In der Schule - At School
School and Education Vocabulary
An annotated English-German Glossary
with a self-scoring quiz
Glossary A-L | M-Z | Quiz
Types of Schools | Phrasebook 1 | Phrasebook 2
A
A, B, C, D, F (see grades/marks below)
ABCs, alphabet das ABC
absence (school) das Fehlen
unexcused absence unentschuldigtes Fehlen
absent abwesend
absent from class/school in der Stunde/Schule fehlen
to be absent, missing fehlen
She's absent today. Sie fehlt heute.
Why were you absent? Warum hast du gefehlt?
Kultur: The German Abitur (das) is a high school diploma or secondary leaving certificate (A-level), received after passing a written and oral examination during the 12th or 13th year of school (depending on the state). Die Matura is the Austrian equivalent. Also see "graduation" below.
academic akademisch, wissenschaftlich
academic advisor der Studienberater/die Studienberaterin
academic year das Studienjahr, das Schuljahr
academically gifted/talented intellektuell begabt
academy die Akademie (-n), die Privatschule
administration (office) die Verwaltung
after school nach der Schule
before school vor der Schule
algebra die Algebra
See "subjects" for more school subjects.
alphabet das ABC, das Alphabet
alphabetically, in alphabetical order alphabetisch, nach dem Alphabet
answer (v.) antworten, beantworten
answer (n.) die Antwort (-en)
Er hat die Frage beantwortet.
He answered the question.
apple der Apfel (Äpfel)
art (subject) die Kunst, der Kunstunterricht
See "subjects" for more school subjects.
ask fragen
ask a question eine Frage stellen
assignment die Aufgabe (-n)
athletic field der Sportplatz (-plätze)
athletics der Sport (sing.)
Kultur: Athletics in German schools is generally limited to P.E. and intramural sports. It is rare to have school teams that compete against each other. Competitive sports tend to be done in clubs rather than in school, which is more academic.
attend (school) (die Schule) besuchen
compulsory attendance die Schulpflicht
he has a poor attendance record er fehlt oft (in der Schule)
B
B.A./B.S. (see "Bachelor of.." below)
bachelor's degree der Bakkalaureus, der Bachelor
Bachelor of Arts der Bakkalaureus der philosophischen Fakultät
Bachelor of Science der Bakkalaureus der wissenschaftlichen Fakultät
Kultur: It is difficult to compare the different academic degrees in Germany with those in the Anglo-American system. An American "bachelor's degree" is closer to the German Magisterabschluss, even though Magister translates as "master." In a recent effort to become more international, some German universities now offer a B.A. degree in some fields, usually for six semesters of study. Also see the entries for degree, M.A. and doctorate.
ballpoint pen der Kuli (-s), der Kugelschreiber (-)
band (music) die Blaskapelle (-n), die Band (-s)
binder (loose-leaf) das Ringbuch (-bücher)
biology (subject) die Bio, die Biologie
biology teacher der/die Biologielehrer/in
blackboard, chalkboard die Tafel (-)
boarding school das Internat (-e)
Also see: German Schools
book das Buch (Bücher)
textbook das Schulbuch/Lehrbuch
break, recess die Pause (-n)
after the break nach der Pause
short/long break kleine/große Pause
das Pausebrot sandwich eaten during the break
bus, coach der Bus (-se)
school bus der Schulbus
Date and Time Glossary
Days of the week, months, and the clock.
Flashcards
German flashcards for practicing your vocabulary.
C
cafeteria die Mensa (Mensen) (univ.), der Speisesaal
Kultur: Most German students go home for lunch around 12:30 or 1:00, so few schools have a cafeteria. In eastern Germany, it is more common to have a school lunch. At the university, the Mensa offers low-cost meals for students and faculty.
calculator der Rechner
pocket calculator der Taschenrechner
school calculator der Schulrechner
scientific calculator wissenschaftlicher Rechner
calculus der Kalkül, die Integralrechnung
chair der Stuhl (Stühle)
chair (person), department head (m.) der Abteilungsleiter (-), der Fachleiter
chair (person), department head (f.) die Abteilungsleiterin (-), die Fachleiterin
chalk die Kreide, der Kreidestift
a piece of chalk eine Kreide
cheerleader der/die Cheerleader (-)
Kultur: Since interscholastic sports competition is rare in Germany, there is no need for cheerleaders. Although some American-football teams in Europe have volunteer cheerleaders, most Germans only know about cheerleading from Hollywood movies and TV.
