to teach / inform
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to teach
To systematically provide someone with knowledge or skills in a particular subject area, usually at a school, university, or in a course.
Herr Schmidt unterrichtet seit 20 Jahren Geschichte am Gymnasium.
Mr. Schmidt has been teaching history at the secondary school for 20 years.
to inform someone
To inform someone about a situation or event; to notify them. This meaning is more formal and less common than 'informieren' (to inform).
Bitte unterrichten Sie mich sofort, sobald es Neuigkeiten gibt.
Please inform me immediately as soon as there is any news.
Like many verbs with the prefix 'unter-', 'unterrichten' (to teach/inform) is also inseparable. The prefix always stays at the beginning of the verb, and the stress is on the syllable '-rich-': unterríchteten.
Er unterrichtet Deutsch als Fremdsprache.
He teaches German as a foreign language.
In the meaning 'lehren' (to teach), there are two common sentence patterns. Either you teach a subject (accusative), or you teach a person (accusative) in a subject (dative).
Sie unterrichtet Physik an der Universität.
She teaches physics at the university.
When 'unterrichten' means 'informieren' (to inform), it is always used with the preposition 'über' and the accusative. The structure is: jemanden über etwas unterrichten (to inform someone about something).
Der Chef unterrichtete seine Mitarbeiter über die neuen Pläne.
The boss informed his employees about the new plans.
The meaning 'informieren' (to inform) is formal and is used mainly in written language or in official contexts.
Der Anwalt unterrichtete seinen Klienten über den Stand des Verfahrens.
The lawyer informed his client about the status of the proceedings.
to form / educate
Bilden and unterrichten can both refer to imparting knowledge. Unterrichten is more strongly associated with concrete, systematic instruction in a subject, whereas bilden also includes intellectual and personal development. Use unterrichten for a lesson and bilden for the broader goal.
Die Lehrerin unterrichtet die Kinder jeden Dienstag in Geschichte.
The teacher teaches the children history every Tuesday.
Die Schule bildet die Kinder durch Kunst, Geschichte und gemeinsame Projekte umfassend.
The school provides the children with a broad education through art, history, and joint projects.
