Is German Really That Hard? My Honest Review After 6 Months

When I first started learning German, I kept hearing the same thing: “It’s one of the hardest languages to learn.” That made me hesitate. But curiosity won, and I committed to studying German for six months. Here’s my honest review of the experience.

First, the grammar has a reputation — and it’s deserved. Cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Genitive) confused me for weeks. Articles change based on gender, number, and case. But once you understand the logic, it starts to click. I made flashcards and simple sentence drills, and after three months, it became manageable.

Pronunciation was easier than I expected. Yes, there are some tricky sounds — the famous “ch” in ich or Buch, and the rolled “r” — but overall, German pronunciation is very regular. Once you learn the patterns, you can pronounce almost any word correctly.

Vocabulary was a pleasant surprise. Since English borrows so much from German, I recognized many words (Haus, Buch, Mutter). Plus, compound words are long but often logical — Krankenhaus (hospital) literally means “sick house.”

What surprised me most was how precise German is. The language is like a puzzle. It rewards structure and logic. If you enjoy rules and order, you might love it. If you want flow and flexibility, it may feel stiff at first.

Was it hard? Yes, at times. But it wasn’t impossible. It’s a language that requires patience and strategy — not genius. After 6 months, I can hold a basic conversation, read simple articles, and enjoy German YouTube videos.

If you’re thinking of learning German, don’t let fear stop you. With the right tools and consistent effort, you’ll make more progress than you expect.