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Goethe-Zertifikat A1 vocabulary: German for your first exam

CEFR A1

Start Deutsch 1 is the A1 exam many people take before moving to Germany, for example to join a spouse. Here is the vocabulary it expects and where to start.

The Goethe-Zertifikat A1: Start Deutsch 1 is the beginner exam of the Goethe-Institut, taken at Goethe-Instituts and partner centres around the world. It shows you can use very simple everyday German: introduce yourself, ask and answer basic questions and fill in short forms.

A1 German is often required for a family reunification visa, for example when a spouse joins a partner living in Germany. The exam tests a small, practical vocabulary — numbers, times, family, shopping, home and appointments — so learning the right few hundred words matters more than grammar tables.

How the exam works

Listening (Hören)
About 20 minutes. Short announcements, phone messages and everyday conversations, each with simple questions.
Reading (Lesen)
About 25 minutes. Short notes, signs, adverts and emails; you pick the right answer or information.
Writing (Schreiben)
About 20 minutes. Fill in a form with personal details and write a short message, for example to a friend or a hotel.
Speaking (Sprechen)
About 15 minutes in a small group: introduce yourself, ask and answer questions with word cards and make simple requests.

Topics that come up most

  • Introducing yourself and family
  • Numbers, dates and times
  • Shopping and prices
  • Home and living
  • Food and drink
  • Appointments and everyday requests

Free word lists for this exam

Study these lists in order. Each has 25 words with meanings, example sentences and a short practice.

  1. 1Basic German wordsA1 · 25 words
  2. 2Common German phrasesA1 · 25 words
  3. 3German numbers, dates and timeA1 · 25 words
  4. 4German words for family and peopleA1–A2 · 25 words
  5. 5Common German verbsA1–A2 · 25 words
  6. 6German words for everyday lifeA1–A2 · 25 words
  7. 7German phrases for travelA1–A2 · 25 words

A four-week vocabulary plan

  1. Week 1

    Learn the basic words list with their articles — der, die, das — at 8 new words a day.

  2. Week 2

    Add the common verbs and practise introducing yourself aloud: Ich heiße…, Ich wohne in…, Ich arbeite als….

  3. Week 3

    Study everyday life and travel words; write a short message to cancel or move an appointment.

  4. Week 4

    Review everything due and practise asking and answering simple questions about numbers, times and prices.

Not sure where to start?

Take the free vocabulary level test. In about five minutes you get an estimated CEFR level and the lists to study next.

Take the vocabulary testPrintable flashcards

Questions about this exam

How many words do I need for Goethe A1?

There is no official number, but A1 usually means a few hundred everyday words. Focus on the topics above and learn each noun together with its article.

Do I need Goethe A1 for a spouse visa?

Basic German at A1 is often required for spouse reunification in Germany, and Goethe A1 is one accepted certificate. Rules and exceptions change, so check with the German embassy or consulate before you book.

Can WordNest prepare me for Goethe A1?

WordNest helps with the vocabulary: you learn and review words with spaced repetition. It is not a full exam course, and WordNest is not affiliated with the Goethe-Institut.

Official exam website ↗

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