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Vocabulary · B2 function words

German B2 Function Words

The 38 function words of German B2, commonest first.

36 with audio

By level

eh

/ʔeː/ conj
1
  1. anyway
  2. before
  3. well / admittedly
  4. intensifier in suggestive questions
Dictionary wording
  1. before
  2. anyway, in any case
  3. well, admittedly (for which in Germany only schon is used)
  4. intensifier in suggestive questions

Ist das nicht irgendwie eh klar?

Isn't this kind of obvious?

Bist du heute Nachmittag eh nicht beschäftigt?

You won't be busy this afternoon, will you?

Du wirst es ja eh nicht lesen.

You're not going to read it anyway.

seitdem

conj
2
  1. since
  2. ever since
  3. since then / since that time (adverb)
Dictionary wording
  1. since, ever since
  2. since that
  3. since
  4. since then, since that time

Und seitdem machen Sie überhaupt nichts?

And you haven't done a thing since?

Niemand hat ihn mehr gesehen seitdem.

Nobody has seen him ever since.

Ich war seitdem nicht mehr dort.

I haven't been back there since.

irgendjemand

/ˈɪʁɡn̩tˈjeːmant/ pron
3
  1. someone
  2. anyone / anybody
  3. any person at all
Dictionary wording
  1. someone, somebody
  2. anyone, anybody, anyone at all, anybody at all, any person

Fühlt sich irgendjemand krank?

Does anyone feel sick?

Ist da irgendjemand drin?

Is there anybody in there?

Ist irgendjemand hier drin?

Is anyone in here?

fuck

/fak/ intj
4
  1. fuck!

desto

/ˈdɛstoː/ conj
5
  1. the (with je)
Dictionary wording
  1. the (forming the parallel comparative with je)
  2. used instead of je in the je ... desto construction

Je eher, desto besser.

The sooner, the better.

Je früher desto besser.

The sooner, the better.

Je früher, desto besser.

The sooner, the better.

derjenige

pron
6
  1. the one
  2. he (who)
  3. this one / that one

Derjenige ist verloren.

They die.

Du bist derjenige.

You are the one.

Und derjenige könnte ich sein.

And I could if you'd let me.

einander

/aɪ̯ˈnandɐ/ pron
7
  1. each other
Dictionary wording
  1. Reciprocal pronoun of all three plural persons: each other

Wir haben einander.

We've got each other.

Helfen wir einander!

Let's help each other.

Wir verstehen einander.

We understand each other.

beziehungsweise

/bəˈtsiːʊŋsˌvaɪ̯zə/ conj mostly written
8
  1. respectively
  2. or alternatively / also
  3. or rather / more precisely
Dictionary wording
  1. and … respectively
  2. or alternatively, also
  3. or rather, actually, more precisely

Eine Abweichung von 11 Grad würde in nach hier beziehungsweise da verschieben.

An 11-degree variation would put it this way, or there.

Ich habe Tom gestern Nacht gesehen – beziehungsweise sehr früh heute Morgen.

I saw Tom last night, or rather very early this morning.

Ich werde langsam wütend, beziehungsweise bekomme Angst.

I'm getting really angry or really scared.

irgendein

/ˈɪrɡəntˌaɪ̯n/ det
9
  1. some / any

Gibt es irgendein Problem?

Is there some problem?

Haben Sie irgendein Problem damit?

Do you have any trouble with that?

Hast du irgendein Problem damit?

Do you have any trouble with that?

hä

/hɛː/ intj
10
  1. huh?
  2. what?
  3. (belittling) whatever
Dictionary wording
  1. huh? what?
  2. Expresses that one has not understood a statement
  3. Used to belittle the issuer of a statement/question

anstatt

/ʔan.ʼʃtat/ conj
11
  1. instead of

Lass uns da sitzen anstatt hier.

Instead of sitting here, let's sit over there.

Entweder du oder ich muss anstatt seiner gehen.

