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B1

German Words for B1

Master the essential vocabulary for Goethe-Zertifikat B1

2221

Total Words

500

words

2026

Updated

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500 of the 2221 B1 words — the most frequent ones

Ordered by how often they occur in real language use. Meaning, plural and an example sentence for each.

Showing 500 of 500

WordMeaning
nunNow
bereitsAlready
damitSo that, in order that
vieleMany
die WareWarengoods; a product that is sold or bought
etwaApproximately, not exact, but close to the right number.
währendDuring, while
sondernBut rather
obWhether, if
dazuTo it
die MillionMillionena very large number: 1,000,000
jedochHowever
führento lead
das UnternehmenUnternehmenCompany, enterprise
allerdingsHowever, though
sich treffenTo meet
die MachtMächtepower
sorgento worry, to care for
geltenTo be valid, to apply
vor allemAbove all
davonOf it
ursprünglichoriginally, at first
die FolgeFolgenConsequence, result
der FallFälleA particular situation or event.
stattInstead of
zwarIndeed
daraufOn it
die Ukrainea country in Eastern Europe
folgento follow
erhaltenTo receive
die AngabeAngabena piece of information you provide, e.g. on a form
insgesamtOverall, in total
ebenfallsLikewise
die ParteiParteiena group of people with the same political goals
wohlprobably, that is what one assumes
betonenTo emphasize, to stress
fordernTo demand
nahnear, close
trotzDespite, in spite of
zunächstFirst, initially
handelnTo act; to trade
steigenTo climb
bisherso far
der GrundGründethe reason why something happens or why someone does something
die RichtungRichtungendirection
gemeinsamTogether, common
die SaisonSaisonsa certain time of year when something often happens, for example holidays or sports
kaumHardly, barely
garstrengthens a negation, meaning roughly at all
die RegionRegionenRegion
die RolleRollenRole
weiterhinfurthermore
die EntscheidungEntscheidungendecision
die RegierungRegierungenthe people who officially lead a country
darüberAbove it
entscheidenTo decide
entstehenTo arise, to develop
der BereichBereicheAn area is a particular part of something larger, for example of a job.
das FahrzeugFahrzeugeVehicle
die ZukunftZukünfteFuture
die WahlWahlena choice between several options, or a vote for a political office
daherTherefore
knappScarce
die FeuerwehrFeuerwehrenthe organization that helps and puts out fires
die SorgeSorgenWorry, concern
der TrainerTrainersomeone who leads a team or a person in sport
unterstützenTo support
nachdemAfter
die MöglichkeitMöglichkeitena way or chance to do something.
die GemeindeGemeindenmunicipality
die EntwicklungEntwicklungendevelopment
das RechtRechtea permission or law that determines what someone may do
der WertWertevalue
befindenTo be located
das WissenKnowledge
die LageLagenSituation, location
jedescribes that something depends on a condition
der ErfolgErfolgeSuccess
die ChanceChancenChance
meldento report
dennochNevertheless
die HöheHöhenHeight
eherRather
offenbarapparently
die UnterstützungUnterstützungenhelp that someone gives to another person
entwickelnTo develop
die ArtArtena particular kind of animal or plant, or the way someone is and acts
danachAfterwards
tretenTo step
der SpielerSpielersomeone who takes part in a sport or competition
inzwischenMeanwhile, in the meantime
darunterBelow it
die MannschaftMannschaftenTeam
das TorTorea large door in a wall or fence
gleichzeitigAt the same time, simultaneously
der SchrittSchrittea movement of the foot while walking
die GefahrGefahrena situation where something bad could happen
schließlichFinally
gelingenTo succeed
zumindestif not everything, then at least this
mittlerweileMeanwhile, by now
der DruckDrückePressure
solchepoints to a certain kind of person or thing
die Politikthe area concerned with governing a country
die SicherheitSicherheitenSafety, security
sichernto secure, to safeguard
die StimmeStimmenvoice
der BeginnThe moment when something starts.
tatsächlichreally, in reality
warnenTo warn
unterwegson the way from one place to another
nutzento use something in order to get an advantage from it
erlebento experience
der StaatStaatena country with its own government and laws
verlassento leave
der BürgermeisterBürgermeisterthe person who leads a town or municipality
verbindenTo connect
das KrankenhausKrankenhäuserHospital, a place for sick people
sich entscheiden fürTo decide on
der KriegKriegean armed conflict between countries or groups
trotzdemNevertheless, anyway
der VergleichVergleicheComparison
die LeistungLeistungenhow well someone does a task
schlagenTo beat
die RedeRedena text that someone reads aloud in front of many people
zählenTo count
die KritikKritikenan opinion that something is not good or correct
der SchadenSchädena loss or problem caused by an accident
