schoolmaster
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schoolmaster
An outdated term for a teacher, especially at a village school.
Im 19. Jahrhundert war der Schulmeister oft eine der wichtigsten Personen im Dorf.
In the 19th century, the schoolmaster was often one of the most important people in the village.
pedant
A derogatory term for a person who treats others in a pedantic, lecturing, and know-it-all manner.
Hör auf, dich wie ein Schulmeister aufzuführen, ich weiß selbst, was ich tue!
Stop acting like a pedant; I know what I'm doing!
The word is made up of 'Schule' (school) and 'Meister' (master). So it literally describes a 'master of the school,' which makes the original meaning as a teacher understandable.
Früher war der Schulmeister eine Respektsperson im Dorf.
In the past, the schoolmaster was a respected person in the village.
Today, 'Schulmeister' (schoolmaster/pedant) is usually used derogatorily for a person who constantly lectures others and thinks they know everything better. It is a negative characterization, not a neutral job title.
Sei nicht so ein Schulmeister und lass mich meine eigenen Fehler machen!
Don't be such a pedant and let me make my own mistakes!
The original meaning 'Lehrer' (teacher) is outdated. The word is used in this sense only when talking about historical contexts, for example in old stories or novels.
Die Geschichte spielt in einem kleinen Dorf, in dem der Schulmeister die Kinder unterrichtete.
The story is set in a small village where the schoolmaster taught the children.
In its negative meaning, the word is often combined with the verb 'sich aufführen wie' (to act like). The expression 'sich wie ein Schulmeister aufführen' means to behave in a lecturing and pedantic way.
Mein Kollege führt sich bei jeder Besprechung wie ein Schulmeister auf.
My colleague acts like a pedant in every meeting.
teacher
Lehrer is the neutral term for a person who teaches at a school. Schulmeister also means teacher, but today it sounds outdated and is especially suited to historical settings, such as a village school. In normal modern usage, Lehrer is therefore used.
Im historischen Roman beginnt der Schulmeister am Montag mit dem Unterricht in der Dorfschule.
In the historical novel, the schoolmaster begins teaching at the village school on Monday.
Der Lehrer beginnt am Montag mit dem Unterricht in der Dorfschule.
The teacher begins teaching at the village school on Monday.
