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C1

German C1: Advanced level

C1 is advanced German: complex texts, implicit meaning and a wide range of expressions. These lessons use authentic, demanding material, so you build precision and a natural style.

What you can do at C1

  • Understand demanding, longer texts and implied meaning.
  • Express yourself fluently without searching for words.
  • Use the language flexibly for work and study.

About 8,000 words and roughly 700–800 hours of study to reach this level.

German lessons for C1

German C1 by topic

Other German levels

Not sure this is your level?

Take the short placement test and we will suggest where to start.

Take the level test

Questions about German at C1

What does C1 mean in German?
C1 is the Advanced level of the CEFR scale, the European standard for describing language ability. Complex, natural language.
How many German words do I need for C1?
Around 8,000 words is a good target for C1. The number depends on the language and on which words you choose. Learn the most frequent ones first.
How long does it take to reach German C1?
Roughly 700–800 hours of study in total, for an English speaker learning a language of average difficulty. Daily short sessions with content at your level work better than rare long ones.