Skip to content
A1–B2 · Leveled passages

German texts to read — free A1–B2 passages

German texts to read from A1 through B2 — 10 free passages and short paragraphs with vocabulary grids and English translations. Use this library for quick reading volume, then create a free personalized German story path for guided daily practice.

Try the sample textExplore all 10 texts

Need a story arc instead of a topical text? Read the free German beginner story pack or browse A1 German stories. For a repeatable daily sequence, use German reading practice.

A1 BeginnerA2 ElementaryB1 IntermediateB2 Upper-IntermediateText librarySample textFAQ

Format sample

Here’s what a German text looks like

See the format before you choose: a short excerpt, vocabulary, and one comprehension prompt. The complete passage lives on its own shareable page.

Sample · partial preview

A1 · 49 words in the full text

Frühstück bei Nora

A short look inside

Nora steht um sieben Uhr auf und macht Tee mit Honig. Sie schreibt eine kurze Liste für den Supermarkt: Milch, Äpfel und Käse.

This preview stops before the complete passage. The dedicated reader includes every line, audio where available, English support, the full quiz, prompts, and a printable answer key.

Vocabulary included

Honig·honeyListe·listJacke·jacketRoutinen·routine

Sample question

What drink does Nora make after getting up?

Answer it after reading the complete German passage.

Read the full text

Choose your next read

German text library

Filter the complete library by level, real-life topic, or length. Every text includes an English translation, vocabulary support, and comprehension questions.

10texts ready

10 texts shown.

A1

Beginner

3 texts

See all 3 A1 texts →
A149 words1 min
Food & shopping

Frühstück bei Nora

Nora steht um sieben Uhr auf und macht Tee mit Honig.

Read Frühstück bei Nora
A147 words1 min
Work & study

Mit dem Bus zur Arbeit

Jonas wartet an der Bushaltestelle auf den Bus der Linie 14.

Read Mit dem Bus zur Arbeit
A142 words1 min
People & relationships

Backen mit Oma

Oma Rita mischt Mehl, Zucker und Butter in einer großen Schüssel.

Read Backen mit Oma
A2

Elementary

2 texts

See all 2 A2 texts →
A250 words1 min
Food & shopping

Flohmarkt am Samstag

Letzten Samstag besuchte Hannah einen Flohmarkt neben dem Fluss.

Read Flohmarkt am Samstag
A246 words1 min
Health & wellbeing

Besuch beim Arzt

Tim hatte seit drei Tagen Halsschmerzen und vereinbarte online einen Termin.

Read Besuch beim Arzt
B1

Intermediate

3 texts

See all 3 B1 texts →
B146 words1 min
Nature & environment

Diskussion über Nachhaltigkeit

Im Seminar diskutierten Studierende darüber, ob lokaler Konsum immer moralischer sei als der Kauf von Importware.

Read Diskussion über Nachhaltigkeit
B146 words1 min
Work & study

Teamtreffen nach der Fusion

Nach der Fusion zweier Abteilungen mussten alle Prozesse neu erklärt werden, obwohl die Führung schon Unterlagen geschickt hatte.

Read Teamtreffen nach der Fusion
B138 words1 min
Daily life

Digital Detox am Wochenende

Paul entschied sich bewusst, das Smartphone samstags in die Schublade zu legen, damit seine Kinder mehr Geschichten hörten und weniger Kurzvideos sahen.

Read Digital Detox am Wochenende
B2

Upper-intermediate

2 texts

See all 2 B2 texts →
B245 words1 min
Culture & society

Leserbrief zur Stadtplanung

Die Verfasserin kritisierte, dass neue Radwege oft erst dann gebaut würden, wenn Protestschreiben die politisch Verantwortlichen erreichten.

Read Leserbrief zur Stadtplanung
B250 words1 min
Culture & society

Essayfragment über Diaspora-Literatur

Autorinnen und Autoren der zweiten Generation beschreiben häufig hybride Identitäten, ohne die Herkunftsorte nostalgisch zu vereinfachen.

Read Essayfragment über Diaspora-Literatur

Prefer stories?

