Wer fremde Sprachen nicht kennt, weiß nichts von seiner eigenen / He who knows no foreign language knows nothing of his mother tongue
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
High German and Low German aren't a comparison between "proper" German and a regional version. The difference is geographical, historical, and linguistic. High German developed in one area while Low German developed in another. Standard German may be based on High German dialects, but there's so much more to it than that. Let's explore.
Key Takeaways
- High German and Low German are named for geography, not quality. High German is associated with central and southern upland regions, while Low German is associated with the northern lowlands.⁹
- The biggest difference is in pronunciation. High German was shaped by the High German consonant shift, while Low German preserved many older consonant sounds.¹²
- Standard German is based on High German dialects. This is why learners usually study a form of German connected to High German rather than Low German.⁶
- Low German is also called Plattdeutsch or Niederdeutsch. It is mainly associated with northern Germany and does not have a fully standardised modern written form.¹
- German dialects still matter today. More than 2 million people still speak Plattdeutsch, even though everyday family transmission has weakened over time.¹⁰
Defining High German and Low German
Before we start, we should note that there are everyday and linguistic meanings for High German and Low German. Learners who've studied German or the history of the German language will likely know that Hochdeutsch is the standard German used in lessons, exams, and formal writing. The older distinction covers how different forms of German developed.
High German and Low German are geographical and linguistic labels, not judgements about which form is more correct. High German is associated with the central and southern upland regions, while Low German is associated with the northern lowlands.⁹ This distinction matters because the main difference between the two groups is rooted in sound history, especially the consonant changes that shaped High German but not Low German.¹
What Is High German?
High German is usually what you'll learn, because Standard German developed from its varieties. This is the German spoken in central and southern German-speaking regions, including much of southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. However, remember that High German refers to both the dialect group and the standard form used in classrooms, textbooks, and formal communication.
The word Hochdeutsch can be confusing because it has two related meanings. In everyday use, it often refers to Standard German or dialect-free pronunciation. In linguistic use, it can also refer to Upper and Central German varieties, which belong to the wider High German group.³
What Is Low German?
Low German developed in the north. This led to sound changes affecting High German but not Low German. English-speaking learners may find Low German more familiar, as it has diverged less from West Germanic patterns. Low German is useful for understanding how geography can shape pronunciation, vocabulary, and regional identity.
Low German is also known as Plattdeutsch or Niederdeutsch.⁴ It is mainly associated with northern Germany, where many forms preserved older consonant sounds that shifted in High German.¹² Unlike Standard German, Low German does not have one fully standardised modern written form used across all regions.¹
| Feature | High German | Low German |
|---|---|---|
| Main region | Central and southern German-speaking areas, including southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland | Northern Germany and the northern lowlands |
| Common names | High German or Hochdeutsch | Low German, Plattdeutsch, or Niederdeutsch |
| Sound history | Affected by the High German consonant shift | Preserves many older consonant sounds because the High German consonant shift did not fully apply |
| Example pattern | machen | maken |
| Relationship to Standard German | Standard German is based on High German dialects | Low German is not the basis of modern Standard German |
| Written form | Standard German has a fixed written form used in schools, media, administration, and publishing | Low German does not have one single standardised modern written form across all regions |
| Learner relevance | The main form learners usually study first | Useful for understanding northern German culture, dialect history, and regional identity |
Historical Development and Linguistic Features
When you look at how German has developed over time, you'll start to understand the differences between High German and Low German. Varieties didn't split by choice or because a grammar book or spelling system was preferred. Regional speech patterns, sound changes, trade, writing traditions like capitalised nouns, and later standardisation all affected them.
The High German Consonant Shift
One reason High German and Low German sound so different is the High German consonant shift. This is why a Low German word such as maken can sit beside Standard German machen, even though both forms share the same historical roots.¹² The northern varieties often kept older forms, while the southern and central varieties changed.
| Meaning | Standard German / High German | Low German comparison | What changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| make | machen | maken | The k sound shifted towards the ch sound in High German. |
| apple | Apfel | Appel | The p sound shifted towards pf in High German. |
| I | ich | ik | Low German keeps a harder consonant sound where Standard German has ch. |
| that | das | dat | The t sound shifted in High German while Low German preserved the older form. |
| ship | Schiff | Schipp | Low German keeps a sound closer to older Germanic forms. |
Evolution of German Dialects
c. 500–750
Early Germanic Roots
German developed from West Germanic varieties, alongside related languages such as English, Dutch, and Frisian.⁷
c. 750–1050
Old High German and Old Saxon
The High German consonant shift shaped central and southern varieties, while Old Saxon in the north preserved older sounds.¹²
c. 1200–1600
Middle Low German and Trade
Middle Low German became important in northern towns and Hanseatic trade networks.¹
1522–1534
Luther Bible and Written German
Luther's Bible translation helped spread a written German that could be understood more widely across regions.⁷
1800s–1900s
Modern Standard German
Standard German became dominant in schools, administration, media, and formal writing, while regional dialects continued in everyday speech.⁶
| Period | Development |
|---|---|
| Early Germanic period | Regional Germanic varieties developed across different parts of Europe. |
| Old High German period | Southern and central varieties were shaped by the High German consonant shift. |
| Old Saxon and Middle Low German | Low German developed in the northern lowlands and later became important in trade. |
| Luther Bible period | Written German became more widely understood across regions. |
| Modern period | Standard German became dominant in schools, administration, media, and public life. |
German Dialect Groups and Their Distribution
Placing German dialects on a map makes them easier to understand. High German and Low German are perhaps the first distinction, but you can further subdivide German. Let's explore a few of them.