Either you or I must go in his place.

Lasst uns Karten spielen, anstatt Fernsehen zu schauen.

Let's play cards instead of watching television.

Beeilung

intj
12
  1. hurry up!
  2. hurry (noun)
Dictionary wording
  1. hurry up!
  2. hurry

Beeilung! Wir haben keine Zeit zu verlieren.

Hurry! There's no time to lose.

vieles

/ˈfiːləs/ pron
13
  1. much / many things

Mir hat vieles gefallen.

I liked a lot of things.

Tom war vieles bewusst.

Tom was aware of many things.

Wir müssen vieles besprechen.

We need to discuss many things.

welch

/vɛlç/ det
14
  1. what

mittels

/ˈmɪtl̩s/ prep
15
  1. by means of

Governs

  • mittels + Dativ in speech

  • mittels + Genitiv in writing

Es war eine echte Herausforderung für uns, die Klippe mittels eines Seils herabzuklettern.

It was a real challenge for us to go down the cliff on a rope.

Das Haus wird mittels Solarenergie beheizt.

The house is heated by solar energy.

ciao

[t͡ʃaʊ̯] intj
16
  1. bye
  2. hi / hello
Dictionary wording
  1. ciao

samt

/sɑmt/ prep
17
  1. together with
  2. velvet (noun)
  3. only used in samt und sonders (adverb)
Dictionary wording
  1. together with
  2. only used in samt und sonders
  3. velvet

Governs

  • samt + Dativ

Er hat ein Flugzeug samt Arzt und Schwester gebucht.

He's chartered a plane, complete with doctor and nurse.

Ich habe das Negativ samt Foto weggeworfen, gleich nachdem du es mir gegeben hattest.

The negatives were thrown away with the copies you gave me.

Gestern Abend hat eine einen Minister ausgeführt, samt Frau und Tochter.

Last night, she entertained a cabinet minister, his wife, and daughter.

wayne

/wɛɪ̯n/ intj
18
  1. who cares

binnen

/ˈbɪnən/ prep
19
  1. within
Dictionary wording
  1. within (a time span)

Governs

  • binnen + Dativ

All diese spielte sich wahrscheinlich binnen weniger als einer Sekunde ab.

All this took place in probably less than a second.

Er wird binnen drei Stunden zurückkommen.

He will return within 3 hours.

Das Militär schlug den Aufstand binnen weniger Stunden nieder.

The military quashed the revolt within a matter of hours.

zumal

[tsuˈmaːl] conj
20
  1. especially since
  2. especially
Dictionary wording
  1. especially since (giving a reason which justifies the expectation of a certain behaviour or quality)
  2. especially

Danke, das weiß ich zu schätzen, zumal ich Ihr Land nicht kenne.

I shall appreciate your help, especially as I'm unfamiliar with your country.

Ich fühlte mich schwindlig wie ein Kind, zumal ich improvisieren musste.

I felt giddy as a child for i had to improvise.

Ein Wort für die Herren, zumal du Franzose bist.

A word for the gentlemen, especially as you're French.

anhand

[ʔanˈhant] prep
21
  1. by means of
  2. with the help of
Dictionary wording
  1. by means of, with (the help of)

Governs

  • anhand + Genitiv

Die Identität des vermissten Jungen wurde anhand der Kleidung, welche er trug, bestätigt.

The identity of the boy who had been missing was verified by the clothes he was wearing.

Wir haben es anhand Ihrer Beschreibung erkannt.

We recognized it from your description.

Der Lehrer erklärte seine Theorie anhand von Bildern.

The teacher explained his theory using pictures.

zack

/t͡sak/ intj
22
  1. quickly / suddenly
Dictionary wording
  1. Onomatopoeia expressing that something happens quickly or suddenly.

seitens

prep
23
  1. on the part of
  2. by / at the hands of
  3. on behalf of
Dictionary wording
  1. by, on behalf of, at the hands of, on the part of (originating from, or concerning the stance of, a specific subgroup or party)

Governs

  • seitens + Genitiv

Anerkennung seitens der Behörden, Position, Geld.

