417 German words of level B2
Below is a complete, categorized list of German vocabulary at the B2 level. Learn common verbs, nouns, and adjectives with transcription, articles, and English translations.
What is B2? Upper-Intermediate
B2 means confident, independent use. You interact with native speakers fairly fluently and understand the main ideas of complex texts.
What you can do at B2
- ✓Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers
- ✓Understand the main ideas of complex text on concrete and abstract topics
- ✓Produce clear, detailed text and explain a viewpoint on an issue
- ✓Follow complex lines of argument in spoken language and lectures
- ✓Understand news programs, current affairs, and most films in standard dialect
Adjectives
Nouns
/bɛʁʊf/
profession / job
/ʁaɪzə/
journey / travel
art / culture
dress
/ɡəˈʃɛft/
business / shop
/vaɪnˈʃaft/
science
/ʃtaːt/
state / country
hello
thanks
work
salary
career
resume
application
resignation
employer
employee
internship
job offer
overtime
vacation
pension
promotion
department
project / venture
task
meeting
training
specialist
wage
business trip
workshop
shift
interview
unemployment
qualification
training
craft
flight
passport
visa
accommodation
booking
excursion
sight
hike
timetable
luggage
return flight
city tour
arrival
departure
customs
map
travel agency
cruise
campsite
rental car
souvenirs / keepsakes
ferry
boarding pass
currency
hostel
adventure
tourism
homeland
wanderlust
delay
takeoff
layover
purchase
cash register
discount
receipt
offer
market
coin
banknote / bill
credit
debts
savings account
transfer
taxes
income
expenses
exchange rate
cash
wallet
special offer
shopping cart
exchange
warranty
delivery
order
seller
shopping mall
shop window
tip
VAT
balance
investment
budget / finances
painting
sculpture
exhibition
tradition / custom
custom
holiday
monument
architecture
literature
philosophy
religion / faith
opera
ballet
gallery
poet
artist
composer
folk song
fairy tale
heritage
rebirth or revival
ceremony
costume / suit (women's)
festival / feast
myth
legend
manners
identity
dialect / local speech
high culture
painting art
sculpture art
poetry
cultural heritage
coat
skirt
boot
hat
scarf
glove
belt
sock
sweater
suit
blouse
underwear
tie
swimsuit
jeans / denim pants
shorts
T-shirt / tee
sneakers
sandals
raincoat
hood
sleeve
zipper
button
fabric
cotton
silk
leather
wool
fashion
size
fitting
storm
thunderstorm
fog
frost / freezing cold
heat
degree
lightning
thunder
hail
rainbow
sunshine
cloudiness
precipitation
drought
flood
wind force
forecast
season
freezing rain
snowflake
shower
gust
heat wave
cold wave
humidity
dew
hoarfrost
enterprise
profit
loss
revenue
stock
stock exchange
marketing / advertising
competition
strategy
accounting
balance sheet
founder
investor / backer
partnership
market share
supply chain
negotiation
customer service
startup
merger
bankruptcy
monopoly
franchise (business)
dividend
capital
interest
mortgage
outsourcing
logistics
wholesale
retail
e-commerce / online trade
industry
return
CEO
research
experiment / trial
laboratory
hypothesis
theory
discovery
invention
physics
chemistry
biology
mathematics
atom
molecule
cell
gene (genetics)
evolution
gravity
electricity
magnetism
telescope
microscope
study
analysis
method
statistics
climate change
vaccine
bacteria
virus
radiation
periodic table
gravity
court
judge
lawyer
defendant
verdict
penalty
prison
constitution
parliament
government
election
democracy
citizenship
crime
police
justice
lawsuit
defense
appeal
basic right
deputy
minister (government)
president
chancellor
embassy
diplomacy
political party
opposition (political)
vote
human rights
criminal law
civil law
regulation
surprise
disgust
jealousy
pride
shame
guilt
happiness
disappointment
satisfaction
boredom
enthusiasm
longing
compassion
loneliness
gratitude
nervousness
calmness
despair
relief
curiosity
admiration
hatred
affection
remorse
excitement
empathy
frustration
astonishment
nostalgia
awe
security/warmth
tenderness
concert
cinema / movie theater
dance
comedy
drama
thriller
documentary
song
guitar
piano
drums
director
actor
stage
audience
television
video game
circus
amusement park
hobby / pastime
photography
drawing
painting
board game
karaoke
comedy show
musical (theater)
screenplay
premiere
bestseller / hit book
singer
dude
buddy / pal / miner
nonsense
bargain
desire/mood
money (slang)
mouth (rude)
bad luck / misfortune / pitch
crap
madness
guy
girl (slang)
mood
quirk/flaw
sweetie
bro
bro
hit/banger
person who loses
basic law / constitution
federal republic
parliamentary election
separation of powers
freedom of speech
freedom of religion
equal rights
federal chancellor
federal president
federal parliament
state parliament election
first vote (for candidate)
second vote (for party)
democracy
rule of law
opposition
coalition
duties
compulsory school attendance
social security
How to learn B2 vocabulary
- 1.Focus on nuance: synonyms, register and connotation.
- 2.Consume native content (news, podcasts, shows) without simplification.
- 3.Actively use new vocabulary in writing and speaking, not just recognition.
- 4.Engage in longer discussions and force yourself to explain abstract ideas in detail.
Frequently asked questions
How many words at B2?+
Around 4,000 words give you the range needed for confident B2 communication.
Is B2 enough for university?+
Yes — B2 is the common entry requirement for study and skilled work in many countries.
How long from B1 to B2?+
Typically several hundred hours of study plus regular real-language exposure.
What is the key difference between B1 and B2?+
B1 is about expressing personal views on familiar topics; B2 is about discussing complex issues and understanding abstract discussions.