Magister / master's degree
Loading your saved state.
master's degree
An academic degree that was formerly awarded at universities in Germany and Austria and corresponds to today's master's degree.
Sie hat ihren Magister in Germanistik und Geschichte gemacht.
She completed her master's degree in German studies and history.
The word 'Magister' comes from the Latin 'magister', meaning 'master' or 'teacher'. This origin connects all meanings: the academic master's degree, the person with this degree, and the historical master teacher.
Sein Wissen war so groß, dass man ihn ehrfürchtig Magister nannte.
His knowledge was so great that people respectfully called him Magister.
The academic degree 'Magister' has no longer been newly awarded in most subjects in Germany since the Bologna reform (around 2010). It was replaced by the master's degree, but it is still considered a fully valid academic degree.
Mein Professor hat noch einen Magister, keinen Master.
My professor still has a Magister, not a master's degree.
When 'Magister' refers to a person, the title can stand before the surname like part of the name. In direct address, however, it is rarely used.
Der nächste Vortrag wird von Magister Huber gehalten.
The next lecture will be given by Magister Huber.
When referring to the degree, 'Magister' is often used with certain verbs and prepositions. Typical phrases are 'einen Magister machen' (to do/complete a Magister degree), 'seinen Magister haben in' (to have one's Magister in), or 'für den Magister studieren' (to study for the Magister degree).
Er hat seinen Magister in Philosophie mit Auszeichnung bestanden.
He passed his master's degree in philosophy with distinction.
You can recognize the historical meaning of a teacher from the context. If monasteries, the Middle Ages, Latin, or old skilled trades are being discussed, the master teacher is probably meant.
Der alte Magister brachte den Kindern das Lesen und Schreiben bei.
The old master taught the children reading and writing.
teacher
'der Lehrer' and 'der Magister' can both have to do with education and knowledge, but today they are not the same thing. 'der Lehrer' is a person who teaches professionally, especially at school. Today, 'der Magister' is mainly an academic degree or a person with this degree. Only in historical texts can 'Magister' also mean a teacher or scholar. The words can therefore be confused because 'Magister' sounds old-fashioned or scholarly. For an ordinary person at school, however, you say 'Lehrer', not 'Magister'.
In dem alten Buch erklärt ein Magister den Schülern die Natur.
In the old book, a Magister explains nature to the students.
Vor der Reise fragt der Gast den Lehrer nach den wichtigsten Regeln.
Before the trip, the guest asks the teacher about the most important rules.