They depend on critics' money' on the favours of authority.

Kannst du nicht etwas Druck seitens der Polizei aushalten?

You can't take a little heat from the cops?

Es gilt, gemeinsam gegen die Ausbeutung seitens der Arbeitgeber zu kämpfen!

We have to fight united against the exploitation of workers!

jenseits

/ˈjeːnzaɪ̯t͡s/ prep
24
  1. beyond
  2. on the other side (of)
  3. the beyond / the hereafter / the afterlife (noun)
  4. nickname for Südstadt, a district of Tübingen (proper noun)
Dictionary wording
  1. beyond, on the other side of
  2. beyond, on the other side
  3. the beyond, the hereafter, the afterlife
  4. nickname for Südstadt, a district of the German town of Tübingen

Governs

  • jenseits + Genitiv

Wo wären wir, wenn niemand nach dem suchte, was jenseits liegt?

Where should we be if nobody tried to find out what lies beyond?

Gleich jenseits des Waldes lag ein schöner See.

A beautiful lake lay just beyond the forest.

Das Ganze liegt jenseits unserer Erfahrung.

This whole thing is beyond experience.

bezüglich

/bəˈt͡syːklɪç/ prep
25
  1. regarding
  2. with respect to
  3. referential (adjective)
Dictionary wording
  1. regarding, with respect to
  2. referential

Governs

  • bezüglich + Genitiv

Ja, bezüglich der Frau.

Yes, regarding the woman.

Erinnern Sie sich an meinen Besuch in Ihrem Büro bezüglich dieser Fotos?

Mr. Castleton, do you recall my visit to your office to discuss those photographs?

Ich hätte eine Frage bezüglich eines Patienten, den Sie behandelt haben.

I'd like to ask you about a patient you treated.

aua

intj
26
  1. ouch
  2. ow
Dictionary wording
  1. ouch, ow (expression of one's own physical pain)

etliche

[ˈɛtlɪçə] pron
27
  1. several
  2. quite a few / a number of
  3. scores (of)
Dictionary wording
  1. scores (of), a number (of), several, quite a few (of)

Das habe ich schon etliche Male Leute tun sehen.

I've already seen people do that quite a few times before.

Das habe ich schon etliche Male welche tun sehen.

I've already seen people do that quite a few times before.

Ich habe Tom heute etliche Nachrichten geschickt, aber er hat keine einzige davon beantwortet.

I sent Tom a lot of messages today, but he hasn't replied to any of them.

irgendwer

pron
28
  1. someone
  2. anyone
Dictionary wording
  1. someone; anyone

Hat euch irgendwer gesehen?

Did anybody see you?

Kennt irgendwer die Antwort?

Does anyone know the answer?

Hat dich irgendwer etwas gefragt?

Did anyone ask you anything?

ey

/ɛɪ̯/ intj
29
  1. hey
  2. oi (expressing indignation or disgust)
Dictionary wording
  1. Used to call someone's attention, or as an intensifier when placed at the end.
  2. Expresses indignation or disgust; oi

sofern

conj
30
  1. provided (that)
  2. if
Dictionary wording
  1. provided (that), if

Ja, sofern ich innerhalb von 24 Stunden zahle.

Yes, provided the money is paid within 24 hours.

Es wird keine geben, sofern ich das verhindern kann.

There won't be darling, not if I can help it.

Wir können Ihnen nicht helfen, sofern Sie uns nicht helfen.

We can't help you unless you help us.

hinsichtlich

prep
31
  1. regarding
  2. concerning / with regard to
Dictionary wording
  1. regarding, concerning, with regard to

Governs

  • hinsichtlich + Genitiv

Es gibt da ein Problem hinsichtlich Ihrer Reise.

