You’ve moved past the polite basics-ordering coffee, introducing yourself, asking for directions. Now you’re hungry for real conversation. B1 is the level where you stop sounding like a walking phrasebook and start sharing stories, opinions, and the occasional complaint about the weather. This CEFR-aligned DELE B1 vocabulary list is built for exactly that messy, wonderful in-between stage.
We’ve gathered around 1,000 practical Spanish words you’ll meet both on the DELE exam and in daily life-the ones you need to describe a weekend trip, explain why a film left you cold, or navigate a chat with new friends. Each entry gives you a straightforward meaning and a natural example sentence, so you see the word in action instead of just a translation. You’ll also find audio playback built right into the table, because your ears deserve practice too.
When you’re ready to study without a screen, just use the free PDF download button below the table. It’s a clean reference you can scribble on, highlight, or tuck into your bag for those in-between moments. No fluff, no dusty textbook relics-just the vocabulary that helps you connect in Spanish.
Want more than one list? Browse our Spanish section for more Yak Yacker study pages, printable lists, and quiz-friendly review material.
Quick Quiz
Think you’ve already nailed a few of these words? The quiz below will give you a gentle nudge toward the ones that still need a little attention.
Browse the Full List
| Word | Type | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cortés | Adjective | polite | El recepcionista fue cortés. | |
| cosa | Noun | thing | ¿Qué es esa cosa? | |
| coser | Verb | to sew | Mi abuela sabe coser muy bien. | |
| costa | Noun | coast | Pasamos las vacaciones en la costa. | |
| costumbre | Noun | custom/habit | Es una costumbre de mi país. | |
| crema | Noun | cream | Me pongo crema en las manos. | |
| criar | Verb | to raise | Ellos van a criar gallinas. | |
| crimen | Noun | crime | El detective investiga el crimen. | |
| crudo | Adjective | raw | El pescado está crudo. | |
| cruel | Adjective | cruel | Fue una broma cruel. | |
| cuento | Noun | story/tale | Cuéntame un cuento antes de dormir. | |
| cuidar | Verb | to take care of | Tienes que cuidar a tu hermano. | |
| culpa | Noun | fault/blame | No es mi culpa. | |
| cultivar | Verb | to cultivate/grow | Vamos a cultivar tomates. | |
| curar | Verb | to cure/heal | El médico te va a curar. | |
| curioso | Adjective | curious | El gato es muy curioso. | |
| currículum | Noun | resume/CV | Envié mi currículum a la empresa. | |
| curva | Noun | curve | La carretera tiene mucha curva. | |
| daño | Noun | damage/harm | No quiero hacerte daño. | |
| dato | Noun | data/fact | Es un dato muy importante. | |
| decidir | Verb | to decide | Tienes que decidir qué quieres hacer. | |
| décimo | Other | tenth | Vivo en el décimo piso. | |
| decisión | Noun | decision | Es una decisión difícil. | |
| declarar | Verb | to declare | El testigo va a declarar. | |
| defecto | Noun | defect/flaw | Nadie es perfecto, todos tenemos algún defecto. |
