German B1 Vocabulary List

1811 words, organized by textbook chapter/topic. Level: B1. Source alignment: Netzwerk neu B1 course glossary.

B1 is where the Goethe-Institut calls you an 'independent user' - someone who can handle most everyday situations without help. Getting there takes roughly 2,000 to 3,000 active words; this page covers 1,811 of them across 12 chapters, matching the Netzwerk neu B1 course book.

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Active vs. Passive Vocabulary at B1

The 1,811 words here are words you can produce - use in your own sentences, not just recognize. Passive vocabulary, words you understand but wouldn't necessarily use yourself, runs two to three times higher. A B1 speaker who actively uses 1,800 words might recognize closer to 4,000.

What Sets B1 Apart from A2?

A2 level handles predictable situations with familiar people. B1 adds opinions, plans, and the news - topics where you can't just recite memorized phrases, because you don't know what the other person will say next.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many German words are in the B1 vocabulary list?+

1,811 words, covering 1,059 nouns, 376 verbs, 312 adjectives, and 26 phrases, organized into the 12 Netzwerk neu B1 chapters.

How many active words does the Goethe-Institut expect at B1?+

Roughly 2,000 to 3,000 active words - vocabulary you can produce yourself, not just recognize. That's what makes B1 the 'independent user' level.

What's the difference between active and passive vocabulary?+

Active vocabulary is what you can use in your own sentences. Passive vocabulary, words you recognize but might not produce, typically runs two to three times larger.

Can I study just nouns, just verbs, or just one word type from the B1 list?+

Yes - use the filter pills above the table to show only that word type, or search for a specific word.