elementary school
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elementary school
(historical in Germany) The former form of compulsory school, which usually covered eight school years and provided a basic general education before being replaced by primary and secondary general schools.
Mein Großvater erzählte oft, wie streng es damals in der achtklassigen Volksschule zuging.
My grandfather often told us how strict things were back then in the eight-grade elementary school.
primary school
(in Austria and parts of Switzerland) The official term for primary school, which covers the first four school years.
In Österreich gehen die Kinder nach dem Kindergarten für vier Jahre in die Volksschule.
In Austria, children go to primary school for four years after kindergarten.
'Volksschule' (elementary/primary school) is made up of 'Volk' (people), the linking -s '-s-', and 'Schule' (school). So it literally means a 'school for the people'.
Die Idee der Volksschule war, allen Kindern eine Grundbildung zu ermöglichen.
The idea of the Volksschule was to make basic education possible for all children.
The meaning of this word depends strongly on the country. In Germany, it is a historical term for an earlier type of school, while in Austria and Switzerland it is the current term for primary school.
Mein Opa ging in Deutschland noch in die Volksschule.
My grandpa still went to the Volksschule in Germany.
When people in Germany talk about the 'Volksschule' (elementary school), they are referring to a past school system. The term is usually used in the preterite or present perfect when talking about the school days of older people.
Meine Großmutter hat in der Volksschule noch Schreiben auf einer Schiefertafel gelernt.
My grandmother still learned to write on a slate tablet in elementary school.
In Austria and parts of Switzerland, 'Volksschule' (primary school) is the official and everyday term for the first four school years. It is used in the present tense for children's current situation.
In Österreich dauert die Volksschule vier Jahre.
In Austria, primary school lasts four years.
elementary school
Grundschule and Volksschule both refer to the first years of school, but the appropriate term today depends mainly on the region. In Germany, people normally say „Grundschule“, while in Austria they say „Volksschule“. When referring to a current school, you should therefore use the regional term.
In Österreich besucht meine Tochter nach dem Kindergarten die Volksschule.
In Austria, my daughter attends primary school after kindergarten.
In Deutschland besucht meine Tochter nach dem Kindergarten die Grundschule.
In Germany, my daughter attends elementary school after kindergarten.
