studieren
studieren en 30 secondes
- Used exclusively for university-level education in Germany.
- Different from 'lernen' (general learning/school/homework).
- Can also mean to examine something very closely (e.g., a map).
- A regular verb ending in '-ieren', so it has no 'ge-' in the past participle.
The German verb studieren is a fundamental pillar of the German educational vocabulary, but it carries a specific weight that differs significantly from its English cognate 'to study'. In German, studieren almost exclusively refers to the act of pursuing a degree at a university or a comparable higher education institution (Hochschule). It is not merely the act of looking at a book or preparing for a test; it is a formal state of being enrolled in a specific academic discipline. When a German says 'Ich studiere,' they are identifying themselves as a member of the academic community, pursuing a long-term goal of expertise in a field like medicine, law, or engineering.
- Academic Context
- The term is reserved for university-level education. You do not 'studieren' in primary or secondary school; there, you 'lernen'.
- Intensive Observation
- In a secondary sense, it can mean to examine something with extreme care, such as 'die Speisekarte studieren' (to study the menu).
Mein Bruder möchte in Heidelberg Medizin studieren, weil die Universität dort einen exzellenten Ruf hat.
Historically, the word comes from the Latin 'studere', meaning to be eager or to give attention to. In the German context, this eagerness is institutionalized. When you 'studieren' a subject, you are not just acquiring facts; you are engaging with the methodology, history, and current research of that field. This is why the question 'Was studierst du?' is so common among young adults in Germany—it is a question about one's identity and future professional path. Furthermore, the verb is often used without a direct object if the context of university is clear, though it frequently takes the subject of study as an accusative object.
Sie studiert seit drei Semestern Informatik an der TU München.
- The 'Student' Status
- Being a 'Student' (someone who 'studiert') grants specific social and legal benefits in Germany, such as discounted public transport and health insurance.
Bevor er die Entscheidung traf, studierte er die Vertragsbedingungen sehr genau.
Using studieren correctly requires understanding its grammatical patterns and its restricted semantic range. As a regular weak verb, its conjugation is straightforward: ich studiere, du studierst, er/sie/es studiert, wir studieren, ihr studiert, sie/Sie studieren. The past participle is studiert (note the lack of the 'ge-' prefix because it ends in '-ieren').
- Direct Object (Akkusativ)
- You 'studieren' a subject: 'Ich studiere Biologie.' The subject is in the accusative case.
- Location (Präpositional)
- You study 'an' a university: 'Er studiert an der Universität Berlin.' Note the use of 'an' + Dativ.
Hast du schon einmal darüber nachgedacht, im Ausland zu studieren?
In everyday conversation, the distinction between 'lernen' and 'studieren' is the most frequent source of error for English speakers. If you say 'Ich studiere für meine Prüfung,' a German might think you are doing a deep academic analysis of the exam format itself, rather than just revising the material. For revising or learning facts, use 'lernen'. Use 'studieren' when talking about your major or your time at university. Additionally, 'studieren' can be used figuratively to mean 'to examine' or 'to pore over'. For example, 'Er studierte die Karte' means he was looking at the map very intensely to find his way.
Während des Studiums muss man viele Fachbücher studieren.
- Duration
- We use 'seit' to indicate how long someone has been studying: 'Ich studiere seit zwei Jahren.'
Sie hat Architektur studiert und arbeitet jetzt als Stadtplanerin.
You will encounter studieren in a variety of settings, ranging from casual social gatherings to formal academic environments. In Germany, education is highly valued, and one's 'Studienfach' (subject of study) is a common topic of small talk. At a party, you might hear: 'Was studierst du eigentlich?' This is the standard way to ask someone what their major is. In a professional context, such as a job interview, an employer might ask: 'Wo haben Sie studiert?' to learn about your academic background and the prestige of your university.
An welcher Fakultät studieren Sie?
In literature or formal journalism, the verb is used to describe the deep investigation of a phenomenon. A scientist might 'die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels studieren'. In this sense, it implies a methodical, long-term observation. You will also see it on official documents, such as a 'Studienbescheinigung' (certificate of enrollment). If you are navigating a German city, you might see signs for the 'Studentenwerk', the organization that handles student affairs. In all these contexts, 'studieren' signals a connection to the 'Elfenbeinturm' (ivory tower) of academia.
Viele junge Menschen studieren heute BWL, um gute Karrierechancen zu haben.
