German B2 — Upper-Intermediate Vocabulary
Less common, more abstract vocabulary for news, essays and complex topics. · 2,844 words.
2,844 B2 words
| German word | English meaning |
|---|---|
| rough | rauh |
| die Rübe | turnip |
| die Rubrik | section / column / rubric |
| die Rückgangsrate | decline rate |
| die Rückmeldung | feedback |
| die Rücksprache | consultation |
| die Rückstellung | provision/reserve |
| der Rückstoß | recoil / kick |
| der Ruhestand | retirement |
| die Ruine | ruin |
| der Rundfunk | broadcasting / radio |
| der Rundfunksender | radio transmitter |
| der Rundumblick | 360 degree view / all around view |
| rüsten | to equip / arm / scaffold |
| die Rüstung | armor / arms / suit of armor |
| sabbern | to drool / slobber / salivate |
| die Sachlage | situation / state of affairs / circumstances |
| der Sachverständige | expert / expert witness |
| sagenhaft | fabled / legendary |
| die Sahnesoße | a cream sauce |
| das Sakrament | sacrament |
| der Saltzstreuer | a salt shaker |
| salutieren | to salute |
| das Salzfässchen | salt dish |
| der Samstag/Sonnabend | Saturday |
| der Samt / Sammet | velvet |
| samtweich | velvety soft |
| das Sandkorn | grain of sand |
| die Sanierung | refurbishment / redevelopment |
| die Sanktion | sanction / penalty |
| der Sarkasmus | sarcasm |
| Satz, -ä, e | sentence |
| der Säufer | a drunkard / drinker |
| der Säuger / Säugertier | mammal |
| saugfähig | absorbent |
| der Saugnapf | suction cup / sucker |
| die Säule | column / pillar |
| der Säulengang | colonnade |
| säumen | to line / hem / border |
| der Schabernack | a practical joke |
| der Schadensersatz | damages/indemnification |
| der Schadstoff | pollutant |
| die Schadstoffbelastung | pollutant load/contamination |
| die Schale | shell / cup / bowl |
| der Schall | sound Think physics |
| die Schallmauer | sound barrier |
| die Schallplatte | record / disk |
| der Schalthebel | a gear shift / level |
| die Schaltung | a circuit / switching / gear change |
| die Schaltzentrale | control center |
| die Scham | shame / embarrassment |
| die Schande | disgrace / shame / dishonor |
| schändlich | disgraceful |
| scharlachrot | scarlet |
| das Scharnier | hinge |
| die Schattierung | shade / tint / hue |
| die Schaufel | shovel / scoop |
| der Schaufensterbummel | window-shopping |
| die Schaukel | a swing |
| die Schaulustige | onlookers |
| schäumend | foaming / frothy |
| das Schauspiel | drama / play / spectacle |
| die Scheide | sheath / scabbard / vagina |
| scheiden | to divorce / separate / part |
| der Scheinwerfer | spotlight / headlight |
| der Scherz | joke / jest / kidding |
| der Scherzbold / Witzbold | a prankster |
| scherzhaft | joking / jesting / playful |
| die Schicht | layer / film / coating / sheet |
| der Schicksalsschlag | a stroke of fate / misfortune / calamity |
| der Schiefer | slate / shale |
| das Schießpulver | gunpowder |
| das Schild, -er | sign |
| die Schindel | a shingle |
| der Schinken, – | ham |
| die Schippe | shovel / spade |
| die Schlacht | battle |
| der Schlachtruf | a warcry |
| schlaff | limp / slack |
| der Schlagabtausch | slug-fest / fight |
| die Schlagader | artery |
| der Schlaganfall | stroke / apoplexy |
| schlagartig | suddenly / abruptly |
| schlagfertig | quick-witted |
| das Schlagwort | catchphrase / slogan |
| die Schlagzeile | headline |
| das Schlamassel | a mess / quagmire / mixup |
| die Schlangengrube | a snake pit |
| die Schlaufe | a loop |
| schleichend | creeping / prowling / insidious |
| schleudern | to sling / hurl / fling |
| schleusen | to funnel (smuggle) |
| das Schließfach | a locker / safe-deposit box |
| der Schlingel | rascal / rogue / wretch |
| das Schlitzohr | a sly fox |
| schlottern | to hang loosely / be baggy |
| der Schluckauf | hiccups |
| das Schlupfloch | a loophole |
| der Schlupfwinkel | a hiding place / quiet corner / hideout |
| die Schlussfolgerung | inference / conclusion |
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Frequently asked questions
How many words are in the German B2 vocabulary list?
2,844 words, each with its English translation, the article (der/die/das) and an example sentence.
Is the German B2 word list free to download?
Yes — download the whole list free as a CSV spreadsheet or an Anki flashcard deck for spaced repetition.
What topics does German B2 vocabulary cover?
Society & Abstract, Work & Education, Feelings & Character, Communication & Media, Everyday Actions, Nature & Weather, Body & Health, Money & Shopping and more — browse them above, or open a topic for its own list.
Learn B2 by watching real German videos
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