Key Vocabulary for the DELE C2

The C2 level requires a lexical mastery that goes far beyond everyday vocabulary. You need to handle academic register, complex discourse connectors, cultured idiomatic expressions, and specialized vocabulary from multiple disciplines with ease. This guide presents the most important lexical areas for the exam.

Advanced Discourse Connectors

Connectors are fundamental in both written and oral expression. At the C2 level, variety and precision are expected.

To Structure Discourse

• Introduce: Regarding, with respect to, concerning, in relation to.
• Order: Firstly, subsequently, next, ultimately.
• Digression: In this regard, by the way, in parentheses, as a side note.
• Resume: Returning to the topic at hand, picking up the thread, as we were saying.

To Argue

• Cause: Given that, by virtue of, since, as, whenever.
• Consequence: Hence (+ subjunctive), so that, consequently, therefore, in such a way that.
• Condition: As long as, on the condition that, in the event that, unless.
• Purpose: With the aim of, with a view to, in order that, with the intention of.
• Concession: Even though, although, despite, knowing that, however much.

To Contrast and Qualify

• Opposition: Nevertheless, however, on the other hand, rather, in contrast.
• Restriction: While it is true that, however, now, that said.
• Refutation: Far from it, quite the opposite, nothing could be further from the truth.

To Conclude and Summarize

• In summary, ultimately, after all, in short, as a conclusion, all that has been said allows us to conclude that, in light of what has been analyzed.

Academic and Formal Register

The C2 penalizes the use of colloquial language in contexts that require formality. Here are key equivalents:

Formal Verbs

• Say → affirm, maintain, assert, postulate, argue.
• Think → consider, estimate, judge, conceive.
• Show → evidence, highlight, reveal, ascertain.
• Do → carry out, execute, perform, undertake.
• Start → commence, embark on, inaugurate, initiate.
• End → conclude, culminate, finalize, consider finished.
• Get → achieve, reach, obtain, acquire.
• Need → require, necessitate, be necessary.

Abstract Nouns

• Problem → issue, dilemma, obstacle, hindrance.
• Result → outcome, consequence, repercussion, corollary.
• Opinion → view, criterion, stance, approach.
• Change → transformation, mutation, shift, turn.
• Importance → relevance, significance, magnitude, depth.

Impersonal Expressions

• It is evident that, it should be noted that, it is worth highlighting that, it is essential to emphasize that, there is no doubt that, it is worth pointing out that.

Cultured Idiomatic Expressions

The C2 values the appropriate use of cultured idiomatic expressions:

• Call into question: Question, doubt something.
• Emphasize: Highlight, insist on something.
• Give rise to: Cause, motivate something.
• Lay the foundations of: Establish the fundamentals.
• Shed light on: Clarify, explain something.
• Be in the spotlight: Be the focus of attention or criticism.
• Take action: Intervene, act.
• Turn a deaf ear: Deliberately ignore.
• Highlight: Emphasize, underscore.
• Sound the alarm: Alert about a danger.
• Be the order of the day: Be common, frequent.
• Overlook: Not take into account, ignore.

Vocabulary by Thematic Areas

Society and Politics

Citizenship, governance, equity, social gap, cohesion, polarization, populism, welfare state, public policies, legislative framework, social fabric, structural inequality.

Economy

Economic situation, recession, austerity, fiscal deficit, GDP, inflation, labor market, precariousness, entrepreneurship, financial sustainability, trade balance, sovereign debt.

Environment

Sustainability, ecological footprint, biodiversity, ecosystem, energy transition, decarbonization, circular economy, waste, pollution, climate change, renewable resources.

Technology

Digitalization, artificial intelligence, digital divide, cybersecurity, automation, algorithm, big data, privacy, planned obsolescence, disruptive innovation.

Education

Curriculum, competencies, literacy, continuous training, educational gap, inclusion, methodology, assessment, academic performance, school dropout.

Health

Healthcare system, public health, prevention, well-being, mental health, pandemic, vaccination, biomedical research, life expectancy, social determinants of health.

Frequent Collocations in C2

Collocations (common word combinations) are a key indicator of the C2 level:

• Adopt measures / a stance / an approach.
• Assume responsibilities / a commitment / a risk.
• Play a role / a function / a position.
• Exert influence / pressure / a right.
• Pose a problem / an issue / a dilemma.
• Generate interest / controversy / debate / dispute.
• Address a topic / an issue / a matter.
• Harbor hopes / doubts / suspicions.
• Entail importance / seriousness / interest.
• Involve risks / difficulties / danger.

How to Expand Your C2 Vocabulary

Effective Strategies

• Read quality newspapers daily: El País, La Vanguardia, El Mundo (editorials and opinion articles).
• Keep a vocabulary notebook: Organized by semantic fields, not in alphabetical order.
• Learn words in context: Always note the complete sentence where you found the word.
• Practice collocations: Don’t learn isolated words. Learn "generate controversy," not just "generate."
• Use new vocabulary: Integrate it into your writing and oral practice presentations.
• Review periodically: Vocabulary that you don’t use is forgotten. Review each week.

This vocabulary will be useful in all parts of the exam. To learn how to apply it in writing, check our guide on DELE C2 written expression. For oral expression, read DELE C2 oral expression: explained tasks.