Top German A1 grammar topics (Updated 2024 )

According to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), A1 is the first level of proficiency in the six-tiered system. This is the level where one acquires basic skills in the German language. At this level, you will be able to handle simple everyday situations and routine tasks. In this article, we will look at German A1 grammar topics.

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What is German A1?

German A1 is the basic level where you will be able to understand simple German sentences and  basic words that describe yourself and the things around you. You will be able to introduce yourself, write simple things like filling a form, and use simple greetings. At this level, you will understand dates, time and numbers. You will also be able to ask or give directions and place orders.

German A1 Grammar Topics

As this is the introductory level, the emphasis is on laying the foundation for the language. In German A1 level, you will learn the fundamental grammar concepts. The German A1 grammar topics are:

Gender

Every German noun has a grammatical gender and they start with a capital letter. There are three genders in German language:

• masculine – der
• feminine – die
• neuter – das

Although you have to memorize these genders, there are some hints that can help make things easier.

• If the noun ends in -er, -en, -ig, –ling, -us, -mus, -or  it is masculine. Example:  der Honig (honey), der Kön_ig_ (king)
• If it ends in -in, -ion, -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -ei, -ur, -ik, -tät, -anz, -enz, -ie, it is feminine. Example: die Eins (one), die Oma (grandma)
• If the noun ending is -tum, -chen, -lein, -ment, -um, it is neuter. Example: das Museum, das Essen (food)

Definite Articles (der, die, das) 

The definite articles in German are: der, die and das. It is similar to ‘the’ in English. The definite article depends on the gender and number of the noun.

• masculine – der
• feminine – die
• neuter – das
• plural – die 

Example: der Hund (the dog), die Katze (the cat), das Kaninchen (the rabbit), die Hund_e_ (the dogs), die Katze_n_ (the cats).

Note: The definite article ‘die’ is used for plural noun (even if the noun is masculine or neuter).

Indefinite articles (ein, eine)

The indefinite articles in German are: ein and eine. It is similar to ‘a’ and ‘an’ in English.

• masculine – ein
• feminine – die
• neuter – ein

Examples: ein Hund (a dog), eine Katze (a cat), ein Kaninchen (a rabbit)

Note: There is no indefinite article for plural noun.

Singular and Plural

In German, the plural nouns are formed by adding -n/-en, -e, -r/-er, -s. Some nouns are the same in both their singular and plural forms. The ending of the nouns help us understand as to which plural ending to use. Let us have a look at the rules.

We add -e to the following noun:

• masculine nouns with the endings -eur, -ich, -ier, -ig, -ling, -ör

  Example: der Friseur – die Friseure

• many single-syllable feminine nouns

  Example: die Hand – die Hände

We add -r/ -er to the following:

Basic Sentence Structure

An independent clause includes a subject, a verb, and an object. They are in the order subject + verb + object. Unlike English, in German we can change the order of sentences to emphasize different things.

Example:

Der Hund fängt den Ball.
Den Ball fängt der Hund.

Both these sentences mean that ‘The dog catches the ball’. Here the order of the sentence is changed, but it does not change the meaning of the sentence.

Present Tense Verb Conjugation

The present tense, called (Präsens), is used to talk about the present and future. It is the most commonly used tense in the German language. In German, the present tense is used to express both a simple action and a continuous action.

You need to learn how to conjugate these verbs. To conjugate verbs in the present tense, we remove the infinitive ending -en and add personal endings like -e, -(e)st, (e)t, –en, -(e)t, –en.

Example: ich koche (I cook)

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