German dialects are historically split into two major geographic groups. A historical sound change that occurred in the south but not the north.

• Low German (Plattdeutsch / Niederdeutsch): Spoken in the flat, northern lowlands of Germany. It sounds closer to Dutch, Frisian, or English. For example, the standard German word machen (to make) is maken in Low German. 

• High German (Hochdeutsch): Spoken in the central and southern mountainous regions. This group is further split into Central German (Mitteldeutsch) and Upper German (Oberdeutsch).

  • Note: Today, "Hochdeutsch" is also the term used for Standard German, which was historically created as a compromise language so different regions could communicate.

Standard German (often called Hochdeutsch or Standarddeutsch) is the primary language of instruction and the shared reference norm taught in all educational institutes across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.