Whoever wants to sound natural at B2 cannot avoid set phrases. They make your language more fluent and show that you really have a command of German. Here you learn which ones are worth it.
Idioms and set phrases for B2
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What is meant are fixed combinations that native speakers use constantly, for example “eine Entscheidung treffen”, “Rücksicht nehmen” or “zur Verfügung stehen”. Such phrases sound more natural than literal translations. Where they score you points is shown in the overview of the B2 exam sections.
How to learn and use them
- Always learn the phrase as a whole, not word for word.
- Note an example sentence for each phrase.
- Use them sparingly and fittingly, then they seem genuine.
How to approach this systematically is in learning vocabulary effectively, and they complement your B2 vocabulary.
Where set phrases count especially
In the language elements, fixed combinations are a common topic. For a full overview, see the page on the telc B2 exam.
The bottom line
Set phrases make your German sound natural at B2. Learn them as a whole, note them with an example, use them fittingly, that is how you turn them to your advantage.
