German word

Abitur

Pronunciation

IPA/abiˈtuːɐ̯/

Meaning

neuter nounhigh school leaving exam

Example

Viele Schüler bestehen das Abitur nicht im ersten Versuch.

Many students fail the high school leaving exam on their first attempt.

Illustration for Abitur (high school leaving exam)

More examples

Wenn man das Abitur besteht, hat man mehr Studienmöglichkeiten.

If you pass the high school leaving exam, you have more options for university.

Core concept

A student completes the last academic checkpoint and receives the key to university study.

Common phrases

das Abitur machen
sit the high school leaving exam
das Abitur bestehen
pass the high school leaving exam
nach dem Abitur
after the high school leaving exam

Similar words

Abi: A casual spoken abbreviation for the final secondary-school exam.
Zeugnis: An official document confirming grades or successful completion of an exam.
Abschluss: A qualification or status showing that school or a course has been completed.

Definition in German

Das Abitur ist die Abschlussprüfung am Gymnasium, die zur Hochschulreife und damit zum Studium an einer Universität berechtigt.

Word origin

The German noun derives from Latin abiturus, the future participle of abire, meaning to depart, through the idea of leaving school.

Usage tips

Das Abitur machen refers to taking or completing the qualification, while das Abitur haben refers to holding it.

Other meanings

university entrance qualificationnoun
high school diplomanoun

Opposites

Hauptschulabschlusslower secondary school leaving certificatenoun

Related words

Abiturienthigh school graduatenoun
Abiturprüfunghigh school leaving examinationnoun