chemistry (class) die Chemie, der Chemieunterricht
See "subjects" for more school subjects.
class (grade level) die Klasse (-n)
German class Deutschunterricht, Deutschstunde
the class of 2003 der Jahrgang 2003
in the 10th grade/class in der 10. Klasse (zehnten)
Kultur: A German Klasse is a group of students that stay together for several years of school. Somewhat like a "home room" class, the students elect a Klassensprecher/in to represent the class. Classes have names like 9a or 10b referring to each class group within a grade level. A teacher who teaches two or more courses within a class group is the Klassenlehrer, sort of like a "home room teacher." Note: A class of instruction is Unterricht or Unterrichtsstunde, not Klasse, but it is held in a Klassenzimmer.
class register, roll book das Klassenbuch
classmate der Klassenkamerad (-en)
classroom das Klassenzimmer (-)
Classroom Expressions
clock die Uhr (-en)
coach, trainer der Trainer
coach (v.) trainieren
college die Fachhochschule (FH) (-n), das College (Engl. pron.)
College of Education pädagogische Hochschule
Kultur: The Anglo-American term "college" is usually Hochschule or Universität in German. University departments or schools ("College of Arts and Science") are called Fachbereiche or Fakultäten in German. For more, see: German Schools.
computer der Computer (-), der Rechner (-)
computer science die Informatik
correct (adj.) richtig
correct (v.) korrigieren
to correct tests Klassenarbeiten korrigieren
course der Kurs (-e), der Unterricht
honors course der Leistungskurs (-e)
D
degree (univ.) der (akademische) Grad
Kultur: One should not directly compare the different academic degrees in Germany with those in the Anglo-American system. Besides the degree differences, the university systems in the U.S., Britain and Germany are very different in other ways. Also see the entries for B.A., M.A. and doctorate.
department die Abteilung (-en), der Fachbereich (univ.)
department chair/head (m.) der Abteilungsleiter (-), der Fachleiter
department chair/head (f.) die Abteilungsleiterin (-nen), die Fachleiterin
desk der Schreibtisch (-e) (teacher, office)
desk die Schulbank (student)
dictionary das Wörterbuch (-bücher)
didactic didaktisch, lehrhaft
doctoral dissertation die Doktorarbeit
doctorate, Ph.D, die Doktorwürde, die Doktorarbeit
person with a doctor's degree der Doktorand
She's still doing her doctorate. Sie sitzt immer noch an ihrer Doktorarbeit.
Kultur: Someone with a Ph.D. or Doktorwürde is entitled to be addressed as Herr Doktor or Frau Doktor. In the old days, a woman married to a Doktor was also called Frau Doktor.
Also see the
School Phrasebook
After you've studied this glossary,
take the School and Education Quiz!
E
education die Bildung, das Bildungswesen, die Erziehung
College of Education pädagogische Hochschule
education(al) system das Bildungssystem, das Bildungswesen
educational Bildungs- (in compounds), pädagogisch, lehrreich
educational (school-related) schulisch
educator der Pädagoge/die Pädagogin, der Erzieher
elective (subject) das Wahlfach (-fächer)
Italian is an elective subject. Italianisch ist ein Wahlfach.
Math is a required subject. Mathe ist ein Pflichtfach.
elementary school, grade school die Grundschule, die Volksschule (Austria)
elementary teacher, grade school teacher der/die Grundschullehrer(in)
e-mail die E-Mail (-s)
to e-mail, send an e-mail eine Mail absenden/schicken
eraser (rubber) der Radiergummi (-s)
eraser (for chalk) der Schwamm (Schwämme)
exam das Examen (-), die Klassenarbeit (-en)
final exam das Schlussexamen (-)
finals die Abschlussprüfung (-en) (univ.)
