Schule
/ˈʃuːlə/feminine
The German word for school is Schule.
Schule is a feminine noun used to refer to an institution dedicated to teaching and learning. Related verbs include unterrichten, which means to teach or educate and schulen, which means to train or to school someone in a specific skill.
Meaning: an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Schule is the standard noun for a school, the verb schulen refers to the act of training or schooling someone. In a more formal context, you might use Die Bildungseinrichtung to mean an educational institution, which can refer to both schools and universities.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Plattdeutsch dialect of northern Germany, you may hear die Schoul instead of die Schule. In the Swabian dialect of southwestern Germany, die Schui is used instead of die Schule.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Schule is Schulen. For the singular form, der Schule is used in both the genitive case (to indicate possession, such as 'of the school') and the dative case (such as 'to the school').
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃuːlə/
Did you know?
- The word Schule shares a common ancestor with the English word 'school' and the Greek 'schole', but in ancient Greek, it actually meant 'leisure' or 'free time'.
- German has a specific word Schulranzen for the traditional, sturdy leather backpacks that children use for Schule, which are much more reinforced than standard bags.
- When students graduate from Schule in Germany, they often celebrate with a Abiball, a formal prom-like party specifically tied to the Abitur exam.
Examples in context
- Wo ist eure Schule?Where is your school?This sentence uses Schule to ask for the location of a school.Tatoeba #2252779 by Vortarulo, translation #17283 by CK
- Die Schule ist aus.School is over.This sentence uses Schule to indicate that school is finished.Tatoeba #5284140 by bonny37, translation #2249859 by CK
- Mag Tom die Schule?Does Tom like school?This sentence uses Schule to ask if someone likes school.Tatoeba #6625695 by Felixjp, translation #5583638 by CK
- Mein Bruder besucht das Gymnasium in Berlin.My brother attends the Gymnasium in Berlin.
- Meine Kinder gehen in die Schule.My children go to school.
- Die Universität Mannheim ist eine angesehene Bildungseinrichtung.The University of Mannheim is a reputable educational institution.
- 2698 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian and Sarah are talking about their day.
- JulianWann beginnt deine Schule heute?When does your school start today?
- SarahMeine Schule beginnt um acht Uhr.My school starts at eight o'clock.
- JulianIst die Schule weit von hier?Is the school far from here?
- SarahJa, die Schule ist ziemlich weit weg.Yes, the school is quite far away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school” translations and entries Schule, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schule, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