pera word that shows by what means something is done
der SiegSiegeVictory
das VideoVideosVideo
häufigFrequent
das MitgliedMitgliederMember
bevorBefore
obwohlAlthough, even though
die KontrolleKontrollencontrol
die DatenData
der ExperteExpertensomeone who knows a field very well
die HerausforderungHerausforderungenchallenge
erkennenTo recognize
die Mediennewspapers, television, and the internet that show information
dagegenOn the other hand
die VerletzungVerletzungenInjury
drohenTo threaten
ebensoLikewise, equally
das SystemSystemeSystem
überhauptAt all, in general
ermöglichenTo enable
der BetriebBetriebeBusiness, company
das GebäudeGebäudeBuilding
jeweilseach time or for each one individually, without exception
kritisierenTo criticize
die RegelRegelnRule
verhindernTo prevent
die GrenzeGrenzenthe line that separates one country from another
die KraftKräftethe body's ability to move something heavy
die StudieStudiena thorough investigation into a topic
der ZeugeZeugenWitness
der TäterTätersomeone who has done something forbidden
die WirtschaftWirtschaftenEconomy
bietento offer someone the chance to get or do something
präsentierento present
die BühneBühnenthe area in a theater where actors stand and perform
gernegladly
die FormFormenForm
anschließendSubsequently, then
überzeugenTo convince
der BerichtBerichteReport
stimmento be right or correct
entfernenTo move away
die GesellschaftGesellschaftensociety – the community of all people living together in a country
die TatTatensomething important or brave that someone does
veröffentlichenTo publish
die RundeRundena short course that you walk or run once all the way around
das OpferOpfera person who is hurt by an accident or a crime
greifenTo grab, to grasp
gründenTo found
der KreisKreisea completely round shape
die Bevölkerungall the people who live in a country or city
denken anTo think of
die BeziehungBeziehungenRelationship
entdeckenTo discover
der KampfKämpfea hard fight or contest between two groups
hingegenHowever, whereas
darinIn it
der ProzessProzesseProcess
beschäftigenTo employ
die BiosphäreBiosphärenbiosphere
sich beschäftigenTo occupy oneself with
wachsenTo grow
die Zusammenarbeitwhen people work together on a task
funktionierenTo function, to work
bereitReady
das RisikoRisikenRisk
ebenJust now, a very short time ago.
der HinweisHinweisea piece of information that helps someone with something
die SerieSerienseveral episodes of a story on TV
zusätzlichAdditional
die Wollesoft material from sheep's hair, used for sweaters
der HintergrundHintergründeBackground
nämlichused to give the reason for something just said
aufnehmento record, to take up
leistenTo accomplish
schauento look
versprechenTo promise
verändernTo change, to alter
rennento run very fast
der BürgerBürgera person who belongs to a state or a city
erfolgreichSuccessful
die EnergieEnergienThe power needed to do something, or the power that drives machines.
das Publikumaudience
verbessernTo improve
eröffnento open
die VerbindungVerbindungenConnection
bestimmenTo determine, to decide
lösenTo solve
schadenTo harm, to damage
der BodenBödenthe surface you stand on inside a room
der AuftrittAuftrittethe moment when someone performs, playing or singing, in front of an audience
komplettwhole and complete, so that nothing is missing
das ModellModelleModel
völligCompletely, fully
losshows that something special is happening right now
der Todthe end of life
einsetzenTo use, to deploy
die AktionAktionenAction
die Soziale MedienSocial media
die TemperaturTemperaturenTemperature
unklarunclear
das GefühlGefühleFeeling, emotion
lediglichMerely, only
die GewaltGewaltenviolence – using physical force to hurt someone
das AmtÄmtera government office where you handle official matters
die NachfrageNachfragendemand
regelmäßigRegular
die GenerationGenerationenGeneration
der KandidatKandidatensomeone who wants to take part in an election or a competition
das GesetzGesetzea law – a rule set by the state for everyone
die HälfteHälftenHalf
die VergangenheitPast
begleitenTo accompany
der ZeitpunktZeitpunktePoint in time, moment
das HerzHerzenHeart
tötenTo kill
der BeitragBeiträgeContribution, segment
die UmfrageUmfragenmany questions that are put to many people
die HoffnungHoffnungenHope
beobachtenTo observe, to watch
die StreckeStreckenthe route or distance between two places
öffentlichPublic
investierenTo invest
die SuchtSüchtewhen someone always wants to have something again and cannot stop
die KarriereKarrierenCareer
erfahrenTo learn, to find out
plusshows that a number is above zero
sich vorstellento imagine
die AlternativeAlternativenAlternative
beteiligenTo participate
somitThus
regelnTo regulate
schützento protect
die MehrheitMehrheitenMajority
die LinieLiniena fixed route that a bus or train regularly travels
betragenTo amount to
bewegenTo move
