University life in German is called Universitätsleben. This vocabulary covers common words and phrases you’ll need for lectures, studying, exams, campus life, and social activities at a German university.
Academic Life
Academic life includes the core activities like attending lectures, taking exams, and writing papers.
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| German Singular | German Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| die Vorlesung | die Vorlesungen | the lecture | the lectures |
| das Seminar | die Seminare | the seminar | the seminars |
| die Übung | die Übungen | the tutorial | the tutorials |
| die Prüfung | die Prüfungen | the exam | the exams |
| die Hausarbeit | die Hausarbeiten | the term paper | the term papers |
| das Studium | – | the studies | – |
| der Dozent | die Dozenten | the lecturer (m.) | the lecturers |
| die Dozentin | die Dozentinnen | the lecturer (f.) | the lecturers |
| das Semester | die Semester | the semester | the semesters |
| die Bibliothek | die Bibliotheken | the library | the libraries |
Campus Life
Campus life covers the everyday places and things you’ll encounter on a German university campus.
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| German Singular | German Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| der Campus | die Campus | the campus | the campuses |
| die Mensa | die Mensen | the cafeteria | the cafeterias |
| das Studentenwohnheim | die Studentenwohnheime | the dormitory | the dormitories |
| die Bibliothek | die Bibliotheken | the library | the libraries |
| das Hörsaal | die Hörsäle | the lecture hall | the lecture halls |
| das Studentenwerk | – | the student services | – |
| der Studentenausweis | die Studentenausweise | the student ID card | the student ID cards |
| die Anmeldung | – | the registration | – |
| der Kommilitone | die Kommilitonen | the fellow student (m.) | the fellow students |
| die Kommilitonin | die Kommilitoninnen | the fellow student (f.) | the fellow students |
Study & Learning
Study and learning vocabulary helps you describe your daily routines and academic tasks.
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| German Singular | German Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| das Lernen | – | the learning | – |
| das Wiederholen | – | the review | – |
| das Mitschreiben | – | the note-taking | – |
| der Lernzettel | die Lernzettel | the study sheet | the study sheets |
| der Stift | die Stifte | the pen/pencil | the pens/pencils |
| das Heft | die Hefte | the notebook | the notebooks |
| der Laptop | die Laptops | the laptop | the laptops |
| das Wörterbuch | die Wörterbücher | the dictionary | the dictionaries |
| die Konzentration | – | the concentration | – |
| die Pause | die Pausen | the break | the breaks |
What is the German word for 'learning'?
Lernen
'Lernen' means 'learning'. 'Wiederholen' means 'review', 'Mitschreiben' means 'note-taking', and 'Studieren' means 'to study'.
Exams & Grades
Here are key words related to taking exams, getting grades, and passing your courses.
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| German Singular | German Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| die Prüfung | die Prüfungen | the exam | the exams |
| die Klausur | die Klausuren | the written exam | the written exams |
| die mündliche Prüfung | die mündlichen Prüfungen | the oral exam | the oral exams |
| die Note | die Noten | the grade | the grades |
| bestehen | – | to pass | – |
| durchfallen | – | to fail | – |
| das Zeugnis | die Zeugnisse | the certificate/report card | the certificates/report cards |
| die Vorbereitung | – | the preparation | – |
| die Anmeldung zur Prüfung | – | exam registration | – |
| die Prüfungskommission | – | the examination board | – |
What is the German word for 'to pass' (an exam)?
bestehen
'bestehen' means 'to pass' (an exam). 'durchfallen' means 'to fail', while 'schreiben' and 'lösen' are more general verbs unrelated to passing or failing.
Social Life
Social life at university is also important. Here’s vocabulary for clubs, parties, and meeting new people.
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| German Singular | German Plural | English Singular | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| die WG (Wohngemeinschaft) | die WGs | the shared apartment | the shared apartments |
| der Club | die Clubs | the club | the clubs |
| die Party | die Partys | the party | the parties |
| der Verein | die Vereine | the club/association | the clubs/associations |
| das Studentenleben | – | the student life | – |
| sich verabreden | – | to make plans/date | – |
| kennenlernen | – | to get to know/meet someone | – |
| das Treffen | die Treffen | the meeting/get-together | the meetings/get-togethers |
| die Feier | die Feiern | the celebration/party | the celebrations/parties |
| der Kommilitone | die Kommilitonen | the fellow student (m.) | the fellow students |
University life (Universitätsleben) in Germany can be demanding but also very rewarding. With this vocabulary, you’ll be better equipped to participate fully in both the academic and social aspects of your studies.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Singular: the lecture
- English Plural: the lectures
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
