It can be overwhelming to start learning any new language. Find links to the resources and tools you’ll need to get started learning Pennsylvania Dutch—based on your goal.
I want to:
Learn the Basics
Learn Some Greetings
Get started learning some common Pennsylvania Dutch phrases (greetings, talking about the weather, etc) by reading and listening to audio.
OR
Learn the Language
Speak and Understand
Start having conversations with native speakers. Find dictionaries, learn how to read and pronounce Pennsylvania Dutch words, and more.
Learn the Basics
Learn some Pennsylvania Dutch greetings and phrases
Learn some phrases
Listen and learn common Pennsylvania Dutch greetings and small talk
Want to learn how to say some Pennsylvania Dutch greetings and introduce yourself? Take a look at some common Pennsylvania German phrases and start practicing.
- Read common Deitsh phrases (PDF, ePUB)
- Common Pennsylvania Dutch phrases (text with audio)
Note: This site and all the links and resources listed here, you’ll notice that Pennsylvania Dutch words are spelled as they sound. Learn more about why Deitsh words are spelled phonetically.
Learn the Language
Get started learning to speak and understand Pennsylvania Dutch
If you want to learn Pennsylvania Dutch so you can have conversations with native speakers and understand what they say, you’ll need to do more than just memorize some phrases.
Get a dictionary
Get a Pennsylvania Dutch dictionary in print or online
1) Learn Pennsylvania Dutch words
You’ll need to learn some Deitsh words, so a Pennsylvania Dutch dictionary is a great place to start.
Pennsylvania German Dictionary
by Dave Miller (deitshbooks.com)
This dictionary includes many of the most common words used by the Amish and native speakers of Pennsylvania German (also known as PA-Deitsh or Pennsylvania Dutch).
Download a dictionary file to use with dictionary apps (Android, Apple, PC)
Pennsylvania Dutch Words List
New and updated Deitsh words
The Words List is a compliment to the Pennsylvania German dictionary. It’s updated regularly with new words and phrases used by native speakers. Many words come with examples to show how to use them in sentences.
Note: Throughout this site and all the links and resources listed here, you’ll notice that Pennsylvania Dutch words are spelled as they sound. Learn more about why Deitsh words are spelled phonetically.
Learn to say words correctly
Read and listen to Pennsylvania Dutch phrases, articles, and audio
2) Learn to read and pronounce Pennsylvania Dutch words
Even though Pennsylvania Dutch is spelled phonetically, it’s still important to make sure you know how to pronounce words and sounds correctly.
- How and why Pennsylvania Dutch is spelled the way it is
- Pronunciation guide (text with audio)
- Printable version PDF
- Listen to and learn common Deitsh phrases:
- Common Pennsylvania Dutch phrases (online text with audio)
- Download and read common Deitsh phrases (PDF, ePUB)
- Listen to Pennsylvania Dutch audio recordings, videos, and songs and follow along with articles (jw.org/pdc)
Study with flashcards
Build and strengthen your vocabulary
3) Study and practice with flashcards
Flashcards are important for learning and remembering words. You can make your own with index cards, but digital flashcard apps like Anki are a popular choice as well.
- Download the Anki app (Win, Mac, Linux, Android/iPhone)
- Download Pennsylvania Dutch flashcards
(Get Pennsylvania Dutch Anki decks for verbs, pronouns, common phrases. Or use the Anki app to make your own cards)- Find Pennsylvania Dutch Anki flashcard decks in the Anki app and searching ‘Get Shared Decks’ for
PA-German
- or… download the Anki decks straight from their website: https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/pa-german
- Find Pennsylvania Dutch Anki flashcard decks in the Anki app and searching ‘Get Shared Decks’ for
Learn grammar
Learn Pennsylvania Dutch grammar and how sentences are put together
4) Deitsh grammar and sentence guides
Since words in Pennsylvania Dutch are put together differently in sentences than in English, knowing the basics like sentence structure is important. These books and guides are a must.
Vitt Du Deitsh Shvetza?
Pennsylvania German Basic Grammar Book
Pennsylvania Dutch grammar and language textbook in print and PDF from deitshbooks.com
Vella Bessah Deitsh Shvetza
Guide to Pennsylvania German Grammar and Speech
This Pennsylvania Dutch grammar textbook is good for beginners as well as more advanced learners.
Grammar worksheets
Learn Pennsylvania Dutch grammar and how sentences are put together
4b) Language and grammar worksheets
- Interactive worksheets (learn-dutch.org)
Tap and click to watch how sentences and words change in Pennsylvania Dutch as you pick different options. - Language lessons (learn-dutch.org)
Bite-sized Pennsylvania Dutch language tips and lessons to improve your conversations.
- Pennsylvania Dutch Worksheets (from deitshbooks.com)
- Verbs
- Past tense verbs in Deitsh (PDF)
- Pronouns (PDF)
- Adjectives (PDF)