German Vocabulary by Level
Start where you are. A1 is your first week of German, C2 is near-native — each level is a list of the words you need to move up.
Word lists by level
- A1 · BeginnerYour first German: greetings, numbers, family, food.können · sein · haben
- A2 · ElementaryShopping, travel, work and your day.meinen · denken · lassen
- B1 · IntermediatePlans, opinions and getting by on your own.stimmen · schlagen · funktionieren
- B2 · Upper intermediateThe news, work meetings and longer texts.ergeben · bekennen · entspannen
- C1 · AdvancedPrecise words for study and work.rüberkommen · Truhe · altern
- C2 · ProficientFormal language and fine distinctions.Pianist · veraltet · Tran
CEFR levels at a glance
The Common European Framework describes what you can do at each level.
Basic user
A1Beginner
- Introduce yourself and others
- Order food, ask prices, give your address
- Understand slow, simple questions
A2Elementary
- Handle shops, travel and appointments
- Talk about your job, family and weekend
- Read short notices and messages
Independent user
B1Intermediate
- Get by on your own while travelling
- Give reasons and opinions simply
- Follow the main points of clear speech
B2Upper intermediate
- Discuss abstract topics with some ease
- Follow the news and work meetings
- Write clear, detailed texts
Proficient user
C1Advanced
- Use German flexibly at work or university
- Understand long, demanding texts
- Speak without searching for words
C2Proficient
- Understand almost everything you hear or read
- Express fine shades of meaning
- Summarise and argue across sources