German C1 vocabulary list
274 words from our 1,301-word C1 bank, sorted into 23 topics, with article, English meaning and audio pronunciation.
This is not an official exam word list: the words come from the Level Exams word bank, compiled for level C1 and sorted by topic as a study list.
At C1 vocabulary opens up to academic and professional language: law, politics and government, science, society and religion, plus adjectives and verbs with subtle differences. Sensing the difference between near-synonyms matters at this level: erklären – erläutern.
telc C1, Goethe-Zertifikat C1 and ÖSD C1 expect long texts, presentations and opinion essays. Learning words in the combinations they are used in, rather than one by one, directly strengthens your writing and speaking: eine Entscheidung treffen, Kritik üben.
Time, days and months
12 of 15 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
fortwährend, ständig | continually, constantly | adverb |
die Morgendämmerung, der Tagesanbruch | dawn, daybreak | noun |
bevorstehend, kommend | upcoming | adjective |
langwierig, lang | lengthy, long | adjective |
lebenslang | lifelong | adjective |
langjährig, alteingesessen | long-standing, established | adjective |
langjährig, langzeitig | long-standing, long-term | adjective |
inzwischen | meanwhile | adverb |
der Mittag | noon | noun |
derzeit, gegenwärtig | currently, presently | adverb |
gleichzeitig, simultan | simultaneously | adverb |
danach, folgend | afterward, following | adverb |
People
9 of 11 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Spender | donor | noun |
der Pädagoge, der Erzieher | educator | noun |
der Enthusiast, der Liebhaber | enthusiast | noun |
der Extremist | extremist | noun |
das Kleinkind, der Säugling | infant, baby | noun |
der Intellektuelle | intellectual | noun |
der Junge, der Bursche | boy, lad | noun |
der Mentor | mentor | noun |
der Bauer | peasant | noun |
Body and health
12 of 25 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Abtreibung | abortion | noun |
akut, scharf | acute, sharp | adjective |
der Appetit | appetite | noun |
diagnostizieren, feststellen | to diagnose | verb |
die Diagnose | diagnosis | noun |
die Epidemie | epidemic | noun |
infizieren, anstecken | to infect | verb |
injizieren, spritzen | to inject | verb |
die Injektion, die Spritze | injection | noun |
die Niere | kidney | noun |
tödlich | fatal, deadly | adjective |
das Glied, der Ast | limb, branch | noun |
Home and household
10 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Bank | bench | noun |
der Wohnsitz, die Residenz | residence | noun |
das Vakuum, der Staubsauger | vacuum, vacuum cleaner | noun |
die Krone | crown | noun |
der Schnitt, der Ableger | cutting | noun |
die Trümmer, der Schutt | debris, rubble | noun |
der Haken, einhaken | hook, to hook | noun |
das Horn, die Hupe | horn, car horn | noun |
der Block, das Polster | pad | noun |
das Schwert | sword | noun |
Places and directions
10 of 11 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
angrenzend, benachbart | adjacent, neighboring | adjective |
inmitten, zwischen, während | among, amid | preposition |
die Arena | arena | noun |
unter, darunter | beneath, below | preposition |
vorwärts, hervor | forward | adverb |
auf halbem Weg, in der Mitte | halfway, midway | adverb |
die Mitte, inmitten | middle, amid | noun |
der Kindergarten | kindergarten | noun |
die Zuflucht, der Schutz | refuge, shelter | noun |
vorstädtisch | suburban | adjective |
Education
7 of 9 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Akademie | academy | noun |
die Anwesenheit, die Teilnahme | attendance, participation | noun |
die Fakultät, die Fähigkeit | faculty, ability | noun |
die Führung, die Anleitung | guidance | noun |
anweisen, unterrichten | to instruct, to teach | verb |
die Lese- und Schreibfähigkeit | literacy | noun |
das Transkript, die Abschrift | transcript | noun |
Jobs
