German A2 vocabulary list
260 words from our 834-word A2 bank, sorted into 22 topics, with article, English meaning and audio pronunciation.
This is not an official exam word list. The Goethe-Institut publishes its own A2 word list (Wortliste) in its exam documents; the words here come from the Level Exams word bank, compiled by level as a study list.
At A2 the range of topics grows: talking about the past, making appointments, health, jobs, free time, feelings and the weather. Words are no longer just names of things; adjectives and verbs that answer ‘why’ and ‘how’ matter more.
In telc A2, Goethe-Zertifikat A2 and ÖSD A2 you need these words for short messages and emails, everyday conversations and notices. Revising verbs together with their past form (Perfekt) pays off at A2: gehen – ist gegangen.
Time, days and months
12 of 22 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
nach, danach | after, afterward | adverb |
schon | already | adverb |
alt, antik | old, ancient | adjective |
nicht mehr, länger | no longer | adverb |
täglich | daily | adjective |
das Ende, der Schluss | end | noun |
alltäglich, jeden Tag | everyday, daily | adjective |
der Herbst | autumn | noun |
schließlich, endlich | finally | adverb |
das Ende, der Abschluss | end, conclusion | noun |
sofort | immediately | adverb |
später | later | adverb |
People
12 of 17 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
erwachsen | adult, grown-up | adjective |
jemand, irgendjemand | someone, anyone | pronoun |
die Berühmtheit | celebrity | noun |
der Kollege | colleague | noun |
die Menschenmenge | crowd | noun |
der Gast | guest | noun |
der Typ, der Kerl | guy, fellow | noun |
der Held | hero | noun |
der Mensch, menschlich | human, human (adj.) | noun |
das Individuum, individuell | individual (n.), individual (adj.) | noun |
das Kind | child, kid | noun |
der König | king | noun |
Body and health
12 of 21 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Knöchel | ankle | noun |
das Blut | blood | noun |
der Knochen | bone | noun |
die Krankheit | illness | noun |
der Finger | finger | noun |
die Grippe | flu | noun |
die Kopfschmerzen | headache | noun |
das Herz | heart | noun |
verletzen, verletzt | to hurt, hurt | verb |
die Verletzung | injury | noun |
das Knie | knee | noun |
medizinisch | medical | adjective |
Food and drink
8 of 10 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Bohne | bean | noun |
das Rindfleisch | beef | noun |
der Keks, das Plätzchen | biscuit, cookie | noun |
die Marmelade | jam | noun |
die Zitrone | lemon | noun |
die Nuss | nut | noun |
das Rezept | recipe | noun |
die Soße | sauce | noun |
Places and directions
12 of 15 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
im Ausland | abroad | adverb |
entlang | along | preposition |
irgendwo, überall | anywhere, everywhere | adverb |
der Boden, die Unterseite | bottom | noun |
die Ecke | corner | noun |
überall | everywhere | adverb |
vorwärts | forward | adverb |
das Tor | gate | noun |
nirgendwo | nowhere | adverb |
auf | on | preposition |
die Position, die Lage | position | noun |
die Kneipe, das Pub | pub | noun |
Transport
12 of 13 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Fahrt, die Autofahrt | drive, car ride | noun |
das Fahren, das Autofahren | driving | noun |
der Lastwagen | truck | noun |
das Motorrad | motorcycle | noun |
das Parken | parking | noun |
der Passagier | passenger | noun |
die Eisenbahn, die Bahn | railway | noun |
die Fahrt, der Ritt | ride | noun |
die Route, der Weg | route, way | noun |
segeln | to sail | verb |
das Schiff | ship | noun |
der Transport, das Verkehrsmittel | transport, means of transportation | noun |
Education
8 of 9 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Zulassungsbescheid | acceptance letter | noun |
die Bildung, die Erziehung | education, upbringing | noun |
der Aufsatz, das Essay | essay | noun |
die Anweisung, der Unterricht | instruction, lesson | noun |
das Lernen, die Bildung | learning, education | noun |
der Professor | professor | noun |
der Unterricht | teaching, lessons | noun |
das Training, die Ausbildung | training | noun |
Jobs
12 of 24 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Architekt, die Architektin | architect | noun |
der Chef | boss | noun |
der Geschäftsmann | businessman | noun |
der Koch | chef | noun |
der Trainer | coach | noun |
der Zahnarzt | dentist | noun |
der Designer | designer | noun |
der Detektiv | detective | noun |
der Direktor, der Regisseur | director | noun |
der Ingenieur, die Ingenieurin | engineer | noun |
der Experte, die Expertin | expert | noun |
der Ausbilder, der Lehrer | instructor, teacher | noun |
Work and economy
12 of 16 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
werben, annoncieren | to advertise | verb |
die Anzeige, die Werbung | advertisement, ad | noun |
die Werbung | advertising | noun |
verdienen | to earn | verb |
anstellen, beschäftigen, verwenden | to employ, to use | verb |