A problem has arisen about your trip.

Da er hinsichtlich des Schmucks einen Punkt zu haben scheint, Einspruch abgelehnt.

Since he seems to have some definite point in regard to that jewelry, I will overrule the objection.

Dann wollen wir mal sehen, was ich hinsichtlich dieser Anträge tun kann.

Let me see what I can do about these applications.

zugunsten

/tsuˈɡʊnstn̩/ prep
32
  1. in favor of
  2. in support of
Dictionary wording
  1. in support of, in favor of

Governs

  • zugunsten + Genitiv

Ja, aber zugunsten seines Landes.

For his county's sake, yes.

Daher entschieden Sie zugunsten Ihres Mannes?

Is that why you decided in his favor? No.

Er verließ die Politik zugunsten internationaler Angelegenheiten.

He quit politics to concentrate on international business.

oje

/oˈjeː/ intj
33
  1. oh dear
  2. Outlook Express (software)
Dictionary wording
  1. Oh dear!
  2. Outlook Express

mithilfe

/mɪtˈhɪlfə/ prep
34
  1. by means of
  2. with
  3. help / assistance (noun)
Dictionary wording
  1. by means of, with
  2. help, assistance

Governs

  • mithilfe + Genitiv

Oder mithilfe einer Frau.

Or a woman.

Weil wir den Großen nur mithilfe des Kleinen kriegen.

Because we can't get the big fellow unless the little one cooperates.

Ja, sieht so aus, als hätte er mithilfe der Plane ein paar Tieren Wasser gegeben.

Yeah, it looks like he spread the tarp to give some animals a drink of water.

unterhalb

/ˈʊntɐhalp/ prep
35
  1. below

Governs

  • unterhalb + Genitiv

Fast die ganzen Niederlande liegen unterhalb des Meeresspiegels.

Most of the Netherlands is below sea level.

Der Benzintank befand sich unterhalb.

The gasoline tank was underneath.

eineinhalb

/ˈaɪ̯naɪ̯nˌhalp/ num
36
  1. one and a half
Dictionary wording
  1. one and a half (1½), sesqui-

Es hat eineinhalb Jahre gedauert, das Gemälde zu malen.

It took a year and a half to paint that picture.

Es dauerte eineinhalb Jahre, das Gemälde zu malen.

It took a year and a half to paint that picture.

Ich habe eineinhalb Stunden gewartet.

I waited an hour and a half.

anlässlich

prep
37
  1. on the occasion of

Governs

  • anlässlich + Genitiv

Maria reservierte anlässlich des Geburtstages ihres Freundes einen Tisch in einem guten Restaurant.

Mary made a reservation at a good restaurant for her boyfriend's birthday.

Tom kehrte anlässlich eines Klassentreffens nach Boston zurück.

Tom came back to Boston for a class reunion.

zweit

/tsvaɪ̯t/ particle
38
  1. in pairs
Dictionary wording
  1. only used in zu zweit.

Ich wünschte nur, ich könnte mit Tom mehr Zeit zu zweit verbringen.

I just wish I could have some alone time with Tom.

Dieses Spiel kann man sowohl zu zweit als auch zu dritt spielen.

This game can be played by two or three people.

Tom und Maria verbrachten einige Zeit zu zweit.

Tom and Mary spent some quality time together.

More

Other B2 lists

Common questions

How many function words are in German B2?

The B2 list has 38 function words, out of 1,998 words at that level and 303 function words from A1 to C2.

Which B2 function words should I learn first?

Start at the top. The list is sorted by how often a word appears in a large corpus of spoken German, so eh, seitdem, irgendjemand, fuck, desto are the ones you will meet most.

What does each entry show?

Its meanings, example sentences with translations, and native audio.

Word data, examples and audio from Wiktionary, Tatoeba and OpenSubtitles, used under CC BY-SA 4.0. See sources.

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