German vocabulary by theme
CEFR lists cover what's on the exam. Theme lists cover what you'll actually say. Seven life contexts — from family conversations to navigating German bureaucracy.
Each theme is grouped by sub-category, gender color-coded for nouns, and enriched with flashcard images where available. Browse, bookmark, then practice in the courses.
Family
German vocabulary for family relationships, extended relatives, and life events.
Food & Dining
German vocabulary for groceries, restaurants, cooking, and dietary preferences.
Travel
Essential German for transport, accommodation, directions, and navigating Germany as a visitor.
Health & Medical
German vocabulary for doctor visits, symptoms, pharmacy, and navigating the German healthcare system.
Work & Office
German workplace vocabulary for job titles, office communication, employment terms, and professional life.
Housing & Apartments
Essential German for flat-hunting, rental contracts, furniture, appliances, and moving-day admin.
Bureaucracy
Navigate German bureaucracy with confidence: government offices, residence permits, taxes, citizenship, and expat essentials.
Frequently asked questions
CEFR lists tell you what's on the exam. Theme lists tell you what you'll actually say. Learning family vocab before your first conversation with a German partner's parents is more useful than a random A1 list. Use both — themes for situational prep, CEFR lists for systematic coverage.
Start with whichever theme matches your immediate situation. Moving to Germany? Housing and bureaucracy. Dating someone German? Family. Visiting for the first time? Travel. If nothing is urgent, Family is the most universal starting point — you'll use it in almost every social context.
Family, Food, and Travel themes are A1/A2-friendly — you can start them as a complete beginner. Health, Work, and Housing themes lean A2, though you can browse earlier. The Bureaucracy theme assumes B1 comfort with German sentence structure, though the vocabulary itself is essential at any level for expats.
They cover the vocabulary you'll encounter most in everyday expat situations. They won't replace a structured course — grammar, sentence patterns, and listening practice are all still needed. But for 'I need to survive at the doctor / at IKEA / at the Bürgeramt', these themes are exactly the right place to start.