F
faculty der Lehrkörper, das Lehrerkollegium
felt-tip pen, marker der Filzstift (-e)
file (paper) die Akte (-n)
file (computer) die Datei (-en), das File (-s)
file folder der Aktenordner (-) (paper)
file folder die Mappe (-n) (loose-leaf)
file folder der Ordner (computer/paper)
final exam das Schlussexamen (-)
finals die Abschlussprüfung (-en) (univ.)
folder der Ordner (-), der Hefter (-), die Mappe (-n)
foreign language die Fremdsprache (-n)
Kultur: In German schools, the most popular Fremdsprachen are Englisch and Französisch (French). Latin, Russian, Italian and Spanish are also offered in some schools. At the Gymnasium, students usually take two foreign languages, the "major" one for 8 years and a "minor" for 5 years, which means they become quite proficient. The typical U.S. practice of taking two years of a foreign language is a joke, and less than 1/3 of American students even do that. - For languages and nationalities in German, see Lektion 6 of German for Beginners.
French (class) (das) Französisch, der Französischunterricht
See "subjects" for more school subjects.
freshman (9th grader) amer. Schüler oder Schülerin in der neunten Klasse
Friday der Freitag
on Friday(s) am Freitag, freitags
For days of the week, see Lektion 12 of German for Beginners.
funding, funds (for educ., etc.) die Mittel/Gelder (pl.)
basic funding die Grundmittel (pl.)
public funds öffentliche Mittel/Gelder (pl.)
private funding (for univ. research) die Drittmittel (pl.)
Flashcards
German flashcards for practicing your vocabulary.
Confusing Words and Expressions
In German - and in several categories.
G
geography die Erdkunde, die Geografie
geometry die Geometrie
German (class) (das) Deutsch, der Deutschunterricht
See "subjects" for more school subjects.
globe der Globus, der Erdball
grade, mark die Note (-n), die Zensur (-en)
She has bad marks/grades. Sie hat schlechte Noten/Zensuren.
She has good marks/grades. Sie hat gute Noten/Zensuren.
He got an A. Er hat eine Eins bekommen.
He got an F. Er hat eine Fünf/Sechs bekommen.
German grading system: A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, F=5, F-=6
grade (level, class) die Klasse
in the 9th grade in der 9. (neunten) Klasse
grade school, elementary school die Grundschule
More: German Schools
graduate (v.) das Abitur ablegen (high school), absolvieren, promovieren (Ph.D.), die Abschlussprüfung bestehen (high school)
graduate (n.) der Akademiker/die Akademikerin
high school graduate der Schulabgänger/die Schulabgängerin, der Abiturient/die Abiturientin
graduate student ein Student oder eine Studentin mit abgeschlossenem Studium
Kultur: The German university system does not have the same divisions between graduate and post-graduate study found in the U.S. There is no German word for "graduate student." It has to be explained as ein Student oder eine Studentin mit abgeschlossenem Studium.
gym, gymnasium die Turnhalle
gym (class) der Sport, der Sportunterricht
gym/P.E. teacher (m.) der Sportlehrer (-)
gym/P.E. teacher (f.) die Sportlehrerin (-nen)
H
hall(way) der Gang, der Flur
health, hygiene (subj.) die Gesundheitspflege
higher education die Hochschulbildung, das Hochschulwesen
high school die Sekundarschule (-n)
academic high school (in German Europe) das Gymnasium
Kultur: There are many kinds of German secondary schools, each with its own curriculum and purpose. A Gymnasium has an academic curriculum leading to das Abitur (die Matura in Austria, Switz.) and college. A Berufschule offers a combination of trade skill training and academics. Other school types include: Realschule, Gesamtschule and Hauptschule. (For more, see German Schools.)
high school diploma das Abitur, die Matura
history die Geschichte
homework die Hausaufgaben (pl.)
honors course der Leistungskurs (-e)
honors/dean's list eine Liste der besten SchülerInnen/StundentInnen
with honors cum laude
I
ink die Tinte (-n)
institute das Institut (-e), die Hochschule (-n)
Also see: German Schools
instruct, teach unterrichten
instruction der Unterricht
math class/instruction der Matheunterricht
instructor der Lehrer
K
kindergarten der Kindergarten (-gärten)
L
language lab das Sprachlabor (-s)
learn lernen
letter (of alphabet) der Buchstabe (-n)
locker das Schliessfach (-fächer)
Kultur: European schools, including Germany and Austria, don't have book lockers for students like those found in American secondary schools.
loose-leaf binder das Ringbuch (-bücher)
loose-leaf folder die Mappe (-n)
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QUIZ > School and Education Quiz
MORE > Schools | Phrasebook 1 | Phrasebook 2
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