How to Get Started Learning Pennsylvania Dutch

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
(A)

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
(B)

Start having conversations with native speakers. Find dictionaries, learn how to read and pronounce Pennsylvania Dutch words, and more.

(A)

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.

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.

(B)

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).

PDF
Buy
ePUB
Dict File

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.

Pennsylvania Dutch Words List icon

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.

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.

  1. Download the Anki app (Win, Mac, Linux, Android/iPhone)
  2. 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

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.

Pennsylvania German - Vitt Du Deitsh Shvetza book cover

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.

PDF
ePUB (Apple Books)

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.