German A1 A2 Vocabulary List -
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Author: Language Acquisition Research Team Date: April 2026 Target Audience: German learners (beginners to elementary), teachers, and exam preparers (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD) Abstract This paper provides a complete overview of the vocabulary required for German proficiency levels A1 and A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It details the number of words needed, thematic areas, part-of-speech distribution, and a practical, categorized word list with example contexts. The paper also highlights differences between active and passive vocabulary at each sublevel and offers learning strategies for efficient acquisition. 1. Introduction The CEFR levels A1 (Breakthrough) and A2 (Waystage) represent the first two stages of basic language use. A1 learners can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences. A2 learners can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g., personal and family information, shopping, local geography).
| Category | Examples | |----------|----------| | Verbs (A1) | sein, haben, werden, können, müssen, wollen, machen, gehen, kommen, sehen, essen, trinken, schlafen, fahren, lesen, schreiben, sprechen, verstehen, heißen, wohnen, arbeiten, lernen, kaufen, zahlen, öffnen, schließen | | Verbs (A2) | anrufen, aufräumen, erklären, feiern, fotografieren, heiraten, klingeln, putzen, regnen, schneien, umziehen, vorbereiten, wehtun, zuhören | | Nouns (A1) | der Tisch, die Lampe, das Bett, der Stuhl, der Schrank, die Tür, das Fenster, der Boden, die Wand, das Bild, der Apfel, die Banane, das Brot, der Käse, das Ei, das Wasser, der Kaffee, der Tee, der Saft, der Vater, die Mutter, das Kind, der Bruder, die Schwester, der Freund, die Schule, der Lehrer, der Bus, das Auto, der Zug | | Adjectives | gut, schlecht, groß, klein, teuer, billig, neu, alt, jung, schön, lang, kurz, warm, kalt, dunkel, hell, laut, leise, schnell, langsam, sauber, schmutzig, voll, leer, hungrig, durstig | Note: For a fully exhaustive A1–A2 list (1,500+ entries), refer to the official Goethe-Institut “Wortliste A1–A2” (PDF) or the “Grundwortschatz Deutsch” by Klett Verlag. The above provides the complete theoretical framework and a substantial practical subset.
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Author: Language Acquisition Research Team Date: April 2026 Target Audience: German learners (beginners to elementary), teachers, and exam preparers (Goethe, TELC, ÖSD) Abstract This paper provides a complete overview of the vocabulary required for German proficiency levels A1 and A2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It details the number of words needed, thematic areas, part-of-speech distribution, and a practical, categorized word list with example contexts. The paper also highlights differences between active and passive vocabulary at each sublevel and offers learning strategies for efficient acquisition. 1. Introduction The CEFR levels A1 (Breakthrough) and A2 (Waystage) represent the first two stages of basic language use. A1 learners can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences. A2 learners can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g., personal and family information, shopping, local geography).
| Category | Examples | |----------|----------| | Verbs (A1) | sein, haben, werden, können, müssen, wollen, machen, gehen, kommen, sehen, essen, trinken, schlafen, fahren, lesen, schreiben, sprechen, verstehen, heißen, wohnen, arbeiten, lernen, kaufen, zahlen, öffnen, schließen | | Verbs (A2) | anrufen, aufräumen, erklären, feiern, fotografieren, heiraten, klingeln, putzen, regnen, schneien, umziehen, vorbereiten, wehtun, zuhören | | Nouns (A1) | der Tisch, die Lampe, das Bett, der Stuhl, der Schrank, die Tür, das Fenster, der Boden, die Wand, das Bild, der Apfel, die Banane, das Brot, der Käse, das Ei, das Wasser, der Kaffee, der Tee, der Saft, der Vater, die Mutter, das Kind, der Bruder, die Schwester, der Freund, die Schule, der Lehrer, der Bus, das Auto, der Zug | | Adjectives | gut, schlecht, groß, klein, teuer, billig, neu, alt, jung, schön, lang, kurz, warm, kalt, dunkel, hell, laut, leise, schnell, langsam, sauber, schmutzig, voll, leer, hungrig, durstig | Note: For a fully exhaustive A1–A2 list (1,500+ entries), refer to the official Goethe-Institut “Wortliste A1–A2” (PDF) or the “Grundwortschatz Deutsch” by Klett Verlag. The above provides the complete theoretical framework and a substantial practical subset. german a1 a2 vocabulary list