der AntragAnträgeApplication, request
ähnlichSimilar
ergebenTo result in
das WerkWerkea factory; a large place where many people produce things
das DetailDetailsa small but important part of something
der BundBündethe state in Germany, Austria or Switzerland
reduzierenTo reduce
der VorwurfVorwürfean accusation, a statement blaming someone for a mistake
drehento turn, to rotate; to shoot (a film)
offiziellOfficial
daraufhinthereupon, as a result
der BauBautenA building that is not yet finished, or a finished house.
längstalready a long time ago, not only now
das VertrauenTrust, confidence
die BedeutungBedeutungenMeaning, importance
verfolgenTo pursue
rettenTo save, to rescue
bewusstConscious, aware
die PlattformPlattformena website through which people can offer or exchange things
die SzeneSzenenscene
sinkenTo decrease
der SinnSinneMeaning, sense
die StimmungStimmungenMood
das GebietGebietea certain area of a country or a city
der PatientPatientensomeone who is being treated by a doctor
die MarkeMarkenbrand
scheiternTo fail
der AbschlussAbschlüsseThe end of something, for example of a training or degree.
kämpfento do a lot in order to reach a goal or win
diesmalthis time, unlike before
erwartento think that something will happen soon
der ZusammenhangZusammenhängeConnection, context
begeisternTo excite
die ReaktionReaktionenReaction
die DemokratieDemokratienDemocracy
die DiskussionDiskussionena conversation in which people express different opinions
kürzlichRecently
vermutlichPresumably
der PolitikerPolitikersomeone who works professionally in the government or parliament
die AnfrageAnfragenInquiry
feststellenTo determine, to notice
positivPositive
genießenTo enjoy
immerhinAt least
der VorteilVorteileAdvantage
entscheidendDecisive
sich freuen aufTo look forward to
sich freuen überTo be happy about
der ZuschauerZuschauersomeone who watches an event, for example on TV or in a stadium
die Luftthe gas that we breathe and that is all around us
das ParlamentParlamentea group of politicians who pass laws
das UrteilUrteilean important decision or opinion, often from a court
die AuswirkungAuswirkungenEffect, impact
die AusgabeAusgabenedition
messenTo measure
der VersuchVersuchewhen you try out or test something new
der SongSongsa song, usually pop music
startento begin something or set off, for example a plane
ernstserious
verstärkento strengthen, to reinforce
verzichtenTo do without, to give up
brechenTo break
deswegenfor this reason, that's why
die AnlageAnlagena device you use, for example, to listen to music
einstellenTo hire
die FreudeFreudenJoy, happiness
die UrsacheUrsachenCause, reason
die ForderungForderungenClaim
die BedingungBedingungenCondition
enthaltenTo contain
der UnterschiedUnterschiedeDifference
der Bundestagthe parliament in Germany, where politicians decide on laws
die ProduktionProduktionenthe manufacturing of goods in large quantities
der StreitStreitea loud conflict between two or more people
die HauptstadtHauptstaedteCapital
die VerantwortungVerantwortungenthe duty to take care of a task and accept the consequences if something goes wrong
leidento suffer
die ÄnderungÄnderungensomething that is now different from how it was before
der InhaltInhalteContent
indemBy
der EinflussEinfluesseinfluence
die UntersuchungUntersuchungena close examination, often at the doctor's
der BundeskanzlerBundeskanzlerthe person who leads the government of Germany or Austria
seltennot often, only a few times
behandelnTo treat (medically)
jedenfallsIn any case
treibento do (sport); to drift, to drive
vollständigcomplete
die EinrichtungEinrichtungenfurnishing
die KriseKrisena very difficult situation, often with serious problems
das JahrhundertJahrhunderteCentury
die ListeListena series of names or things that someone writes down
nötigNecessary
die SteuerSteuernmoney that people must pay to the state
das ZeichenZeichena symbol with a particular meaning that you show to a person
die BewegungBewegungenexercise that is good for the body
übernehmento receive something from another person and be responsible for it
die ShowShowsa broadcast on TV that entertains many people
die SpurSpurena section of a road on which cars drive in one direction
der LeiterLeitersomeone who manages a group or company
die LeiterLeiterna device with rungs that you can climb up
der ZugangZugängethe possibility of getting to a place or using something
das NetzNetzemany connected lines for electricity or telephone that work together as a system
der AuftragAufträgea task that someone gives to another person
der TeilnehmerTeilnehmerparticipant
miteinandertogether
der GewinnGewinneMoney or a prize that one receives from a game.
das Verhaltenthe way someone acts or behaves in a certain situation
ersetzenTo replace
die PhasePhasenPhase
die FlächeFlächenarea, surface
der ToteTotensomeone who has died
