TELC B1 Vocabulary: The 80 Most Tested Words and Phrases

You don't need to know every German word to pass the TELC B1 exam. You need the right words in the right contexts. After looking closely at the patterns across TELC B1 exams, these are the categories and specific items that come up most consistently.

Category 1: Connectors and Sentence Linkers (Sprachbausteine)

These appear directly in the Sprachbausteine section and also strengthen writing coherence. Learn all of them — none of them are obscure.

Contrast:

• obwohl — although (+ verb at end)
• trotzdem — nevertheless
• jedoch — however
• allerdings — admittedly / however
• dennoch — nonetheless

Cause and effect:

• deshalb / deswegen — therefore
• weil — because (+ verb at end)
• da — since/because (+ verb at end)
• denn — because (no word order change)
• sodass — so that

Addition:

• außerdem — furthermore / besides
• zudem — in addition
• darüber hinaus — moreover
• sowie — as well as

Sequence:

• zunächst — first of all
• danach / anschließend — afterwards
• schließlich / abschließend — finally
• zuerst — first

Condition:

• falls / wenn — if
• sofern — provided that

Category 2: Preposition-Verb Combinations

These are specifically tested in Sprachbausteine Teil 1 and Teil 2. The exam gives you a sentence with a gap and you must choose the correct preposition — not the correct verb. Learn the whole combination, not just the verb.

Category 3: Opinion and Position Phrases

These appear in the reading section (identifying the author's opinion) and are essential for the writing section. Have at least 2–3 of these ready to deploy without thinking.

Expressing agreement:

• Ich bin der Meinung, dass... — I am of the opinion that...
• Ich stimme zu, dass... — I agree that...
• Das stimmt, weil... — That's true, because...

Expressing disagreement:

• Ich bin nicht damit einverstanden, dass... — I don't agree that...
• Das sehe ich anders. — I see that differently.
• Ich halte das für problematisch, weil... — I consider that problematic because...

Hedging (showing uncertainty):

• Meiner Meinung nach... — In my opinion...
• Es scheint, dass... — It seems that...
• Möglicherweise / vielleicht — possibly / perhaps

Category 4: Formal Letter Phrases

Every TELC B1 writing task requires formal or semi-formal register. Memorise these fixed phrases — they cost zero thinking time in the exam, and using them correctly immediately signals to the examiner that you know what you're doing.

Opening:

• Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, — formal (unknown recipient)
• Sehr geehrte Frau [Name], — formal (known female)
• Liebe [Name], — semi-formal (known person, friendlier)

Reason for writing:

• Ich schreibe Ihnen bezüglich... — I am writing to you regarding...
• Ich möchte mich bei Ihnen erkundigen, ob... — I would like to enquire whether...
• Mit diesem Brief möchte ich Sie darüber informieren, dass... — With this letter I would like to inform you that...

Making requests:

• Ich würde mich freuen, wenn Sie mir mitteilen könnten, ob... — I would be pleased if you could let me know whether...
• Wären Sie so freundlich,...? — Would you be so kind as to...?
• Ich bitte Sie, mir...zu schicken. — I ask you to send me...

Closing:

• Mit freundlichen Grüßen — formal closing (Yours sincerely)
• Viele Grüße — semi-formal closing (Kind regards)
• Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort. — I look forward to your reply.

Category 5: Topic Vocabulary — Themes That Recur

These topics appear regularly in TELC B1 reading and listening texts. You don't need deep knowledge of any of them — just enough to follow a text about them without getting lost.

Work and career: die Bewerbung (application), der Lebenslauf (CV), die Stelle (position), die Ausbildung (vocational training), die Weiterbildung (further training), kündigen (to resign/dismiss)

Housing: die Miete (rent), der Vermieter (landlord), die Nebenkosten (additional costs), die Kündigung (notice/termination), umziehen (to move house)

Health: der Termin (appointment), die Krankenkasse (health insurance), sich erholen (to recover), die Untersuchung (examination/check-up)

Travel and transport: die Verbindung (connection), der Fahrplan (timetable), der Aufenthalt (stay/stopover), umsteigen (to change trains/buses)

Environment: die Umwelt (environment), der Klimawandel (climate change), recyceln (to recycle), nachhaltig (sustainable)

How to Learn These Efficiently

Don't try to memorise all 80 items in one session. That doesn't work. Use this order instead:

1. Connectors first (Category 1) — these appear in every section, so they give you the highest return per hour
2. Preposition-verb combinations (Category 2) — 2–3 per day over 2 weeks, not all at once
3. Letter phrases (Category 4) — learn the 6 core phrases by heart in week 1 of writing preparation, before you write your first practice letter

Use each item in a sentence you write yourself — this is at least 3x more effective than just reading a list.

Practise applying this vocabulary in a real mock exam →