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Goethe-Zertifikat B2 · word list

Goethe-Zertifikat B2 word list: the 295 most frequent words

Every word with its article, plural and an example sentence, most frequent first.

zudem

Moreover

Zudem ist es günstiger. Moreover, it is cheaper.

dieWürde
—

Dignity

Die Würde des Menschen ist unantastbar. Human dignity is inviolable.

bekennen

To confess

Er bekennt. He confesses.

zufolge

According to

Berichten zufolge... According to reports...

demnach

Accordingly

Demnach muss er schuldig sein. Accordingly, he must be guilty.

betreiben

To operate

Er betreibt ein Geschäft. He runs a business.

derRahmen
die Rahmen

framework

Im Rahmen dieser Studie... Within the framework of this study...

insbesondere

in particular

Insbesondere dieser Punkt ist wichtig. This point is important in particular.

dieStaatsanwaltschaft
die Staatsanwaltschaften

public prosecutor's office

Laut Ermittlungen der Staatsanwaltschaft hat der Unternehmer die Bilanz gefälscht. According to the prosecutor's investigations, the entrepreneur falsified the balance sheet.

beispielsweise

For example

Beispielsweise könnte man... For example, one could...

dieBundesregierung
die Bundesregierungen

federal government

Auf diese Weise setzt die Bundesregierung ein Urteil des Bundesverfassungsgerichts um. In this way, the federal government implements a ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court.

angesichts

In view of

Angesichts der Lage... In view of the situation...

dieVerhandlung
die Verhandlungen

Negotiation

Die Verhandlungen dauern an. The negotiations continue.

dasVerfahren
die Verfahren

Proceedings, procedure

Das Verfahren wurde eingestellt. The proceedings were discontinued.

bilden

To form; to educate

Die Kinder bilden einen Kreis. The children form a circle.

gestalten

To shape, to design

Er gestaltet die Website. He is designing the website.

durchaus

Quite, indeed

Das ist durchaus möglich. That is quite possible.

wagen

To dare

Er wagte den Sprung. He dared to jump.

prägen

to shape

Solche Erlebnisse können einen Menschen fürs Leben prägen. The experience has shaped him.

dieInfrastruktur
die Infrastrukturen

Infrastructure

Die Infrastruktur muss verbessert werden. The infrastructure must be improved.

derAngeklagte
die Angeklagten

Defendant

Der Angeklagte bestritt die Tat. The defendant denied the act.

dieAngeklagte
die Angeklagten

defendant

Der Angeklagte wurde freigesprochen. The defendant was acquitted.

derMinisterpräsident
die Ministerpräsidenten

prime minister

Christian Wulff war Ministerpräsident von Niedersachsen. Christian Wulff was Prime Minister of Lower Saxony.

gewählt

Chosen, refined

Er spricht in gewählten Worten. He speaks in refined words.

dasKonzept
die Konzepte

concept

Das Konzept ist innovativ. The concept is innovative.

derGeschäftsführer
die Geschäftsführer

Managing director, CEO

Der Geschäftsführer traf die Entscheidung. The managing director made the decision.

ohnehin

Anyway

Das wollte ich ohnehin sagen. I was going to say that anyway.

herrschen

To rule; to prevail

Es herrscht Stille. There is silence.

entsprechend

Accordingly

Wir werden entsprechend handeln. We will act accordingly.

derInvestor
die Investoren

investor

Investoren suchen neue Projekte. Investors look for new projects.

verpflichten

To oblige

Der Vertrag verpflichtet den Mieter zur pünktlichen Zahlung. The contract obliges the tenant to pay on time.

erweitern

To expand

Das Angebot wurde erweitert. The offer was expanded.

dasPotenzial
die Potenziale

potential

Das Potenzial ist enorm. The potential is enormous.

erfassen

To comprehend; to record

Er erfasste die Situation sofort. He grasped the situation immediately.

erheben

To raise; to collect

Die Firma erhebt Gebühren. The company charges fees.

betrachten

To regard, to view

Er betrachtete das Gemälde. He regarded the painting.

womöglich

Possibly

Er hat es womöglich vergessen. He has possibly forgotten it.

erheblich

Considerable, significant

Die Kosten sind erheblich. The costs are considerable.

dieAufmerksamkeit
—

Attention

Die Aufmerksamkeit ist wichtig. The attention is important.

dieSanktion
die Sanktionen

Sanction

Sanktionen wurden verhängt. Sanctions were imposed.

Showing 40 of 295

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many words are required for Goethe B2?

The Goethe B2 level requires approximately 4,000 words. This builds on all previous levels (A1-B1) and adds around 1,500 new words covering complex topics like economics, science, culture, ethics, and advanced professional communication.

What makes B2 vocabulary different from B1?

B2 vocabulary is significantly more sophisticated, including abstract concepts, formal register words, and specialized terminology. You will learn vocabulary for discussing complex topics like market economics, scientific research, cultural analysis, and ethical debates with nuance and precision.

What topics does Goethe B2 vocabulary cover?

B2 vocabulary covers advanced topics including business and economics (Wirtschaft), science and research (Wissenschaft), culture and arts (Kultur), advanced communication and argumentation (Kommunikation), ethics and values (Ethik), and global issues (Internationale Themen).

How long does it take to learn B2 German vocabulary?

Reaching B2 level typically requires 600-650 hours of total study from beginner. From B1, expect an additional 200-250 hours of dedicated study — roughly 6–9 months at 6–8 hours a week. At this level, extensive reading of German newspapers, academic texts, and literature becomes essential for vocabulary acquisition.

What are the best resources for B2 German vocabulary?

For B2 level, use authentic German media: read Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, or academic articles. Watch German documentaries and films without subtitles. Engage with podcasts on complex topics. Practice writing argumentative essays and formal correspondence to actively use advanced vocabulary.