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An outdated term for a teacher, especially at a village school.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.
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The original meaning 'Lehrer' (teacher) is outdated.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
'der Lehrer' and 'der Schulmeister' can both have to do with teaching. 'der Lehrer' is the normal, neutral word today for a person who teaches. 'der Schulmeister' is outdated as a term for a teacher and sounds more historical, for example in the context of an old village school. In addition, 'Schulmeister' can be derogatory: then it describes someone who lectures others in a know-it-all way. Learners may confuse the words because both sound connected to school. In everyday German today, people almost always say 'Lehrer'.
Finn klingt manchmal wie ein Schulmeister, wenn er jeden kleinen Fehler sofort erklärt.
Finn sometimes sounds like a schoolmaster when he immediately explains every little mistake.
Der Lehrer spricht nach dem Unterricht noch kurz mit Luisas Eltern.
The teacher talks briefly with Luisa's parents after class.