der Angestellte, die Mitarbeiterin | employee | noun |
der Arbeitgeber | employer | noun |
die Fabrik | factory | noun |
die Industrie | industry | noun |
produzieren, herstellen | to produce | verb |
das Gehalt | salary | noun |
der Verkauf, der Ausverkauf | sale | noun |
Media and communication
12 of 15 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Kommentar | comment | noun |
kommunizieren | to communicate | verb |
die Diskussion | discussion | noun |
veröffentlichen, publizieren | to publish | verb |
fragen, hinterfragen | to ask, to question | verb |
empfehlen | to recommend | verb |
sich beziehen auf, verweisen auf | to refer to | verb |
berichten, melden | to report | verb |
die Anfrage, die Bitte, der Wunsch | request, wish | noun |
reagieren, antworten | to respond, to react | verb |
die Antwort, die Reaktion | answer, reaction | noun |
die Rede | speech | noun |
Technology
12 of 17 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die App, die Anwendung | app, application | noun |
der Code | code | noun |
die Daten | data | noun |
das Gerät | device | noun |
digital | digital | adjective |
der Motor | engine | noun |
die Ausrüstung, die Ausstattung | equipment | noun |
der Laptop, das Notebook | laptop, notebook | noun |
das Netzwerk | network | noun |
drucken | to print | verb |
der Drucker | printer | noun |
der Bildschirm, die Leinwand | screen | noun |
Sports
11 of 13 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Baseball | baseball | noun |
der Basketball | basketball | noun |
der Wettbewerb | competition | noun |
das Golf | golf | noun |
das Hockey | hockey | noun |
der Lauf | run | noun |
der Läufer, die Läuferin | runner | noun |
das Laufen | running | noun |
das Segeln | sailing | noun |
der Ski | ski | noun |
das Skifahren | skiing | noun |
Arts and culture
12 of 18 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Architektur | architecture | noun |
die Komödie | comedy | noun |
das Drama | drama | noun |
die Zeichnung | drawing | noun |
die Fiktion, die Belletristik | fiction | noun |
die Galerie | gallery | noun |
das Instrument, das Werkzeug | instrument, tool | noun |
der Jazz | jazz | noun |
der Roman | novel | noun |
fotografieren | to photograph | verb |
der Pop | pop (music) | noun |
das Poster, das Plakat | poster | noun |
Nature and environment
12 of 24 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Umweltverschmutzung | pollution | noun |
recyceln, wiederverwerten | to recycle | verb |
das Klima | climate | noun |
die Wolke | cloud | noun |
die Küste | coast | noun |
die Wüste | desert | noun |
die Umwelt, die Umgebung | environment, surroundings | noun |
das Feld | field | noun |
der Wald | forest | noun |
das Gras | grass | noun |
der Boden, der Grund | ground, soil | noun |
die Hitze, heizen | heat, to heat | noun |
Feelings
12 of 25 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
ach! | oh! | interjection |
bequem | comfortable | adjective |
sich beschweren | to complain | verb |
verrückt | crazy | adjective |
weinen | to cry | verb |
die Angst, die Furcht | fear | noun |
glücklicherweise | fortunately | adverb |
lustig, unterhaltsam | funny, entertaining | adjective |
die Hoffnung | hope | noun |
das Lachen | laughter | noun |
nervös | nervous | adjective |
gefallen, erfreuen | to please | verb |
Science
8 of 9 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Biologie | biology | noun |
die Chemie | chemistry | noun |
die Erfindung | invention | noun |
das Labor | laboratory, lab | noun |
physisch, körperlich | physical | adjective |
die Physik | physics | noun |
die Umfrage | survey | noun |
der Virus | virus | noun |
Abstract concepts
12 of 22 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
lebendig | alive | adjective |
allein | alone | adverb |
die Aufmerksamkeit | attention | noun |
die Auszeichnung, der Preis | award | noun |
das Verhalten, das Benehmen | behavior | noun |
der Vorteil, der Nutzen | benefit | noun |
kaputt, gebrochen | broken | adjective |
die Bedingung | condition | noun |
verbunden | connected | adjective |
die Gefahr | danger | noun |
die Dunkelheit | darkness | noun |
tot | dead | adjective |
Quantities and measures
9 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
ganz, alles | entirely, all | adverb |
fast | almost | adverb |
die Menge, der Betrag | amount | noun |
das Stückchen, das bisschen | bit | noun |
am wenigsten | least | adverb |
weniger | less | adverb |
mehrere, einige | several, some | determiner |
das Gewicht | weight | noun |
ganz | whole, entire | adjective |
Verbs
12 of 96 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
akzeptieren, annehmen | to accept | verb |
erreichen, erzielen | to achieve | verb |
handeln, agieren | to act | verb |
beeinflussen, betreffen | to affect | verb |
erlauben, zulassen | to allow | verb |
erscheinen, auftauchen | to appear | verb |
streiten, argumentieren | to argue | verb |
arrangieren, ordnen | to arrange | verb |
