School Subjects (Junior Cert German): Revision Notes
School Subjects
Learning the names of school subjects in German is essential for talking about your education, timetable, and opinions about what you study. This vocabulary will help you discuss your favourite subjects, explain what you find challenging, and understand the German education system.
Mastering school subject vocabulary is fundamental for German learners as it appears frequently in conversations about daily life, future plans, and academic experiences. This vocabulary forms the foundation for discussing education and expressing personal preferences.
Core school subjects
Here are the most common school subjects you'll need to know:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Deutsch | German |
| Englisch | English |
| Mathe | Maths |
| Geschichte | History |
| Erdkunde | Geography |
| Biologie | Biology |
| Chemie | Chemistry |
| Physik | Physics |
| Sport | PE (Physical Education) |
| Kunst | Art |
The subjects Deutsch, Englisch, and Mathe are the most frequently discussed in everyday conversation, similar to how English, Maths, and Science are core subjects in the UK system.
Example sentences:
- Ich habe heute Deutsch und Mathe. = I have German and maths today.
- Geschichte ist sehr interessant. = History is very interesting.
- Wir haben dreimal pro Woche Sport. = We have PE three times per week.
Additional school subjects
These subjects are also important to recognise and use:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Informatik | IT (Information Technology) |
| Technologie | Design Technology (DT) |
| Wirtschaftslehre | Business Studies/Economics |
| Medienwissenschaft | Media Studies |
Example sentences:
- Informatik ist mein Lieblingsfach. = IT is my favourite subject.
- Wirtschaftslehre finde ich nützlich. = I find Business Studies useful.
Asking for and giving opinions about subjects
The key question to ask someone's opinion about a school subject is:
"Wie findest du...?" = What do you think of...? / How do you find...?
Wie findest du Mathe? = What do you think of maths?
This question structure is essential for natural conversation and will be used frequently in speaking assessments.
Opinion vocabulary
Use these words and phrases to express your feelings about different subjects:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| einfach | easy |
| zu schwierig | too hard/difficult |
| langweilig | boring |
| interessant | interesting |
| nützlich | useful |
| total sinnlos | totally pointless |
| unheimlich interessant | incredibly interesting |
Example sentences:
- Chemie ist zu schwierig für mich. = Chemistry is too difficult for me.
- Kunst finde ich sehr interessant. = I find art very interesting.
- Sport ist einfach und macht Spaß. = PE is easy and fun.
Talking about performance and preferences
| German | English |
|---|---|
| ich habe gute Noten | I get good marks/grades |
| ich bin stark/gut | I am strong/good (at it) |
| ich bin schwach | I am weak/bad (at it) |
| es ist mein Lieblingsfach | it's my favourite subject |
| ich verstehe kein Wort | I don't understand a word |
Example sentences:
- In Englisch habe ich gute Noten. = I get good marks in English.
- Physik ist mein Lieblingsfach. = Physics is my favourite subject.
- In Geschichte bin ich schwach. = I'm weak in History.
Understanding German grades
The German grading system works completely differently from the UK system. German schools use numbers from 1 to 6:
| Grade | German | English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | sehr gut | very good |
| 2 | gut | good |
| 3 | befriedigend | satisfactory |
| 4 | ausreichend | sufficient (pass) |
| 5 | mangelhaft | unsatisfactory (fail) |
| 6 | ungenügend | inadequate (fail) |
Critical difference: In Germany, 1 is the best grade and 6 is the worst - the opposite of the UK system!
Example sentences:
- Ich habe eine Zwei in Deutsch bekommen. = I got a 2 (good grade) in German.
- Eine Eins ist sehr gut. = A 1 is very good.
Worked Example: Using grades in conversation
Question: How would you say "I got a very good grade in Chemistry"?
Step 1: Identify the key components
- "very good grade" = eine Eins (grade 1)
- "in Chemistry" = in Chemie
- "I got" = ich habe bekommen
Step 2: Construct the sentence Ich habe eine Eins in Chemie bekommen.
Step 3: Alternative phrasing Ich habe sehr gute Noten in Chemie.
Translation practice
Translation Practice Exercise
- Wie findest du Biologie?
- Mathe ist zu schwierig.
- Art is my favourite subject.
- I get good marks in English.
Answers:
- What do you think of Biology?
- Maths is too difficult.
- Kunst ist mein Lieblingsfach.
- Ich habe gute Noten in Englisch.
Common mistakes & tips
Critical mistakes to avoid:
Mistake 1: Using English word order when giving opinions
- ❌ Wrong: Ich sehr interessant finde Geschichte
- ✅ Right: Ich finde Geschichte sehr interessant = I find History very interesting
Mistake 2: Forgetting that German grades work backwards
- Remember: 1 = excellent, 6 = terrible (opposite to UK!)
Mistake 3: Not capitalising subject names
- ❌ Wrong: deutsch und englisch
- ✅ Right: Deutsch und Englisch (all nouns are capitalised in German)
Pronunciation tip: The "ch" in subjects like "Geschichte" is pronounced like the "ch" in Scottish "loch" - practise this sound!
Key Points to Remember:
- German school subjects are all nouns, so they must be capitalised
- Use "Wie findest du...?" to ask opinions about subjects
- German grades go from 1 (best) to 6 (worst) - opposite to UK system
- Common positive opinions: interessant, einfach, nützlich
- Common negative opinions: schwierig, langweilig, sinnlos
- The phrase "es ist mein Lieblingsfach" (it's my favourite subject) is essential for expressing preferences