- Radio & Podcasts
- Discussions about 'Studiengebühren' (tuition fees) or 'Regelstudienzeit' (standard period of study) are common in German media.
Er studiert die alten Schriften in der Bibliothek.
The most frequent mistake learners make is using studieren when they should use lernen. This is a classic 'false friend' situation. In English, you can 'study for a test' or 'study a language' at home. In German, if you are sitting at your desk memorizing vocabulary, you are lernen. If you tell a German 'Ich studiere Deutsch,' they will assume you are enrolled in a German Language and Literature program (Germanistik) at a university. If you are just taking a course at a language school, you should say 'Ich lerne Deutsch.'
- Mistake: 'Ich studiere für die Prüfung'
- Correction: 'Ich lerne für die Prüfung.' (I am studying/revising for the exam.)
- Mistake: 'Ich habe gestudiert'
- Correction: 'Ich habe studiert.' (Verbs in -ieren do not take 'ge-'.)
Falsch: Ich studiere meine Hausaufgaben. Richtig: Ich mache meine Hausaufgaben.
Another mistake is the preposition. Learners often try to use 'in' for the university. While 'in der Universität' can describe being physically inside the building, the standard way to say you are a student there is 'an der Universität'. Using 'bei' is also incorrect for universities (though it is used for companies). Finally, watch out for the conjugation in the plural. 'Wir studieren' is often confused with 'wir lernen' in contexts where students are working together. If you are working on a project together, you are 'zusammen lernen' or 'an einem Projekt arbeiten', even if you are both university students.
Man studiert an einer Hochschule, nicht in einer Schule.
- False Friend Alert
- English 'Study' = German 'Lernen' (mostly) or 'Studieren' (university only).
To truly master studieren, you must understand its relationship with other verbs of cognition and education. The most important contrast is with lernen. While studieren is formal and academic, lernen is universal. You can 'lernen' to ride a bike, 'lernen' a language, or 'lernen' for a math test. Studieren is the umbrella under which much 'lernen' happens at a university level.
- Lernen vs. Studieren
- Lernen: To acquire a skill or knowledge. Studieren: To be enrolled in a university program.
- Forschen
- To research. This is what professors and advanced students do after they have 'studied' the basics.
Er studiert nicht nur, er forscht auch an neuen Technologien.
Another related verb is promovieren, which specifically means to study for a doctorate (PhD). If someone says 'Ich promoviere in Physik,' they are at a higher level than just 'studieren'. There is also recherchieren, which means to investigate or look up information, often used by journalists or students looking for sources. Finally, analysieren is used when you are breaking down complex information, which is a key part of what you do when you 'studieren'. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker and avoid the 'English-thinking' trap.
Sie studiert die Unterlagen sehr aufmerksam, bevor sie unterschreibt.
- Akademische Laufbahn
- The path from 'studieren' to 'promovieren' to 'habilitieren' (becoming a professor).
How Formal Is It?
Niveau de difficulté
Grammaire à connaître
Verbs ending in -ieren
Prepositions with Dative (an der Uni)
Nominalization of verbs
Perfekt tense without 'ge-'
Word order in questions
Exemples par niveau
Ich studiere Biologie.
I study biology.
Present tense, 1st person singular.
Studierst du in Berlin?
Do you study in Berlin?
Question form, 2nd person singular.
Er studiert Chemie.
He studies chemistry.
Present tense, 3rd person singular.
Wir studieren an der Universität.
We study at the university.
Preposition 'an' + Dativ.
Was studiert ihr?
What are you (plural) studying?
2nd person plural.
Sie studieren Geschichte.
They study history.
3rd person plural.
Ich studiere nicht.
I don't study.
Negation with 'nicht'.
Studiert sie Kunst?
Does she study art?
Inverted word order for question.
Ich habe drei Jahre in Köln studiert.
I studied in Cologne for three years.
Perfekt tense.
Möchtest du Medizin studieren?
Would you like to study medicine?
Modal verb 'möchten' + infinitive.
Sie studiert jetzt an einer Fachhochschule.
She is now studying at a university of applied sciences.
Adverb 'jetzt' for current state.
Er hat sein Studium gestern beendet.
He finished his studies yesterday.
Noun 'Studium' related to the verb.
Wir studieren zusammen in der Bibliothek.
We study together in the library.
Adverb 'zusammen'.
