Not every list is created equal. Many so-called "intermediate" lists are just A2 lists with five extra adjectives. A legitimate French B1 vocabulary list PDF should be organized by theme and function, not alphabetically.
Here are the 6 essential categories to look for:
Media & Current Events
Work & Professional Life
Abstract Concepts
Advanced Connectors (The "Glue" Words)
Common B1 Verbs (with prepositions)
Pro tip: The best PDFs include example sentences. A word without context is just noise. A word in a sentence is a tool.
So, you have passed the A2 level. You can order a coffee, talk about your hobbies, and navigate a hotel check-in. But now, you feel the infamous “intermediate wall.” You understand the structure, but you lack the precision to express opinions, debate, or understand a French news article. french b1 vocabulary list pdf
Welcome to Level B1 (Threshold level). At this stage, vocabulary is your primary weapon. To succeed, you don't just need random words; you need a structured French B1 vocabulary list PDF to download, print, and memorize.
In this article, we will explore exactly what vocabulary is required for the DELF B1 exam, where to find high-quality free PDFs, and how to move from passive recognition to active usage.
The DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) B1 exam does not publish an official "complete" list, because at this level, the vocabulary is defined by themes (Themes du programme). To pass, you need roughly 2,500 to 3,000 active words (up from 1,500 at A2).
Here are the core themes you must master. A good French B1 vocabulary list PDF will be organized by these specific headings: Not every list is created equal
Let’s be honest. Vocabulary lists have a bad reputation. They remind us of high school pop quizzes and rote memorization.
But a good B1 list is different. It’s not a random dictionary dump. It’s a strategic filter.
At the A1/A2 levels, you learned high-frequency words: maison, travail, manger, aller.
At B1, you need:
Without a targeted list, you’ll waste months learning the word for "octopus" (la pieuvre) before you learn the word for "therefore" (donc). A B1 PDF keeps your priorities straight.
While primarily an interactive site, TV5 Monde offers downloadable "Fiches pédagogiques" (teaching sheets) for B1 learners. These are not simple lists, but vocabulary in context with exercises. You can print these as PDFs from your browser.