Key Vocabulary for DELE B1 — Essential List with Examples

Updated in June 2026 · 12 min read

How much vocabulary do you need for DELE B1?

The B1 level of the CEFR requires an active vocabulary of approximately 3,000-4,000 words. This does not mean you have to memorize an endless list: many of these words you already know if you have been studying Spanish for a while. The key is to master the thematic vocabulary that frequently appears in the exam.

Below you will find vocabulary organized by the most common themes of DELE B1, with example sentences that will help you remember the context of use.

Travel and Transportation

This topic constantly appears in reading and listening comprehension tests.

• accommodation — "I booked the accommodation three months in advance."
• carry-on luggage — "You can only take one carry-on luggage on budget flights."
• layover — "The flight has a layover in Lisbon before arriving in Madrid."
• high/low season — "Prices drop a lot in low season."
• to claim — "I had to claim because the hotel did not match the photos."
• to cancel / to postpone — "They canceled the flight due to the storm and postponed it to the next day."
• destination — "Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations in Europe."
• round trip ticket — "A round trip ticket is cheaper than two separate tickets."
• delay — "The train arrived 20 minutes late."
• to rent — "We decided to rent a car to travel along the coast."

Health and Well-being

Frequent topic in listening comprehension (medical consultations, health advice).

• medical appointment — "I have a medical appointment on Tuesday at ten."
• prescription — "The doctor gave me a prescription for the antibiotic."
• symptoms — "The most common symptoms are fever and headache."
• emergency — "We went to the emergency room because the pain wouldn't stop."
• to be fit — "I exercise three times a week to be fit."
• balanced diet — "A balanced diet is essential for health."
• to get dizzy — "I get dizzy when I travel by boat."
• to recover — "It took me two weeks to recover from the flu."
• to prevent — "It's better to prevent than to cure."
• well-being — "Yoga contributes to physical and mental well-being."

Work and Professional Life

Appears in reading texts (job ads, professional emails) and in written expression.

• to apply for a position — "I applied for a receptionist position at a hotel."
• resume / CV — "I sent my resume to several companies."
• job interview — "The job interview was easier than I expected."
• temporary/permanent contract — "They offered me a temporary six-month contract."
• full-time/part-time — "I prefer a part-time job to have free time."
• salary — "The salary is not very high, but the conditions are good."
• co-worker — "My co-workers are very nice."
• meeting — "We have a meeting with the boss at three."
• deadline — "The deadline to submit the project is Friday."
• work experience — "They require a minimum of two years of work experience."

Everyday Life and Home

• to move — "We moved to a bigger apartment last month."
• rent / mortgage — "The rent has increased a lot in recent years."
• neighbor — "My neighbors are very noisy at night."
• appliances — "The washing machine is the appliance I use the most."
• to recycle — "In my city, we recycle plastic, glass, and paper."
• to do the shopping — "I do the shopping at the supermarket on Saturdays."
• expenses — "Community expenses are included in the rent."
• breakdown — "I called the plumber because there is a breakdown in the pipe."
• cohabitation — "Cohabitation with roommates is not always easy."
• neighborhood — "I live in a quiet neighborhood near the center."

Media and Technology

• social network — "I spend too much time on social networks."
• to post / to share — "He posted a photo of the trip on his profile."
• subscription — "I have a subscription to a series platform."
• to download / to install — "I downloaded the app but I can't install it."
• password — "I forgot the password for my email."
• to update — "You need to update the mobile operating system."
• news / press — "I read the news online every morning."
• interview — "I saw a very interesting interview on television."
• advertising / ad — "There is too much advertising on websites."
• online / in-person — "The course can be taken online or in-person."

Common False Friends in DELE B1

False friends are words that look like words in your language but have a different meaning in Spanish. These are the most dangerous for B1:

• currently = now, at this moment (NOT "actually" = in reality)
• to carry out = to do, to execute (NOT "realize" = to become aware)
• to attend = to go, to be present (NOT "assist" = to help)
• success = positive result (NOT "exit" = exit)
• sensitive = someone who feels a lot (NOT "sensible" in English = reasonable)
• pregnant = expecting a baby (NOT "embarrassed" = embarrassed)
• cold = cold (NOT "constipated" = constipated)
• long = of great length (NOT "large" = big)

Tips for Memorizing Vocabulary

1. Learn words in context

Never memorize isolated words. Always learn the word within a sentence or situation. "Layover" makes more sense if you remember "My flight has a layover in Paris" than if you just memorize "layover = stopover."

2. Use the spaced repetition system

Flashcard apps like Anki use algorithms that show you words just before you forget them. Spend 15-20 minutes daily reviewing vocabulary with this system.

3. Group by word families

Learn related words together: work → to work → worker → laborious. This multiplies your vocabulary efficiently.

4. Create personal associations

Connect new words with your own experiences. If you learn "to move," think of your last move. Emotional connections better fix vocabulary.

5. Read and listen in Spanish every day

Constant exposure to the language is the best way to acquire vocabulary naturally. Read articles, listen to podcasts, watch series. Write down the new words you find and look them up later.

6. Practice actively

It is not enough to recognize a word: you need to be able to use it. Write sentences with the new words, use them in conversations, integrate them into your practice texts for DELE.