B1 French Vocabulary List, Intermediate CEFR Words

Intermediate French for expressing opinions, discussing experiences, work, and health vocabulary.

Roughly 1–2 years of study. DELF B1.

About B1

B1 French introduces the subjonctif (il faut que tu viennes, je veux qu'il sache), the imparfait (used for descriptions and habits in the past: quand j'étais petit...), and the contrast between imparfait and passé composé that shapes French narration. Vocabulary climbs to around 2,000 words for opinions, work, health, and abstract feelings.

Who this list is for

If you can hold a 15-minute conversation, follow a slow news segment, and write a short complaint email, you're around B1. Most learners reach B1 after 1–2 years. DELF B1 is required for French citizenship by naturalization (alongside the language test).

How to study

B1 demands real input. Pick a French-language podcast (InnerFrench, News in Slow French) and listen daily. The subjonctif is best learned through exposure; your brain will pattern-match the triggers (il faut que, je veux que, bien que). Use spaced repetition for imparfait/passé composé contrastive sentence pairs, not isolated forms.

The list (893 words)

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