professor
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professor
A university teacher of the highest academic rank who conducts research and teaches at a university or college.
Der Professor für Geschichte hält heute eine Vorlesung über das Römische Reich.
The professor of history is giving a lecture today about the Roman Empire.
To name a professor's field, you use the preposition 'für' (+ accusative). The university is given with 'an der' (+ dative).
Er ist Professor für moderne Geschichte an der Universität Heidelberg.
He is a professor of modern history at Heidelberg University.
In Germany and Austria, it is common and a sign of respect to address a person directly with this title. For example, you say 'Guten Tag, Herr Professor Meier' (Good day, Professor Meier).
Entschuldigen Sie, Herr Professor, dürfte ich Ihnen eine Frage stellen?
Excuse me, Professor, may I ask you a question?
The word 'Professor' (professor) belongs to a word family related to teaching at university. The position or post of a professor is called 'die Professur' (professorship).
Sie hat eine Professur für Biologie in Berlin angenommen.
She accepted a professorship in biology in Berlin.
teacher
'der Lehrer' and 'der Professor' both teach other people and pass on knowledge. The most important difference is the place and the professional role. A teacher usually works at a school and teaches children or teenagers. A professor works at a university or college, teaches students there, and also does research. Learners may confuse the words because both explain things in front of a group and give lessons. At school, however, people normally say 'Lehrer'; at a university, for someone with a high academic rank, they say 'Professor'.
Nach der Vorlesung beantwortet der Professor die Fragen der Studierenden.
After the lecture, the professor answers the students' questions.
Der Lehrer erklärt der Klasse heute ein neues Thema in Mathe.
The teacher is explaining a new topic in math to the class today.