der HerstellerHerstellera company that makes and sells things (the manufacturer)
vermeidenTo avoid
konkretconcrete
genausojust the same, in exactly the same way
der TrendTrendsa development that many people are currently following
extremvery strong, much more than normal
sodassSo that (result)
die StrategieStrategienStrategy
die TechnologieTechnologientechnology
zerstörento destroy
verbringenTo spend (time)
verschwindenTo disappear
übrigensBy the way
darausFrom it
behauptenTo claim
die SchuldSchuldenguilt
der VerlustVerlustethe loss of something important, for example money or an object
produzierenTo produce
die ErinnerungErinnerungensomething you still remember
der ProtestProtestewhen many people show together that they are against something
verantwortlichResponsible
ziemlichQuite, fairly
überraschenTo surprise
die TechnikTechnikentechnology, technique
verteilento distribute
perfektPerfect
livedirectly and at the moment something is really happening
die GrundlageGrundlagenBasis, foundation
die PlanungPlanungenpreparing and organizing something before it happens
die IntelligenzIntelligenzenintelligence
der Alltageveryday life, the usual routine of daily activities
stolzProud
der RichterRichterJudge
der AnspruchAnsprücheClaim, entitlement
der BewohnerBewohnera person who lives in a house or a town
der BauerBauerna person who grows crops or keeps animals in the countryside
die FörderungFörderungenmoney or help that is given for a project
der DienstDienstethe work a person has to do at a certain time, a shift or duty
stehlenTo steal
die AufnahmeAufnahmenRecording/Photo
die EheEhenthe official union of two people who marry
die VorstellungVorstellungenIdea; performance
das GoldGold
die Rückkehrthe act of coming back to a place
sich interessieren fürTo be interested in
der HandelTrade
seitdemSince
fassento grasp
der ZustandZustaendeCondition
innenon the side that you cannot see from outside
jährlichonce a year, so regularly
verlangento demand
streichenTo paint
der VertreterVertretersomeone who officially acts on behalf of another person or a company
versorgento provide
ausschließenTo exclude, to rule out
die FreiheitFreiheitenFreedom
der StromElectricity
unabhängigIndependent
das FeldFeldera large piece of land where things grow
aufbauenTo build up
beweisenTo prove
der GedankeGedankenthought
die VorbereitungVorbereitungenpreparation; everything one does to get ready for something
langfristigLong-term
die BotschaftBotschaftena country's official office in another country
der EindruckEindrückeImpression
das MaterialMaterialienMaterial
die KlinikKlinikena large building for sick people
der SitzSitzea place to sit on, for example in a car
besitzento own
das Personalall the people who work in a company or shop
trennenTo separate
die VerwaltungVerwaltungena department or authority that handles tasks for other people
voraussichtlichPresumably, expected
die ErwartungErwartungenExpectation
konzentrierento concentrate, to focus
die ReformReformena big change meant to improve something
die BreiteBreitenThe distance from one side of something to the other.
das StadionStadienStadium
der KönigKönigea man who leads an entire country, like a boss
mittenin the middle
nach wie vorStill
der Bedarfwhat a person needs or wants to have
die AnalyseAnalysenAnalysis
der KonfliktKonfliktea dispute or a difficult situation between people
die GelegenheitGelegenheitenOpportunity
aufstellento set up
vertretento take over someone else's tasks or interests on their behalf
geringLow/Minor
die AbstimmungAbstimmungenVote
die TraditionTraditionenTradition
das SmartphoneSmartphonesa small, modern phone with many functions
die Konkurrenzother companies or people competing for the same customers
die LeitungLeitungenthe job of managing a group or company
der GegenstandGegenständeSubject, object
ausreichendSufficient
die FahrbahnFahrbahnenthe part of a road where cars drive
zwingento force
die SummeSummenan amount of money that one has altogether or has to pay
bewertenTo evaluate
der KaufKäufethe act of getting goods in exchange for money
die KlageKlagenLawsuit, complaint
die FigurFigurenthe shape of a person's body
die Türkeia country that borders Europe
die TeilnahmeTeilnahmenwhen someone takes part in something, for example a course
kritischCritical
entlangAlong
begreifenTo comprehend
aufmerksamAttentive
fallsIn case, if
die ErklärungErklärungenwords that make something understandable
der WettbewerbWettbewerbeCompetition
die KrankheitKrankheitenIllness, disease
das JahrzehntJahrzehnteDecade
begeistertvery happy and excited about something great
die ErdeEarth, ground
die AnzahlAnzahlenhow many people or things there are of something
anpassenTo adapt
der BegriffBegriffeTerm, concept
die CityCitysthe center of a big city with many shops
engagierenTo engage
irgendwannSometime