Warum studierst du Deutsch?
Why are you studying German (as a major)?
Interrogative 'warum'.
Ich studiere, um Lehrer zu werden.
I am studying to become a teacher.
'um... zu' clause.
Sie studiert fleißig für ihr Examen.
She studies hard for her exam.
Adverb 'fleißig'.
Bevor ich arbeitete, habe ich Informatik studiert.
Before I worked, I studied computer science.
Temporal clause with 'bevor'.
Es ist wichtig, ein Fach zu studieren, das man liebt.
It is important to study a subject that you love.
Relative clause.
Obwohl er wenig Zeit hat, studiert er sehr viel.
Although he has little time, he studies a lot.
Concessive clause with 'obwohl'.
Man kann heutzutage auch online studieren.
Nowadays, one can also study online.
Adverb 'heutzutage'.
Ich studiere an der Universität, die im Stadtzentrum liegt.
I study at the university that is located in the city center.
Relative clause with 'die'.
Während des Semesters studieren wir fast jeden Tag.
During the semester, we study almost every day.
Genitive preposition 'während'.
Sie hat sich entschieden, Jura zu studieren.
She decided to study law.
Infinitive construction with 'zu'.
Wenn ich reich wäre, würde ich ewig studieren.
If I were rich, I would study forever.
Konjunktiv II (hypothetical).
Die Forscher studieren die Auswirkungen der Verschmutzung.
The researchers are studying the effects of pollution.
Secondary meaning: to examine.
Es wird empfohlen, mindestens ein Semester im Ausland zu studieren.
It is recommended to study abroad for at least one semester.
Passive construction 'Es wird empfohlen'.
Nachdem er zwei Jahre studiert hatte, brach er das Studium ab.
After he had studied for two years, he dropped out.
Plusquamperfekt with 'nachdem'.
Sie studiert die Partitur des Komponisten sehr genau.
She is studying the composer's score very closely.
Figurative use for intense reading.
Wer studieren will, muss oft eine Zulassungsprüfung bestehen.
Whoever wants to study often has to pass an entrance exam.
Relative pronoun 'wer' as subject.
Das Fach, das ich studiere, ist sehr zukunftsorientiert.
The subject I am studying is very future-oriented.
Complex relative clause.
Trotz der Schwierigkeiten studiert sie weiter.
Despite the difficulties, she continues to study.
Preposition 'trotz' + Genitiv.
Er studiert die Mimik seines Gegenübers.
He studies the facial expressions of his counterpart.
Metaphorical use.
Die Studierenden fordern eine Reform der Studienbedingungen.
The students are demanding a reform of study conditions.
Substantivized participle 'Studierende'.
Es gilt, die Quellenlage gründlich zu studieren, bevor man urteilt.
It is necessary to study the source situation thoroughly before judging.
Fixed expression 'Es gilt... zu'.
In dieser Arbeit wird die Entwicklung der Sprache studiert.
In this work, the development of language is studied.
Vorgangspassiv.
Man muss die Natur studieren, um ihre Gesetze zu verstehen.
One must study nature to understand its laws.
Generalizing 'man'.
Sie hat jahrelang die Philosophie Kants studiert.
She studied Kant's philosophy for years.
Adverbial 'jahrelang'.
Das Studieren von Fachliteratur ist ein wesentlicher Teil des Studiums.
The studying of specialist literature is an essential part of the degree.
Nominalized verb 'Das Studieren'.
Er studierte die Landkarte, um den besten Weg zu finden.
He studied the map to find the best way.
Präteritum.
Anstatt zu arbeiten, entschied er sich, weiter zu studieren.
Instead of working, he decided to continue studying.
Infinitiv mit 'anstatt zu'.
Die Akribie, mit der sie die Dokumente studierte, war beeindruckend.
The meticulousness with which she studied the documents was impressive.
Relative clause with preposition.
Es ist ein lebenslanges Studieren der menschlichen Natur.
It is a lifelong study of human nature.
Nominalized infinitive as subject.
Er hat die Kunst des Schweigens meisterhaft studiert.
He has masterfully studied the art of silence.
Metaphorical/Poetic use.
Inwiefern das Studieren anonymer Daten ethisch vertretbar ist, bleibt umstritten.
To what extent the study of anonymous data is ethically justifiable remains controversial.
Indirect question with 'inwiefern'.
Sie studierte die feinen Nuancen seiner Stimme.
