German for everyday life
Learn German with Otti
Otti is new in Berlin and still learning German himself. He'll stay by your side for as long as you learn: from your first "Hallo" all the way to C1.
Does this sound familiar?
- A letter from your landlord arrives, and you spend half the evening with a translation app.
- On Sunday you learn twenty words. By Wednesday, three are left.
- At the bakery you point at the bread rolls, because the word just won't come.
- A neighbour says something friendly on the stairs, and all you manage is a smile and "Hallo".
Everyone goes through this. Otti pointed at bread rolls for weeks too. Then he started learning the words of his own days, a few at a time, and one morning he simply said: "Zwei Brötchen, bitte."
How It Works
Your own way
Just want to look around?
Every word and phrase is open to everyone, no account needed. Wander through them in any order, at your own pace.
Why words stay
Forgetting is normal. Otti plans for it.
He brings each word back just as it starts to slip away, and every time it stays with you a little longer. Lots of short meetings beat one long cramming session.
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Each word at its own pace
A word that trips you up comes back tomorrow. One you know well can wait a few weeks.
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Not just flashcards
Pick the meaning, type the word, write down what you hear, fill a gap in a sentence or choose der, die or das.
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No drama over a typo
Typed "ae" for "ä", got one letter wrong or forgot the article? Otti counts it as nearly right, and the word simply comes back a bit sooner.
With a free account
So you don't give up after a week
Signing up takes a minute. From then on Otti remembers every word you've met, on your phone and your laptop alike.
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A short session a day
Today's reviews and a few new words. When the cards run out, you're done for the day.
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Every word, up close
Hear how it sounds, see it in real sentences, and find its forms and words that mean the same or the opposite.
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See how far you've come
How many words you know, how close you and Otti are, and every day you practised on one calendar.
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No streak to break
Missed a day? Nothing's lost. Stay away for long and Otti starts to miss you, but one answer cheers him right up.
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Otti's backpack
Found a word worth keeping? Pop it in the backpack, and it's there whenever you want it.
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Your own notes
Write a memory trick or your own example next to any word. It turns up on the card just when you need it.
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"I know this already"
One tap, and Otti stops asking about a word you already know.
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Frau Hilde explains
Got it wrong? Otti's wise neighbour, a tortoise who has seen it all, explains why in your language, with a trick to remember it.
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Grammar without the headache
61 short lessons from A1 to C1, explained simply in your language, with gaps to fill at the end. No account needed.
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Decode a letter
A letter from the bank or your child's school? Paste it in and see what the words mean.
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Share your progress
A picture of your progress with a beaming Otti, for everyone who's cheering you on.
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Just like an app
Runs in your browser and sits on your home screen like any other app. No app store needed.
Otti isn't alone
His friends from all over Berlin turn up in the examples, so you don't only hear "er geht", but "ich gehe", "du gehst" and "wir gehen" as well.
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Frau Hilde
die Schildkröte
The oldest neighbour in Otti's building: slow, wise and full of stories. Everyone says Sie to her, and she is always ready to explain a mistake, to Otti and to you.
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Frida
die Füchsin
Otti's first friend, from Kreuzberg: up early, quick and always on her bike.
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Bruno
der Waschbär
Cooks for everyone in Neukölln, loves markets and is always a little hungry.
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Lotte
das Eichhörnchen
Studies in Charlottenburg, plans everything and loves the parks.
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Emil
der Spatz
Bike courier in Mitte: knows every street and talks fast.
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Kalle
das Wildschwein
Calm and at home in the Grunewald: forests, lakes and long walks.
Scenarios
Is Hallo Otti free?
Yes. Learning with Otti is free, with no ads. You only need a free account to save your progress.
Do I need to know any German?
Not a word. Otti starts with "Hallo" and ordering a coffee (level A1) and goes all the way up to C1, so you won't outgrow him any time soon.
How much time do I need a day?
Five to ten minutes are plenty. You can set a daily goal in your profile, and on a busy day even a single card makes Otti happy.
Is there an app?
No download needed: Hallo Otti runs in any browser, on your phone or your computer. Add it to your home screen and it opens just like an app.
Your first word is waiting
Free, right here in your browser. Otti has already put the kettle on.