Cognates are words found in two or more languages that have similar, though not always exact, spellings and the same meaning. These words are similar because they have the same root or origin. There are many German/English cognates. Becoming aware of these cognates can help the beginning German language student increase vocabulary quickly.
Note: German words are designated either masculine, feminine, or neuter. Der (the) is used in front of masculine words; die in front of feminine words; and das in front of neuter words. Die is used in front of all plurals.
Remember that even though a German word may look similar to its English counterpart, it might not sound the same. The following German/English cognates are grouped into categories to help the German language student more quickly learn them in a useful context.
People Cognates
- das Baby – baby
- der Polizist – policeman
- die Polizistin – policewoman
- der Feuerwehrmann – fireman
- der Pilot – pilot
- die Stewardeβ – stewardess/flight attendant
- der Astronaut – astronaut
- der Mechaniker - mechanic
- der Angler – angler/fisherman
- der Sohn – son
- der Bruder – brother
- die Schwester – sister
- die Mutter – mother
- der Vater – father
- die – Tante – aunt
- der Onkel – uncle
- der Cousin – cousin
- der Groβvater – grandfather
- die Groβmutter - grandmother
Body Part Cognates
- das Haar – hair
- der Arm – arm
- der Ellbogen – elbow
- das Knie – knee
- die Nase – nose
- die Lippen – lip
- die Hand – hand
- die Finger - finger
Food Cognates
- die Banane – banana
- die Grapefuit – grapefruit
- die Melone – melon
- die Orange – orange
- die Tomate – tomato
- der Salat – salad
- die Joghurt – yogurt
- die Salami – salami
- die Chips – (potato) chips
- die Pizza – pizza
- die Spaghetti – spaghetti
- das Omelett – omelet
- die Suppe – soup
- die Butter – butter
- das Eis – Ice(cream)
- die Milch – milk
- der Tee – tea
- das Salz – salt
- der Pfeffer – pepper
- das Ketchup – ketchup/catsup
- das Picknick – picnic
Classroom, Office, or Home Cognates
- das Toilettenpapier – toilet paper
- die Toilette – toilet
- das Radio – radio
- der Computer – computer
- der Ring – ring
- der Tabelle - table
- das Sofa – sofa
- das Telefon – telephone
- die Lampe – lamp
- die Waschmaschine – wash machine
- das Puzzle – puzzle
- das Papier – paper
- der Globus – globe
- der Kalender – calendar
- die Fotos – photographs
- das Thermometer – thermometer
- der Hammer – hammer
- der Motor – motor
- die Batterie – battery
- der Ball – ball
- die Blumen – blooms/flowers
- die Pflanze - plants
- die Windmühle – windmill
- die Gitarre – guitar
- die Trompete – trumpet
- das Wetter – the weather
- der Sommer – summer
- der Winter - winter
Animal Cognates
- die Schwäne – swan
- der Panda – panda
- der Wolf – wolf
- der Delphin – dolphin
- die Giraffe – giraffe
- der Bär – bear
- der Pinguin – penguin
- das Känguruh – kangaroo
- der Bison – bison/buffalo
- das Zebra – zebra
- der Wal – whale
- der Tiger – tiger
- der Leopard – leopard
- der Elefant – elephant
- das Kamel – camel
- der Salamander – salamander
- der Fuchs – fox
- die Schweine – swine/pigs
- der Fisch – fish
Places Cognates
- das Haus – house
- das Hotel – hotel
- der Markt – market
- der Park – park
- der Tunnel – tunnel
- der Wasserfall – waterfall
- der Kanal – canal
Transportation Cognates
- das Auto – automobile/car
- das Taxi – taxi
- der Bus – bus
- der Traktor – tractor
- der Kran – crane
- die Rakete – rocket
- das Boot – boat
- das Motorboot – motorboat
- das Fischerboot – fishing boat
- das Segelboot – sailboat
- das Kanu – canoe
- der Tanker – tanker (ship)
- der Ballon – (hot air) balloon
False Cognates
Beware of false cognates. These German words may look like English words, but they mean something else entirely. They can trip up novice German speakers who use them in the wrong context.
die Leiter – not a letter, but a ladder
die Fabrik – not fabric, but a factory
das Seil – not a sail, but rope
Identifying cognates can help German language students build usable vocabulary quickly. The above cognate inventory is by no means a complete list; but it provides a starting place from which the student can increase functional vocabulary. The list can be added to as new cognates are discovered. Even knowing about the false cognates can help build vocabulary, because once the student is aware of these look-alike but very different-meaning words, that awareness will translate into real vocabulary growth.
