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Goethe-Zertifikat C1 · word list

Goethe-Zertifikat C1 word list: the 231 most frequent words

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

kraft

By virtue of

Kraft seines Amtes hat er die Befugnis. By virtue of his office he has the authority.

gedenken

To remember; to intend

Wir gedenken der Opfer. We remember the victims.

fügen

To submit to the will or orders of others and give in

Es fügte sich, dass... It came to pass that...

indes

However, meanwhile

Indes zeigt sich ein anderes Bild. However a different picture emerges.

gewähren

To grant

Gewähren Sie mir eine Frist. Grant me a deadline.

dieAufklärung
—

Enlightenment

Die Aufklärung ist notwendig. The aufklaerung is necessary.

dementsprechend

Accordingly

Dementsprechend wurden Maßnahmen ergriffen. Measures were taken accordingly.

hinsichtlich

Regarding

Hinsichtlich der Kosten... Regarding the costs...

derErhalt
—

Receipt; preservation

Der Erhalt wird bestätigt. The receipt is confirmed.

derWiderspruch
die Widersprüche

Contradiction

Es gibt einen Widerspruch in der Argumentation. There is a contradiction in the argument.

insofern

In that respect

Insofern hat er Recht. In that respect he is right.

dieAnnahme
die Annahmen

Assumption

Diese Annahme ist nicht bewiesen. This assumption is not proven.

dieBerichterstattung
die Berichterstattungen

Reporting, coverage

Die Berichterstattung war objektiv. The coverage was objective.

derVorgang
die Vorgänge

Process, procedure

Der Vorgang wurde dokumentiert. The process was documented.

derAnreiz
die Anreize

Incentive

Das Geld ist ein starker Anreiz. The money is a strong incentive.

derGesetzentwurf
die Gesetzentwürfe

Bill (legislation)

Der Gesetzentwurf wurde abgelehnt. The bill was rejected.

dieDimension
die Dimensionen

Dimension

Das Problem hat viele Dimensionen. The problem has many dimensions.

dieSouveränität
—

Sovereignty

Die Souveränität wurde anerkannt. Sovereignty was recognized.

dieWahrnehmung
die Wahrnehmungen

Perception

Die Wahrnehmung ist subjektiv. Perception is subjective.

prognostizieren

to prognosticate

Die Experten prognostizieren Wachstum. Experts prognosticate growth.

verkörpern

To embody

Er verkörpert diese Werte. He embodies these values.

dieRendite
die Renditen

Return, yield

Die Rendite ist hoch. The return is high.

enthüllen

to reveal, to uncover, to expose

Die Zeitung enthüllte einen Korruptionsskandal. The newspaper revealed a corruption scandal.

zwingend

Compelling

Das ist zwingend notwendig. That is absolutely necessary.

explizit

Explicit

Die Aussage ist explizit. The statement is explicit.

dieWettbewerbsfähigkeit
die Gerichtsbeschluesse

competitiveness: the ability of a company or economy to hold its own against market rivals

Die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit des Unternehmens hat sich in den letzten Jahren verbessert. The company's competitiveness has improved in recent years.

zeitnah

Timely, soon

Wir brauchen eine zeitnahe Lösung. We need a timely solution.

derAppell
die Appelle

appeal

Der Appell verhallte ungehört. The appeal went unheard.

derMaßstab
die Maßstäbe

Standard, criterion

Das setzt neue Maßstäbe. That sets new standards.

dieDepression
die Depressionen

Depression

Depression ist eine ernste Erkrankung. Depression is a serious illness.

derZuschuss
die Zuschüsse

Sum of money received as a contribution towards particular costs that does not have to be paid back

Er bekam einen Zuschuss. He received a subsidy.

derRundfunk
—

Broadcasting

Der öffentliche Rundfunk ist wichtig. Public broadcasting is important.

derTarif
die Tarife

Tariff, rate

Der Tarif wurde erhöht. The rate was increased.

dasPortfolio
die Portfolios

portfolio

Diversifizieren Sie Ihr Portfolio. Diversify your portfolio.

dasGrauen
—

Horror, dread

Das Grauen packte ihn. Horror seized him.

anführen

to cite, to put forward, to adduce

Der Anwalt möchte im Prozess mehrere Zeugen anführen. The author cites several studies as evidence.

dieBindung
die Bindungen

Attachment

Die Bindung ist wichtig. The attachment is important.

erschließen

To develop; to infer

Neue Märkte wurden erschlossen. New markets were developed.

nachvollziehen

To comprehend, to follow

Das kann ich nachvollziehen. I can understand that.

derKoalitionspartner
die Koalitionspartner

coalition partner

Die Grünen stimmten gemeinsam mit dem Koalitionspartner ab. The Greens voted together with the coalition partner.

Showing 40 of 231

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Frequently Asked Questions

What vocabulary level is required for Goethe C1?

The Goethe C1 level requires approximately 5,000-6,000 words. This includes mastery of all previous levels (A1-B2) plus advanced vocabulary for study, work and public debate. C1 learners should understand nuanced expressions, idiomatic language, and specialized terminology.

What topics are covered in C1 German vocabulary?

C1 vocabulary covers sophisticated topics including the language of the press and of expert commentary, legal and political terminology, advanced business communication, philosophical concepts, abstract reasoning, and specialized fields like medicine, technology, and law. You will also learn formal register and stylistic variations.

How is C1 vocabulary different from B2?

C1 vocabulary is more nuanced and specialized. While B2 covers general advanced topics, C1 includes precise terminology, formal expressions for debates and presentations, and vocabulary for understanding complex texts such as magazine articles, commentaries and expert contributions — the kinds of text the C1 exam uses.

How long does it take to reach C1 level German?

Reaching C1 level typically requires 800-1,000 hours of total study from beginner. From B2, expect an additional 200-300 hours of intensive study. At C1 level, immersion through living in a German-speaking country or daily use at university or work greatly accelerates progress.

What are the best strategies for C1 German vocabulary?

At C1 level, focus on quality journalism, commentaries and expert articles, plus German literature. Listen to podcasts, interviews and lectures, and watch debates and documentaries. Practice the two C1 writing tasks: a forum post and a (semi-)formal e-mail. Learn word families and derivations to expand vocabulary systematically. Engage in discussions on complex topics.