She studied the fine nuances of his voice.
Abstract object.
Das Werk lädt dazu ein, die Details stundenlang zu studieren.
The work invites one to study the details for hours.
Pronominaladverb 'dazu'.
Ohne die Materie tiefgehend studiert zu haben, sollte man kein Urteil fällen.
Without having studied the subject deeply, one should not pass judgment.
Infinitiv Perfekt with 'ohne... zu'.
Er studierte die Architektur der Macht in totalitären Systemen.
He studied the architecture of power in totalitarian systems.
Metaphorical 'Architektur'.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Souvent confondu avec
Expressions idiomatiques
Facile à confondre
Structures de phrases
Comment l'utiliser
Can mean 'to examine' (e.g., a map, a face).
Studieren = University; Lernen = Everything else.
Astuces
No 'ge-'
Always remember that 'studieren' becomes 'studiert' in the Perfekt. No 'ge-' prefix is needed because of the '-ieren' ending.
Lernen vs Studieren
Use 'lernen' for skills and school. Use 'studieren' for university degrees. This is the most important rule.
University Status
Being a student in Germany is a social status. It often comes with many discounts and a specific lifestyle.
Pronunciation
The 'st' at the beginning is pronounced like 'sh-t'. Make sure to emphasize the 'die' syllable.
Close Observation
If you are looking at a menu very carefully, you can say 'Ich studiere die Speisekarte'. It sounds a bit formal but correct.
Subject Names
Academic subjects like 'Biologie' or 'Physik' are usually used without an article: 'Ich studiere Physik'.
Small Talk
Asking 'Was studierst du?' is a perfect way to start a conversation with someone in their 20s in Germany.
Job Interviews
When asked about your education, use 'Ich habe ... studiert' to describe your degree.
Studierende
In modern German, you will often hear 'Studierende' instead of 'Studenten'. It means the same thing but is gender-neutral.
Exam Prep
If you are preparing for a university exam, you are 'lernen' for it, even though you are 'studieren' the subject.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Studio'. A studio is a place for professional work. 'Studieren' is professional learning at a university.
Origine du mot
From Latin 'studere'
Contexte culturel
Academic titles like Dr. are very important in German culture.
Lernfreiheit (freedom to learn) is a core concept in German universities.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Amorces de conversation
"Was studierst du?"
"Wo hast du studiert?"
"Möchtest du später studieren?"
"Findest du dein Studium schwer?"
"Warum hast du dieses Fach studiert?"
Sujets d'écriture
Was würdest du studieren, wenn Geld keine Rolle spielte?
Beschreibe deinen idealen Tag an der Universität.
Warum ist es wichtig, ein Fach zu studieren?
Was hast du heute über das Wort 'studieren' gelernt?
Möchtest du im Ausland studieren? Warum?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you should say 'Ich lerne für den Test'. 'Studieren' is for your degree program.
It is 'studiert'. Verbs ending in -ieren never take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.
Use 'an'. For example: 'Ich studiere an der Universität Köln'.
No, in high school you 'lernen'. 'Studieren' is only for university or college.
90% of the time, yes. Occasionally it means 'to examine something very closely', like a map or a contract.
You can say 'Ich bin Student' or 'Ich studiere'.
The noun is 'das Studium'.
Yes, it follows the regular weak verb conjugation patterns.
Yes, in a figurative sense, like 'Er studierte ihr Gesicht' (He studied her face).
A 'Student' is at a university; a 'Schüler' is at a school (K-12).
Teste-toi 200 questions
Schreibe einen Satz mit 'studieren' im Präsens.
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'studieren' im Perfekt.
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Was möchtest du studieren? Antworte in einem ganzen Satz.
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Frage jemanden, was er studiert.
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Benutze 'studieren' und 'Universität' in einem Satz.
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Schreibe einen Satz über einen Freund, der studiert.
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Warum studieren Menschen? (Ein Satz)
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'studiert' (3. Person Singular).
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Was hast du studiert? (Oder was würdest du studieren?)
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'online studieren'.
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Benutze das Wort 'Studium' in einem Satz.
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Schreibe einen negativen Satz mit 'studieren'.
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'fleißig studieren'.
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Frage, wo jemand studiert.
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'Medizin'.
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'wir'.
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'ihr'.
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'Ausland'.
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Benutze 'studieren' im Präteritum (ich).