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words do I need for Goethe B1?

The Goethe B1 level requires approximately 2,400 words. This includes all vocabulary from A1 and A2 levels plus around 1,000 new B1 words covering topics like education, media, environment, relationships, and professional life.

What topics are covered in Goethe B1 vocabulary?

B1 vocabulary covers more abstract and complex topics including education and career (Bildung, Beruf), media and technology (Medien), society and politics (Gesellschaft), environment and sustainability (Umwelt), emotions and feelings (Gefühle), relationships (Beziehungen), and housing (Wohnung).

How is B1 vocabulary different from A2?

B1 vocabulary includes more abstract concepts, compound nouns, and reflexive verbs. You will learn words for expressing opinions, discussing current events, describing emotions in detail, and handling more complex everyday situations like renting apartments or discussing career goals.

How long does it take to reach B1 level German?

Reaching B1 level typically requires 350-400 hours of study from absolute beginner level. If you already have A2 certification, expect an additional 150-200 hours of focused study to reach B1. Regular practice with native content accelerates vocabulary acquisition.

What is the best way to learn B1 German vocabulary?

At B1 level, immersion becomes crucial. Read German news articles, watch TV shows, and listen to podcasts. Focus on learning words in context through example sentences. Practice expressing your opinions on topics like environment, politics, and relationships using new vocabulary.

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