Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| leraar | /ˈleː.raːr/ | masculine |
| lerares | [leːraːˈrɛs] (narrow) | feminine |
| onderwijzer | /ˌɔn.dərˈʋɛi̯.zər/ /ˈɔn.dərˌʋɛi̯.zər/ (rare) |
masculine |
| onderwijzeres | /ˌɔn.dər.ʋɛi̯.zəˈrɛs/ | feminine |
| docent | /doːˈsɛnt/ | masculine |
| leerkracht | /ˈleːr.krɑxt/ | feminine, masculine |
The term leraar is often used in a more general or slightly more old-fashioned sense compared to the professional docent or leerkracht.
Which one should you use?
While leraar is a general term, docent is the standard term used for teachers in secondary education and lecturers in higher education. Leerkracht is a more formal, gender-neutral term often used in professional or administrative contexts to refer to the teaching profession. Docent is a formal term that applies to both male and female teachers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain southern areas of the Netherlands and parts of Belgium, onderwijzer may be used instead of leraar to refer to a male teacher and onderwijzeres is sometimes used to refer to a female teacher instead of lerares.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of leraar is leraren. The plural of docent is docenten. The plural of leerkracht is leerkrachten.
How do you pronounce it?
The word leraar is pronounced /ˈleː.raːr/ with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In many Dutch schools, students do not address a docent by their title, but rather by their first name, which is a significant departure from many other European cultures.
- In Dutch schools, students historically addressed their leraar as meester for men and juf for women, rather than using the formal word for teacher.
- The term leerkracht literally translates to 'learning-force' or 'learning-power' in English.
Examples in context
- Wie is uw leraar?Who is your teacher?This sentence is useful for asking who a person's teacher is.Tatoeba #1535896 by martinod, translation #17660 by CK
- Ik ben ook leraar.I am a teacher, too.This sentence is useful for stating your profession.Tatoeba #1305029 by Citrine, translation #262362 by CK
- Hoe is die leraar?How is this teacher?This sentence is useful for asking about a teacher's character or quality.Tatoeba #4140923 by PaulP, translation #860748 by riccioberto
- Ik wil leraar worden.I want to become a teacher.
- De lerares geeft biologieles.The teacher is giving a biology lesson.
- Mijn zus is een docent.My sister is a teacher.
- Meester Henk legt de les zo goed uit!Teacher Henk explains the lesson so well!
- Juf Marieke vertelt ons grappige verhalen.Teacher Marieke tells us funny stories.
- Mijn vriendin wil later ook juf worden.My friend also wants to become a teacher in the future.
- 400 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Levi are talking about school after class.
- EmmaIs die leraar streng?Is that teacher strict?
- LeviNee, hij is een goede leraar.No, he is a good teacher.
- EmmaDat is goed om te weten.That is good to know.
- LeviEmma, hij helpt iedereen.Emma, he helps everyone.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “teacher” translations and entries leraar, lerares, onderwijzer, onderwijzeres, docent, leerkracht, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
