This Goethe A1 German vocabulary list is for learners who want a cleaner way to review the words that actually matter at beginner level. It focuses on practical everyday German you can use for introductions, transport, food, daily routines, simple questions, and first conversations.
Each row gives you the German headword, a plain-English meaning, and a short example sentence so you can study the word in context instead of memorising it in isolation. Because this list also has audio, you can listen, repeat, and then use the free PDF button under the table when you want an offline study copy.
As a CEFR-aligned A1 list, this is not about sounding advanced. It is about building the core vocabulary that helps you understand beginner lessons, fill out simple forms, and say useful things clearly and confidently.
When you finish this list, keep going in the Yak Yacker German section for more beginner-friendly vocabulary, phrases, and grammar reference pages.
Making the Most of Goethe A1 Vocabulary
A CEFR-aligned A1 list should give you the words that carry everyday beginner German, not a pile of impressive extras you are unlikely to use soon. That means greetings, numbers, family, food, transport, daily routines, basic verbs, question words, and the kind of vocabulary that shows up in first conversations, simple forms, and beginner exams.
The most useful way to study a list like this is not as random flashcards, but as building material for short real sentences. When you learn a word like arbeiten, heute, or Bahnhof, connect it to a plain example you can actually picture or reuse. That helps you move from passive recognition into active use much faster.
This table works best when you use the meaning, example sentence, and audio together. Listen, repeat, and then try writing or saying a few simple sentences of your own. That turns the list into something practical, and it gets you closer to the kind of German you need for real A1 situations rather than just list-memorizing.
Goethe A1 German Vocabulary Quiz
Try the quiz first if you want a quick confidence check, or use it after the list as a simple review round.
Goethe A1 German Vocabulary List
| Word | Type | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Kredit)-Karte, -n | Other | (credit) card | Kann ich auch mit Karte (be-) zahlen? | |
| (sich) anziehen | Other | to get dressed | Ich muss mich noch anziehen. | |
| (sich) duschen | Other | to shower | Ich bade nicht so gern, ich dusche lieber. | |
| (sich) freuen | Other | to look forward | Ich freue mich auf den Urlaub. | |
| (sich) treffen | Other | to meet | Ich treffe in der Stadt einen Kollegen. | |
| (sich) vorstellen | Other | to introduce | Wir wollen uns kennenlernen. Können Sie sich bitte vorstellen? | |
| (sich) waschen | Other | to wash | Wo kann ich mir die Hände waschen? | |
| abfliegen | Other | to depart (by air) | Wann fliegst du ab? | |
| an sein | Other | to be (switched) on | Heute Nacht war das Licht an. | |
| antworten | Other | to answer | Er antwortet nicht. | |
| arbeiten | Other | to work | Wo arbeiten Sie? | |
| arbeitslos | Other | unemployed | Es gibt bei uns viele Leute, die schon lange arbeitslos sind. | |
| auch | Other | also | Ich bin auch Spanier. | |
| auf | Other | on | Die Kinder spielen auf der Straße. | |
| auf sein | Other | to be open | Du brauchst den Schlüssel nicht. Die Wohnung ist auf. | |
| aufhören | Other | to end | Der Kurs hört in einer Woche auf. | |
| aufstehen | Other | to get up | Ich muss immer um vier Uhr aufstehen. | |
| aus | Other | from | Er kommt aus Brasilien. | |
| aus sein | Other | to be (switched) off | Das Licht ist aus. | |
| ausfüllen | Other | to fill out | Füllen Sie bitte dieses Formular aus. | |
| ausländisch | Other | foreign | Leider habe ich nur ausländisches Geld. | |
| ausmachen | Other | to switch off | Mach bitte das Licht aus! | |
| aussehen | Other | to look | Das sieht schön aus. | |
| aussteigen | Other | to alight | Wo muss ich aussteigen? | |
| ausziehen | Other | to take off | Zieh die Schuhe aus, bitte! |
