die Grundschule
elementary school
The first, basic school that children in Germany normally attend between the ages of six and ten.
EXAMPLE
Mein Sohn kommt nach dem Sommer in die Grundschule.
My son is starting elementary school after the summer.
die Grundschule
elementary school
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Meanings
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Grund' and 'Schule'. 'Grund' here means 'basis' or 'foundation'. So 'die Grundschule' (elementary school) is the basic, first school for children.
EXAMPLE
In der Grundschule lernen die Kinder die Grundlagen des Lesens und Schreibens.
In elementary school, children learn the basics of reading and writing.
Movement and location
Pay attention to the preposition 'in' and the correct case. For movement to a place, you use the accusative ('in die Grundschule' (to elementary school)); for being at a place, you use the dative ('in der Grundschule' (in elementary school)).
EXAMPLE
Morgen geht meine Tochter zum ersten Mal in die Grundschule.
Tomorrow my daughter is going to elementary school for the first time.
Typical verbs
Common verbs in connection with 'die Grundschule' (elementary school) are 'die Grundschule besuchen' (to attend elementary school) or 'in die Grundschule gehen/kommen' (to go/start elementary school).
EXAMPLE
Alle Kinder in diesem Viertel besuchen dieselbe Grundschule.
All the children in this neighborhood attend the same elementary school.
Regional variants
The term 'Grundschule' (elementary school) is common in Germany. In Austria, this type of school is called 'Volksschule', and in Switzerland 'Primarschule'.
EXAMPLE
In Österreich dauert die Volksschule vier Jahre.
In Austria, Volksschule lasts four years.
Compare with
Grundschule vs Volksschule
elementary school
Grundschule and Volksschule both refer to the first years of school, but the appropriate term today depends mainly on the region. In Germany, people normally say „Grundschule“, while in Austria they say „Volksschule“. When referring to a current school, you should therefore use the regional term.
Grundschule
In Deutschland besucht meine Tochter nach dem Kindergarten die Grundschule.
In Germany, my daughter attends elementary school after kindergarten.
Volksschule
In Österreich besucht meine Tochter nach dem Kindergarten die Volksschule.
In Austria, my daughter attends primary school after kindergarten.
In real life
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