German B1 vocabulary: what the official word list contains
Redaktion · 8 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short
The official word list for the B1 certificate from the Goethe-Institut and ÖSD covers about 2,400 lexical units: 14 word groups such as numbers, time and countries, then an alphabetical list with example sentences. You should at least understand these words. Words in listening and reading texts that are not on the list are not needed to solve the task. The tasks revolve around daily life: housing, work, transport, food, celebrations, media.
What is in the word list
| Goethe/ÖSD B1 word list | |
|---|---|
| Size | about 2,400 lexical units, 104 pages as a PDF |
| Structure | 14 word groups, then the alphabetical vocabulary with example sentences |
| Expectation | know the words at least receptively, that is, understand them when reading and listening |
| Not listed separately | compounds and derived words you can work out, for example Kinderbett or Zahlung |
| Applies to | Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and ÖSD-Zertifikat B1, teens and adults |
The 14 word groups are: abbreviations, anglicisms, exam instruction language, educational institutions, school subjects, school grades, colours, compass points, countries and languages, political terms, animals, currencies and measures, numbers, and time (dates, holidays, clock times, weekdays). The list itself says it is meant as an overview, less as a drill book.
The topics that keep coming back
In the official Goethe B1 model test you write, for example, an email about a birthday party, an opinion on "personal contacts and the internet" and an apology to your course teacher. Across our 30 B1 practice sets (telc, Goethe, ÖSD), these word fields came up most:
| Word field | Typical tasks | Words you need actively |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | bike or car, train or plane, 30 km/h limits | die Verbindung, umsteigen, die Verspätung, der Fahrplan, öffentliche Verkehrsmittel |
| Housing and neighbours | city or countryside, moving, helping neighbours | die Miete, die Nebenkosten, der Vermieter, umziehen, sich beschweren |
| Work | home office, working hours, weekend work | die Bewerbung, die Schicht, der Kollege, kündigen, Überstunden machen |
| Food and celebrations | cook or order in, celebrating | die Einladung, das Geschenk, vegetarisch, sich bedanken, feiern |
| Leisure, sport, culture | sports clubs, cinema, music | der Verein, die Veranstaltung, die Eintrittskarte, sich anmelden |
| Media and phones | always reachable, smartphones for children, online shopping | herunterladen, die Nachricht, online bestellen, die Bewertung |
| Education and health | course or app, doctor's appointment | die Anmeldung, die Prüfung, der Termin, die Versicherung, das Rezept |
Instruction language first
One word group in the list is the instruction language: words like Antwortbogen or Lösung that you must understand to do the task at all. If "ankreuzen", "zuordnen" or "Inhaltspunkte" are not secure, you lose time before the exam has properly begun.
The matching grammar: German B1 grammar. A study plan: four-week B1 plan. Practice sets: Goethe B1, ÖSD B1 and telc B1.
Frequently asked questions
How many words do you need for B1 German?
The Goethe and ÖSD word list names about 2,400 lexical units that you should at least understand.
Where can I find the official B1 word list?
As a free PDF from the Goethe-Institut. It covers the Goethe-Zertifikat B1 and the ÖSD-Zertifikat B1.
Will the exam use words that are not on the list?
Yes, in listening and reading texts. According to the list, you do not need them to solve the task.
Which topics come up most at B1?
Daily life: transport, housing, work, food and celebrations, leisure, media, education and health.
Sources
- Goethe-Institut and ÖSD: Goethe-Zertifikat B1 word list (PDF), checked 8 October 2026
- Goethe-Zertifikat B1, model test for adults (PDF), checked 8 October 2026
