Meaning
To go to school regularly for education.
Cultural Background
Education is a state matter (Ländersache), so the types of schools one might 'besuchen' vary by region (e.g., Hamburg vs. Bavaria). The term 'Matura' is the goal for those who 'besuchen' a higher secondary school, similar to the German 'Abitur'. Vocational training is highly respected; many 'besuchen' a 'Berufsschule' as part of an apprenticeship.
Resume Power
Always use 'besuchen' in your CV. It sounds much more professional than 'gehen'.
No Prepositions
Never say 'besuchen in die Schule'. It's a direct connection: besuchen + die Schule.
Meaning
To go to school regularly for education.
Resume Power
Always use 'besuchen' in your CV. It sounds much more professional than 'gehen'.
No Prepositions
Never say 'besuchen in die Schule'. It's a direct connection: besuchen + die Schule.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'besuchen'.
Mein Bruder ______ eine private Schule.
The subject 'Mein Bruder' is 3rd person singular.
Which sentence is correct for a CV?
How do you say you attended a Gymnasium?
The perfect tense with 'besuchen' is standard for resumes.
Match the German phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Besuchen implies the formal status of attendance.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Was machst du beruflich? B: Ich arbeite noch nicht, ich ______.
This is the most natural way to state you are still a student in a neutral/formal conversation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Besuchen vs. Gehen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMein Bruder ______ eine private Schule.
The subject 'Mein Bruder' is 3rd person singular.
How do you say you attended a Gymnasium?
The perfect tense with 'besuchen' is standard for resumes.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Besuchen implies the formal status of attendance.
A: Was machst du beruflich? B: Ich arbeite noch nicht, ich ______.
This is the most natural way to state you are still a student in a neutral/formal conversation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, but 'studieren an der Universität' is more common for students. 'Besuchen' is used for specific lectures or if you are talking about the institution generally.
Use 'die Schule' when talking about the general concept of school or a specific one already mentioned. Use 'eine Schule' if you are just saying you attend 'a' school (any school).
No, in this specific collocation, it means you are a regular student. If you were a guest, you would say 'Ich bin zu Besuch in der Schule'.
Related Phrases
einen Kurs besuchen
similarTo take/attend a course.
die Universität besuchen
builds onTo attend university.
schulpflichtig sein
similarTo be of school age / required to attend school.