12 of 17 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Administrator, die Administratorin | administrator | noun |
der Kolumnist | columnist | noun |
der Kommentator | commentator | noun |
der Kommissar | commissioner, inspector | noun |
der Koordinator | coordinator | noun |
der Polizist | police officer | noun |
der Korrespondent | correspondent | noun |
der Berater, der Counsellor | advisor, counselor | noun |
der Diplomat | diplomat | noun |
der Ermittler, der Untersuchungsbeamte | investigator | noun |
der Vermieter, der Hausherr | landlord | noun |
der Kaufmann, der Händler | merchant, trader | noun |
Work and economy
12 of 49 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Zulage | allowance, bonus | noun |
der Handel | trade | noun |
die Ware | goods, merchandise | noun |
die Entschädigung | compensation | noun |
kostspielig, teuer | costly, expensive | adjective |
das Defizit, der Mangel | deficit, shortage | noun |
die Einnahmen, der Verdienst | earnings, income | noun |
das Unternehmen, der Betrieb | enterprise, business | noun |
die Ausgabe, der Aufwand | expense, expenditure | noun |
die Spendenaktion, das Fundraising | fundraising | noun |
der Marktplatz, der Markt | marketplace, market | noun |
das Monopol | monopoly | noun |
Media and communication
12 of 15 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
artikulieren, deutlich ausdrücken | to articulate, to express clearly | verb |
behaupten, geltend machen | to claim, to assert | verb |
die Behauptung, die Aussage | claim, statement | noun |
die Korrespondenz, die Übereinstimmung | correspondence, agreement | noun |
die Erklärung, die Deklaration | declaration, statement | noun |
anprangern, verurteilen | to denounce, to condemn | verb |
diktieren, befehlen | to dictate, to command | verb |
offenbaren, preisgeben, enthüllen | to reveal, to disclose | verb |
der Diskurs, die Abhandlung, die Rede | discourse, speech | noun |
der Hinweis, andeuten | hint, to imply | noun |
verkünden, proklamieren | to proclaim, to announce | verb |
die Anfrage, die Abfrage | inquiry, query | noun |
Technology
12 of 25 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
kompilieren | to compile | verb |
die Konfiguration | configuration | noun |
die Aktivierung | activation | noun |
der Apparat, das Gerät | apparatus, device | noun |
die Sicherung, das Backup | backup | noun |
das Breitband | broadband | noun |
der Browser | browser | noun |
der Desktop, der Schreibtischcomputer | desktop (computer) | noun |
das Gitter, das Raster | grid, grating | noun |
die Hardware | hardware | noun |
interaktiv | interactive | adjective |
der Laser | laser | noun |
Arts and culture
12 of 19 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
ästhetisch | aesthetic | adjective |
der Hintergrund | background | noun |
die Komposition | composition | noun |
das Erbe | heritage | noun |
die Bildsprache, die Bilder | imagery, images | noun |
die Inspiration | inspiration | noun |
das Manuskript, die Handschrift | manuscript, handwriting | noun |
die Melodie | melody | noun |
die Memoiren, die Denkschrift | memoirs | noun |
die Restaurierung, die Wiederherstellung | restoration | noun |
die Skizze, der Entwurf | sketch, draft | noun |
solo | solo | adjective |
Nature and environment
12 of 15 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Asche | ash | noun |
der Rasen | lawn | noun |
marin, See- | marine | adjective |
das Nest | nest | noun |
der Pfad, der Weg | path | noun |
der Gipfel, der Höhepunkt | peak, summit | noun |
die Grube, die Kuhle | pit, hollow | noun |
die Stange, der Pol | pole | noun |
der Teich | pond | noun |
der Strahl | ray, beam | noun |
der Stiel | stem, stalk | noun |
die Gezeiten | tide | noun |
Geography
11 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Grenze | border | noun |
die Küste | coast | noun |
das Heimatland | homeland | noun |
der Horizont | horizon | noun |
das Festland | mainland | noun |
