German word

Oberstufe

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈoːbɐˌʃtuːfə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounupper secondary education

Example

In Deutschland dauert die Oberstufe oft drei Jahre.

In Germany, upper secondary education often lasts three years.

Illustration for Oberstufe (upper secondary education)

More examples

In der Oberstufe wählen viele Schüler Leistungskurse.

In upper secondary education, many students choose advanced courses.

Core concept

A school's upper stage, where students move toward final qualifications while choosing more specialized courses.

Common phrases

  • in der Oberstufe Leistungskurse wählen

    choose advanced courses in upper secondary education

  • sich auf die Oberstufe vorbereiten

    prepare for upper secondary education

Similar words

Sekundarstufe II: The formal second stage of secondary education, following lower secondary school.
Abitur: The final school-leaving examination or qualification, often used for university admission.

Definition in German

Die Oberstufe bezeichnet die oberen Jahrgangsstufen einer weiterführenden Schule, in denen Kurswahl und Abschlussvorbereitung stattfinden.

Word origin

Oberstufe combines ober, meaning 'upper', with Stufe, meaning 'step' or 'stage', and literally denotes an upper educational stage.

Usage tips

  • Oberstufe is feminine, so the common phrase is 'in der Oberstufe' with the dative article der.

Other meanings

  • upper schoolnoun
  • senior yearsnoun

Opposites

  • Unterstufelower secondary educationnoun

Related words

  • Oberstufenunterrichtupper-secondary instructionnoun
  • Oberstufenberatungupper-secondary counselingnoun

Word lists with this word