School in German: Essential Vocabulary for Beginners
School in German is die Schule. Essential school vocabulary includes der Lehrer (teacher, male), die Lehrerin (teacher, female), der Schüler (student), die Klasse (class), das Klassenzimmer (classroom), der Unterricht (lesson), die Hausaufgaben (homework), die Prüfung (exam), das Buch (book), das Heft (notebook), der Stift (pen), die Tafel (board), die Pause (break), and lernen (to learn).
Talking about school is one of the first topics you encounter when learning German. Whether you are describing your own education, asking about someone's studies, or helping children with their homework, these words form the foundation of everyday conversations about learning and education.
This collection covers the core terms you need to discuss school settings, from people and places to activities and objects. Each word includes its grammatical gender, which is essential for using articles and adjectives correctly in German sentences.
Word list
Tips
- Remember that die Hausaufgaben is always plural in German, even when you say homework in English. You say ich mache meine Hausaufgaben, not Hausaufgabe.
- German distinguishes between der Lehrer and die Lehrerin for male and female teachers. The same pattern applies to der Schüler and die Schülerin for students.
- The word die Klasse can mean both a group of students and a specific course or subject, depending on context. Das Klassenzimmer always refers to the physical room.
FAQ
What is the difference between der Unterricht and die Klasse?
Der Unterricht refers to the lesson itself or the act of teaching, while die Klasse refers to the group of students or a specific course. You attend der Unterricht in your die Klasse.
Why is die Hausaufgaben always plural in German?
In German, homework is treated as a plural noun because it refers to multiple assignments or tasks. You always use the plural form die Hausaufgaben, even when English uses the singular homework.
How do I know which gender to use for der Lehrer and die Lehrerin?
Use der Lehrer for a male teacher and die Lehrerin for a female teacher. When referring to teachers in general or a mixed group, German traditionally uses der Lehrer, though die Lehrkräfte is a gender-neutral alternative.