Overview of German Dialect Groups
More often than not, people like to organise German dialects by region. Low German is mainly in the north, while Central German and Upper German sit in the wider High German area. The three-part model further clarifies how High German and Low German fit into the wider dialect landscape.¹¹
broad areas: Low German, Central German, and Upper German.¹¹
| Dialect group | Main distribution | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Low German | Northern Germany and the northern lowlands | Preserves many older consonant sounds and is also known as Plattdeutsch or Niederdeutsch |
| Central German | Central German-speaking regions | Part of the wider High German area and affected by the High German consonant shift |
| Upper German | Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and nearby southern regions | Part of the wider High German area and strongly associated with southern dialects |
| Low Franconian | Western border areas and closely related neighbouring regions | Related to varieties such as Dutch rather than Standard German |
Geographical Distribution
There isn't a straight border between High German and Low German. In fact, dialects can merge, and in transition zones you'll find that quintessential features overlap. That said, there are certain ways to divide the two geographically.
The Benrath Line is often used to explain the boundary between Low German and High German varieties. It is also called the maken-machen line because northern forms, such as maken, contrast with High German forms, such as machen.⁸ This makes it a useful visual shortcut for showing how geography and pronunciation are connected.⁸
Low German is important culturally and legally, and the Council of Europe has called for stronger support for the use of regional and minority languages in Germany.² It is also a recognised part of Germany's regional linguistic landscape. Dialect and regional language are still relevant in education, culture, and public life, not just for preservation, but for the people who live it every day.
German federal states.⁵
Low German remains associated with northern Germany. Plattdeutsch is still used in education, local culture, theatre, music, and regional media. Its use declined significantly during the 1950s and 1960s as fewer families passed it down. However, while its use may have weakened, it still has a living speaker base and a strong place in northern German identity.¹⁰
people still speak Plattdeutsch today.¹⁰
As you've seen, Low German isn't a simple linguistic curiosity. Before you start tackling the German language and its incredibly long words, you should be aware that Low German is as much a part of local identity, cultural projects, education, and everyday speech, while Standard German is the main public language. Low German is just one example of a regional language in decline, and this isn't just happening in German.
Low German is not only a historical topic. More than 2 million people still speak Plattdeutsch today. Its use has weakened over time, especially because family transmission declined after the 1950s and 1960s.¹⁰
References
- Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “German Language.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 7 May 2026, https://www.britannica.com/topic/German-language.
- Council of Europe. “Report on Implementation of Recommendations for Immediate Action for Regional and Minority Language Use in Germany.” European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, 2 July 2024, https://www.coe.int/ca/web/european-charter-regional-or-minority-languages/-/report-on-implementation-of-recommendations-for-immediate-action-for-regional-and-minority-language-use-in-germany.
- Dudenredaktion. “hochdeutsch.” Duden Online, Cornelsen Verlag, https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/hochdeutsch. Accessed 5 June 2026.
- Dudenredaktion. “Plattdeutsch.” Duden Online, Cornelsen Verlag, https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Plattdeutsch. Accessed 5 June 2026.
- Gesley, Jenny. “The Protection of Minority and Regional Languages in Germany.” In Custodia Legis, Law Library of Congress, 26 Sept. 2018, https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/09/the-protection-of-minority-and-regional-languages-in-germany/.
- Goethe-Institut. “German and Its Norms.” Deutschstunde Portal, Goethe-Institut, https://www.goethe.de/prj/dlp/en/magazin-sprache/lld/20456023.html. Accessed 5 June 2026.
- Goethe-Institut. “Germany.” Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, https://www.goethe.de/ins/ae/en/kul/sup/edl/ger.html. Accessed 5 June 2026.
- Landschaftsverband Rheinland. “Benrather Linie.” Sprache im Rheinland, 8 Mar. 2021, updated 11 Feb. 2022, https://dat-portal.lvr.de/orte/dialektkarten/einteilungskarten/benrather-linie.
- Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies. “High and Low German.” University of Wisconsin-Madison, https://language.mki.wisc.edu/essays/high-and-low-german/. Accessed 5 June 2026.
- Niederdeutschsekretariat und Bunnsraat för Nedderdüütsch. “Aktueller Stand des Niederdeutschen.” Niederdeutschsekretariat, 23 Jan. 2018, https://www.niederdeutschsekretariat.de/aktueller-stand-des-niederdeutschen/.
- Study in Germany. “German Dialects.” Study in Germany, https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/germany/discover-germany/german-dialects/. Accessed 5 June 2026.
- Universität Münster, Centrum für Niederdeutsch. “Was ist Niederdeutsch?” Universität Münster, https://www.uni-muenster.de/CfN/Plattinfos/WasistNiederdeutsch/Was_ist_Niederdeutsch.html. Accessed 5 June 2026.
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