Guten Tag! September represents the start of a new Schuljahr (school year). Do you remember how you felt at this time? Perhaps you felt die Aufregung (excitement) at seeing your friends again, or die Angst (fear) at going somewhere new? In this post I’ll give you all the vocabulary you need to paint the picture of going back to school in German.

(( For posts on what the school system is like in Germany, click here, here and here.  ))

 

Do you have the correct uniform?
(Although, in German schools, there is no uniform!)

School uniform – die Schuluniform

Blouse – die Bluse

Skirt – der Rock

Trousers – die Hose

Blazer – der Blazer

Socks – die Socken

Shoes – die Schuhe

Tie – die Krawatte

Physical education (P.E.) Kit – die Sportuniform

 

 

Do you have all of your stationery and books?

Schoolbag – die Schultasche

Book (coursebook/textbook) – das Lehrbuch

Book (notebook/pad) – der Notizblock (paper pad) / das Notizbuch (notebook) / das Heft (notebook)

Folder – die Mappe

Paper – das Papier

Pen – der Kugelschreiber (biro)

Pencil – der Bleistift

Pencil sharpener – der Bleistiftspitzer

Pencil case – das Mäppchen

Ruler – das Lineal

Rubber – der Radiergummi

Ink cartridge – die Tintenpatrone

Calculator – der Taschenrechner

 

Do you know where you are going, and who is taking your lessons?

Classroom – das Klassenzimmer

Assembly hall – die Aula

Corridor – der Korridor

Canteen – die Kantine

Library – die Bibliothek

Gym/sports hall – die Turnhalle

Teacher – der Lehrer (m) / die Lehrerin (f)

Headteacher – der Rektor

Grade/mark – die Note

Subject – das Fach

 

 

What about after school/ when you’re not in class?

Homework – die Hausaufgaben

After-school activities – die außerschulische Aktivitäten

Detention – das Nachsitzen

Break – die Pause

 

If you’re at university, the following vocabulary also applies:

Campus – der Campus

Professor – der Professor

Lecture – die Vorlesung

Faculty – die Fakultät

Laptop – der Laptop

Coursework – die Kursarbeit

Dissertation – die Dissertation

 

Test your knowledge! Study the list above, then, without using the list, tell me what the German word is for the things in the following photos! Send me your answers in the comments. I’ll let you know how many you got right!