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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| das Öl | Noun | oil | Den Salat machen wir ohne Öl. | |
| das Papier | Noun | paper | Hier sind Papier und Bleistift. | |
| das Praktikum | Noun | internship | Ich mache ein Praktikum bei Siemens. | |
| das Problem, -e | Noun | problem | Mein Problem ist die Sprache. | |
| das Reisebüro, -s | Noun | travel agency | Mein Mann arbeitet im Reisebüro. | |
| das Restaurant, -s | Noun | restaurant | Wir essen heute in einem Restaurant. | |
| das Salz | Noun | salt | Entschuldigung, kann ich bitte das Salz haben? | |
| das Schild, -er | Noun | sign | Haben Sie nicht das Schild gesehen? | |
| das Schwimmbad | Noun | swimming pool | Kommst du mit ins Schwimmbad? | |
| das Sofa | Noun | sofa | Das Sofa ist neu. | |
| das Studium | Noun | degree course | Das Studium beginnt im Oktober. | |
| das Taxi, -s | Noun | taxi | Es gibt heute keinen Bus mehr. Er fährt mit dem Taxi. | |
| das Telefon | Noun | telephone | Haben Sie ein Telefon? | |
| das Thema | Noun | topic | Wir sprechen heute über das Thema „Essen und Trinken“. | |
| das Ticket, -s | Noun | ticket | Wie viel kostet das Ticket? | |
| das Wasser | Noun | water | Ein Glas Wasser, bitte. | |
| das Wetter | Noun | weather | Wir hatten schlechtes Wetter. | |
| das Wiederhören | Noun | … | Auf Wiederhören! | |
| das Wiedersehen | Noun | … | Auf Wiedersehen! | |
| das Wort, -ö, er/-e | Noun | word | Ich kenne das Wort nicht. | |
| das Wörterbuch, -ü, er | Noun | dictionary | In diesem Wörterbuch finden Sie mehr als 20.000 Wörter. | |
| das Zimmer, – | Noun | room | Das Zimmer ist groß. | |
| dauern | Other | to take (duration) | Wie lange dauert der Film? | |
| dein- | Other | your | Ist das dein Auto? | |
| denn | Other | because | Ich kann nicht kommen, denn ich bin krank. |
