German levels: A1 · A2 · B1 · B2 · C1 · C2 · Overview
German A1 is the first level on the CEFR scale — true beginner. It is where every learner starts, and reaching it means you can handle basic everyday situations in German. Here is exactly what A1 involves and how to get there.
What you can do at A1
- Introduce yourself and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details.
- Understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
- Order food, shop, tell the time and manage simple, slow conversations.
Who needs A1?
A1 is the first milestone for everyone learning German. It is also the level often required for a spouse or family-reunion visa to Germany, which makes it a common concrete goal.
What you learn at A1
Grammar: the present tense, the articles der/die/das, personal pronouns, the accusative case, yes/no and W-questions, sein and haben, and formal versus informal (du and Sie).
Vocabulary and skills: greetings, numbers, family, food and drink, shopping, time and dates, and simple daily-life situations.
How long does A1 take?
With about an hour a day, most learners reach A1 in 2–3 months (roughly 60–80 hours).
How to study for A1
Build a foundation with an app or textbook, learn every noun with its article, and start speaking as early as you can. See the best ways to learn German, then get the essentials down with 30 essential phrases and noun genders.
The exam: Goethe-Zertifikat A1 (Start Deutsch 1)
The A1 exam tests reading, listening, writing and speaking with simple, predictable tasks. See the Goethe exam guide to prepare.
Next: German A2
Once A1 feels comfortable, move on to German A2, or see the full levels overview.