Graded German stories

Longer narratives with native audio: tap any word for its meaning or any sentence for grammar help. Browse all A1 stories →

Illustration for the A1 story "Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt": It is December and Lukas goes to the Christmas market. The market is beautiful. Everywhere there are lights and music. Lukas smells mulled wine and roasted almo
A11 min · 6 wordsGerman + translation

Auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt

In December, Lukas visits a magical Christmas market filled with lights, music, and the scent of mulled wine and roasted almonds.

der Weihnachtsmarktder Glühwein+4
Read this A1 story
Illustration for the A1 story "Das Frühstück": Every morning, Anna wakes up at seven o'clock. She goes to the kitchen and makes coffee. The coffee is hot and strong. Anna sits down at the table and looks out
A11 min · 5 wordsGerman + translation

Das Frühstück

Every morning, Anna wakes up at seven o'clock. She goes to the kitchen and makes coffee. The coffee is hot and strong. Anna sits down at the table and looks out the window.

die Küchedas Fenster+3
Read this A1 story
Illustration for the A2 story "Das Team-Meeting am Montag": Nico shares a five-minute update, dodges jargon overload, and follows up with a concise email that actually matches what was agreed.
A21 min · 6 wordsGerman + translation

Das Team-Meeting am Montag

Nico shares a five-minute update, dodges jargon overload, and follows up with a concise email that actually matches what was agreed.

BerichtFachwortschwall+4
Read this A2 story
Illustration for the A1 story "Der Bäcker an der Ecke": Tim queues for warm rolls, guesses a rye loaf by smell alone, and leaves with crumbs on his scarf and clearer German for the next bakery stop.
A21 min · 6 wordsGerman + translation

Der Bäcker an der Ecke

Tim steht in der Schlange für warme Brötchen, erkennt ein Roggenbrot am Geruch und verlässt die Bäckerei mit Krümeln auf dem Schal und besserem Deutsch.

BrötchenRoggenbrot+4
Read this A2 story

Why this works

Read for meaning, then confirm

Texts work differently from stories — shorter and topical, designed to build vocabulary. Read first, confirm meaning, then lock in words.

  1. 1

    Pick a CEFR level and open a passage

  2. 2

    Read in German before reaching for English

  3. 3

    Review the vocabulary grid and translation

Answers

Frequently asked questions

Q01

Where can I find German texts to read for free?

MeloLingua offers 10 free German texts from A1 through B2, including fuller passages and short paragraph drills. Every text includes a vocabulary grid and English translation, and the catalog works in a browser without signup. Choose A1 for concrete routines or move through A2, B1, and B2 as word order becomes easier to follow.

Q02

What is a good German paragraph for beginners?

A good beginner German paragraph uses a concrete daily-life scene, mostly present tense, and short clauses that make verb-second order visible. Look for glosses on compound nouns and separable verbs rather than translating every line. The A1 texts on MeloLingua use routines, shopping, and transit so the context carries meaning before grammar analysis begins.

Q03

How do I choose the right German text for my level?

Choose the CEFR band where you understand most of a German text on the first pass and can identify the main action without opening every English line. If compounds or subordinate clauses block whole sentences, step down one band. If two texts feel comfortable without support, move up or try a longer story at the same level.

Q04

Can I use German paragraphs to improve my vocabulary?

Yes. German paragraphs show vocabulary together with article case, plural form, collocations, and verb position, so a word arrives with the sentence pattern needed to use it. Read first for meaning, review only the highlighted vocabulary, then reread without English. That sequence keeps the paragraph primary and turns the glossary into support rather than the task.

Q05

What is the difference between German texts and German reading practice?

German texts on this page are short, unscored passages for quick reading volume across A1–B2. German reading practice uses a more deliberate sequence for building a daily habit at one level. Use the texts library when you want a paragraph now; use reading practice when you want repeated sessions, then choose a German story when you want a longer narrative arc.

Q06

Are these German texts suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. Start with the A1 German texts, which use familiar situations, short present-tense sentences, and vocabulary support for the words most likely to block meaning. Read the German first, check English only after you understand the scene, and stay at A1 until two texts feel comfortable on a second pass without opening every translation.

Q07

Should I translate every word in a German text?

No. Translate only a word or clause that prevents you from following the scene. Constant word-by-word translation hides German word order and makes long compounds feel harder than they are. After the first pass, use the vocabulary grid and English version to confirm meaning, then reread the original text while keeping the finite verb and connectors in view.

Continue reading

Related resources

Story hub

Learn German with stories

Free graded German short stories from A1 through C1 — the narrative complement to these texts.

Reading hub

German reading practice

Leveled passages with glosses — pair with these texts for daily input volume.

Story format

German stories for beginners

Short A1–A2 narratives with full translations and glossed vocabulary.

Free story pack

5 German short stories for beginners

Narrated A1–A2 mini-lessons with translation, glosses, shadowing, and quizzes.

Read more German every day

MeloLingua delivers fresh German texts matched to your level, with native audio, tap-to-translate vocabulary, and speaking practice built in.

Start learning German with storiesGet it on Google Play