German handwriting has gone through more transformations than almost any European writing system. What German learners call “cursive” today is the result of several script reforms over 150 years—moving from the sharp, angular Kurrent, to the rounded Sütterlin, and eventually to modern school cursive (Schreibschrift).
Understanding this evolution helps learners:
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Recognize old documents
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Understand stylistic differences in native handwriting
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Learn why certain German cursive letters still look distinct (e.g., r, s, z)
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Build a historically aware handwriting style for A1–C2 learning
This article explains each script, how they differ, and what modern German cursive looks like today.
2. What Is German Cursive? Key Terms and Entities
German handwriting history is anchored around three major scripts:
2.1 Kurrent (16th–20th century)
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Angular, fast script
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Used for official and everyday writing
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Very different from Latin cursive
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Hard for modern learners to read
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Letters like e, s, r have unique shapes
2.2 Sütterlin (1911–1941)
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Rounder version of Kurrent
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Created by Ludwig Sütterlin
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Used in German schools (1915–1941)
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High x-height, clean downtrokes
2.3 Modern Latin-based cursive (1950s–present)
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Called Schreibschrift, Lateinische Ausgangsschrift, Vereinfachte Ausgangsschrift, or Grundschrift depending on region
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Similar to English cursive, but with German-specific forms
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Focus on readability + smooth joining strokes
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3. The Evolution Timeline: From 1500s Kurrent to Today
3.1 Kurrent: The “old German cursive” (1500–1914)
Characteristics:
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Sharp angles
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Narrow loops
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Thin upstrokes and heavy downstrokes
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Distinct shapes for s (long s) and r
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Unique z form, often confused with a “3”
Kurrent was functional but challenging for children—one reason later reforms appeared.
3.2 Sütterlin: The School Script (1915–1941)
In 1911, Berlin asked Ludwig Sütterlin to create a modern, teachable handwriting style.
The result:
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Round, upright, simplified Kurrent
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Clear stroke order
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Easy vertical rhythm
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Uniform height for lowercase letters
Sütterlin was taught universally in German schools until it was discontinued in 1941 in favor of Latin scripts.
Today, Sütterlin is still used by archivists and genealogists but not taught in schools.
3.3 Latin-Based Cursive Takes Over (post-1941)
After Sütterlin ended, German schools shifted to Latin cursive styles.
They evolved into:
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Lateinische Ausgangsschrift (LA) – introduced 1953
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Vereinfachte Ausgangsschrift (VA) – simplified version from 1969
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Schulausgangsschrift (SAS) – used in former East Germany
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Grundschrift (2011–present) – modern print-to-cursive hybrid
All of these are considered modern German cursive, and differences are small at A1 level.
4. Key Differences Between Kurrent, Sütterlin & Modern Cursive
4.1 Shape + Angle
| Script | Angle | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Kurrent | Extremely slanted | Angular, narrow |
| Sütterlin | Upright | Round, simplified |
| Modern cursive | Slight slant | Smooth, connected |
4.2 Readability to Modern Eyes
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Kurrent: Very difficult without training
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Sütterlin: Hard but learnable
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Modern cursive: Easy for German learners
4.3 Letterforms That Changed the Most
| Letter | Kurrent | Sütterlin | Modern |
|---|---|---|---|
| e | three small strokes | looped form | simple loop |
| s | long s everywhere | long s + round s | only round s |
| r | hooklike shape | simplified hook | Latin r with slight angle |
| z | resembles “3” | rounded “3” | standard Latin z |
5. How Modern German Cursive Looks Today
Modern German handwriting is built on Latin script but preserves some German traits:
5.1 Recognizable Features
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Soft, rounded curves
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Moderate rightward slant
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Short connecting strokes
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Clear loops for f, g, h, k, l
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Unique German r (smaller and more curved)
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“s” and “ß” kept distinct
5.2 The Three Modern School Scripts
1. Lateinische Ausgangsschrift (LA)
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Traditional
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Decorative uppercase letters
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Smooth, classic cursive look
2. Vereinfachte Ausgangsschrift (VA)
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Few connections, more breaks
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Easier to write
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Very common today
3. Grundschrift (GS)
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Based on print letters
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Students connect letters only when ready
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Most modern and flexible
6. How to Recognize Kurrent vs Sütterlin vs Modern Script
6.1 Check the slant
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Very steep = Kurrent
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Upright = Sütterlin
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Slight slant = Modern
6.2 Look at e, s, r, z
These four letters reveal the script instantly:
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Kurrent e: three strokes
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Sütterlin e: small loop
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Modern e: standard loop
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Kurrent r: hook
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Modern r: Latin form
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Kurrent z: looks like “3”
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Modern z: straight zigzag
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7. How to Write Modern German Cursive (A Practical Guide)
7.1 Basic Principles
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Write letter first, connection second
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Keep slant consistent
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Loops only where needed
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Keep x-height stable
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Avoid long, exaggerated flourishes
7.2 Stroke Patterns
Lowercase examples
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a: round loop + exit curve
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e: small loop
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s: round, simple
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r: short hook, then up
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z: short zigzag, then tail
Uppercase examples
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A: rounded cursive loop
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G: looped form, distinct from English cursive
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H: tall leading loop + downstroke
7.3 Letters Modern German Cursive Changed on Purpose
Some shapes were redesigned to increase clarity:
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f: simplified loop so it doesn’t confuse with long-s
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k: broken into two strokes for visibility
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ß: given a Latin cursive shape for smooth joining
8. Everyday German Cursive (Real-Life Writing)
Actual German handwriting varies between individuals:
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Many mix print + cursive
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Some use half-connected letters
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Many simplify loops over time
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Faster writing = fewer connections
This “hybrid” style is called Alltagsschrift—the everyday handwriting style most Germans use.
It is NOT identical to school cursive but based on it.
9. Should Learners Study Kurrent or Sütterlin?
If you are learning German A1–B2:
❌ No — focus on modern Schreibschrift.
If you study:
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German history
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WWII-era documents
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Church records
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Genealogy
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Old letters and diaries
✔️ Yes — learn Sütterlin first, then Kurrent.
10. Conclusion: The Path From Sütterlin to Modern Cursive
German handwriting moved:
Kurrent → Sütterlin → Latin cursive → Modern everyday cursive
Each step simplified shapes, improved readability, and aligned German writing with international standards.
Today’s modern cursive:
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Is Latin-based
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Keeps some German identity
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Is easy to learn alongside print
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Is used in everyday notes, exams, and signatures
Understanding the history behind the letters makes modern handwriting easier and more meaningful.