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Schreibe einen Satz mit 'Speisekarte'.
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Sage: 'Ich studiere in Berlin.'
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Frage: 'Was studierst du?'
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Sage: 'Er hat Medizin studiert.'
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Sage: 'Wir studieren an der Universität.'
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Sage: 'Möchtest du studieren?'
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Sage: 'Ich studiere seit zwei Jahren.'
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Sage: 'Sie studiert Biologie.'
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Sage: 'Was habt ihr studiert?'
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Sage: 'Ich studiere nicht gern online.'
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Sage: 'Er studiert die Speisekarte.'
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Sage: 'Wo kann man hier studieren?'
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Sage: 'Ich studiere, um Lehrer zu werden.'
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Sage: 'Meine Schwester studiert in München.'
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Sage: 'Hast du schon fertig studiert?'
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Sage: 'Wir studieren zusammen in der Bibliothek.'
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Sage: 'Was studieren Sie, Herr Müller?'
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Sage: 'Ich studiere gern.'
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Sage: 'Sie studiert Kunst und Geschichte.'
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Sage: 'Warum studierst du Jura?'
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Sage: 'Ich habe in London studiert.'
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Höre den Satz: 'Ich studiere Informatik.' Was studiert die Person?
Höre den Satz: 'Er hat in Köln studiert.' Wo hat er studiert?
Höre den Satz: 'Wir studieren an der Universität.' Wo studieren sie?
Höre den Satz: 'Was studierst du?' Was ist die Frage?
Höre den Satz: 'Sie studiert seit drei Jahren.' Wie lange studiert sie?
Höre den Satz: 'Möchtest du Medizin studieren?' Welches Fach wird genannt?
Höre den Satz: 'Ich studiere die Karte.' Was studiert die Person?
Höre den Satz: 'Studiert ihr zusammen?' Was ist die Frage?
Höre den Satz: 'Er hat sein Studium beendet.' Was hat er gemacht?
Höre den Satz: 'Sie studiert in München.' Wo studiert sie?
Höre den Satz: 'Ich studiere gern online.' Wie studiert die Person?
Höre den Satz: 'Was hat sie studiert?' Was ist die Frage?
Höre den Satz: 'Wir studieren Architektur.' Was studieren sie?
Höre den Satz: 'Er studiert an einer Fachhochschule.' Wo studiert er?
Höre den Satz: 'Ich studiere nicht mehr.' Studiert die Person noch?
/ 200 correct
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Summary
The word 'studieren' is your academic identity in Germany. Use it only when talking about university degrees or intense observation. For everything else, like learning a language or doing homework, use 'lernen'. Example: 'Ich studiere Jura, aber heute lerne ich für die Prüfung.'
- Used exclusively for university-level education in Germany.
- Different from 'lernen' (general learning/school/homework).
- Can also mean to examine something very closely (e.g., a map).
- A regular verb ending in '-ieren', so it has no 'ge-' in the past participle.
No 'ge-'
Always remember that 'studieren' becomes 'studiert' in the Perfekt. No 'ge-' prefix is needed because of the '-ieren' ending.
Lernen vs Studieren
Use 'lernen' for skills and school. Use 'studieren' for university degrees. This is the most important rule.
University Status
Being a student in Germany is a social status. It often comes with many discounts and a specific lifestyle.
Pronunciation
The 'st' at the beginning is pronounced like 'sh-t'. Make sure to emphasize the 'die' syllable.
Exemple
Ich studiere Germanistik an der Universität.
Contenu associé
Expressions liées
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Abschluss
A1Diplôme, conclusion, fin. 'Elle a obtenu son diplôme universitaire.' 'La conclusion du contrat a pris du temps.'
ankreuzen
A2Cocher une case sur un formulaire en y faisant une croix.
Aufgabe
A1Une tâche ou un devoir à accomplir.
Ausbildung
A2Formation professionnelle ou apprentissage. Il a fait une formation de menuisier.
aussprechen
B1prononcer (un mot)
Beispiel
A2Un exemple est une chose qui illustre une règle.
bestehen
B1Réussir un examen ou un test.
Bibliothek
A1Une bibliothèque est un lieu où l'on conserve des livres pour les lire ou les emprunter.
bilden
A2Former un cercle ou une opinion.
Bildung
B1Le processus de formation de l'esprit et de la personnalité par l'éducation. C'est plus large que l'enseignement scolaire.