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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| defender | Verb | to defend | Tienes que defender tus ideas. | |
| delicado | Adjective | delicate | Este cristal es muy delicado. | |
| demostrar | Verb | to show/demonstrate | Quiero demostrar mi habilidad. | |
| depender | Verb | to depend | Todo va a depender del clima. | |
| dependiente | Noun | shop assistant | El dependiente me ayudó a buscar mi talla. | |
| deportivo | Adjective | sports | Tengo un coche deportivo. | |
| derecho | Adjective | straight/right | Sigue todo derecho. | |
| derivar | Verb | to derive | Esta palabra se va a derivar del latín. | |
| derrota | Noun | defeat | Fue una dura derrota para nosotros. | |
| desarrollar | Verb | to develop | Vamos a desarrollar un nuevo producto. | |
| desarrollo | Noun | development | El desarrollo del país es rápido. | |
| descanso | Noun | break | Hacemos un descanso a las doce. | |
| descargar | Verb | to download | Voy a descargar este archivo. | |
| descuento | Noun | discount | Me hicieron un descuento del diez por ciento. | |
| desear | Verb | to wish/desire | Te vuelvo a desear buena suerte. | |
| deseo | Noun | wish/desire | Mi mayor deseo es viajar. | |
| desgracia | Noun | misfortune | Fue una gran desgracia. | |
| despacio | Verb | slowly | Por favor, habla más despacio. | |
| despedir | Verb | to say goodbye/fire | Fueron a despedir a su amigo al tren. | |
| destino | Noun | destination/destiny | Nuestro destino es París. | |
| destruir | Verb | to destroy | La tormenta puede destruir la casa. | |
| detalle | Noun | detail | Es un detalle muy bonito. | |
| detener | Verb | to stop/arrest | La policía va a detener al ladrón. | |
| deuda | Noun | debt | Tengo una deuda con el banco. | |
| devolver | Verb | to return | Voy a devolver estos zapatos. |
