Jura
law
Jurisprudence; the study of laws and legal decisions. Usually used without an article.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Abitur entschied er sich, Jura zu studieren.
After graduating from high school, he decided to study law.
das Jura
law / Jura / Jurassic
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Meanings
der Jura
Jura Mountains
A mountain range that runs through France, Switzerland, and Germany.
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderung führte uns über die Höhen des Schweizer Jura.
The hike took us across the heights of the Swiss Jura.
der Jura
Jurassic
A geological period of the Mesozoic Era, which lasted from about 201 to 145 million years ago and is known for its dinosaurs.
EXAMPLE
Der Archaeopteryx ist ein berühmtes Fossil aus dem Jura.
Archaeopteryx is a famous fossil from the Jurassic.
Usage tips
Context clue: article
The article reveals the meaning: 'das Jura' (or no article) refers to the subject of law. 'Der Jura' (masculine) refers either to the mountain range or to the geological period.
EXAMPLE
Sie studiert Jura in Berlin.
She studies law in Berlin.
Use without an article
When 'Jura' means the academic subject law, it is almost always used without an article, especially in the fixed phrase 'Jura studieren' (to study law).
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder hat sich entschieden, Jura zu studieren.
My brother has decided to study law.
Word family
The personal nouns 'der Jurist' or 'die Juristin' (lawyer/legal expert) and the adjective 'juristisch' (legal) are derived from the academic subject 'Jura' (law).
EXAMPLE
Als Juristin kennt sie sich mit Verträgen gut aus.
As a legal expert, she knows a lot about contracts.
Compare with
Jura vs Recht
right / law
Recht and Jura can refer to the field of studying laws. Jura is the usual standalone term for the subject of study. Recht can also refer more broadly to the system in force and, in an academic context, often appears in more specific subject names; for a general statement about studying the subject, people usually say “Jura studieren” (study law).
Jura
Lea studiert Jura und besucht heute ihre erste Vorlesung.
Lea is studying law and is attending her first lecture today.
Recht
Lea studiert Recht mit dem Schwerpunkt Verwaltung.
Lea is studying law with a focus on public administration.
In real life
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