teilnehmen, besuchen | to attend | verb |
vermeiden | to avoid | verb |
schlagen, besiegen | to beat | verb |
sich benehmen, verhalten | to behave | verb |
Adjectives
12 of 37 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
hell, klug | bright, smart | adjective |
brillant, genial | brilliant, genius | adjective |
vorsichtig | careful | adjective |
sicher, gewiss | certain, sure | adjective |
sicherlich, bestimmt | certainly, definitely | adverb |
der Charakter, die Persönlichkeit | character, personality | noun |
klassisch | classic | adjective |
klar, deutlich | clear | adjective |
klug, schlau | clever, smart | adjective |
kreativ | creative | adjective |
lockig | curly | adjective |
tief | deep | adjective |
Pronouns, prepositions and conjunctions
12 of 13 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
obwohl | although | conjunction |
außer | except, besides | preposition |
ihres | hers | pronoun |
sie selbst | herself | pronoun |
er selbst | himself | pronoun |
sein | his | determiner |
einschließlich | including | preposition |
stattdessen | instead | adverb |
sich, selbst | itself | pronoun |
langsam | slowly | adverb |
sich selbst | themselves | pronoun |
wessen | whose | pronoun |
More common words
24 of 389 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Milliarde | billion | number |
der Dritte | the third | noun |
die Null | zero | number |
der Chip, der Kartoffelchip | chip, crisp | noun |
das Fett | fat | noun |
die Tonne, der Mülleimer | bin, trash can | noun |
kochen, sieden | to boil, cook | verb |
die Schüssel | bowl | noun |
der Teppich | carpet | noun |
der Herd | stove | noun |
der Schrank | cupboard, wardrobe | noun |
die Gabel | fork | noun |
der Kühlschrank | refrigerator | noun |
das Messer | knife | noun |
die Lampe | lamp | noun |
der Ofen | oven | noun |
der Teller | plate | noun |
der Sitz, der Platz | seat | noun |
der Löffel | spoon | noun |
das Handtuch | towel | noun |
die Wäsche, das Waschen | laundry, washing | noun |
die Kleidung | clothing | noun |
die Mode | fashion | noun |
die Tasche | bag, pocket | noun |
The full list is in the app
All 834 words of level A2, in topic packs with picture cards. The vocabulary cards are part of the A2 Lesson Package; with a free account you can take a mock exam first.
- A picture for every word
- Pronunciation in a natural German voice
- Auto-play study mode at your own pace
- Words you mark as ‘I know this’ are set aside and your progress is saved
How to study these words
- 1
Learn every noun with its article
Not ‘Tisch’ but ‘der Tisch’. The article (der, die, das) is not added later; memorize it as part of the noun.
- 2
Listen first, then repeat aloud
A word you have never heard will not be recognised in Hören. Listen to each word and say it out loud.
- 3
Topic by topic, in your own sentences
Words from the same topic remind you of each other. Make a short sentence about yourself with a few words from each topic.
- 4
Set aside what you know, repeat what you don't
Short daily reviews work better than one long weekly session. Spend your time on the words you do not know yet.
Try the words under exam conditions
Knowing a word is one thing; recognising it while the exam clock runs is another. Our A2 mock exams follow the telc, Goethe and ÖSD formats, with real timing, locked section order and real scoring.
Not sure about your level? Take the free placement test →
Frequently asked questions
›Is this the official telc or Goethe A2 word list?
No. The Goethe-Institut publishes its own A2 word list (Wortliste) in its exam documents; this page is not a copy of it. The words here come from the Level Exams word bank, compiled for level A2 and sorted by topic as a study list. There is no guarantee that every word will appear in the exam; the aim is to cover the core words of the level topic by topic.
›How many words do I need for A2?
There is no official number: the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) defines levels by what you can do with the language, not by a word count. Our A2 bank has 834 words. More important than the number is recognising these words when you hear them and using them in your own sentences.
›How should I learn the articles der, die and das?
Learn every noun together with its article and repeat it aloud. A few rules help: nouns ending in -ung, -heit, -keit, -schaft and -ion take die; nouns ending in -chen and -lein take das; days, months and seasons take der. Note the exceptions separately.
›Which part of the exam do these words help with?
All of them. In Hören and Lesen you need to recognise the word to understand the text; in Schreiben and Sprechen you need to use it with the right article and form, which directly affects your score.
›Where can I study the whole list?
All 834 words are in the Level Exams app, in topic packs: a picture for every word, audio pronunciation, an auto-play mode and progress tracking with ‘I know this’. The vocabulary cards are part of the A2 Lesson Package.