German word

Hauptschule

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈhaʊ̯ptˌʃuːlə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounlower secondary school

Example

Er geht in die Hauptschule.

He attends a lower secondary school.

Illustration for Hauptschule (lower secondary school)

More examples

Sie hat die Hauptschule erfolgreich abgeschlossen.

She successfully completed lower secondary school.

Core concept

A school track that connects general lessons with the first steps toward an apprenticeship.

Common phrases

  • nach der Grundschule auf die Hauptschule gehen

    go to lower secondary school after primary school

  • die Hauptschule abschließen

    graduate from lower secondary school

  • an der Hauptschule sein

    attend lower secondary school

Similar words

Gymnasium: An academically focused secondary school preparing students for university or higher education.
Realschule: A secondary school combining practical study with general education and routes to further training.
Berufsschule: A vocational school combining workplace training with related classroom study.
Hauptschulabschluss: A lower secondary school-leaving certificate used for vocational training or entry-level work.

Definition in German

eine praxisorientierte weiterführende Schule nach der Grundschule, die grundlegende Allgemeinbildung mit beruflicher Orientierung verbindet.

Word origin

Hauptschule is formed from Haupt- ('main' or 'principal') and Schule ('school'), naming a distinct type within Germany's secondary school system.

Usage tips

  • The term refers to a German school type, not to a generic 'main school', and its place in the school system varies between federal states.

Opposites

Related words

  • Hauptschulabschlusslower secondary school leaving certificatenoun
  • Hauptschülerlower secondary school studentnoun

Word lists with this word