landesweit, bundesweit | nationwide | adjective |
benachbart, angrenzend | neighboring, adjacent | adjective |
die Provinz, das Bundesland | province, state | noun |
provinziell, ländlich | provincial, rural | adjective |
das Reich, das Gebiet | realm, territory | noun |
das Gelände | terrain | noun |
Feelings
12 of 48 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Akzeptanz, die Annahme | acceptance | noun |
die Zuneigung, die Zärtlichkeit | affection, tenderness | noun |
ansprechend, attraktiv, reizvoll | appealing, attractive | adjective |
applaudieren, Beifall klatschen | to applaud | verb |
das Streben, die Ambition, der Wunsch | aspiration, ambition | noun |
streben nach, anstreben | to aspire to | verb |
das Mitgefühl | compassion | noun |
das Gewissen | conscience | noun |
die Verachtung | contempt, disdain | noun |
die Neugier | curiosity | noun |
die Hingabe, das Engagement, die Widmung | devotion, dedication | noun |
die Verlegenheit, die Blamage | embarrassment | noun |
Society
12 of 35 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
die Adoption, die Annahme | adoption | noun |
der Kumpel | buddy, pal | noun |
der Begleiter | companion | noun |
die Konfrontation | confrontation | noun |
gratulieren | to congratulate | verb |
der Konsens | consensus | noun |
der Streit, die Behauptung | contention | noun |
der Mitwirkende, der Spender | contributor, donor | noun |
kooperieren, zusammenarbeiten | to cooperate | verb |
kooperativ | cooperative | adjective |
korrupt, verdorben | corrupt | adjective |
die Korruption, die Verderbnis | corruption | noun |
Politics and government
12 of 65 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
verantwortlich, rechenschaftspflichtig | accountable, responsible | adjective |
der Aktivist, die Aktivistin | activist | noun |
verwalten, leiten, verabreichen | to administer, to manage | verb |
administrativ, verwaltungstechnisch | administrative | adjective |
die Allianz, das Bündnis | alliance | noun |
zuweisen, zuteilen, bereitstellen | to allocate | verb |
der Verbündete, der Freund | ally | noun |
der Botschafter | ambassador | noun |
ernennen, berufen | to appoint | verb |
das Asyl, die Zuflucht | asylum, refuge | noun |
autorisieren, bevollmächtigen | to authorize | verb |
die Autonomie | autonomy | noun |
Law
12 of 74 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
abschaffen | to abolish | verb |
die Anklage, die Beschuldigung | accusation, charge | noun |
die Behauptung, die Anschuldigung | allegation | noun |
behaupten, vorwerfen | to allege | verb |
ändern, verbessern | to amend | verb |
die Änderung, der Zusatz | amendment | noun |
das Attentat, die Ermordung | assassination | noun |
der Angriff, angreifen | attack, assault | noun |
die Gräueltat, die Grausamkeit | atrocity | noun |
der Anwalt, der Rechtsanwalt | attorney, lawyer | noun |
die Kaution | bail | noun |
verurteilen | to condemn | verb |
Science
12 of 31 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
korrelieren, in Beziehung setzen | to correlate | verb |
die Korrelation | correlation | noun |
die Entdeckung, der Nachweis | detection, discovery | noun |
die Dimension, die Abmessung | dimension, measurement | noun |
ökologisch | ecological | adjective |
empirisch | empirical | adjective |
evolutionär | evolutionary | adjective |
experimentell | experimental | adjective |
die Flüssigkeit | liquid, fluid | noun |
die Formel | formula | noun |
die Schwerkraft, die Ernsthaftigkeit | gravity, seriousness | noun |
die Menschheit, die Menschlichkeit | humanity, humaneness | noun |
Religion
11 of 13 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Bischof | bishop | noun |
die Gemeinde | congregation, community | noun |
der Kult, die Sekte | cult, sect | noun |
der Mönch | monk | noun |
der Pastor | pastor | noun |
predigen | to preach | verb |
die Offenbarung, die Enthüllung | revelation | noun |
das Ritual | ritual | noun |
heilig | sacred, holy | adjective |
