Is the German Language worth it? 🇩🇪 😅

Hello and welcome back to the blog series. I’m a bit late with this month’s post, but I promise it will be as fun and honest as the last ones.

A few months ago, I found myself stuck on a decision: What language should I learn next? Before diving into today’s topic, here’s a bit of context. I began my language journey in 2019 with French, then added Italian in 2021. I’ve had tremendous success with both, and I often pause to appreciate how far I’ve come. Speaking French and Italian has shaped my identity, made travel easier, and helped me build long-lasting friendships and relationships.

Then I decided to learn German. And oh boy… the struggle of being a beginner is so real. Why does it always feel so embarrassing? There’s always an awkward moment at the beginning of any journey, and language learning is no exception. Enter: the German language.

I don’t know what it is about the language of Goethe that strikes fear, suspicion, and confusion in the hearts of students, Germans, and even people who know nothing about the language. Ever since I started learning German a few weeks ago, the typical reaction has been: “Oh really… well, best of luck with that.” I’m pretty sure these comments are warnings, not words of encouragement.

German has a reputation for being difficult — complex grammar, cases, verbs that split and disappear to the end of the sentence, articles that feel like puzzles, and we haven’t even touched pronunciation. What are the nominative, dative, genitive, and accusative cases, and why can’t I pronounce the ch sound without taking several gulps of water? And why do the verbs go wandering off like rebellious teenagers? For any learner, even someone as seasoned as I, German can feel like a mountain.

But here’s the thing: when I started learning French in 2019, people said the same things. Some even told me to give up and learn German (you read that right, German) instead because “anglophones suck at learning French.” Well… jokes on them. I now speak French with native-level fluency. I guess what I am trying to say here is don’t let people get to you, you know why you want to learn, and I think we language learners are better off not mentioning what we are learning to others because you know, evil eye and stuff. I am just basing this point on what my Nigerian mother tells me 😅

I share this because I know how challenging German is — but I still laugh in the face of perceived obstacles. I’m learning using the Lazy Girl Method (see previous blog post), and the other day I had a huge win: I understood a German meme, yay!!. That’s honestly impressive after only three weeks of learning it, like seriously!. I’m holding onto that win and using it as momentum.

Now, back to the question that opened this blog: Is German worth it? Absolutely — and here’s why.

🇩🇪 Travel

German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe. Knowing it makes travel through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland easier and far more immersive — from navigating cities to meeting locals.

💼 Work

These same countries are major hubs for engineering, tech, research, finance, and the arts. Speaking German expands your professional opportunities, boosts employability, and opens international doors.

📜 History

Germany has one of the most influential cultural and historical legacies in the world — philosophy, literature, music, science, and pivotal world events. Understanding German gives deeper access to museums, historical sites, and the stories that shaped modern Europe.

So whether you’re just starting or have been learning for a while, don’t give up. It will feel awkward in the beginning — but it’s absolutely worth it.

Viel Glück! (Good luck)

Thank you for reading. I’d love to hear your thoughts below.