My First Month Learning German in Berlin – It’s Hard, But Worth It!

Getting Lost (and Saying “Entschuldigung!”)

Okay, so here I am, a few weeks into living in Berlin. I moved here for a job – web development, specifically – and let me tell you, learning German has been… a lot. Before I arrived, I’d done a bit of Duolingo, but that just gave me a vague sense of “hello” and “thank you.” Now, I realize that’s not enough. Seriously, I spent my first week completely lost, constantly apologizing (“Entschuldigung!” – sorry) and pointing at things. I accidentally ordered a plate of pickled herring (Matjes) when I just wanted a sandwich! It was… an experience.

The worst part? Trying to understand the speed people speak. It’s like they’re actively trying to talk faster. “Wie schnell!?” (How fast!) I often caught snippets of conversation like “Die Lieferung ist verspätet” (The delivery is delayed) and just stared blankly.

The Interview – And My First Big Mistake

Then came the interview for this junior full-stack developer role at Check24 – you know, the one I saw listed: Read More It was actually pretty good, but I completely blanked when they asked about my experience with Agile methodologies. I mumbled something about “projects” and “teams,” and the interviewer, a really friendly guy named Daniel, just smiled and asked me to elaborate. I realized immediately I’d messed up. He said, “Es ist wichtig, dass Sie Ihre Erfahrungen klarer benennen können.” (It’s important that you can name your experiences more clearly). I felt my face turn red!

Daniel was incredibly patient though. He explained the basics of Agile and gave me a chance to ask questions. I still stumbled, but I was able to understand a little more. It hammered home the fact that I needed to actually learn the terminology, not just rely on vague definitions.

Small Victories and Everyday Phrases

Despite the challenges, there are little victories. I can now order a coffee – “Einen Kaffee, bitte” (A coffee, please) – without completely embarrassing myself. I can say “Ich verstehe nicht” (I don’t understand) when someone is talking too fast. And I’m slowly getting better at understanding basic conversations.

Yesterday, I was waiting in line at the bakery, and the baker, a man named Klaus, told me “Die Brötchen sind frisch!” (The rolls are fresh!). I understood that, and I managed a hesitant “Danke!” (Thank you!). That felt amazing.

I’m also using a German-English dictionary app constantly. It’s a lifesaver. I’ve started making notes on common phrases – “Wie geht es Ihnen?” (How are you?), “Was kostet das?” (How much does this cost?), “Ich bin neu hier” (I’m new here).

My Team – A Great Support System

The best thing is my team at Check24. They are so supportive. There’s a man named Erik – he works so hard – and he’s always willing to explain things. He’s a really good example of the ‘hart’ (hard) work culture they have. He even helped me practice some interview questions! They are a real ‘Team’ (Team) and really encouraging.

Words I’m Learning – And Repeating

Here’s a quick list of some words and phrases I’ve been repeating:

• Hallo (Hello)
• Guten Tag (Good day)
• Wie geht es Ihnen? (How are you? – formal)
• Wie geht es dir? (How are you? – informal)
• Ich verstehe nicht. (I don’t understand)
• Bitte (Please)
• Danke (Thank you)
• Entschuldigung (Sorry)

A Final Word – It’s a Process

Look, learning a new language is hard. There will be moments of frustration, of feeling completely overwhelmed. I still make mistakes – I accidentally said “Ich bin ein Hamster” (I am a hamster!) to a colleague the other day – but it’s a process. Every small step, every correctly understood sentence, makes a difference. I’m determined to keep going, to keep practicing, and to keep saying “Ich lerne Deutsch!” (I am learning German!). And honestly, despite the chaos, I’m starting to feel a little more connected to this city, to this culture. It’s a journey, and I’m ready for it.

—