der Heilige | saint | noun |
die Sünde | sin | noun |
Abstract concepts
12 of 31 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
abwesend | absent | adjective |
die Nachwirkungen, die Folgen | aftermath | noun |
das Chaos | chaos | noun |
die Abhängigkeit | dependency | noun |
sich verschlechtern, verfallen | to deteriorate | verb |
die Doktrin, die Lehre | doctrine | noun |
die Dokumentation | documentation | noun |
die Domäne, der Bereich | domain | noun |
die Dominanz, die Vorherrschaft | dominance | noun |
die Dynamik | dynamics | noun |
die Leichtigkeit, die Bequemlichkeit | ease, comfort | noun |
die Effektivität, die Wirksamkeit | effectiveness | noun |
Verbs
12 of 143 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
platzen, bersten | to burst | verb |
schnitzen, hauen, aufschneiden | to carve, slice | verb |
aufhören, einstellen | to stop, cease | verb |
charakterisieren, kennzeichnen | to characterize | verb |
zirkulieren, in Umlauf bringen | to circulate | verb |
klammern, festhalten | to cling, hold on | verb |
beginnen | to begin | verb |
zwingen | to force | verb |
verbergen | to hide | verb |
beraten, verleihen | to advise, confer | verb |
beschränken | to restrict | verb |
konfrontieren | to confront | verb |
Adjectives
12 of 91 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
absurd | absurd | adjective |
zugänglich | accessible | adjective |
nachteilig, widrig, gegnerisch | adverse, opposing | adjective |
roh, grob, primitiv | raw, crude | adjective |
zynisch | cynical | adjective |
schädlich, zerstörerisch | harmful, destructive | adjective |
entscheidend, entschlossen | decisive, determined | adjective |
engagiert, hingebungsvoll | committed, devoted | adjective |
der Defekt, der Mangel | defect, flaw | noun |
defensiv, verteidigend | defensive | adjective |
der Mangel, die Defizienz | deficiency, lack | noun |
zart, empfindlich, delikat | delicate, sensitive | adjective |
More common words
24 of 538 words| German | English | Type |
|---|---|---|
der Nachwuchs | offspring | noun |
elterlich | parental | adjective |
die Schwangerschaft | pregnancy | noun |
beliefern, versorgen | to supply, to provide | verb |
der Schrank, das Kabinett | cabinet, closet | noun |
das Tier, die Bestie | beast, animal | noun |
der Boom, der Aufschwung | boom, upswing | noun |
der Bock, der Dollar | buck (deer), buck (dollar) | noun |
das Vieh, die Rinder | cattle, livestock | noun |
chronisch | chronic | adjective |
zusammenfallen, übereinstimmen | to coincide, to match | verb |
die Schleife, die Schlaufe | loop | noun |
gelegentlich | occasional | adjective |
das Raubtier, der Prädator | predator | noun |
die Beute | prey | noun |
die Rebellion, der Aufstand | rebellion, uprising | noun |
selten | rarely | adverb |
das Auto | car | noun |
die Charta, die Satzung, die Charter | charter, statute | noun |
die Flotte | fleet | noun |
der Ausflug | excursion, trip | noun |
der Transit, die Durchreise | transit | noun |
bluten | to bleed | verb |
die Zirkulation, der Umlauf | circulation | noun |
The full list is in the app
All 1,301 words of level C1, in topic packs with picture cards. The vocabulary cards are part of the C1 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 C1 mock exams follow the telc, Goethe and ÖSD formats, with real timing, locked section order and real scoring.
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Frequently asked questions
›Is this the official telc or Goethe C1 word list?
No. The words here come from the Level Exams word bank, compiled for level C1 and sorted by topic as a study list; it is not a copy of any exam provider's list. There is no guarantee that every word will appear in the exam.
›How many words do I need for C1?
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 C1 bank has 1,301 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 1,301 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 C1 Lesson Package.