How difficult is the German language to learn?

Answer 1

Well, let's start by looking at your question from the perspective of someone who is assessing how well you've done at learning the English language.

My conclusion: You will have some difficulty with German.

Answer 2

Well I'm native speaker and I really don't know all the sayings and words the German language has (there are really many).
I think grammar is hard to learn but there are not so many exceptions as in many other languages.
Plus, the German pronounciation is way of easier than English. Of course the sounds are very different but if you've learnt it you can use it for every word because it doesn't change like in English (woman-women...I hate it).
If you're good at learning languages, I'd suggest you learning German, it's like a competition, but if you're not good you should take some easier language.

Answer 3

I would say that German is the language that is most similar to English. I'm 16, have been learning less than a year, and can read most German text with relative ease. So it is not very difficult, especially if you enjoy it.

I would recommend getting your hands on German literature, and watching films/playing video games in that language to pick it up quicker.

Answer 4

It is a very difficult language. I have lived in Germany for 3 years and speak a reasonable German. It is completely different to English in terms of gramar, verbs, prepositions etc. There a few words that are the same but these are often false friends in that they look the same but mean something different.

The best way to learn it is to speak it. Visit Germany and spend some time there and don't be afraid to speak!

This Little Piggy has got it wrong

Es ist nicht das stark, Deutsches zu sprechen should read Es ist nicht so schwer, Deutsch zu sprechen. This is a good example of how difficult the language is.

Answer 5

As learning any other language, the degree of difficulty depends on how much you are exposed to the target language, but anyway it would be easier for you if you are a native English speaker or you are very good at it since they come from the same root.

Answer 6

If you believe Mark Twain:
"My philological studies have satisfied me that a gifted person ought to learn English (barring spelling and pronouncing) in thirty hours, French in thirty days, and German in thirty years. It seems manifest, then, that the latter tongue ought to be trimmed down and repaired. If it is to remain as it is, it ought to be gently and reverently set aside among the dead languages, for only the dead have time to learn it."
- Appendix D of A Tramp Abroad, "That Awful German Language

Don't believe that, though: I've been teaching German for 20 years now (only two thirds of the time Mark Twain says it takes to learn ;-)), and all my students have learned it.

Answer 7

Es ist nicht das stark, Deutsches zu sprechen.

It's not that hard, to speak German

...I've been in Germany for a little over three years, and I do pretty well speaking to the germans

Answer 8

pretty difficult, I took a semester of German in High School and all I remember is "zu fuss" which means "by foot"

Answer 9

It's quite easy, it's so similar to the English language.

Answer 10

Not that hard. Just keep practicing, I still haven't mastered German, myself.