German Names of 50 Common Household Items: A Beginner’s Guide

Learning the names of everyday household items in German is a practical and engaging way to build your vocabulary. Whether you’re travelling, moving to a German-speaking country, or simply want to expand your language skills, knowing how to talk about common objects found around the house can be incredibly useful. From furniture and kitchenware to electronics and cleaning supplies, understanding these words will help you navigate conversations about daily life with ease. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to the German names of 50 common household items, categorised by room. You’ll also find helpful tips for practising these words in your day-to-day activities, making them easier to remember and use.

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1. Living Room (Wohnzimmer)

The living room is where people relax, watch TV, and spend time with family. Here are the names of some common living room items in German:

1. Das Sofa – Sofa

2. Der Sessel – Armchair

3. Der Couchtisch – Coffee table

4. Der Fernseher – Television

5. Die Lampe – Lamp

6. Das Regal – Shelf

7. Der Teppich – Carpet/Rug

8. Das Bild – Picture (artwork)

9. Der Vorhang – Curtain

10. Die Fernbedienung – Remote control

Tip: Describe your living room in German. For example: "In meinem Wohnzimmer gibt es ein Sofa, einen Sessel und einen Fernseher." (In my living room, there’s a sofa, an armchair, and a TV.)

2. Kitchen (Küche)

The kitchen is the heart of any home, and knowing the German names for kitchenware will come in handy when cooking, shopping, or following recipes.

11. Der Herd – Stove

12. Der Kühlschrank – Refrigerator

13. Der Backofen – Oven

14. Die Mikrowelle – Microwave

15. Die Spüle – Sink

16. Die Pfanne – Frying pan

17. Der Topf – Pot

18. Das Messer – Knife

19. Die Gabel – Fork

20. Der Löffel – Spoon

Tip: Practice labelling the items in your kitchen with sticky notes that show their German names. Say sentences like: "Ich benutze die Pfanne, um das Frühstück zu machen." (I’m using the pan to make breakfast.)

3. Bedroom (Schlafzimmer)

The bedroom is where we rest and unwind, so it’s essential to know the words for furniture and other items found in this room.

21. Das Bett – Bed

22. Der Kleiderschrank – Wardrobe

23. Der Nachttisch – Nightstand

24. Das Kopfkissen – Pillow

25. Die Decke – Blanket

26. Der Spiegel – Mirror

27. Die Kommode – Dresser

28. Die Bettwäsche – Bed linen

29. Die Matratze – Mattress

30. Der Wecker – Alarm clock

Tip: Talk about your bedtime routine in German: "Bevor ich ins Bett gehe, stelle ich meinen Wecker auf dem Nachttisch." (Before I go to bed, I set my alarm clock on the nightstand.)

4. Bathroom (Badezimmer)

Whether you're preparing for the day or winding down, knowing the German words for common bathroom items will prove useful in conversations and daily life.

31. Die Dusche – Shower

32. Die Badewanne – Bathtub

33. Das Waschbecken – Sink (bathroom)

34. Die Zahnbürste – Toothbrush

35. Die Zahnpasta – Toothpaste

36. Das Handtuch – Towel

37. Das Toilettenpapier – Toilet paper

38. Der Spiegel – Mirror

39. Der Föhn – Hairdryer

40. Die Seife – Soap

Tip: Describe your bathroom essentials in German: "Im Badezimmer benutze ich jeden Tag Zahnpasta, Seife und ein Handtuch." (In the bathroom, I use toothpaste, soap, and a towel every day.)

5. Office (Arbeitszimmer)

With many people working from home, knowing the names of office-related items in German has become even more important.

41. Der Schreibtisch – Desk

42. Der Stuhl – Chair

43. Der Computer – Computer

44. Die Tastatur – Keyboard

45. Die Maus – (Computer) Mouse

46. Der Drucker – Printer

47. Das Notizbuch – Notebook

48. Der Stift – Pen

49. Der Kalender – Calendar

50. Das Telefon – Telephone

Tip: Practice talking about your workspace in German: "Mein Schreibtisch hat einen Computer, eine Tastatur und einen Drucker." (My desk has a computer, a keyboard, and a printer.)

How to Memorise Household Vocabulary in German

Learning 50 new German words for household items might feel overwhelming at first, but with some consistent practice, it can become much easier. Here are a few ways to make learning fun and effective:

1. Label Items Around Your House

One of the best ways to memorize household vocabulary is to label the objects in your home with their German names. Every time you walk past the item, say its name out loud in German. For example, stick a label on your Spiegel (mirror) or Sofa (sofa).

2. Use the Words in Sentences

Practice using these words in sentences. You can describe your daily routine in German, like "Ich setze mich auf das Sofa und schaue fern." (I sit on the sofa and watch TV.) The more you practice forming sentences, the easier it will be to remember the vocabulary.

3. Learn by Doing

If you're cleaning the house or rearranging furniture, say the actions and items in German as you go. For instance, when vacuuming, say: "Ich sauge den Teppich." (I’m vacuuming the carpet.) Or when preparing food, say: "Ich schneide Gemüse auf dem Schneidebrett." (I’m cutting vegetables on the cutting board.) Check out our related post on the German names of 50 household chores for further practise.

4. Watch German Videos or TV Shows

Try watching German YouTube channels or TV shows that are set in homes, kitchens, or offices. This way, you can hear native speakers talk about common household items in context, making it easier to understand their usage and pronunciation.

5. Take German Lessons

If you want to dive deeper into learning vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar, consider taking German lessons online with Olesen Tuition. Our experienced tutors can help you learn German vocabulary for all aspects of life, including household items, in an engaging and practical way.

Conclusion

Learning the German names for common household items is a great way to improve your language skills while also becoming more familiar with everyday life in German-speaking countries. By knowing these words, you'll not only be able to communicate more effectively but also feel more confident when speaking with native speakers or navigating daily tasks in German.

Start incorporating these words into your daily routine, label objects in your home, and practice using the vocabulary in sentences. Over time, you’ll be able to talk about everything in your house in German with ease!

Viel Spaß beim Lernen! (Have fun learning!)