | Handtasche, Schultasche | | -fenster | window | Dachfenster | | -rahmen | frame | Fensterrahmen |

✅ Goal: Learn 10 of each and how they behave when combined.

🔶 PHASE 3: Learn Noun Combination Patterns (Grouped by Theme)

Now combine your prefix + base/suffix using patterns and themes. Grouping by theme makes it easy to recall.

🏠 House & Furniture (Wohnen und Möbel)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | ————– | ———————– | | Wohnzimmer | living room | | Schlafzimmer | bedroom | | Badezimmer | bathroom | | Esstisch | dining table | | Küchenschrank | kitchen cupboard | | Hausnummer | house number | | Haustür | front door | | Fensterrahmen | window frame | | Dachfenster | roof window | | Haustier | pet (lit. house animal) | | Haushaltsgerät | household appliance | | Hausaufgabe | homework |

🧑‍⚕️ Health & Body (Gesundheit und Körper)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | ————— | —————- | | Krankenhaus | hospital | | Zahnarzt | dentist | | Augenarzt | eye doctor | | Kopfschmerzen | headache | | Rückenschmerzen | back pain | | Körperpflege | body care | | Krankenkasse | health insurance | | Herzschlag | heartbeat | | Blutdruck | blood pressure | | Hausarzt | family doctor | | Notaufnahme | emergency room | | Krankenwagen | ambulance |

🎓 School & Learning (Schule und Lernen)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | —————– | ——————- | | Schulbuch | school book | | Lehrerzimmer | teacher’s room | | Sprachschule | language school | | Hausaufgabe | homework | | Klassenarbeit | class test | | Stundenplan | schedule/timetable | | Schultasche | school bag | | Schulweg | way to school | | Schülerausweis | student ID card | | Schulzeit | school time | | Unterrichtsstunde | lesson | | Schulanfang | beginning of school |

🚗 Travel & Transport (Reisen und Verkehr)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | ————- | ——————– | | Fahrkarte | ticket | | Zugfahrt | train ride | | Autofahrt | car trip | | Weltreise | world trip | | U-Bahn | subway | | Hauptstraße | main street | | Reisebüro | travel agency | | Abfahrtzeit | departure time | | Gepäckwagen | luggage cart | | Straßenkarte | road map | | Reisepass | passport | | Urlaubsort | vacation destination |

⏱ Time & Work (Zeit und Arbeit)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | —————– | ——————– | | Arbeitszeit | working time | | Freizeit | free time | | Essenszeit | mealtime | | Feiertag | holiday | | Arbeitstag | work day | | Zeitplan | schedule | | Stundenlohn | hourly wage | | Arbeitsvertrag | work contract | | Teilzeitjob | part-time job | | Urlaubsantrag | vacation request | | Terminkalender | appointment calendar | | Wochenarbeitszeit | weekly working hours |

📱 Devices & Objects (Geräte und Gegenstände)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | —————– | —————– | | Taschenlampe | flashlight | | Küchengerät | kitchen appliance | | Haushaltsgerät | household device | | Schreibtischlampe | desk lamp | | Computerprogramm | software program | | Fernsehapparat | television set | | Handyhülle | phone case | | Weckeruhr | alarm clock | | Kopfhörer | headphones | | Waschmaschine | washing machine | | Kühlschrank | refrigerator | | Mikrowellengerät | microwave |

📰 Media & Reading (Medien und Lesen)

| Compound Noun      | Meaning            | | ------------------ | ------------------ | | Wörterbuch         | dictionary         | | Schulbuch          | school book        | | Tageszeitung       | daily newspaper    | | Bildzeitung        | tabloid            | | Lesebrille         | reading glasses    | | Fernsehprogramm    | TV program         | | Lieblingsbuch      | favorite book      | | Zeitungsausschnitt | newspaper clipping | | Sachbuch           | nonfiction book    | | Bibliotheksausweis | library card       | | Buchhandlung       | bookstore          | | Nachrichtenkanal   | news channel       |

💼 People & Professions (Personen und Berufe)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | ————— | ———————– | | Geschäftsmann | businessman | | Hausfrau | housewife | | Zahnarzt | dentist | | Augenarzt | eye doctor | | Lehrerzimmer | teachers’ lounge | | Berufsberater | career counselor | | Polizeibeamter | police officer | | Busfahrer | bus driver | | Berufserfahrung | professional experience | | Tierarzt | veterinarian | | Feuerwehrmann | firefighter | | Kindergärtnerin | preschool teacher |

🐾 Nature & Environment (Natur und Umwelt)

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | —————- | ——————- | | Haustier | pet | | Trinkwasser | drinking water | | Luftqualität | air quality | | Umweltproblem | environmental issue | | Müllabfuhr | garbage collection | | Solaranlage | solar panel system | | Naturkatastrophe | natural disaster | | Regenwasser | rainwater | | Wetterbericht | weather report | | Baumkrone | treetop | | Sonnenaufgang | sunrise | | Gewitterwolke | thundercloud |

📦 BONUS GROUP – Easy-to-Understand Compounds from A1/A2 Level

| Compound Noun | Meaning | | ————- | ————— | | Handtasche | handbag | | Handschuh | glove | | Haustür | front door | | Fußweg | footpath | | Zahnbürste | toothbrush | | Wasserflasche | water bottle | | Sonnenbrille | sunglasses | | Reisetasche | travel bag | | Arbeitszimmer | workroom/office | | Einkaufsliste | shopping list |

Deutsch Day 12: Subject + Verb

1 minute read

Published: July 29, 2025

Nominative

Personal Pronomen in Nominative

Nominative pronouns are personal pronouns that replace the subject in a sentence. They show who or what is doing something, e.g., I am tired.

Deutsch: Pronomen im Nominativ sind Personalpronomen, die das Subjekt im Satz ersetzen. Sie zeigen, wer oder was etwas tut, z. B. Ich bin müde.

Sein (to have)

habe (to have)

Deutsch Day 11: Ja/Nein Trage

less than 1 minute read

Published: July 28, 2025

The structure for Yes/No question (Ja/Nein Trage) in Deutsch is as follows:

` Verb (konjugiert) + Subjekt + Rest`

For Example:

Other example:

• Ist das die Brille?
• Ist das die Handdy?
• Ist das der Apfel?
• Ist das der Tasse?