Introduction
When preparing for IB German Ab Initio, one of the biggest challenges students face is learning and retaining vocabulary. German has a reputation for long compound words, and with five core themes—Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization, and Sharing the Planet—the vocabulary list can feel endless.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to memorize every word in the German dictionary. The key is focusing on essential vocabulary that allows you to communicate clearly in both exams and real-life contexts. In this guide, we’ll explore the must-know vocabulary categories for IB German Ab Initio.
Why Vocabulary Matters
Vocabulary is the foundation of communication. Even with imperfect grammar, knowing the right words lets you:
- Express ideas in Paper 1 writing.
- Understand texts and recordings in Paper 2.
- Respond in the oral exam.
Without vocabulary, grammar rules mean little—so prioritizing the right words is essential.
Core Vocabulary for Everyday Communication
Greetings and Introductions
- Hallo, Guten Tag, Tschüss.
- Wie geht’s? Mir geht’s gut.
- Ich heiße …, Ich komme aus ….
Numbers, Dates, and Time
- eins, zwei, drei.
- heute, morgen, gestern.
- um acht Uhr, am Montag.
Basic Question Words
- wer, was, wo, wann, warum, wie.
