German has two common words for “vocabulary”: der Wortschatz and das Vokabular. Wortschatz is the everyday term for the words someone knows or a language contains. Vokabular is also correct and can sound more formal or technical.
vocabulary = der Wortschatz / das Vokabular
vocabulary word / item = die Vokabel
Wortschatz and Vokabular
Der Wortschatz literally combines “word” and “treasure.” It commonly refers to vocabulary or a person’s range of words. Das Vokabular means vocabulary as well, often as a collective set of terms or the vocabulary used in a subject.
Meaning: vocabulary / word stock
Vokabel and Vokabeln
Die Vokabel is one vocabulary item or word to learn; its plural is die Vokabeln. Learners often use it when talking about studying and memorizing words; see learning in German for the forms of lernen. Compare Mein Wortschatz wächst (“My vocabulary is growing”) with Ich lerne zehn neue Vokabeln (“I’m learning ten new vocabulary words”).
Useful Phrases
- deutscher Wortschatz — German vocabulary
- den Wortschatz erweitern — to expand one’s vocabulary
- neue Vokabeln lernen — to learn new vocabulary words
- der Grundwortschatz — basic vocabulary
Examples
- Ich möchte meinen deutschen Wortschatz erweitern. — I want to expand my German vocabulary.
- Dieses Buch enthält nützliches Vokabular. — This book contains useful vocabulary.
- Jeden Tag lerne ich fünf neue Vokabeln. — I learn five new vocabulary words every day.
- Der Wortschatz des Textes ist einfach. — The vocabulary of the text is simple.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vocabulary in German
Tap a question below to see the answer.
Is Wortschatz masculine or feminine?
Wortschatz is masculine: der Wortschatz.
What is the plural of Vokabel?
The plural is Vokabeln.
Which word should learners use?
Wortschatz is a natural general term; Vokabeln is common for individual words being studied.
Summary: Vocabulary in German
Use der Wortschatz or das Vokabular for vocabulary as a whole. Use die Vokabel for an individual word to learn and Vokabeln for multiple items.
