German word

Gymnasium

Pronunciation

IPA/gʏmˈnaːzi̯ʊm/

Meaning

  • neuter nounhigh school

Example

Mein Sohn geht aufs Gymnasium.

My son attends high school.

Illustration for Gymnasium (high school)

More examples

Er unterrichtet am Gymnasium.

He teaches at the high school.

Core concept

A school where teenagers study academic subjects on the route to university entrance qualifications.

Common phrases

  • aufs Gymnasium gehen

    go to high school

  • das Gymnasium besuchen

    attend high school

  • am Gymnasium unterrichten

    teach at a high school

Similar words

Realschule: A secondary school providing general education alongside practical career preparation.
Hauptschule: A secondary school focused on basic education and early vocational preparation.
Berufsschule: A school providing job-related training and practical instruction for apprentices.

Definition in German

ein weiterführendes, auf das Abitur vorbereitendes allgemeinbildendes Gymnasium, das Schüler in der Regel ab der fünften Klasse besuchen

Word origin

German Gymnasium comes from Latin gymnasium, from Greek gymnasion, a place for physical training that later also referred to a place of learning.

Usage tips

  • German Gymnasium is a school, whereas English gymnasium usually means an indoor sports hall.

Other meanings

  • secondary schoolnoun
  • college-preparatory schoolnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • gymnasialacademic-trackadjective
  • Gymnasiastmale high-school studentnoun
  • Gymnasiastinfemale high-school studentnoun

Word lists with this word